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Internet Marketing - The Cold Hard Facts: Part 1
If you have started or are thinking about starting an Internet Marketing business, whether to earn some extra cash, earn a part-time income or with the aim to work for yourself full time, then before you start, you must be aware of the following challenges.
Determination. According to the dictionary determination is “the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose.” You will need buckets of determination and fixing or settling on a purpose is the key part of this definition. You will come across barriers that will annoy you, make you want to give up and throw your computer at the wall. It’s how you deal with these obstacles and barriers that will sort the strong willed from the weak willed and weak minded.
If you go into Internet Marketing half hearted and with no real clear idea of what you want to achieve, well then don’t bother. Honestly. You will not get rich over night, no matter whatever those hypnotic sales pages promise. It takes lots of hard work, guts, an open mind, the ability to learn - quickly and determination [there's that word again].
Family, friends and work colleagues will either try and talk you out of it, or plain not understand. People do not like to see other people, especially in their social circle, aiming high and achieving something better than what they currently have. It makes them question themselves and makes them feel uncomfortable.
Tell only somebody or a few people you can trust. Who will give you honest feedback and who will understand why you spend so much time sat in front of your computer. This is where if you have a partner, explaining and showing them what you do can help you enormously. I’m thinking fewer arguments! Once you start making some money, be careful in wanting to tell everybody you know. I would keep your venture close to your chest.
There is so much free information available on the Internet about how to design your first webpage to writing scripts that can automate tasks for you. Don’t run before you can walk. I have fallen fowl of that a few times. Decide first what direction you want to take in Internet Marketing first, then start considering what type of website you want to design and upload onto the World Wide Web. Do some research but don’t buy any courses or ebooks yet.
The technical details and knowledge that is needed to put up a simple one page website can be over whelming. Don’t let this put you off. How did people manage this even 5 years ago? With difficulty, but they managed. So can you. Just take each step, one at a time. Ever heard of that saying, “how do you eat an elephant?” One bite at a time! [No elephants were harmed in the making of this blog post].
Part 2 will arrive shortly.
Internet Marketing - The Cold Hard Facts: Part 2
So you still want or are seriously thinking about earning extra income on the good old Internet? What else will you need to consider?
If you are going to start earning money via the Internet, whether you already have a full time or part time job, you are entering self-employment territory. In the UK at least, you will have to inform the Inland Revenue that you will be working for yourself. If you don’t live in the UK, then please ensure you follow the legal requirements for registering as a self-employed individual.
You should be able to fill in any tax forms in the short term yourself, and when you do start earning more money in your online venture, then invest in a good accountant. A good accountant will save you more money in the long term than by not using their services.
You will have to utilise your free time in researching, writing, learning and setting up your online business. You will have to be disciplined, as after a long day at work, sometimes the last thing you probably want to do is stare at the computer screen for another one or two hours. If you have a strong will and are disciplined with your habits, then this shouldn’t be an issue.
Don’t watch TV every night, don’t go to the pub or out with friends or whatever else you do most evenings. Get up an hour early each morning. It will be tough to begin with. And it won’t be easy, I assure you, especially in the early part of your Internet venture. Yes it will be worth it, but only if you invest the time and effort to make it a success. If what you have read so far has put you off, or you really are thinking it isn’t for you, then follow what your gut instinct says and don’t even think of starting an Internet Marketing business.
I would suggest working a minimum of 10 hours per week. Any less than that and you won’t build up enough momentum and are more likely to give up when you hit a few obstacles or barriers. When you do hit a barrier or feel like giving up, well DON’T! Speak to the people you can trust. Get online and ask in forums. Be careful here, some forums are aimed at people new to Internet Marketing and some are for more ‘hardened’ veterans. Ask in the right forum, and you will find that people you don’t know, will be very helpful indeed.
Now the next paragraph I have to word very carefully, as if you have never bought an Internet Marketing eBook or course before, then this area can be a minefield. You will need to buy at least one or two eBooks or course in the Internet Marketing field you want to start in. There are a few avenues that you can start off in. There is affiliate marketing, creating your own product and marketing it, buying Private Label Rights products and marketing them and there is also Google Adsense marketing.
If you have bought one or two eBooks already, you will know how the sales page promised the world, then delivered some but not all of the information you needed. Be careful!! Before buying any eBook or Internet Marketing course, do your research on the web. Check for money back guarantees if you’re not happy with the product. Email the owner and ask a few questions. Ask around on forums. Before buying ANY eBook or course do some research.
Be very watchful here as well, as you will come across a lot of reviews such as “XYZ eBook is a Scam, or is it? Read my review.” This will more than likely be affiliate marketers spinning you lines about how the product in question appeared rubbish or a scam, then they used it and made loads of cash over night. Find some reputable Internet marketing review websites, such as Business Opportunity Review where there are genuine reviews. You will save money and waste less time by investigating this websites.
Part 3 will appear soon.
