Get Started with Internet Marketing
Getting any new business off the ground is tough – and Internet Marketing is no different.
This site is packed with tips and tutorials on using WordPress and the Thesis framework to quickly set up a highly effective website.
There are also lots of articles on Internet Marketing and the principles of Search Engine Optimisation.
And I’ve created a free eCourse on how to set up a business online – you can find it here.
But first you need a plan.
The myth of the simple system
Unfortunately, in their attempt to join the ranks of online millionaires, hundreds of Internet Marketers have released products over the years claiming you can be earning $x,000 a week by this time next week, if you just follow their simple system.
I fell victim to this hype when I first started and the result was that I developed completely wrong expectations about what it required to develop an online business.
Let’s be clear: there are no silver bullets or ‘simple systems’, it takes time, work, proper planning and proper funding.
Which, unfortunately, doesn’t make good sales copy.
So I’ve linked to some articles below that are meant to make sure your expectations are realistic. They’ll also address some of the fundamental things you need to get in place for your business to be successful.
An online business is still a business, and it needs to be treated as one. It does have some advantages over a bricks and mortar business, mostly due to the much reduced start up capital required. And the rewards can be great.
But it’s still a business.
Setting your expectations
These two articles (one from me and one on Darren Rowse’s Problogger site) are not meant to discourage. But they will help to set your expectations.
Having the right expectations at the outset is a big factor in your eventual success.
This first one from Darren Rowse:
The Unsexy Truth About Making Money Online.
And this one sets out some of the experiences I’ve had:
The Ugly Truth About Achieving Your Goals.
Get the basics in place
As long as you get some basics in place and do the work, you can be successful. And some of those basics include a proper plan, proper funding, a product that fills a real need and a readiness to put in the hard graft.
The articles below cover 4 different aspects of setting up your business:
- Identifying your strengths
- Structuring your business
- Finding a product
- Building a successful website
At the bottom of each of the articles is a link to a list of related articles – click the link next to ‘Filed in:’ to find more information on the same subject.
Set up your business
This first article discusses how to identify your strengths and use them to turn recessions and poor economic times to your advantage by starting your own business:
Turn Recessions into Opportunities.
This one looks at some different ways you can make money online and has links to some useful resources:
Different ways to make money online.
This one takes a look at how the excessive hype that’s so often associated with MLM businesses can be a de-motivator, and how to deal with it:
This one also looks at dealing with the mind games that you often have to deal with when you’re making a change in your life:
This one talks about how you can diversify your potential income streams sooner than you may think. It’s based on the fact that you almost certainly know a lot more than you realise:
You Know More Than You Realise – How to Make Money From It.
This one discusses the importance of having a product that meets a need with which to underpin your business, and some ways of getting one:
The Basis of a Sound, Sustainable Business.
And, finally, this one looks at 6 key areas you need to focus on as you get your Internet Marketing business started:
How to Start Your Internet Marketing Business.
If you’re interested in setting up an online business you can get all the information you need from this free course.
Enjoy the articles and explore the related articles for more information and different approaches.
Good luck with it!
Cheers,
