I was recently talking with someone about making their online business more efficient.

Sometimes it can be a challenge starting an online business and working from home.

Avoiding distractions, setting work hours, setting deadlines and making a profit online are just a few of the challenges many of us face.

When starting out….. Make Sure You Have A Plan.

I have a friend that is currently working on launching an online business. Now I think very highly of my friend and know he has what it takes, I see the market potential, I see the work involved in launching the site, I see the challenges ahead…but the one thing I don’t see is a business plan with deadlines!

The result – This “launch” has been in the works for nearly 5 years now!

There is even talk of a “bricks and mortar” store being unveiled.

How can this happen?

Last year….maybe even 2 years ago there was discussion about choosing the design for a gift card.

A Gift Card? A What?……Yeah….a gift card for a website that doesn’t exist yet.

Gift Cards and physical locations to compliment a website that isn’t live yet.

In any business there needs to be a vision. Having a vision of gift cards…multiple bricks and mortar locations all of that is a great thing.

One needs to know what the end result looks like. If you don’t know where you are going it will never happen.

However….

You can’t do everything right now. You can’t focus on everything and ever see any measurable results.

Everything has it’s time in place along the continuum.

Have the big vision…and also have the pieces laid out in a logical fashion.

Focus on what’s important right now. Don’t jump ahead.

Don’t plan what celebrities will endorse your product when you haven’t even registered a domain name yet =)

When setting your deadlines, do your best. You can always make adjustments. You may not know exactly how long each step will take. That will come from experience. Don’t let not knowing how long something will take prevent you from laying out a plan with deadlines.

A open ended deadline will postpone your success.

Specific goals get specific results.

Wish you the best!

Robert Avila

I recently met a couple of friends for lunch.

We getting caught up with each others businesses and began discussing Internet Marketing.

I was asked:

“Knowing what I have learned over the past year, What advice would I have for some wanting to start an Internet business?”

The first responses that came to mind were: Finding a viable niche market, providing value to your visitors, building relationships with your online customers and having the time and money to invest in your online business dream.

The #1 recommendation I would make ….That sums it all up is…

There are no shortcuts with Internet marketing.

Starting an online business is similar to starting any business….It will take time and money….and most of all allowing your efforts to compound.

It will take a lot of sowing….Before you can have any reaping.

This is the biggest challenge for most people.

Most people can’t stay in the game long enough to see any success.

There are so many millions of potential clients out there on the Internet and it takes several months and years to reach them..to build your brand.

Do the work…..There are no shortcuts.

– Robert Avila

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned over the past few years is the value of outsourcing.

When you start your Internet marketing business your initial thought is to do everything yourself. This was exactly my belief when I started, besides…who has a ton of cash available to pay others to do work you can do right?

My thought was that I could learn along the way and save money.

Did I learn? Yes
Did I save money? NO

Remember…when you are designing a website or writing an ebook for the first time…there is a learning curve – it takes time.

If you can afford to outsource you will have a product to market faster…allowing you to become profitable faster!

Look at the big picture and weigh your options on creating your own product or website.

Sometimes an investment of $500….can save you several $1,000’s perhaps 10’s of thousands of dollars down the road.

Even if you are doing the work yourself yourself….there is a cost associated with your time.

If you are new to eBay and have questions on shipping….here are a few tips.

You can access the United States Postal Service through eBay or go directly to http://www.usps.com/

As you surf around the site, you will discover the following.

1. You can order boxes for shipping directly from the post office – FREE!
2. Here is the link to the USPS shipping calculator: USPS Shipping Calculator
3. The shipping calculator will walk you through step by step to calculate shipping.
4. If you start out shipping within the US, choose a few zip codes that are the furthest from your location. This will allow you to plug in zip codes to estimate the furthest point and the highest potential shipping cost.
5. You can purchase a scale for shipping on eBay. This will not only be convenient, but will also give you an opportunity to build your feedback score and become familiar to the buying and selling process.
6. As an option to the above you can use eBay shipping calculator that calculates postage based on the bidders own zip code.

You will learn by doing and be surprised at how simple it is and how quickly you will learn.

Also keep in mind to not cut corners on shipping your items. Pack them carefully, and if your item can be shipped in an envelope….but would be safer in a box…..use a box!

Wish you the best!

Robert Avila

PS. Learn How to Sell on eBay