Everyone has a brilliant idea that is going to make them millions!

One of the common mistakes with an online business or any business idea is the thought that everyone wants what we have!

Think about it. How many times has someone come to you with an amazing idea that is going to make them rich. The originator of the idea commonly thinks since they think the idea is “brilliant” so will millions of other people.

When you fall in love with your own idea you can end up on a road that leads to nowhere.

The marketplace will determine the value of your idea.

Be sure to do some test marketing, or survey your potential target market before jumping 100% into a new venture.

Do your homework first……supply a demand that already exists.

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Once you have your business online, it is now time to make it profitable.

Like any other business it is important you have done your market research prior to launching your site. You can also do all the research in the world and everything comes down to presenting your website to the public.

You can do all the research in the world, identify a demand - and your site needs to “sell.”

Even with a demand (traffic) your website must be able to convert visitors to sales.

Think of this Internet marketing process as unlocking a safe.

There is a unique combination to open the flood gates with orders.

Test, test and test some more to unlock this fortress of Internet Sales.

Test Headlines.
Test Sales Copy.
Test Pricing.
Test Offers.
Test Ad Variations

One thing to keep in mind…is to test one variable at a time. Changing more than one variable may increase your sales…

but…

It’s important to know what the “cause” was that resulted increased sales. Your future depends on it. Once you know what works, you can apply that lesson to other online businesses in the future.

It’s all a part of your online education.

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When you start out with your online business it’s important to keep in mind that your success will not always follow the path you have in mind. This is true for any business or goal in life.

Things do not always go as planned.

What tends to happen is we may have a vision of our Internet business success locked on the radar of our mind….and when things don’t turn out that way - it’s like getting slapped!

Do not get discouraged…

Encountering challenges along the way is where the real learning takes place. If everything went smooth…we would learn much less.

The challenges along the way will cause you to think at a higher level to figure out a solution. It will also send you on a search to find and answer, often leading you to more resources that you may have never come across.

Recently I ran into a road block with an eBay listing.

My listing for my “College Success Tips” -ebook was removed. I was going in circles trying to find out why it was removed for a copyright violation. After a series of back and forth emails….over several days I had the answer.

All I had to do was note that I was the author listing the item.

That’s it - Problem solved!

Sometimes the easiest things will get a little squirrelly!

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Do something today!

How do you start an online business? Start an online business.
How do you build a website? Build a website
How do you ride a bike? Ride a bike.

The only way to learn anything is by doing it….by getting started.

Once you take the first step, the next step will appear…then the next…then the next and so on.

Unless you make your first move, the subsequent steps will never appear.

By doing something today….you are planting the seed for your success tomorrow.

You don’t need to know everything all at once…..just do something today. Register a domain name, start a blog - do something online and take some action.

Once you are in the game you will see how things start to open up. You will come across more and more information to help you along the way. If you worry about launching a “perfect” website or blog……or are striving to have all the answers up front……it will never happen. You will find yourself in “I want to start an Internet business” a year from now.

Take action today….you can set up a blog using www.blogger.com today!

Like anything else in life…once you get moving in the right direction, you will look back and say why did I wait so long….you will be surprised how easy it is - once you take action.

Always remember…you and change things - Your domain name, your site, your blog entries, your product or service offering….don’t worry about things being perfect.

The important part is that you have taken action and are getting familiar with creating websites and are learning how to use the tools available.

In the beginning things may take you some time to figure out….once you do - what once took you 30 minutes to several hours, can be completed in only a few minutes….it’s all part of the learning process.

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As you are developing your Internet business, one of the starting points is to focus on your hobbies.

This is a common starting point and the reason being, you will be spending a considerable amount of time working on your business - so focus on what you enjoy.

Now this isn’t mandatory to have a successful online business but it does make focusing so much easier!

When you begin your journey, keep this rule of thumb in mind. You may think…OK sure…whatever…I like the subject matter of my site enough to get things going.

However…

Always remember it’s not just about getting your site launched…it’s about building an Internet business.

A successful Internet business is an ongoing process. The game begins once your site is launched. Being able to focus over several months and years is what it’s going to take to be successful.

The more you enjoy what you are doing….the more passion you have…the better your odds of sticking it out when things get tough…and they will get tough!

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Have you been studying any Internet Success Stories?

One of the most amazing things I find it difficult to wrap my mind around sometimes is the exponential growth of website traffic and online sales.

Internet marketers earning $500 per month in sales, who eventually earn over $900,000 in sales 6 years later. How does a successful entrepreneur go from an income of online sales of $700,000 one year…and the next $900,000?

Where did the additional $200,000 in sales come from…..?

And how does one go from $500 a month in sales….or even more realistically $0.00 in sales…to replacing their income to earn over $50,000?

Think about that.

- Where does all of the traffic come from?
- Where are all the new sales coming from, that seemed to be non-existent?
- How do sales continue to grow each year?
- Why does it take so long to ramp up sales and income?

Well, it’s like anything else….there are so many millions of people all over the world and it takes time and activity to reach them all.

Even if you are doing all the “right” things….it will take time for traffic and sales to ramp up.

The “right” things being:

- Offering a valuable product or service that is in demand
- Search Engine Optimization
- Providing free article content
- Contributing in forums and building relationships
- Email marketing
- Marketing your affiliate program
- Participating in joint ventures
- Blogging
- Optimizing keywords
- Sending out a newsletter
- Networking

As long as you have something to offer, that is valuable and in demand….there is an abundance of people that want what you have.

*It just won’t happen overnight!

* unless you have zero competition and something everyone is looking for
or you joint venture with someone who has a huge list they can email - offering your product or service!

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What happens if no one buys your book?

As I was writing “College Success Tips” , my cousin asked me the above question.

I replied…..what do you mean “What happens if no one buys my book?”

She said do you still get paid?

This question completely floored me. My jaw was on the ground.

There is a valuable lesson here - The Entrepreneur Mindset is completely 180 degrees from that of an employee.

My cousin is one of the hardest working people I know.

She has worked 2 jobs her entire life. Her conversations usually include the amount of hours she works per week, how much overtime she has worked….and what extra income she can earn with holiday pay.

In her world, one expects to “do and get.” To work “X” amount of hours for “Y” amount of pay.

She knew I had spent several months, writing, revising, editing and finishing the 25,000 word ebook “College Success Tips” - and she wanted to know what was that worth?

I let her know that if no one purchases the ebook…there is no income - zero!

She said…..yeah….but don’t you still get paid for writing it?

It just wasn’t sinking in.

The answer is no.

As you begin or progress on your entrepreneurial journey…..remember their is risk and uncertainty that must be overcome.

There is also great reward that lies on the other side of your comfort zone….which many will never understand.

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You can learn a tremendous amount of information for starting and growing your business online.

You will find ebooks, blogs, Internet marketing courses, seminars, podcasts and forums.

All of this Internet marketing information is only one click away.

There is one important thing to keep in mind….

Don’t try to do it alone.

Ask others for advice and suggestions.

You can do this by participating in forms, sending someone an email, picking up the phone and calling customer support.

Although you may be a one person show….remember to “Ask” others when you hit a sticking point or want to optimize your website.

You will always find what you are looking for.

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As you grow and develop your Internet business always remember it’s a business.

The same rules apply that are critical to building an offline business.

You must offer something in demand.
You must give potential customers a reason to return.
You must promote your business ( in this case website)
You must provide a value that far exceeds the cost of the product or service.
You must build relationships and treat clients and visitors with respect.

The Internet provides an unbelievable opportunity for entrepreneurs like ourselves to growing substantial ventures in a virtual world.

The email automation, visitor tracking, ease of implementing new concepts into our websites are just a few powerful advantages over working offline.

Be creative with your Internet marketing efforts….and compete just was you would if you had a bricks and mortar store.

In time your Internet business will flourish with traffic, happy clients and tons of sales!

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As you begin your Internet marketing career and even if you have been growing your business for sometime - everyone starts from zero.

Common sense…sure….but there’s a point.

How does an Internet entrepreneur go from $500 per month to over $60,000 per month in sales…? You have more than likely read the success stories right? Heavy hitters in the industry who were once earning a few dollars per month, to earning over $1,000 per day.

Is it possible for you?

Of course it is….why not? Why not for you? They started from zero too.

The key is not to get discouraged and pull the plug on your business.

Understand it is going to take time.

It’s going to take effort.
It’s going to take knowledge.
It’s going to take diligence.
It’s going to take asking questions.
It’s going to take trial, error and course correction.
It’s going to take belief. Belief in your business and Belief in Yourself.

Zero.

Begin from there…or where ever you are now…and have faith that your business will being receiving thousands of visitors and converting thousands of sales.

The customers are out there……

It’s not having a site up for a magic number of months or years….it’s the active pursuit of acquiring opt- in emails , newsletter subscribers and new customers.

They are out there….its’ how fast can you built it!

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