Sometimes the best internet marketing lessons come from unexpected places. Mine came from ordering wine from a small winery called Moonstone Cellars after hearing the owner, Todd Clift, interviewed on the Podcast Answer Man show.

Todd was not an internet marketer. He was a winemaker. But his approach to marketing his winery demonstrated three principles that apply directly to any online business.

1. Be Everywhere

Pat Flynn popularized this concept, and Todd was living it before it had a catchy name. Todd was a winemaker appearing on a podcasting show. It had nothing to do with wine. But by showing up in places where his ideal customers might be listening, he reached people who would never have found him through traditional wine marketing channels. I heard him on that podcast and immediately ordered wine.

In 2026, “be everywhere” has evolved beyond simply appearing on other people's platforms. It means creating a presence across multiple channels, podcast, blog, YouTube, social media, email, that all reinforce the same message and brand. You do not need to be on every platform. But you need to be on more than one, and you need to show up consistently.

2. Build Community

When the wine arrived, Todd had included something unexpected: photos from a recent winery festival, pictures of his team, and materials that made me feel like I was part of the Moonstone Cellars story. It was not just a transaction. It was an invitation into a community.

This is exactly what the best online businesses do. They turn customers into community members. Whether through an email list with a personal voice, a private Facebook group, a Discord server, or a members-only area on your site, building community creates loyalty that no discount or promotion can match.

3. Over Deliver

Todd included a small bonus in the shipment. It was inexpensive for him but valuable and unexpected for me. It exceeded my expectations and turned a simple wine purchase into a memorable experience that I talked about on my podcast, reaching thousands of people.

Over-delivering is the most underused marketing strategy in internet business. An unexpected bonus PDF with a digital product purchase. A personal thank-you email after someone joins your list. A follow-up resource that was not promised. These small gestures create disproportionate goodwill and generate word-of-mouth that no advertising budget can buy.

The Timeless Principle

These three concepts, visibility, community, and exceeding expectations, are not tactics that expire with the next algorithm update. They are fundamental principles of good business that work whether you are selling wine, building affiliate sites, or growing a podcast audience. The platforms change. The tools evolve. But the human desire to connect with brands that show up authentically, build genuine relationships, and deliver more than they promise never changes.