= Autoresponders. These excellent tools help to automate customer follow-ups (you *do* follow up with your prospects, right?) and other tasks, such as mailing out articles or reports to visitors who request them. They typically run about $20/month... but WorkYourLeads offers unlimited autoresponders for $10/month, http://buildyourhomebiz.com/automate.html . Other good choices are GetResponse, http://getresponse.com/ , and AWeber, http://www.aweber.com/ .

= List hosts. You may already know that capturing your prospect's email address is one of most important things you can do -- it gives you ability to build a credible and trusting business 'relationship' with them, and you'll be able to market to them repeatedly. Many Internet businesses offer a newsletter to keep in touch with their customers. To deliver your newsletter you can use either an autoresponder (see above) or a list manager. Two popular list hosts are Yahoo Groups, http://groups.yahoo.com/, which is currently free; and Topica, http://www.topica.com/ .

Note that free tools aren't necessarily either best or worst choice, and they're not guaranteed to be free forever. Please don't use price as your only criteria.

And finally, don't forget about investing in two more vital keys to success: education (for example, copywriting manuals, Internet marketing courses, etc) and marketing. All of best tools in world won't do you any good unless you can get interested prospects to visit your site and make a purchase.

The old saying, 'You have to spend money to make money' is true of businesses everywhere... and that includes Internet. Fortunately, starting a business online can be very affordable, even for 'average' person.

In response, he wrote:

- He could change email account when he found a better option, but that he didn't see that as an immediate problem. - That most of marketing for this program was done offline. The website was for people outside of Australia. That within Australia, more details were given. (Then why market outside of country if you're not going to give people complete details?) - That there were testimonials on Members Only Discussion Board (They've already bought program. Why do THEY need testimonials?) - Regarding lack of a guarantee.he said (and I quote), "No network marketing company EVER gives one of these." (I beg your pardon?)

And this person wants to set up "shop" online and have it generating money 24/7, without his direct involvement?

I came away from this experience thinking that he may have wanted advice but he wasn't willing to listen. I also thought he wasn't willing to invest even a small amount of money in order to earn money...nothing for nothing. He was just looking for a sure-fire answer to quick money.

The latter is a feeling I often have with people who write me. Success is not given...Success is EARNED. If you don't have much money, then you'll have to spend your time. If you do have some money, then you can spend less time. But you'll see better results if you invest both time and money. I'm not saying don't use free resources to advertise. Just be realistic; it may take you longer to reach your goals going that route.

When I started out in Internet marketing, I put aside a set amount of money for advertising. It wasn't much; just what I felt I could afford at time. I learned and continue to learn as much as I can about marketing. As long as I'm in online promotion, I will be a student.

At this point, I take some of profits I make each month and reinvest it into more advertising. My ad tracking tells me what is working and what's a waste of time and money. It's been a slow build, but every month it gets better and better.

We will get out of Internet marketing exactly what we put into it; there is no "free ride." If you think there is, then you will get...Nothing For Nothing.

"The successful person is individual who forms habit of doing what failing person doesn't like to do." Donald Riggs