If I was to say to you, hey, there’s an empty Office/Shop down the road, why don’t you grab it right now and start your own business. What would you say? Chances are you’ll tell me I’m nuts. Why? Because you would realize right away that you don’t open a business on a whim. First you’d have to know what type of business you want. You would need to analyze if such a business can be profitable in that location. You would have to negotiate a lease, pay some rent and arrange and pay for a fit out. You would then need to get your stock, and work out what type of marketing and advertising to focus on to get some customers.
That all takes time and at the end of it, you may decide it’s the wrong shop/office, in the wrong location for your market.
With an internet business, you don't have to go through most of that. The thing that makes the Internet so unique is that it’s the greatest leveler of all time. Everyone, regardless of age, appearance, nationality or religion can start a business online, with little or no investment. But make no mistake, not everyone's business will be equal or successful.
Within the internet business community you will soon learn that there are some very clear separations.
On the lowest rung is the newbie.
A newbie is a new arrival, an amateur who hasn’t yet earned a ticket to the so called ‘big secrets’ of how to succeed.
Few veterans expect a newbie to survive for very long, either financially or emotionally, and just as few have qualms about promoting products to them knowing, or at least suspecting, that few of them will last long enough to learn how to use the product, let alone make any money from it.
At the other end of the scale is the Guru.
A Guru is someone who is rumored to be very successful, who probably earns in the millions each year, who is admired, respected and sometimes vilified by others, but is acclaimed as a uniquely skilled expert. Of course, a Guru can also be self proclaimed. The internet is very fluid that way.
Finally we have everybody else. The ‘have yet to get anywhere’, the ‘up and coming’, the ‘ne’er do well’, the ‘on the way to success’, and finally, the ones who can say they have made it.
The group you will eventually belong to will depend on how well you plan your business and how much time and yes, even money you are prepared to put into it.
My advice to you is learn as much as you can before you start your business. experiment with free products before you start draining your credit card and never buy a product that doesn't instantly make sense to you.
By 'sense' I mean for example that if it comes with a dozen videos it not likely to make sense for quite some time.
Knowing how and where to get your customers is your first priority, just as it is in the real world, so start learning all about advertising on the internet. Get some free list building programs and build yourself a list of potential customers you can market to. Then look around for the right product to present to your list.
Alternatively, start spending money and hope you know what you are doing.
Either way, you have my respect and my sincere best wishes.
Kirsten Plotkin
