Make Money Online
Let’s be clear about what it takes to make money online. There are many false assumptions and out right fantasies that continue to go around about how easy it is to make money online.
Let me be the first to say, with the exception of a few extremely rare cases, that over night success and achieving instant vast riches online is nothing but a pipe dream! I am being kind here.
Seriously, it is like buying a lottery ticket and expecting to win the big jackpot; extremely few do and often it isn’t you. Yet you will still buy a ticket over and over again thinking you have a chance and are “in the game”. But you end up being nickeled and dimed to death, again and again for that ever so slim “chance” to win. Same scenario online.
Plus every day, there are more and more people jumping online and competition is becoming even more fierce. Does that mean you cannot make money online? Of course not, there are plenty of people and businesses doing it everyday and who make a decent living at it. Also there is more that one method, more than one way.
Did they do it overnight? Of course not, many have been online for years and have taken years to work up to where they are today. But one of the key ingredients to their eventual success was they didn’t give up and kept at it until they found a method that worked and build upon it from there.
Can I start a profitable online business by getting a how-to guide (or video) for seven (7) bucks? Really? Do you seriously believe for one minute you can start a legitimate and profitable online business for just seven dollars?
Case in point: even when you buy those guides, you are often immediately taken to “upsells” once purchased. Why? Because that seven dollar guide is usually very general and vague about how you can make that money. Those guides are more often created to “wet your appetite” so you will want to buy more from them rather than to seriously provide you with COMPLETE information you need to succeed.
I hear the best way to get started online is to become an affiliate marketer, is that true? It is by far the most popular way to start out. Many successful online entrepreneurs started with affiliate marketing and many are still involved with it today. But just to jump in to affiliate marketing is no way a guarantee for success.
Why is that? There are many different affiliate networks and programs, not all created the same. Plus there also is another element to affiliate marketing that is many times overlooked; that is niche marketing. Finding a specific topic market of buyers to present your offer to is difficult, not impossible. You have to learn and know your market, while being interested in doing it yourself and build from there.
Are there secrets or faster ways to success? In a sense, yes! However just to let you know, most “secrets” have already been revealed and available to just about anyone. Nonetheless, the shortcut to success happens when you find a working and proven method, then stick with it.
How do I do that? Often times by having an experienced mentor to help you out will lead to quicker and better results; the trick here is finding the right person to mentor you. And of course, it is usually not cheap. But worth every penny if it is the right mentor for you. Lets face it, anything worthwhile doing should be worth it overall. Besides, have you seen the price to attend college and what guarantee do you have of success after you earn a degree?
Where do I find a good mentor? Any suggestions? Yes! I have used a number of online gurus and mentors over the years, some who have helped, others who have taken my money and split. My last mentor that helped guide me to realize my first real online success because he had a good program. However, more recently He has chosen a different path for his business that I can no longer support or recommend.
Thanks Michel for this post. It can be confusing for anyone just starting out online. I know I first tried affiliate marketing without much success. Then I feel into writing and from that time never really looked back.
It takes time and effort along with a certain commitment to make money on line. But it can be done.
Sue
Hello Sue!
It is so true that time, effort and having a commitment to it all will help.
Hi Michel,
This is so true, my man. Yes, there can be occasions when someone just manages to hit the ball out of the park, so to speak. But usually it takes a lot of consistent, hard work, dedication, perseverance, patience, focus and determination. Add to that the right motivation and attitude and it soon becomes apparent that no, overnight success is definitely more the rarity than the norm!
Affiliate marketing can certainly be a viable way to get one’s ‘foot in the door’ but ultimately, for the long-term, the best way to success is to create your own products. This may not be suitable for everyone straight off, but it should definitely be a goal to aim for.
It’s also essential to have a plan. Plans can change and the way we implement then can change, but it’s still always important to know what we’re currently aiming for, why and how we’re going to get there. Yes, it’s important to not try focusing on too many things at once, but you can have a plan of action and focus on each step as you go along.
The best way to get all of these points to come together in a clear and productive way is with the help of a good coach and mentor, as you well know yourself and as you’ve pointed out. Some would say that a coach isn’t necessary, and they would be right. However, it helps a LOT!
In summary, the short answer to the question posed in your title is a resounding “YES!” 😉
Regards,
Glenn
Thanks Glenn!
I agree that creating your own product or line of products is ultimately the way to take it to the next level and beyond. However it does require a good working knowledge of marketing and selling online. It is not for the faint of heart or those with all show and no go. It really depends what one’s achievement and life plan is all about.
Working with/around experienced and knowledgeable people is key for online success. Many try to skip this part because they believe it “costs too much”. They don’t see it as an investment in themselves or the path to their success. Yet they are willing to pay for worthless college credits that get them no where.
Ultimately, it is a matter of perception. If this all seems like a worthless cost/expense, you are most likely going to fail online. If you see it as an investment or asset towards your business to make it work or work better, you are already on the path to success.
Like you said, the best way to get all of these points to come together in a clear and productive way is with the help of a good coach or experienced mentor.