When someone decides they want to start an online
business, they might think all they have to do is slap
up a site and wait for the money to come rolling in.
If only it were that easy....but it isn't. There is a LOT
of work and a LOT of learning to do when you are
building an online business. In my two years on the
internet I have learned many ways to help build a
business and I expect I will learn a lot more! With
this article, I would like to share some of the things
that I have learned in building my business.
DO NOT believe the get rich quick ads. There are
many scams out there hoping to find people who are
looking for easy money and succumb to their promises.
Some good indications of these would be.... MAKE A
MILLION DOLLARS IN 6 MONTHS WITHOUT HAVING
TO DO ANYTHING...yea, right!! If it sounds like a dream,
it is probably a nightmare!! http://www.scambusters.org/
TREAT people with respect! I believe strongly that we
should all treat others with respect and help each other
as often as we can. Do not insult, embarrass or harass
people if they do not agree with your views or if they do
not know everything you think they should know.
EXPECT to work hard. Building an online business is
something just about anyone can do, but you must be
prepared to work and work hard at it. There are umpteen
other businesses on the web and you must somehow make
yours rise above the others. This is no easy task.
NETWORK with other people online who are starting or
building an online business. Join some good discussion
groups, message board communities and newsgroups.
Participate in the discussions and become known and
trusted in your field.
Discussion Lists - http://www.liszt.com/
Message Boards - http://www.forumone.com/
Newsgroups - http://www.dejanews.com
DO NOT SPAM! Do not bombard every email address you
can find with advertisements about your business. This is
one of the quickest ways to lose all credibility for yourself
and your business. Send information only to people who
have signed up at your site, subscribed to your ezine or
have asked for information. When you post to discussion
lists, message boards and newsgroups, follow all rules and
guidelines. http://www.mindworkshop.com/alchemy/nospam.html
PLAN & ORGANIZE your time. With an online business, there
is a lot of work and details to stick to and writing a schedule
will help you keep your time organized so all your work gets
done. if you do not take the time to plan out your work, you
will begin to feel overwhelmed and then you are more apt
to become discouraged and feel like giving up.
http://www.organizetips.com/
BUILD YOURSELF and your reputation and then build your
business. You must establish yourself as someone who
knows what they are doing and can be trusted. Once this
is done, business will begin to grow.
BE PASSIONATE about yourself and your business. Your
passion and excitement will show through to others and
will reflect on your business. Your passion will also help
you to keep going on the days when you feel like giving up.
http://www.5passions.com/
ASK FOR HELP. Do not be afraid to ask questions. There
are many others who have been in your shoes and would
be glad to answer your questions and help when they can.
I have made many friends and built many relationships just
be asking questions of others. I have also learned a lot!
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS with your customers and fellow
netpreneurs. Ask for your potential customers participation
on your site or in your ezine. Let them get to know you and
to feel comfortable with you and your business. You can
build lasting personal and business relationships without
actually meeting someone.
http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/counseling/relation.html
NEVER STOP LEARNING! Things are always moving and
changing on the web and you have to keep on top of things.
Never think that you know all you need to know. There is
always more to learn!
SET GOALS that you can stick to. Divide your main goal into
smaller goals or steps. By attaining these smaller goals, you
will gain confidence and become more passionate about
the next goal.
In part 2 of Just A Little Advice..., I will talk about building
and maintaining a website and promoting your business.
I hope some of this advice will help you to learn more and
to get your business going.
About the Author
Terri Seymour owns and operates MyOwnEzine.com
MyOwnEzine.com is a website, ezine and service which
provides the resources, tools, guidance and more to help
you start, publish and promote your own ezine. You can
contact Terri at mailto:ter02@newnorth.net Subscribe
at mailto:subscribe@myownezine.com or visit
http://www.myownezine.com for lots more info.