If you’re tired of marketing that feels cold, robotic, or transactional, you’re not alone. The path to real online growth isn’t spamming posts and promotions. It’s about relationship marketing strategies for internet marketers, building trust, showing up human, and creating real connection. Sprinkle in a bit of “Internet Profit Success” mindset (yeah, that phrase’s coming along), and you get something sustainable.
Below: the 11 principles (drawn from Carnegie) fleshed out, with extra commentary, examples, and how you can apply them in your online world.

This one is simple but powerful. Everybody craves real recognition, not empty praise, but genuine gratitude. When someone shares feedback, comments, or results, point out exactly what’s awesome.

Action step: pick one subscriber or customer per week, and send a thank-you note that mentions a specific result or detail you appreciated. 

“Hey Sam, I saw your feedback about the A/B test you ran, and I’m so impressed by how you worked with the split testing even when the first run didn’t win. That willingness to experiment is exactly what makes good marketers great.”

That elevates you from “another email in their inbox” to “that person who notices me.” Over time, that builds loyalty and trust.

In a marketing context, this helps with building audience trust online, people feel seen, not just sold to.

You’re not just a broadcasting machine. You’re a human talking to other humans. When you ask, “What’s your biggest struggle right now?” and actually listen, magic happens.

Action step: run a poll, survey, or open-ended question in your email / stories / community:

“What’s your #1 block in getting clients this month?” Then really read their replies, group trends, and shape your content around those pain points.

If you can pull quotes (with permission), you can also respond publicly: “I got so many folks saying ‘budget’ is their block, so here’s a post / video tackling that.” That shows you’re tuned into their challenges, a core part of soft skills for digital marketing success.

It’s not just polite, it’s psychologically powerful. Using someone’s name in communication reactivates deeper emotional connection.

Action step: In your emails, community posts, or messages, mention people by name, referencing something they said before. “Hey Lucy, thanks for your question last week about funnels, you asked how to pick a lead magnet topic, so here’s my best take …”

It’s a small thing with big effects. It translates to your online reputation: you’re not faceless.

You’re relational.

In digital marketing, “listening” often feels like waiting to pitch. But true listening is letting others speak first.

Action step: host Q&A sessions, let the audience ask anything, and answer without pitching. You’d be surprised how many relationships deepen when someone feels heard before being sold to.

Also, watch comments, DMs, and forum threads. Sometimes your next big content idea is hidden in what people complain about, they tell you what they need.

This is classic copywriting advice, but Carnegie gives it a relational twist. People don’t primarily want to hear your story, they want to hear how you relate to them.

Action step: when you create content, frame it as solving their desire. Instead of “How I built my course,” try “How you can get your first paying client in 90 days (even with zero audience).”

You still tell stories, just let them be in service of the reader’s interest. That leans directly into how to connect with your online audience.

Here’s where you publicly celebrate your people: highlight wins, share user successes, feature community stories.

Action step: once a month, spotlight 2–3 audience members who hit a milestone. Share what they did, why it’s meaningful, and encourage others. Or simply respond in a way that elevates them: “That insight you shared is gold, thanks for contributing.”

This cements the social proof and the emotional bond they have to you.

In online spaces, debates flare. But arguing rarely wins hearts. Better: thank, concede where valid, and steer toward common ground.

Action step: when someone objects or disagrees, resist writing a rebuttal impulse. Instead, reply with: “I appreciate you raising this. You bring a point, I’d love to hear more of your view. Meanwhile, here’s where I came from…”

This diffuses tension and shows maturity. Over time, it signals that your space is safe, not combative.

Even when you strongly believe one way, don’t shut down others’ views. Be curious, not dismissive.

Action step: in debates or comment threads, ask questions: “That perspective is interesting, can you tell me what made you arrive there?” It’s hard to hate someone who’s genuinely curious.

This also helps you uncover new angles. Maybe a dissenting view holds the seed of your next idea.

Humans connect with humility. When you mess up, broken link, wrong data, awkward phrasing, own it fast.

Action step: if a mistake slips through, send a “correction + apology” message: “Oops, I messed up that stat in yesterday’s email. The correct number is X, and here’s the source. Thanks for catching it!”

This shows integrity. In terms of relationship marketing strategies for internet marketers, it underscores trust.

Your tone matters. Start communications with something human, a small personal note, a warm greeting, a quick check-in.

Action step: don’t open with “Buy this.” Open with “Hope your week’s going well” or “Hey, just thinking about you today.” Then go into value.

When people feel greeted, they’re more open to hearing you.

Instead of “buy this now,” talk about impact, shared values, identity. People want to belong to something bigger than the transaction.

Action step: frame your offers in ways that connect to mission. E.g., “Join if you believe in helping your clients grow ethically,” or “This is for people who want to build businesses that change lives.”

You’ll attract the people who resonate, which leads to deeper loyalty and better lifetime value.

Cool, you’ve got the 11 strategies. But how do you integrate them into your marketing rhythms so they fuel Internet Profit Success (not just fluffy “nice stuff”)? Here’s a roadmap:

Step 1: Pick two to start

Don’t try to overhaul everything at once. Choose two principles (e.g. sincere appreciation + listening first) and commit to using them for one week, within emails, posts, community replies.

Step 2: Map touchpoints

Where do you connect with your audience? Emails, live sessions, comments, DMs, webinars, newsletters. For each touchpoint, decide which principle you’ll emphasize.

E.g. in live Q&A, listening + name use. In your newsletter, open friendly + appreciation.

Step 3: Measure relational metrics

Besides clicks and opens, track replies, community participation, responses to engagement prompts, repeat customers. Those relational signals often foreshadow profit.

Step 4: Scale relational acts

As you grow, keep relational dimensions doable. Maybe set “appreciation emails” in your calendar. Or hire moderators who embody the relational approach.

Step 5: Align everything with mission

Use the “appeal to nobler motives” principle everywhere. Every offer, call, program, connect it to a bigger why. That ensures your growth is grounded in identity, not just chasing clicks.

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