What you need to know first, about cashing in on the Internet
The value of having an online business is no longer questioned. Successful online professionals are establishing their web presence, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and new customers to their websites and business.
Before you can join the ranks of the online professionals, you need to get the right resources to help you make a valid decision, before starting out on your new online home business via the Internet.
This article is the first of many in getting you started on an online business you can run from the comforts of your own home. It has an overview of what you really need to know first, in preparation for a successful and profitable online business, rather than just plunging in blindly and making costly mistakes along the way, and perhaps even quitting before you get started.
Here's a checklist for you to consider, before getting started.
1) Identify your clear personal objectives for starting this business. What do you hope to get out of it? What are you prepared to put into it?
2) Determine whether you seriously want this business. Why?
3) Are you willing to commit your full effort and attention into this business venture, either on a part-time basis, or as a full-time career? How are you going to do it?
4) Are you willing to do what it takes to succeed? No matter how long or how hard it becomes in;
getting the knowledge and skill you need?
putting in the investment for your business growth?
learning from mistakes and growing from it?
investing as much time and effort as is necessary?
5) Are you willing to put in the necessary financial investments to get started, and to see it through until you succeed? How far are you prepared to go in terms of your financial investment;
$3,000 - $5,000? (shoestring budget)
$5,000 - $10,000? (average investment)
More than $10,000?
6) Are you willing to put in time and effort to learn everything needed to ensure your success? How much time will you allocate for each aspect of your business and the frequency for;
planning?
research and development?
advertising and promotions?
web publishing?
ezine publishing?
preparing articles and reports?
preparing sales letters and materials?
preparing email follow-up templates?
prospect and customer communications?
website management?
Monitoring and tracking responses?
7) Have you identified the nature of business you want to get involved in? Determine if you are providing a business, a product, or services.
If you are providing a service, specify what type e.g. mailing list service, web hosting service, autoresponder service, auto management service, etc.
Will you be marketing your own products? If so, what types and what plan would you use?
Or, are you promoting other people's products where you receive commission for business conducted by you, such as reseller and associate programs?
If so, what are the companies concerned, and what is the marketing structure you intend to use? Have you checked the background of these companies?
8) Do you have a clear understanding what an online home business really is?
If so, what is an online home business according to your understanding of it?
How does one operate an online home business?
Why do some people succeed while many others fail?
9) Have you decided if this business is meant for you? Why?
Are you cut out for this business?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Are you willing to be totally responsible for the success or failure of your own business?
What are the steps you are going to take to ensure success?
The above checklist will help shed some light in your research about yourself, before you actually set out on a research of an online home business, and before you actually start your home business hastily and impulsively.
To get the best out of your preparations for starting your online home business, please answer all the questions with serious thought and honest answers. You answers will help you plan and decide on the direction of your future.
Your future is in your own hands. Seriously evaluate your answers before blindly jumping into an online business. Many have done so, with a result of getting burnt by scams and hypes. There is no such thing as a 'free lunch'. You have to put in the time, effort and financial investment to be able to get the best out of your efforts and business.
Help is there for those who seek it. Are you prepared to extend your hand to get it?
James Tong (cybermultipreneur), is a teacher, coach and consultant to home-based enterprises in the Asia Pacific Region. He is also the author of a host of articles and reports on various topics. Visit http://www.cybermultipreneurs.com/ for more information on his work and electronic publications.
To benefit from his insight on successful home-based entrepreneurship, get a Free Subscription to CyberMultipreneurs eJournal Today! To subscribe to CyberMultipreneurs ejournal, put the word SUBSCRIBE in the body of an email to: cmej@oaknetpub.com
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
More How To Articles
More By Developer Shed
 developerWorks - FREE Tools!
|
Join this webcast, to learn how the Rational Process Library can help with compliance issues, drive process improvement, and assist in service-oriented architecture (SOA) or Agile development. We will take a peek into the Rational Process Library with content around software and systems engineering (including RUP), operations and systems management, program and portfolio management, and asset and SOA governance.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Join this Rational Talks to You teleconference, featuring Paul Boustany and Mark Krasovich, to speak to the experts about becoming a Rational ClearCase power user. Get a chance to ask your questions and learn tips and tricks for using Rational ClearCase in Agile development
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
WebSphere Process Server delivers a unique integration framework that simplifies existing IT resources. Often, as IT assets grow to support business demand, so too does their complexity and manageability. In this webcast, we’ll discuss how WebSphere Process Server helps deliver an SOA infrastructure that provides a common model to orchestrate, mediate, connect, map, and execute the underlying IT functions. Discover how WebSphere Process Server simplifies integration of business processes by leveraging existing IT assets as reusable services without the complexities of traditional integration methodologies.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Visit IBM developerWorks to download the latest trial version of IBM Data Studio V1.1 at no cost. IBM Data Studio is a comprehensive data management solution that helps you effectively design, develop, deploy and manage your data, databases, and database applications throughout the data management life cycle utilizing a consistent and integrated user interface. Unlike other client-side data management solutions that focus on only one aspect of the application lifecycle or database administration, Data Studio complements the Rational Software Delivery platform, providing unparalleled flexibility for a heterogeneous data server environment across platforms.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
In this tutorial, you can learn how to install and configure the IBM Rational Asset Manager Eclipse client, explore the different views in the Asset Management perspective, learn various search techniques, work with existing assets, and submit a new asset.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Join this Rational Talks to You teleconference on December 6 at 1:00 pm ET to participate in an agile application development discussion and get your questions answered on using IBM Rational Method Composer in a distributed environment.Get your questions answered!
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Learn the basics of the IBM Customer Information Control System (CICS). With a hands-on exercise, learn how to get your first CICS application up and running on your desktop using TXSeries V6.1 for Windows. The tutorial shows you how to download and install a free trial version of TXSeries V6.1.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Get a free trial download of the latest version of IBM Rational Performance Tester V7.0.1, a load and performance testing solution for teams concerned about the scalability of their Web-based applications. Combining multiple ease-of-use features with granular detail, Rational Performance Tester simplifies the test-creation, load-generation and data-collection processes that help teams ensure the ability of their applications to accommodate required user loads.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
The Eclipse community is constantly working to extend Eclipse's functionality. In this webcast, learn about some of the most important and feature-rich projects under development. From multi-language support to plug-in development, tune in to see what Eclipse is capable of now.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
WebSphere Process Server delivers a unique integration framework that simplifies existing IT resources. Often, as IT assets grow to support business demand, so too does their complexity and manageability. In this webcast, we’ll discuss how WebSphere Process Server helps deliver an SOA infrastructure that provides a common model to orchestrate, mediate, connect, map, and execute the underlying IT functions. Discover how WebSphere Process Server simplifies integration of business processes by leveraging existing IT assets as reusable services without the complexities of traditional integration methodologies.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
All FREE IBM® developerWorks Tools!
|
