Internet Marketing - Surviving the First Year

So you've decided to take the leap into deep water and go into business for yourself, specifically into Internet Marketing. Congratulations! This was a smart decision, one that will eventually reward you with all the dreams you can dream. Your challenge now is to survive that 1st year.

Hopefully you're reading this early on in your endeavors, and can make the adjustments necessary to keep your enterprise afloat and your bank account buoyant. Here are several things the "gurus" neglected to mention along the way to building your own internet marketing empire!

1 - Who are you listening to? There are a lot of people who've made a lot of money, and they're all too eager to tell you about it, frequently in the form of their latest product. It's very easy to find yourself tuning in too many voices, instead of riding one horse till it either gets you there or is spent. Find a niche that interests you, find products that are either yours or through an affiliate program, and focus entirely on your plan, not allowing yourself to chase rabbits.

2 - What is certain! And that is that the real money to be made in internet marketing is produced in the following ways: owning your own site(s), your own products, your own opt-in mailing list, and your own vision! Think about it! Not one of the internet millionaires to whom we look to for advice has lacked any of these for very long. You bought their products off their sites, joined their mailing lists, and to one degree or another shared their vision. If you haven't already, begin immediately to build your own empire. Build a site, start learning about traffic, linking, opt-in lists and all the other essentials necessary for long-term success. Affiliate marketing will only take you so far. In fact, most of the top affiliates have several of their own products!

3 - The learning curve. There is a certain amount of information you simply have to either learn (or pay for). Don't discount the fact that this will take a little time. One doesn't discover how to build and market a fully- optimized web site in a month. Or three! This is; and because of the fluid nature of the web; always will be a work-in-progress. Do what you can do every day and come back tomorrow for more. Don't be discouraged when the money takes a while to appear; if you do this right, when it does show up it will be worth the wait!

4 - A support system. Get one. Don't plan on supporting yourself from your business right away. It took the best at the very least several months to start seeing any real money. Don't despair if you turn out to be mortal, too. Give yourself a chance at this; the rewards are simply too great. I'll leave you with a quote that sustained me many a night: "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." - Louisa May Alcott

Keith Thompson is the webmaster of Internet Marketing Here & Now where you can find lots of information on how to learn internet marketing!

---

Developing Your Export Import Business Using Internet - Part I

Since most of the businesses throughout the world have access... Read More

Build the Snowball and It Will Run

Setting up your own online business can seem extremely daunting.... Read More

Internet Marketing Strategy:The Advertising Co-op

The advertising co-op is an Internet marketing strategy that should... Read More

10 Killer Ways To Multiply Your Sales

1. When you make your first sale, follow-up with the... Read More

The Unsung Heroes Of Internet Marketing

One of the reasons that people fail to earn anything... Read More

Five Proven Methods for Internet Marketing Success

There are hundreds of ways that you can promote your... Read More

Internet Marketing Simplified! 2 Pillars For Achieving Massive Results

Are you confused by the flood of information on how... Read More

Time is Money in Online Marketing

We all do it.Spend time and money sourcing those vital... Read More

Finding The Right Internet Marketing Technique For You

Finding the right Internet marketing technique that works best for... Read More

8 Things I Have Learned As An Internet Marketer

I started as an internet marketer, like I am sure... Read More

How You Can Make Your Ad Command Attention

There are lots of ads for lots of product out... Read More

The Fun and Ease of Online Shopping vs. The Brick and Mortar Option

When my sister and discussed our shopping plans this year... Read More

12 Steps to Creating a Business Online

"E-commerce"A word pervading our society, making headlines around the world,... Read More

Online Business Success: Its All Within Your Grasp

Despite any failures or slow starts you may be experiencing... Read More

How Internet Marketeres Can Create Their Own Powerful Niche... Even In an Over-Crowded Industry!

For some reason, people who look to the internet to... Read More

Information Products: the Changing Trends for 2005

2005 is a great year for affiliate marketers, as online... Read More

What Does Success Look Like?

While we are well into the 21st century too many... Read More

Internet Marketing In A Room FULL Of Naked Men!

NO, that's not one of my secret dreams :-) It's... Read More

Holiday / Vacation Time But What About Your Online Business?

For many of us, it is time to start thinking... Read More

The Relation Between Internet Marketing Education and Profits

Many people join internet business opportunities online blindly. By this... Read More

Two Steps to an Investment-Free Online Empire

If you're like most of us, you're not on a... Read More

Building An Effective Banner Campaign

Banner advertising can dramatically help you increase traffic to your... Read More

A Day in the Life of an Internet Marketer

I have been working on the Internet since 1998 and... Read More

Got Some L.A.F.S.?

Could you use some laughs? I'll bet you could, especially... Read More

3 Simple Steps To Get Free Original Content for Your Website

As a web business owner you will be well aware... Read More

Your Personal Fortune Is In Your Words!

What is the most important skill you can possess as... Read More

Googles Own AdSense Tips

Google is at least as interested as you are in... Read More

What The Home Shopping Networks Can Teach Us About Online Marketing

Who would have thought that a TV network dedicated to... Read More

Are You Utilizing a 5-Point Prospecting System?

If not, you may be losing out on some very... Read More

Using Autoresponders In Your Online Business

Autoresponders return previously stored messages or sets of messages in... Read More

What You Wont Learn In Business School

What You Won't Learn in Business School----------------------------------------We all know the... Read More

Attract More Orders

Attracting More Orders! Jump Starting Sales! Sky-Rocketing Profits! Whatever you... Read More

Are You Willing To Pay The Price?

Do you believe that there is a price to pay... Read More