As a small business, focus on a promising niche market and work hard to offer them products and services they need. If you do this well you'll become known as an expert in this area and you'll be able to generate new business from your reputation alone.

5. Be careful of "hot" industries that are already overcrowded. Although you have to be first person into a market, you have to be careful of markets that are already over crowded.

One of keys to success in business is differentiating yourself from your competitors. If your customers can't see value in doing business with you over someone else you'll never be able to attract business you need to succeed. If there are already so many businesses doing what you're considering that you can't figure out how to make yourself stand out then choose another business idea.

6. Think about what works online. There are some products and services that work well online, and others that don't. Consider following rules when choosing your business idea:

a. The product or service offered can’t be readily available offline – or there must be an advantage to ordering from you such as price, bundling with other products, etc.

b. It has to appeal to masses – Internet is a global medium. That said, there are local opportunities but you need to explore them carefully.

c. It must be easily shipped around world.

d. You can't charge for something if it's already available online for free.

Before you decide what business you'd like to start, be sure to research it carefully. Knowing upfront how big market is, who your competitors are and what your competitors are offering will help you avoid costly mistakes.

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*Do a quick survey - Write a two or three question survey and send it out to associates or discussion group members. You will find people are usually eager and willing to help in cases such as this.

For example: What concerns do you have for Internet marketing world? What resources do you need but have trouble finding?

These types of questions might give you some fresh ideas to expand on with an article.

*Read other articles - By reading other articles, you might possibly come up with an unusual twist or angle for an overused idea. It sometimes helps to get different views and insights on same old ideas.

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Always have an open mind for article ideas. After awhile you will begin to see ideas all over Net. Keep a notebook handy and when you think of an idea, no matter where you are, you can write it down and use it. I get a lot of my ideas in middle of night when I cannot sleep. I have learned to write them down so they do not go into oblivion! ;-)

And remember, people want and need basic, straight forward, helpful information. They do not need college words, fancy storylines or over-dramatized articles.

Also, do not be afraid to give your articles a little personality and/or humor. Just write from heart and do your best to provide real usable resources and information. Write as if you were talking to person, not at person.

************* Terri Seymour and her husband Terry of www.seymourproducts.com offer a no cost, home business opportunity. Apply online. Resources and more for your home business available at www.myownezine.com Free ecourse business-building-ecourse@getresponse.com