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You Can Get Rich (Still) As a Home-Based Online Entrepreneur

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. “

Thomas A Edison

You may recall the late 90s when it looked as though anyone with a computer and access to the internet could become a millionaire overnight. Those were dotcom bubble and bust days. But that was only the first phase – the hype and sensation phase – of the Internet revolution. The dust has cleared and we can see things much clearer now, hopefully.

By some accounts, we’re now in the consolidation phase. And in this phase, it is quite easier to distinguish a good, real money making business opportunity from a bad one conceived and crafted in a scam artist’s lab.

Start Small and Grow it Big as You go

Given the state of the economic mess we’re now in, it is much harder to raise capital for any entrepreneurial venture be it on- or off-line. But this is the really good news. You don’t need millions of dollars in start-up money to start profiting from the online money making ideas we’re talking about.

What you need to understand is that the Internet is a communication medium par excellence – a most effective and reliable way to transmit information. And just like the telegraph, the telephone, and television before it, it has expanded the business and consumer marketplace by making it easier and also cheaper for people to buy and sell things.

Some of Those Who Wrote the Initial Online Success Stories

And some of the savvy entrepreneurs who understood this and jumped in early in the first phase came out fabulously reach. Just take a look at some of these top early performers who built billion dollar fortunes from their online business ventures Jeff Bezos, creator of Amazon.com; Jay Walker of Priceline.com; Pierre Omidyar and Margaret Whitman of eBay; Joe Ricketts of Ameritrade, Steve Case, Barry Schuler, Robert Pittman and Ted Leonsis of America Online; and Silicon Valley venture capitalists Johan Doerr and Vinod Khosla.

Then there are the “latter day saints” – otherwise average folks who are creating great wealth online as I write Mark Zuckerberg, Dustin Moskvitz, Chris Hughes, and Eduardo Saverin the founders of Facebook.com; Reid Hoffman and his group who founded LinkedIn.com; Jack Dorsey and others who founded Twitter.com.

The Lesser Known Among Them

Others like Bill Bonner, Founder of AgoraInc.com – one of the largest and most successful consumer newsletter publishers in the world, my very own business mentors, Michael Masterson – who has recently “retired” again as a business builder, Jay Abraham, Bob Bly, David Cross, Rich Schefren, Mary-Ellen Tribby, and many other astute entrepreneurs have also built great wealth online. These individuals are writing their own internet-based business success stories.

Unfortunately, not every one of the lucky billionaires referred to earlier – especially those in the first phase of the Internet revolution, created good businesses. Some of them got rich simply by ‘selling a hot idea into a frenzied market’.

What this means is that there are all manner of ‘success stories’ out there. And if you want to build your own fortune online today, you have to choose the right success story for you. You’ve got to find a proven online business building model to follow. Two of my favorite recommendations come from Mark Zuckerberb and his colleagues who founded Facebook.com and AgoraInc.com. The Agora model is by far the most successful online business building model I know of. It is a model developed in part by my main business mentor, Michael Masterson. This is the model we’ve adopted and are refining in our own business. And it is what makes us the destination of choice for those who want to start and grow a profit making, Internet-based home business today and don’t have a large bank account to use as start-up money.

You really don’t have to reinvent the wheel. All you need is to learn from a successful model and adapt it to your peculiar situation.

So, are you ready to finally to start creating your own little fortune online while there’s still a chance to do so even when you don’t have that much money?

Remember, nothing happens unless you take action. The best time to start creating your own little web fortune is NOW!

Starting Your Own Home-Based Online Business

Interested in starting your own home-based online business? The time is right for tapping into the huge amount of consumers surfing the web each day, but when making your move, be sure to start slowly. Don’t quit your job and throw yourself into your new online business right away. Many new businesses fail and you don’t want yours to be one of them and left with no fallback position of any sort after putting tons of money into it. Start off working just a few hours a week, then gradually increase your time as sales increase. Pacing yourself is just good sense, it doesn’t mean you’re not serious about your new business. Many people burn themselves out by going right into it with very little plan.

Take these suggestions to help you along with your beginning troubles and other frequent trip ups.Create a schedule for when you will work on your online business. Set this time in stone. That way you will form a routine for yourself and it will help you to not neglect other important areas in your life like your full time job and family.Take your time and be patient. Don’t expect to be an instant success.

What you can expect is to be tired and frustrated at times. Help increase your chances of doing well by creating a well-thought out marketing plan. People can’t buy from you if they don’t know you’re in business. Drum up some PR and keep up the good work. You’ll get noticed eventually.

Don’t forget to take time out for yourself. People who start up businesses often forget this and burnout quickly. You can’t enjoy the success of your part time business if you stretch yourself too thin. Your personal life and full time job may also suffer if you spend too much time with your online business.

Take steps to reduce stress in your life at any cost, since that will just bring you down. You’re nothing without your good health. A life full of constant stress is hard to get through so keep that in mind when you’re making plans to start up your new business. Is more money worth less personal and family time and added stress?Starting up your own business can be worthwhile for many people. It lets you be your own boss and determine your own income to a large extent. When it succeeds it can be immensely satisfying.

The Basics of a Home-Based Internet Marketing Business

The rise of internet marketing has been phenomenal in recent years, to say the least. It has provided income-generating opportunities for millions of people and it has effectively diminished the geographical differences that separated people from potential jobs. Now, more and more people are starting home-based internet marketing businesses full-time or at least, to supplement income from their regular job.

Internet marketing explained

Internet marketing is also called online marketing or sometimes, e-marketing. Defined simply, it refers to the type of marketing or business that promotes and distributes products using the Internet. It is also the term used to refer to the Web-based advertising that businesses use to spread information about their products and promote their business.

Advantages of home-based internet marketing businesses

As a home-based business, internet marketing is a perfect model. It can be started from home, does not require specialized training, uses only minimum equipment or computer applications and in many cases, does not require large start-up costs or significant inventory. Internet marketing is also very convenient, not only because it can be run from virtually anywhere online access is available but also because it allows for more efficient distribution of information and targeting of the market. Internet marketing, for example, is one of only a few types of businesses that can rely exclusively on e-mail marketing and other digital media for sales, promotion and even customer service.

Limitations of internet marketing businesses

Although highly effective, there are also certain limitations to an internet marketing business as a work-from-home initiative. It tends to be biased towards new technologies, obviating more traditional techniques. This means that an internet marketer has to be on his feet all the time to ensure that his site and strategies remain relevant. The fact that most customers cannot physically come in contact with the product prior to purchase can also be limiting, prompting internet marketing business owners to offer broader return policies. Online security is also a concern, which means that a business that cannot assure its customers of high standards of security will stand to lose them. However, the advent of new technologies and the imposition of more stringent regulations should improve customers’ responses.

Types of home-based internet marketing businesses

There are several types of home-based internet marketing businesses that are considered effective for this model. These include

Online commerce

Online commerce, also known as e-commerce, involves the sale and distribution of goods to consumers through the Internet. There are two ways to do this: (1) by setting up your own website and using that as an online shop where customers can browse, order and purchase and (2) setting up an account with an auction site and selling the goods from there. Either way, there would have been an exchange of goods and services for a specific or agreed-upon price. Online commerce allows entrepreneurs plenty of freedom to sell what they want at a competitive price. It also affords them the luxury of time since order taking and purchasing can be automated and easier to manage.

So which products sell in today’s electronic marketplace? Just about anything that someone wants to buy. It’s truly up to the seller which goods to focus on in order to achieve his sales and profit goals.

Service-based commerce

Other than goods, online service-based commodities enjoy brisk business as home-based internet marketing businesses. Services traditionally available only offline can now be offered as part of an internet marketing business. Booking services for airlines and cruises, party needs, life coaching, photography services, web design, etc. are just a few of the home-based businesses that have become part of internet marketing.

MLM or Multi-Level Marketing

Multi-level marketing is one of the oldest business models still in existence today. Also known as network marketing, MLM has transitioned from a person-to-person and door-to-door approach model to the internet-based business that it is today and with great success. Most network marketers prefer to run their MLM businesses actively through internet marketing because the medium is a lot faster, cheaper and more convenient. Searching for and communicating to prospects, for example, can be completed within a 24- to 48-hour period. Traditional ways of doing marketing, on the other hand, require much more time and effort.

Publishing and advertising

Another very lucrative method of running an internet marketing business is by setting up a website and selling advertising space. Many personal (and even business) websites and blogs use this method to monetize their sites. In fact, it is considered as one of the top 5 ways to earn an income from a website. As a home-based internet marketer, however, becoming a publisher does carry with it certain requirements. A site, for example, has to have a large number of following in order to become attractive to advertisers and sponsors. However, a website with sufficient traffic should be able to do well with this pay-for-performance model.

Is Now the Right Time to Start an Online Or Home-Based Business?

With the U.S. stock market in turmoil, and job layoffs coming in thousands every couple of weeks, is NOW the right time to start that Home-Based Business? Should I commit the time and effort (even though many programs say you can do a particular business in as little as 1 hour per day!) that it takes to make a Home-Based Business successful?

Many of you are probably shaking your head right now saying now’s NOT the right time to do ANYTHING new! Nothing could be farther from the truth!

NOW is the BEST time to start that Home-Based Business and I’ll give you three reasons why.

1. You want to get into a business near the ground floor of its potential and learn and work your way up to the top. Right now you can get in on that ground floor. Learn from the pros who have made their business a success. Lots of the good online businesses have an excellent training program. Don’t just pick and choose what you think will work; use the online business training program as it’s meant to be. The internet and internet businesses continue to expand and explode and you need to be a part of that if you want to take control of your financial future! There’s lots of good information out there so take the time and load up your brain with relevant information.

2. As the internet expands, you’ll be reaching into a market that will know no bounds. Your earnings will be limitless if you follow the right path, use good judgment, don’t get in over your head, and follow the advice of known successful home-based business owners….not the so-called internet gurus. Do your research….as there are many “scams” out there that can take your money and run. Check out a perspective home-based business, find out if it’s legitimate and then commit the time and money to make it work!

3. There are some really good programs out there right now that can get you started off on the right foot…..but you have to do your research. Don’t go for the programs that say you can make lots of money in a short period of time. It takes time and effort and you need to understand the market that you’re getting into. Especially look for businesses that will provide a residual income that keeps giving and giving and giving. Most of all, you have to be willing to take that step towards financial freedom. If a program seems to be too good to be true, then it probably is!

In Conclusion……

What are you waiting for? NOW is the time to start that Home-Based Business before all of the wonderful opportunities pass you by. The internet will never go away, and best of all customers will never go away. Do your research! Always, always, always check out a particular business to ensure you’re not getting in over your head or are getting suckered into a bad deal. As the internet reaches more and more people and places across the globe, you need to be able to tap into that market that can provide a service or product to someone who’s never had the opportunity before. It takes work and effort on your part, and by the time you have that right business set up, good things will happen for you. NOW, go out there right now and start up that business from home! I wish you all of the best in finding the “right” Home-Based Business for you. I wish only the best in your future endeavors!

Residual Income With Your Home-Based Online Business

Home Business – What to Choose?

A home business is unarguably the most ideal source of income. You can work whenever and wherever you want. Unfortunately, though no matter how ideal, it still has its bad side. You see, only one tenth of home business entrepreneurs are successful. The others are either still working really hard to stabilize their business or are experiencing some level of success but nowhere near their expectations when they first started their business. If you are planning to start your own home business, below is some important information on two of the most popular types of home business.

Multi-level marketing or MLM

According to one of the most respected guys in this industry, if you want to be a successful home business owner or an entrepreneur as a whole, a multi-level marketing business is the best way to start since most MLM companies provide exceptional training when it comes to selling things. With this type, if you have a huge downline, you can stop working and still expect money to keep coming in. The income potential here is truly unlimited. On the bad side, this is also the model of home business that has gained a lot of negative publicity. Those who do not truly understand this model may call it a scam. Besides, the personal ‘selling of products’ part can be repulsive to starters.

Online business or internet marketing

This is what you can literally call ‘working from home’. Since it is online, all you have to do is to sit in front of your computer. Unlike MLM where there is a need to meet people in order to run the business, an online home business enables you to make use of the internet to take care of your customers’ needs. There are numerous ways to start an online business such as marketing your own product or joining an already existing one.

Although both could be highly profitable, one of the most important factors that could determine one’s success is his or her attitude toward a certain model. For example, having an online business, especially if you are marketing your own product and you have an e-commerce site, requires a more than basic knowledge about the computer and the internet. An MLM business on the other hand will sometimes require meet ups, especially for those who are just starting out.

Home-Based Business – Make Money Online with Turnkey Websites

So you want to make a living online?

Or maybe just as an additional supplement to your current income?

Or perhaps you are a stay at home mom who would like to be able to earn money while staying at home?

The internet is full of opportunities to allow anyone to earn money online. All it takes is an idea, a website and a bit of motivation to succeed. Now you may have an idea, and you may have the motivation, but what you dont have is a website. You might feel like you dont have the techincal knowledge or financial commitment to build a website or have one custom built. Lucky for you, there is a little thing called Turnkey Websites.

Turnkey Websites are one of the hottest ways people are capitalizing on the internet. People who have no idea about programming, coding, designing are earning are living on the internet everyday by using Turnkey Websites. The beauty of turnkey websites is that it costs a fraction of what a custom built website would cost. Since the websites are pre-built you are not paying hourly fees for a programmer to build a site for you..and best of all, the quality of a turnkey website can be as good if not better than a custom designed site! It is perfect for those who would like to try making money online without a big financial commitment!

A turnkey website is a fully functional website featuring everything that you will need to begin your new business. The purchase of the package should include a domain, website, and hosting. Depending on the nature of your business, the only fees involved are the purchase of the site itself and a low monthly hosting fee which covers support.

However when purchasing a turnkey website, do not fall under the false assumption that you will immediately start seeing money flow into your bank account from day 1. As with any business, online or not, promotion and advertising are the keys to success. If you have never ran a website before then you want make sure the company you are buying from will provide help along the way. This includes advertising and promotional advice/tips as well as being available to answer any questions you have along the way. The last thing you want is to buy a site and be left hanging without any idea how to promote or advertise it. TurnkeyNation.com is an example of where one can go to purchase a turnkey website complete with domain, hosting, and full support.

Many times people who purchase turnkey websites do not have a large budget set aside for advertising and promotion. Luckily, there are many low cost methods available that can immediately begin making an impact, and even some of the methods are FREE!

Below are my opinions of what I feel are the best and most cost effective methods to promote your site and obtain targeted traffic:

1) Forums – This is perhaps the best and most effective FREE method to obtain targeted traffic. You can sign up for forums related to your website and add your URL to your signature. Then start posting and commenting with useful advice in the forum. Dont sell yourself, just post with friendly advice and people will see your URL in your signature. The traffic will come automatically. This is one of the best free ways to gain targeted traffic online.

2) Press Releases – Write a press release and submit it to all FREE online press release websites. As your press release gradually begins to be aggregated throughout other press sites and search engines, visitors will naturally begin visiting your site.

3) eBay – Yes eBay may cost a little to post a listing or two, but if you can sell anything at all related to your website (even related ebooks) you can obtain a large amount of quality targeted traffic from eBay. You can begin by creating an “About Me” page on eBay which directs customers to your website. You will then begin receiving instant targeted traffic and this can convert into sales!

4) Link Building – This is another very effective and free method to obtain targeted traffic. When you trade links with other similar sites, you are inevitably going to receive more targeted traffic. The important thing here is to trade links with sites which are closely related to yours. Not only does it help the visitor, it also helps your organic search engine results.

5) Search Engines – You should submit your website to all search engines and free directories. At the very least manually submit to the top 3 – Google, Yahoo, and MSN. But its best to submit to as many as possible. There are many resouces online where you can pay a small fee to be submitted to 50+ search engines and 150+ directories.

6) Google AdWords – This is a bit more costly than the above methods, however can be immensely successful when done properly. You essentially bid on keywords and then your ad will be displayed throughout the Google network. However, choosing proper keywords and budgets greatly affects your rate of success without draining your bank account.

7) Traditional Advertising – Dont underestimate traditional advertising methods. Even though your business/website is online, that doesn’t mean you cant attract potential customers from offline advertising. Although advertising via this method is not free – Classified Ads, local radio spots, tv commercials, billboards, etc. can all drive traffic to your website. And best is if you can advertise to a targeted market where you can cater to the needs of indivduals looking for a service or product your website offers.

I recommend purchasing a turnkey website that interests you, and then promoting/advertising it using free methods. Then once you are generating a profit, you can switch over to paid advertising and invest more money into your business.

The last bit of advice is to not expect overnight results. Granted, you can begin making money from day 1. However, just as a real world business thrives over time, the same applies to online businesses. Once you website has been saturated into the search engines, and once customers begin advertising for you via “word of mouth” is when your business will begin to really take off.