Welcome! A Few Words from Angela ...
The way I see it is, we've all been 'newbies' at some point. And starting an online business can be confusing, with everyone throwing around terms you don't understand, like 'FTP your affiliate program doorway page to the server, or use a redirection URL instead of your coded link'. The beginner's typical response to something like this is ...
... Huh?
This eBook will give you some of the information beginners need to know. Making money online is an ever-changing process. Things that work today may not work tomorrow.
The way I see it is, doing business on the 'net is a continuous learning process. Although I make a good living online I'll never call myself an "expert" - I think of myself as a student, always learning something new and constantly experimenting until I find something that works (or works better!).
In this book you'll find some of the things I've learned along the way. Those of you who already know me from my websites or newsletters already know that I won't hype anything up. Everything here is based on my personal experience.
This eBook is a short primer to the Online Business Basics members-only website. There's a description of the site near the end of this book ... but if you'd like more information on it now, please visit http://www.onlinebusinessbasics.com/.
The Online Business Basics members site is updated weekly. If, at the time of writing of this eBook, a certain topic has been covered in more detail on the members site, you'll see the information symbol to your left. Simply login to the site if you're already a member.
So You Want to Make Money Online?
There are millions upon millions of websites. It's simply not possible to slap together a website, dump it online, and wait for the money to come rolling in. Making money online can be done - all sorts of people are doing it: retirees, students, stay-at-home parents, blue-collar workers, technical professionals, people with disabilities - but all of these people have worked hard to achieve what they have.
This eBook is intended to be starting point for 'newbies' to the web: people who want to start their own online businesses but aren't sure where to begin.
Before we get started, here are a few things to think about ...
Are you comfortable with your computer? Most online business information focuses on marketing, and rightly so; marketing skills are vital to your success. However, you're going to have a hard time if you don't have how to effectively use your computer!
Go To: The Newbie Club is by far the best site I've found for, well, newbies. :-) Inevitably you're going to run into computer problems - we all do, unfortunately - so click here for a free membership to The Newbie Club. You’ll get access to 90 experienced technicians who will help you with your computer troubles, plus a wide variety of tutorials.
Do you have a little money to invest? I will be the first to say that you can make money online without spending any -- however, let me also point out that it's much harder and it will take much more time ... if you last that long! Although you don't need a lot, you should be prepared to spend some. You'll find a checklist later on in this eBook that will list a few startup costs to consider.
Go To: The US Small Business Administration website . There you'll find some options for financing your business.
Most people continue to work their full-time job (if they have one) and work on their business part-time. This is how I started myself; I used part of my earnings from my job to finance my business.
Are you willing to make a time commitment? One thing I've always believed is that there is a vast difference between building a business "part-time", and building one in your "spare time". I mean, let's be honest here ... how often do you feel as if you have "spare time"? Building a business online is just like building a business offline: it takes commitment. Resolve to spend a certain number of hours per week working on your business, and then just do it. The more time you can spend, the faster you'll become profitable!
This next article ran in several newsletters in 2000, and received a lot of popular feedback. I'm going to use it here as a sort of "pep talk". If you're already trying to build an online business, you can probably identify with this article! Here we go ...
Bringing Your New Business Back to Life
You drag yourself into the kitchen after a hard day at the office. Staring glumly at the empty fridge, you try to block out the sounds of the kids squabbling, the dog barking to go outside, and the blare of the TV in the background.
You are just so tired.
Day after day, week after week, you promise yourself that you're going to work on your business.
'What business,' you think bitterly, 'The one that still hasn't produced a single thin dime?'
That's the one. It is incredibly easy to get discouraged when your business isn't making money ... and even more so when your life is filled with other priorities. You're just plain worn out - and you don't savor the prospect of spending your precious free time struggling with a business that has yet to turn a profit.
But the simple fact of the matter is: If you don't work your business, who will?
To get anywhere in life you have to work hard. It may involve some short-term sacrifices ... that's where you'll have to sit down with your family and figure out whether those sacrifices will justify the end result. Here are a few tips to help you get back up and work on your business:
For example, instead of moaning about how you still haven't made any money, focus instead on how great it will be to make your first sale. Believe me, that first sale is an incredible feeling! It energizes you in a way that's hard to describe.
Take it one small step at a time.
There's no point in setting a lofty goal, only to fail at achieving it. Keep your goals realistic. For example, you could make it your goal to do 5 small advertising or promotion activities every day. A bunch of small steps will eventually lead to the achievement of the larger goal.
Don't be afraid to ask for help or encouragement.
You can find a lot of supportive people if you just ask. A good place is right here on the Internet, on message boards. You can start looking for forums that interest you at http://www.delphi.com/ Or join the Small Business Community to both share advice with other small business owners.
Re-prioritize.
There is no way that anyone can do everything. Let small things go while you concentrate on your business. The house does not always have to be perfectly clean, and a garden with a few weeds won't hurt you. Ask others in the family to help out.
Be willing to make a few smart investments.
While we would all prefer to spend nothing and make millions, it's simply not realistic. Many of us have heard the phrase, "It takes money to make money" - well, there's more than a grain of truth to it. Smart investments save us both time and money in the long run. Do your research, and don't be afraid to spend a few dollars. This is a business, after all, not just a hobby.
Force yourself to do a little most days.
I know it's hard; I literally dragged myself to my computer every single day for about two months and made myself do 5 small tasks - despite having already sunk several hundreds of dollars into my business and not having seen a single sale. It was hard, all right ... but in the end it paid off: it took me one year to build my business to the point where I could quit my job.
Stay 100% focused on what you want.
Keep your final destination firmly in mind: do you want to be able to spend more time with the kids? Do you simply want to leave the stress of the corporate world? Do you want the independence and sense of achievement that comes from running your own business? Imagine what it will be like once you achieve it. Focus on why you want the business in the first place; it will help to keep you motivated.
Only you can change the course of your life. So what are you waiting for? Get going! :-)
Debunking the Myths of Making Money Online
I truly believe that the Internet offers one of the best opportunities for the "average" person to make a good living from home.
However, there are a lot of misconceptions about making money online - I know from personal experience - I fell prey to some of them myself! Let's examine some of the myths of doing business online ...
Myth #1: The Internet is a great money-making opportunity for everyone. Anyone can succeed!
Reality: If that were true, we'd all be rich. The Internet is a goldmine of opportunity, no doubt about that ... but it's just like any other opportunity: some people will do well, others won't. The Internet only gives you the opportunity; YOU have to shape that opportunity.
Myth #2: Once you have a website, you can just sit back and watch your bank account grow.
Reality: Ha ha ha! This is one of the most ridiculous lies told. There is no such thing as easy money. You will not be able to pay a few bucks for a "24 hour cash machine" website and become an instant success. You're going to have to work hard and do plenty of learning. Toss a site onto the web, sit back, and do nothing and you'll reap exactly that: nothing!
Myth #3: Yeah, but some opportunities can make you rich really fast! Some guy emailed me and said he made $2000 on his first day.
Reality: Maybe he did and maybe he didn't. Most people involved in these so-called "opportunities" are merely hoping to make that kind of money. They usually reap some benefit from signing up others (ie. you) ... Remember the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is ..."
Myth #4: All I have to do is build my downline and I can live off their sales ... I won't have to do anything!
Reality: Maybe ... but I doubt it. Many people jump into and out of opportunities equally fast. Most never make money. The fact of the matter is, the only person you have control over is yourself. You cannot force anyone else to learn how to market online; you can't force someone to work hard or work for a certain number of hours a week. I'd recommend that you concentrate on building YOUR income. Support your downline, sure, and if they do end up making some money then it's just "extra money" for you. :-)
Myth #4: You have to be an HTML expert in order to create a website.
Reality: HTML is simple to learn, and there are many excellent books and tutorials on the subject. Two popular books are "HTML for Dummies", by Ed Tittel and Stephen N. James, and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Web Page", by Paul McFedries. Both are available online through Amazon.com or simply drop by your local bookstore. There are also many tutorials on the Internet; a good one can be found at http://www.pagetutor.com/.You can also use what's known as a "WYSIWYG" editor. WYISIWYG is short for, "What You See Is What You Get" -- it's a type of editor that lets you create web pages without having to know HTML.
Myth #5: You have to learn to do everything yourself.
Reality: It's good to know something about everything when you're running a small home business. But if there's something you cannot do, just hire someone. I know that it may sound daunting; after all, who has that kind of money when you're first starting out? Don't worry; there's a way to get professional, affordable services - simply hire a freelancer. By using a freelance community, you will be able to view each freelancer's rating to find out what their previous customers thought of their work. Plus you will be able to review their portfolios. You can register for this service here ( it’s free).
Myth #6: The more money-making opportunities you join, the more money you'll make.
Reality: It's best to concentrate on just a few select opportunities; otherwise you end up spreading yourself too thin. Start with one opportunity and work with it until you're satisfied with your progress; then add a second. Multiple streams of income is a great advantage of doing business on the Internet - just be sure you do it gradually. It's better to have 2 or 3 money-making products, then to have 20 unprofitable ones!
The Big, Bad Monster Named HTML
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It's the language used to create web pages ... and one of the biggest sources of fear for newbies!
Don't feel intimidated. HTML only sounds scary because it's something new. It's the same way with anything new; until you understand it, it confuses you (like your new VCR!).
Let's get one thing out of the way first: HTML is not a programming language! The word "programming" often evokes images of "techies" or "geeks" cloistered in some dank basement, madly creating a complicated piece of software. Thus, being told that you have to "program" HTML is sometimes enough to send newbies screaming into the night.
HTML is actually a simple formatting language, much like what the old word processors used to use.
I personally think that it's good for every Internet home business owner to learn enough HTML to get by. That way you'll have control over your site and be able to make changes when you want them done, not when your web designer has the time. Plus you'll be able to do things the way you want them to be done.
This doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself! If you're not good with website design (I'm talking about the layout and aesthetics here, not the HTML), you can always hire someone as a consultant - better yet, find an appropriate message board and post a request for a site review. Be forewarned, though: if you ask for feedback, chances are you're going to get it -- both good and bad!
Of course, you can always hire someone for "extras" as well, such as scripts, forms, or whatever else you're not comfortable doing yourself. Look for free stuff on the Internet first ... if you can't find what you're looking for, you can get professional help for affordable prices by hiring a freelancer.
Basic, everyday HTML is simple to learn and not at all intimidating once you know it. When you start doing it all the time, it becomes almost as natural as breathing!
You can find 38 low or no-cost resources from the OBB members site. Find out where to get free scripts, plus free or affordable logos, email programs, HTML editors, domain registration, hosting, and more - without sacrificing quality!
How do you learn?
Take some tutorials, read some books. One excellent (online) tutorial is located here.
Another excellent resource for beginners is the First Website Builder. It's a 4-volume library with a section written by a newbie just like you. It makes website ownership a reality! You'll get step-by-step instructions, from beginning to end, on how to create a website and publish it on the Internet. Get your free trial here
Scary 'Ol FTP and Other Techie-Stuff
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It's a method you use to transfer files to your web host, or transfer files from your web host to your own computer. It's simple to learn - and before you know it you'll be using it quickly and easily!
This book isn't meant to go into this type of thing. The point of this section is to simply say that you can learn this stuff if you choose to. If you get a headache just from thinking about it, there's a solution for you too.
If you want to learn to do "techie" stuff on your own, or if you're having computer troubles, visit the Newbie Club.They have an excellent set of tutorials and books that explain everything in plain English. No jargon! Their motto is, "I'm a Newbie, not a Dummy - Just Show Me How!". Well said!
If you want to steer clear of anything remotely technical, the Site Build It! tool has everything you need to get your site up and running - including traffic! All you do is come up with the content. I personally think that Site Build It! is an excellent solution for beginners; it reduces technical issues to simple button clicks; it saves you a tremendous amount of time; it provides you with smart advice every step of the way; and it's quick and easy to use. The downside? It's not nearly as flexible as creating your own site - for example, you will not be able to install CGI scripts (programs that add interactivity to your website). However, it's a very nice solution for people who don't want the hassle of learning the "technical" stuff.
Setting Up and Protecting Your Computer
Okay, okay, I know this section is bound to put a few people to sleep. But let me tell you that this is one of the most important sections of this book. Very few newbies will bother to take this step - until it's too late. Take a bit of time to set up your computer properly before you get engrossed in your business. It doesn't take that long but it has great benefits. I'm talking about three major things:
1. Get some anti-virus software.
Viruses are often transmitted through email attachments. You know how you sometimes get email where you can click on an attachment to see what it is? Well, if that attachment is a program - or if you save it to disk and then run a program - you could be in trouble if it's infected with a virus.
If you don't have anti-virus software, get some now. It's a worthwhile investment. You can get some at any local computer store, or even online. Two of the most popular are McAfee VirusScan and Norton Anti-Virus.
You can also get free anti-virus software called InoculateIT! . Once it's installed, you want to make sure you:
Firewall software ensures that your computer is "stealthed"; is prevents others from seeing your computer and launching an attack against it.
"But why would anyone try to attack ME? I'm just a small home business!"
Sure. However, with sophisticated software anyone can become a hacker - if they're bored or just want the challenge or a thrill, they may break into your computer via the Internet. They might just poke around and do no harm, or they may do something nasty. You never know.
Don't be left vulnerable. There are lots of firewall programs available. One you can get absolutely free for personal use (small charge for business use) is called Zone Alarm It's an excellent, easy-to-use program that I personally use everyday.
3. Make regular backups of your files.
This is so important. It's also the one thing that everyone seems to hate to do (myself included!). It is vital that you create backup copies of your files just in case something should happen - your web host disappears, your computer breaks down, whatever.
Keep your backed up files on a medium that's not on your computer. For example, don't only back up your files to another directory on your hard drive (although you can do this too, for easy access to previous files); back it up to a floppy disk, CD, zip drive, tape drive ... there are plenty of back up devices available to you. Just ask your local computer store for help.
Definitely back them up after every major revision you make to your site. This is especially important because the changes you make could kill sales; if they do, you want to be able to go back to your old design and wording. I usually back up my own files once a week and after every major revision.
Don't blow this off. I know it's a pain, and it's easy to say "I'll do it later" -- but I'm speaking from personal experience when I say that it's very easy to accidentally delete files you didn't mean to ... especially when you're working late, you're tired, or you're distracted. Those are the times I give thanks that I've backed up my files!
You'll also want to take a few minutes to set up a good directory structure on your computer. Directories are like folders, places where you can group together related files. I've seen people whose computers are an absolute mess - a confusing, jumbled-up conglomeration of files that are thrown together with no real structure. Make it a point to be organized right from the very beginning; you'll be thankful for it later.
The same thing goes for organizing your email. It's guaranteed that you'll spend a great deal of time using your email software! More on that later.
Internet Opportunities and The Self-Replicating Website
The power of the Internet (and of various techno-geeks) provides web businesses with the ability to provide people with the wonder of the self-replicating website.
You have no doubt seen these everywhere - even if you didn't realize what they were. If you join an online business that provides you with your very own website, you are more than likely to receive an exact duplicate of the site from which you signed up. That's all a self-replicating website is.
Now, you may have read opportunities that claim that because they're giving you your very own website, they've already taken care of most of the work: the website has already been created for you, potential customers can browse the site, the programs are in place to take orders, the company will handle all billing, inventory, etc..
Sounds simple, doesn't it?
It's not. I've seen companies claiming to have taken care of 99% of the work by providing you with your very own eCommerce website ... if that's true, then the last remaining 1% of the work is by far the toughest.
Marketing and advertising is going to play a huge role in whether or not you make money online. Your beautiful website, quality products, and handy shopping cart software that allows customers to easily make purchases online, is nothing unless you can drive traffic to your site.
This is an important point so I'll state it again: Without traffic, you have nothing. You can have the most skillfully designed website in the world, with the most sought-after products and the easiest, most convenient online ordering system imaginable ... but unless people know where you find your site, you will not make any sales. Sitting back and letting someone else design your site and submit it to the search engines will guarantee one thing: you won't make any money.
That's not to say that the stuff other than traffic isn't important. They're also an integral part of a successful online business. But most people find that attracting potential customers is the single most difficult part of doing business on the Internet.
Hugely Fabulous Dot-Coms vs. the Home Based Business
