As for computer jargon, I`ve been online for 4 years, and I`m STILL learning. Actually, I`m only just now starting to learn HTML so that I can publish my ezine without having to rely way too much on my programmer, who by way, is greatest teacher on earth. There`s a page here full of "jargon" and links to more info, I find it pretty useful: http://www.imagescape.com/helpweb/history/define.html

When it comes to suggesting a starting point, that`s a real hard one. I think I`d say chatrooms personally. Without my programmer, and my other friends that I`ve met in chatrooms, I wouldn`t be where I am today. So I`d say THE most important thing when it comes to marketing is your contacts. Get as many contacts as you can, and learn from their mistakes.

Also, subscribe to a few ezines that really cover "newbie" things. Read everything you can that`s relative to what you want to do. You`ll suffer from information overload, there`s no doubt about that, but some of stuff WILL stick in your head, and you can start learning from there.

If you find ezine isn`t giving you information you need, un-subscribe and move on to next one. There`s hundreds of thousands of them out there to choose from, just don`t subscribe to too many at once, or you`ll be so inundated with mail that you`ll end up not reading any of them at all.

In closing: Read, read, read, and read some more. Take all promises of "instant wealth" with a pound of salt. (A pinch isn`t enough). Question everything that seems to "over-promise". Learn as much as you can before starting out, be prepared, and remember: There are no stupid questions, just stupid answers ;-)

Anna-Marie Stewart

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Declare war on illiteracy, or on disease, or on famine. Take on any significant public problem that appeals to you.

But make sure of three things:

1. Your company has a logical, apparent connection to cause. Exxon Mobil is contributing funds to help save endangered tigers. This is logical, given long history of Exxon’s mascot, Exxon tiger. Yes, it’s tenous. But it’s logical, and that’s what counts.

2. Your company has resources to make a significant impact on problem. Don’t take on hunger in Africa if you lack time, money and resources to actually help alleviate hunger in Africa. You want a cause that is large enough to register with public, but one that isn’t so large that it straps your company or makes it look foolish.

3. Your company can remained committed to cause for long haul. How long? For all practical purposes, forever. The last thing you want is to become known as company that used to do that very important thing that really helped community, but quit.

Now you may ask why it’s so important to have an enemy. Because we are defined by our rivals.

In world of boxing, Joe Frazier was defined by his rivalry with Muhammad Ali. Among airlines, Pan Am was defined by its battle with TWA. Among department stores, Macy’s was defined by its war with Gimbel’s.

David was defined by Goliath.

Churchill was defined by Hitler.

The Hatfields were defined by McCoys.

If you want to create a singular identity, you must contrast your position with a rival. You need an enemy.

Don’t wait for an enemy to appear through happenstance. Find right enemy and declare war now.

Copyright 2003 by W.O. Cawley Jr.