Get the basics right...
Most newbies step into online marketing believing that success comes from buying the next course, tool, or “proven system.”
When things don’t work, they assume they’re missing one more strategy or secret.
So they buy again.
And again.
And again.
Nothing really changes — except their bank balance.
And that’s where most newbies get stuck. The only thing that has changed is that their wallets have gotten lighter.
The problem usually isn’t a lack of motivation or effort. What beginners often lack are the right skills. Skills that help you create content, build products, make sales and so on.
Application of these basic skills will translate into sales and profits. This is the antidote to drowning in information overload and going nowhere.
So in this blog post, I’ll show you 7 core skills every new marketer needs to succeed online.
Unlike trendy tactics or short-lived hacks, these are practical, timeless skills that make everything else work better, and help you build momentum without overwhelm or guesswork.
It doesn’t matter if you’re selling infoproducts, running a Shopify store, publishing on KDP or posting videos on your YouTube channel – you’ll still need most of these skills.
So let’s begin…
Skill #1: Using AI as a Practical Assistant (Not a Crutch)
There’s a lot of hate towards AI, some with good reason. But it can be incredibly powerful, and you MUST learn how to leverage it in your marketing.
It’s either that or get left behind.
But AAI should never be used as a crutch for dull or lazy content.
Knowing how to use the right AI tools can free up a huge amount of time and mental energy.
Instead of staring at a blank screen and struggling to cook up ideas, you can now focus on letting AI do the thinking… while you do the refining.
For example, you can use AI to generate ideas, create content outlines, plan a content calendar, draft rough content, and even generate images.
From there, you edit and humanize the output so it sounds like a real person wrote it. That’s where your voice and judgment still matter. But you’ve sped up the entire process.
Contrary to what many beginners believe, AI isn’t complicated and it doesn’t require deep technical knowledge. You can get powerful results with just a few simple prompts. And ironically, you can even use AI to help you create better prompts.
Used correctly, AI will amplify your skills. You may wish to join Facebook groups (or follow marketers) where content dedicated to AI is shared.
Skill #2: Basic Tech Skills (So You Can Actually Launch Things)
A lot of beginner marketers avoid tech like it’s a venomous snake. They’ll spend weeks “planning” and “researching” – but won’t build a simple sales page because it feels intimidating.
Here’s the truth: If you want to succeed online, you need basic tech skills.
Not advanced coding skills.
Just the basics.
You should know how to build a clean sales page using a simple page builder – there are lots of them out there, just choose one and start.
Most of these tools are designed to be beginner-friendly. You don’t need a degree in rocket science to use them. All it takes is a willingness to click around, get familiar with the dashboard, and push through the learning curve.
If you get stuck, there are tutorials on YouTube and inside the tool’s knowledgebase. And if you still can’t find what you need, ask ChatGPT for step-by-step instructions.
Spend one hour a day learning it. Within a week or two, you’ll be using these tools like a pro.
It’s easier than you think. And once you get it, it stays with you.
Skill #3: Networking and Building Relationships
Online marketing isn’t a solo sport. No matter how good your product or content is, you won’t get very far doing everything alone.
I’m far from the most sociable person in the world, but I have gained SO much through building relationships and partnerships with others – and I still do to this day.
Networking helps you find affiliates, collaborate with other vendors or authors, and get your offers in front of new audiences.
It also helps you build real relationships with people who are on the same path as you. No man is an island, and nothing in online business exists in isolation.
You don’t need to be a networking wizard. Just start simple by joining relevant Facebook groups and engaging in conversations. Reach out to peers for genuine collaborations or cross-promotions.
Strong relationships compound over time, just like everything else in online marketing.
Skill #4: Getting Consistent Traffic
You can have the best offer in the world, but without traffic, nothing happens.
That’s why traffic is a must-have skill for anyone who wants to succeed online. The key is to keep it simple.
Choose one organic traffic method and one paid traffic method, then go deep with both.
Pick platforms that align with your niche and business model, whether that’s content marketing, social media, SEO, or ads. Organic traffic rewards consistency, so showing up regularly matters more than being perfect.
Paid traffic can feel like a monumental endeavour at first, but when you approach it slowly and systematically, it becomes manageable. Learn the basics, test small, and improve over time.
Master traffic, and everything else in your business gets easier… and more profitable.
Skill #5: Copywriting That Converts (Not Wins Awards)
You don’t need to be a master copywriter to make sales online. As long as your copy is clear, relevant, and focused on one simple outcome, your sales page can convert.
And with AI, copywriting is now well within reach of most newbies. You can ask ChatGPT for proven copywriting frameworks and use those as a starting point.
From there, it’s just a matter of filling in the blanks and making the copy sound like you. A short back-and-forth conversation is often enough to produce solid, professional-looking copy.
Your goal here is not to impress anyone with clever wording. All you’re trying to do is help people decide. Once you can show that your product will help them get the transformation they’re looking for – you’ll start converting.
And AI is good enough to generate copy that does this.
Skill #6: List Building (Because Algorithms Are Not Your Friends)
This skill ties directly into your tech skills, whether you like it or not.
You need to know how to build a solid landing page and make sure your content points to it. Blog posts, videos, social content, comments.
All roads lead to Rome, and in this case, Rome is your opt-in page.
But remember all in one platforms like Systeme.io make this very easy. There is always a learning curve, but these tools are designed for beginners and have support to match.
You’ll also need an autoresponder to collect and follow up with leads. That could be something like GetResponse, or the built-in email system inside an all-in-one platform like Systeme.io.
The tool matters less than knowing how to use it properly.
The basics are simple. Create a clear landing page. Offer a good bribe in exchange for the email address. Connect everything so it runs smoothly. Then send traffic to it.
Do this right and you’re no longer at the mercy of platforms or algorithms. You’re building an asset you actually own.
Skill #7: Email Marketing (Where the Real Money Is)
Building a list is only the first step. The real money is in your relationship with that list.
If you don’t know how to communicate with your subscribers, send useful emails, and stay top of mind, your list won’t do much for you.
Strong email marketing skills are what turn subscribers into readers, readers into buyers, and buyers into repeat customers.
AI can help here too. You can use ChatGPT to draft emails, come up with ideas, or structure your messages. But you still need to tweak the output so it’s more useful, more valuable, and more entertaining.
People aren’t taken in by polished marketing emails. What they want are emails that sound human.
If you can get this right, your list will like you, trust you and you’ll create sales with most of your emails.
Final Thoughts
Online marketing isn’t about knowing everything or owning every tool under the sun. It’s all about having the right skills and actually using them.
You don’t need to master all seven at once. Pick one, work on it, then move on to the next. Progress beats perfection every single time.
If you focus on building these skills instead of chasing shortcuts, things will start to click.
Content creation will get easier. Tech will feel less scary and you’ll become more competent at it. Traffic will become predictable and sales will stop feeling like a lucky accident.
So keep it all simple and consistent. Your skills will compound… and with time, so will your profits.
Resources
My top recommendation for anyone just starting online is to get a free account with Systeme.io
Unlike traditional website builders that require separate tools for email marketing, landing pages, and sales funnels, Systeme.io integrates everything in one tool.
And the big advantage of Systeme.io is that you can get started 100% free – the free account there will cover most of what I’m talking about in this post.
