6 Tips You Can Apply To Build A Real Internet Business
A reader from Indonesia left an interesting comment on our blog a few days ago. Curious I followed up, reading his blog and also a free report which he publishes.
I really liked the style of his writing and some of his notes & comments rang true with my experience.
So I invited Welly to write a little about his Home Business journey and talk alittle about what he has found are the keys to success.
Welly was kind enough to provide an article which is published below in full. Thanks Welly, appreciate you taking the time to put this together for us:
Hey there, my name is Welly Mulia and I first got started in Internet Marketing back in June 2006. Back then I was a complete beginner who didn’t know a thing about IM. And when I say I knew nothing then, I’m being completely honest with you.
So I would buy one ebook or IM course one after another. You know, those that promise you get-rich-quick-schemes or how to get rich overnight just by clicking a few buttons on your mouse.
I am a little embarrassed to say this, but back then I actually believed that I could become a millionaire overnight!
Well, who doesn’t?
With all the hypey sales letters out there, you are bound to get tricked or cheated when you are a complete newbie who doesn’t know what you’re doing.
Anyway to make a long story short, so I bought one ebook after another. Not all of them are get-rich-quick-schemes though. There were a few that contain some real gems.
However, because of information overload, I end up simply reading and studying them without actually implementing what I’ve learned.
Essentially, I’ve become a NALO (no action learn only) guy.
And when you simply read without applying what you’ve learned (even though it may be the best ebook out there in the world), nothing will happen. I can guarantee that!
Like what I’ve said above, the primary reason why I did not implement the methods and techniques taught in the ebooks was because I suffered from information overload.
The more I read the more confused I became. I simply don’t know where to start because there was so much information out there that I don’t know which one to follow.
I’m very sure you can relate to my experience when you just got started in IM. Almost everyone goes through the same bad experience!
I’d hop from one business opportunity to the next, each one promising the next “big thing” where you can earn millions overnight just by joining their programs or buying their ebooks.
As you can probably already guess, all of them were rubbish J.
There was also this period of time that I’ve also been involved in black hat Internet Marketing activities, like mass building portal sites and generating income from Adsense.
Sure, portal sites with Adsense can bring in a decent income every month fast, but they were simply short-term income and have no longevity. I finally realized that this was not the way to build a real, long-term business.
Currently, I’m a full time Internet Marketer focused in building a real long term business that is going to sustain. I’m building a white hat business that provides VALUE to my customers and subscribers.
I currently have 3 IM products, and a fourth one is due to be released within this month. All of them are created this year and all of them are in my native language (Indonesian).
Oh yeah before I forgot, I should mention that I do not live in the US, Canada, UK, nor Australia J. I reside in a country called Indonesia, somewhere in the Asia Pacific region.
Having been involved in the IM niche for my local Indonesian market for the past few months, I’m currently set to enter the international IM market as well.
I currently enjoy a consistent, decent four-figure online income every month. It’s not a lot, and it’s far from those high profile Internet Marketers make out there, but it pays for my bills and I do get to live a decent life J.
But truth be told, the journey to get to where I am now (let alone those high profile Internet Marketers) is not easy.
Heck, it’s actually HARD!
I’m trying to be as honest as I can here, so please remember that if someone or some “guru” tells you that it’s easy to earn lots of money online, they are lying to you so that you buy their ebooks or courses.
If making money online were that easy, why is it that most people (probably 99% - just a guess here) fail to earn a single red cent when they try their hands at Internet Marketing?
Or if they actually did make any money at all, the amount is usually meager and the income is most likely inconsistent.
There are actually 5 reasons why most people fail to earn any money online.
Having been involved in the Internet Marketing niche for 2 years and 4 months now, I have made a lot of mistakes and in the process learned a lot from these mistakes as well.
In my opinion, the best teacher is to make mistakes and then learn from them.
To sum up, I’d like to you give 6 tips and pointers on how you can succeed in making money online:
1. Making money online is HARD
First things first. You need to put this in your mind first.
Making money online is never easy. In fact, I want to be honest and up front with you: Making money online is damn HARD!
Hard but not impossible.
It will take you hard work and time to make good money online. There is no such thing as overnight success simply by doing nothing.
Cripes, that only happens in your dream and Disneyland! (please note that I don’t have anything against Disneyland, I’m just trying to make a point here).
2. Focus on 1 thing at a time
I know there is a lot of information out there to be consumed, but the thing is, you don’t have to consume all of them at once.
If you’re learning a specific skill, say how to build a WordPress blog, then you should focus your time and effort on learning that specific skill. Don’t be distracted by other non-related ebooks or courses that talk about Adwords, Adsense, how to JV with others, social bookmarking strategies, etc.
Only when you have successfully built a WordPress blog, and only when you have become familiar on working with a WordPress blog, should you move on to other skills or areas.
It’s a lot better to be really good at 1 skill, than to be average at 10 skills.
3. Focus on the things that you are good at
Do you know that to build a profitable business online, you don’t have to know everything about Internet Marketing?
Take for example myself.
I don’t know everything there is to know about IM. If I say I knew everything, I’d be lying to you.
I just know what needs to be done and if I’m not good at doing certain things, like SEO, I simply find someone or some kind of SEO services to do SEO work for my sites so they rank well in the search engines. If I know nothing about programming, I’d find a programmer.
Focus on the areas where you are good at, and outsource other areas or skills that you are bad at.
4. Focus on the things that matter the most to your business
When you are just getting started in Internet Marketing, chances are you probably don’t have a lot of money to spend to outsource tasks to other people.
That is perfectly fine. You just need to analyze your current business position, and find out which tasks are more important than others, and do those more important tasks first.
Not all tasks are created equal. The Pareto Principle holds true in your online business.
20% of your efforts will determine 80% of your results, and the reverse is true as well. 80% of your efforts will determine 20% of your results.
Your duty is to find out the 20% that will produce the 80%, and then work like mad on that 20%.
5. Build beneficial relationships with your list
If you want to build a real, sustainable long-term business, you must build a list.
There was a saying that goes like this “The size of your list is directly proportional to your online income”.
I strongly disagree.
In my opinion: “The relationship you build with your list is directly proportional to your online income”.
To be able to sell products and services to other people, you MUST build beneficial and trusting relationships with them first.
Sure, you may get a few sales here and there even without building good relationships with your prospects, but these sales are inconsistent and short-term.
If you want to have consistent sales coming in, you must build beneficial relationships with your subscribers so that they trust you and see you as an expert in your field.
If you want to find out how you can create beneficial relationships with your list, you can see an article I’ve written: Give And Create Value First, Receive Second.
6. Never, ever, give up
When things don’t go the way you expected, especially when you have invested countless time and effort but the results are disappointing, it’s normal to be discouraged.
But whatever you do, do not ever give up, EVER!
These are just temporary setbacks that you have to undergo if you want to be successful.
Let me rephrase that for you just in case you don’t see what I’m trying to convey. Read this very carefully:
In order to succeed, you MUST fail first!
If you give up simply because you have met a temporary setback (which you may not be aware that the setback is actually temporary), then you’d always be going in circles where you’d be hopping from “next big thing A” to “next big thing B” to “next big thing Z”.
1 year, 2 years, 5 years, 10 years later you will still be in the same position as you are now.
You have gone nowhere.
So please, just evaluate your actions and figure out why it’s not working for you yet, and just keep going and don’t ever give up.
If you like what I’ve written, chances are you’ll also like my FREE Report “Your First 100 Dollars Online”. This is a 37 page zero-hype report that shows you how you can make your first 100 dollars online. You can get it for FREE. No email required J.
Posted: October 4th, 2008 under Success Stories.
Comments: 36
Comments
Comment from Home Warranty
Time: October 5, 2008, 2:54 PM
I agree it is definitely HARD to build online business, especially first 2 years. I have been working on my website for 3 years, but mostly part-time and I was able to generate about 500 bucks per month so far. I have other online business ideas, but cannot focus on those as my primary site occupies most of (part)time. Good part is that once I build one site, I can repeat the same steps and use my experience. However, given that I have a full time job, I am not able to dedicate as much time and I have a feeling I will need many years before I make some real money here!
Good advise and an insightful article.
shayari
Comment from chempez
Time: October 6, 2008, 2:55 AM
That’s the point.. I did all the research, read all the e-books, learned all the IM forums.. and never did the real action. Somehow I feel we’re human.. born to be greedy, and want all the good stuff.
just like what Welly have said above, FOCUS on 1 thing first (better if you enjoy doing it)..
nice tips guys.. thanks
Comment from Dawn
Time: October 6, 2008, 6:37 PM
Hey, great article!
I too have fallen victim of NALO, trying to learn as much as I could only to overload my brain and forget everything I read. You just gotta get out there with no hesitation and succeed or fail. Waiting to a be master at something will never happen by reading books. You must put what you read to action.
Also, really enjoy what you do. Learning a field/business/career will be easier and more rewarding than doing it just for the money.
Comment from Karen Davis
Time: October 8, 2008, 8:08 PM
An inspiring post for business people online.
Comment from Software Outsourcing Company
Time: October 9, 2008, 5:47 PM
That’s true making online business and gaining money is not a piece of cake as many people think. needs time and hard work.
Thanks for providing us with such helpful information and advices.
Comment from Aini Tech
Time: October 11, 2008, 6:18 PM
I can totally relate to what you have written. I am definitely going to read your report. Good stuff, pls keep them coming.
Comment from Internet Startup Disasters
Time: October 13, 2008, 10:27 PM
Nice article - can really relate to what you’ve said. Perhaps the most important point is that making money online isn’t easy. Too many people look at the internet as an easy way to earn a recurring income from little work and then become disheartened when things don’t work out as they hoped after a couple of months.
Comment from Niccolo Svengali
Time: October 14, 2008, 4:24 PM
It’s important to take an actual note of good ideas when you come across them. Then, when you’re stuck for inspiration, re-read them.
Comment from Corilla
Time: October 14, 2008, 4:44 PM
Great piece. It’s easy to be disheartened when a home business isn’t as successful as you’d like. Staying focused, motivated and positive is essential when creating a start-up.
Comment from mortgage calculator loan
Time: October 16, 2008, 8:37 PM
All good tips. I find focusing on one thing or even one site at a time is tough. I try to create a todo list each day before I start and focus just on that. No forums, no email. Just my list. It works!
Comment from Trent - Home Business
Time: October 17, 2008, 6:17 PM
Very good tips! All are vital for online business success. I think 2,4,6 are especially crucial. And I want to restate… NEVER GIVE UP!
Comment from Lifeburner.net
Time: October 20, 2008, 1:50 PM
I couldn’t agree more–it is very tough to make a living online. Truth be told, it’s just like starting a traditional business in a lot of ways, and I think a lot of the advertising about “working at home” is very misleading and setting up most people for a very quick fall.
I’ve had to sift through all of the info out there and concentrate on my true strength: writing. That is what works best for me–but your readers all hae their own strengths that will work–with a lot of time, patience, and hard work.
Comment from Myron Tay
Time: October 21, 2008, 12:54 PM
How long do you guys wait before actually monetizing from your blogs?
Comment from ifreebies
Time: October 27, 2008, 1:34 PM
Very interesting points. Ive been small time IM for over 2 months, and im still shite! I know that i should focus more on one skill, as i usually start something and don’t finish it. Ive got many ideas just dont know how to implement them. If anyone can point me in the right direction id be grateful.
Do most of you make money by google ads, or is it more specific advertisers?
Comment from central coast california real estate
Time: October 29, 2008, 9:16 PM
I was just in the process of writing an article about why failure can be a good thing, and I come across this great article by Welly that validates my thinking! All his points here are very good. #5 (relationships) really resonates with me - it’s all really about people. The best people relationships bring about the best successes.
Comment from Aaron Lee
Time: November 5, 2008, 4:10 AM
Very good points. Many who first get into this field have thought that making money online is easy. It’s actually not easy! but very possible indeed. I wrote a article “Online Business Blueprint” on my website and I welcome you to take a look at it (it’s free by the way). There’s a contest to win a Netbook too!
Comment from Nancy Sutherland
Time: November 10, 2008, 4:55 PM
Since my Direct Sales Blog is relatively new, I am so thrilled to find this post! You are right, making money online is not easy as many think! I particularly liked the point of focusing on one thing at a time. Just doing that makes it so much more managable and less overwhelming for me.Thanks for the tips!
Comment from Salwa
Time: November 11, 2008, 8:06 AM
That’s true making online business and gaining money is not a piece of cake as many people think. needs time and hard work. Thanks for providing us with such helpful information and advices.
Comment from internet marketing indonesia
Time: November 12, 2008, 3:30 PM
never thought that i would found you here welly, i am a wannabe imer from indonesia, and my first tutorial that i bought is your adsense video tutorial, also my first affiliate income was coming from your affiliate program hihihi…
thanks for the tips, not focus to one subject, most probably that’s why i am going no where :P
Comment from Discount codes
Time: November 13, 2008, 1:01 PM
Thanks for the tips, one I learned recently is to “put yourself out there” people often become hermits in the online world - the people who make money very often network and get to know people in the industry. The old “its not what you know its who you know” saying is true for online work as well as offline!
Comment from tricks and tips
Time: November 13, 2008, 2:24 PM
Thanks for your very very interesting article. Listen I mostly appreciate your 6 point: Never, ever, give up. You dont know how many times i was on the verge of giving the whole hell up. In the end i though: I have spent a lot of time and effort. I am here and i have learnt a lot of thngs…whay should i give up?
Do you want a litle confession? i thought that making money online was much easier than that! Anyway i see that the more i work the more i see results and that’s good even though these results are in term of a couple of dollars.
Comment from Ryan Moriguchi
Time: November 14, 2008, 7:53 AM
1 and 6 are the best tips.
People are seduced by the idea of easy money. No different to the “magic diet” where you have to do nothing to lose weight. Wrong.
Losing weight the most effective way is to exercise regularly and eat healthily. Being disciplined.
Same with making money online. You need to be prepared to work hard. Put in the marketing hours. Put in the content building hours. Graft away to produce the BEST content / products in your niche.
6 is the tip that will have you beating your competition if you stick to it. Do not give up. The majority of people give up a business way before it’s matured. Be patient. Work hard. These two virtues ALWAYS bring rewards.
Comment from Ken
Time: November 16, 2008, 7:12 PM
Ryan hits it above…there are no shortcuts.
People also have the tendency to bounce around from project to project and do not give enough commitment to what they are doing for a long enough period of time. You must stay the course. It does not come easily!
Comment from Spencer
Time: November 17, 2008, 9:40 PM
#6 is the most important for me personally. Most people give up easily, when they encounter their first serious challenges. In order to do #6, you need to understand #1 as well - making money online is not easy and requires hard work and a little bit of luck.
Comment from James - Lee McIntyre’s Ops Manager
Time: November 18, 2008, 9:12 AM
Wow… fantastic post!
It’s not often you hear people giving the REAL truth about this business and how making money online is definitely not as simple as “flicking a switch” or “pressing a button” as the many of the over-hyped adverts would have you believe.
As soon as people start to realise these things stop chasing the money at the end of rainbows they can start learning how to do this properly and start figuring things out.
Once again, great post!
James
Comment from Wholesale Home Accessories
Time: November 18, 2008, 4:51 PM
There is no such thing as easy money like you say, too many people expect things to be handed to them on a plate. Even when you tell them things you did wrong, they still won’t believe you until they go ahead and repeat the mistakes themselves!
Comment from ProNetBusiness.com
Time: November 19, 2008, 9:44 PM
Good post. Well written. Tip 6 Never Give Up is the one that screws most people up. And the Tip you missed - was ‘Market your business’. Too many people dont spend enough time actually marketing their business, especially online.
Comment from Tom Lindstrom
Time: November 20, 2008, 9:23 AM
Valuable info, thanks for sharing.I guess it is true that 95% of those who ever try to make money online fail just because they do not focus and are scammed into believing that you can make thousands of dollars instantly.
Comment from isabelle newton
Time: November 20, 2008, 11:12 AM
It’s easy to see why your making a success out of making money from home. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you can make a million in a year working 2 hours a day - cause that’s what the marketing blurb tells you - but managing peoples expectations is the most important thing about these ‘get rich quick’ schemes - yes there is money to be made, yes you can work from home, no it’s not going to be easy but you get out what you put in as with everything else in life.
Comment from MonaVie
Time: November 21, 2008, 7:57 PM
It’s nice to read about someone that knows there are a lot of “bad eggs’ of scams out there. It’s scary trying to get into something that is new, because you don’t know who is telling the truth and who isn’t.
I loved Welly’s list of rules. The most important one in my opinion, is number 2. Do one thing at a time. I get in the habit of starting 20 goals at once, and never wind up following through on any of them. Focusing one at a time assures that you’ll put enough thought and energy to make that goal a habit, and then you can move on to another one.
Comment from David - Chicago Internet Marketing
Time: November 28, 2008, 10:31 PM
“In order to succeed, you MUST fail first!”
Alot of people never internalize or understand this critical issue. Have you to test, try, fall on your face sometimes to succeed.
Comment from Learn to Invest
Time: November 29, 2008, 3:12 AM
Ah, someone I can relate to. I’m horrible about reading how to do everything and never applying. Finally I told my wife we were just going to start our own businesses and she told me it was about time. Now we’re 5 years into horse breeding, 3 years into a farrier business, and I’m 2 months into a financial blog. Doing is much more satisfying than dreaming.
Thanks,
Bill
Comment from Gini
Time: December 1, 2008, 7:10 AM
After starting my own online business, I can definitely attest to the fact that in order to succeed, you have to fail first, and that making money online is difficult. You have to start with a good idea, knowledge that will allow you to turn that idea into something more, and the means to make that “something more” into a real business. I’ve had starts and stops, I’ve leapt over hurdles, and so many times I’ve thought about quitting. But I am now finding that most of the difficulties I’ve had starting up my business are cured by knowledge and perseverance.
Comment from Raul@precor treadmill
Time: December 1, 2008, 9:17 PM
This is so inspiring - i love it! “you MUST fail first” I am so afriaid of this myself. it can be stifling.
Comment from Ms. Liz
Time: December 6, 2008, 2:17 AM
NALO, I like that! …so much of what you say is true, people get so much information they are on information overload that they become so confused they don’t know how to get started.
No one wants to put a lot of time and effort into something and then have it fail, but like you say, failing is what helps you succeed. It’s how you learn. It’s simply part of the equasion. Doing nothing is the surest form of failure.
The sooner you can get started the better off you’ll be 2 or 3 years from now.
I always ask my students - Where do you want to be in 5 years? Starting now is how you get there :-)
Comment from Daisy(home business)
Time: October 4, 2008, 9:33 AM
Great post, Thanks for all the information provided regarding the focus needed for the internet home business to improve… its a huge advantage for me as a newbie to receive such useful information
Thanks again.