1. Offer outrageous service and quality products so your customers will want to recommend you. 2. Explain that you pride yourself on maintaining high standards and that your business depends on referrals for bulk of its business. 3. Ask to be recommended e.g. "Once I've done a great job for you, I hope youll tell all your friends/colleagues." Smile as you say this, if speaking face to face with customers. Include this as a P.S. in written communication. 4. Ask specifically if your happy customer will write to others recommending your business. Say something like, "I promise not to be upset if you use words like fantastic or outstanding!" 5. Thank those who do send you referrals; it can be a note or a small gift (perhaps a discount voucher, a gift voucher or tickets to a movie for offline customers).

Never be afraid to ask for help from your satisfied customers try these methods and watch your referrals increase.

7. Use common business etiquette and manners. Avoid use of slang. Remember, World Wide Web is just that - world wide. You will never alienate an audience by using a professional tone, but you might if you get too casual. Other than blatant Spam, answer emails, even if it is a brief acknowledgment. You never know when you will interact with someone again, so treat each person as your most valued customer. They might be!

8. Ask questions of others! Successful people love to offer help and advice. There are bulletin boards all over Internet where you can post messages looking for help on a particular topic whether it's how to design something into your site, where to get a merchant account or something else. If you don't ask, you'll never know. I learned through my first business project that people are successful for a reason. One reason is that they didn't try to re-invent wheel. If I can't find answer on my own, I'm first one to post a message or send an email to someone that I think might have answer. Try it! The responses and offers of help I have received from Internet millionaires are amazing.

9. Online marketing is great, but don't forget to market your business offline as well. Every time you give someone cash, write a check or give your credit card, include a business card with it. Tell people about your online business and ask them to spread word. Word of mouth advertising is better than any other form. Press releases, offline classifieds and traditional methods of advertising are important to your online business.

10. Build relationships and use networking skills online. Visit bulletin boards and newsgroups and offer real help and assistance. Don't Spam these places, but use a signature line promoting your business, if it is acceptable. If you are legitimate, people will remember you and it could be worth gold to you in future.

I hope these tips will help you. The most important thing is to just get started. Don't wait until you feel everything is perfect. It won't be. It never is. You will probably make thousands of changes. Everyone does! When you are changing, you are growing and your business will, too!