I had just spent $400 on advertising -- advertising that only yielded $100 in sales.

Desperate to make up my losses, and not knowing which of my three ad campaigns actually produced sales, I made a guess. I figured that most of my profits must have come from ad campaign that reached largest number of people -- in my case, an ezine with over 50000 subscribers. So I naively shelled out another $200 for an ad - a wasted $200, I might add, since I didn't make a single sale.

Thankfully I've learned a lot since those frustrating days as an online business 'newbie' ... but above scenario isn't uncommon for beginners to Internet business world. We're constantly bombarded with claims of fast, easy money - and they're hard to resist.

For example, when I first started online, I was told that all I had to do was purchase a top sponsor ad in an ezine, place a 'tested' and 'proven' ad ... and presto! I'd be several thousands of dollars richer.

It didn't work. I faithfully purchased a number of ads and followed instructions to letter. Hundreds of wasted dollars later, I was completely discouraged and almost ready to give it all up.

I'm glad I didn't. I learned that not every marketing campaign will be successful ... unfortunately, all too often people try an online business and give up when they're unable to make money at it. In some cases, sticking with it a while longer could have turned a 'failure' into a 'success'.

That doesn't mean doggedly doing exactly same thing over and over again, hoping to see better results. If you do same thing you'll get same results.

Testing your marketing efforts is critical to your success. And one of simplest ways to do this is to use an ad tracker.

Do you really believe that writing articles will produce results?

Over two ago, after I published my fourth Rocketedition (now Gemstar) e-book, I was scratching my head thinking how am I going to market this these e-books? Nobody I know owns a dedicated e-book-reading device. (I still don't know anyone who does.)

I found a website called Rocket-Library where I could post sample chapters, articles or complete e-books, offering information for free. (Note: it is now defunct)

Since only way information could be read was on a Rocketbook e-Book reader, I felt this marketing strategy would present sales.

3 months after posting a total of 4 articles: 2 for "A Cheap and Easy Guide to Self-publishing E-books" and 2 for "How to Hypnotize People and Other Living Things, " I started getting incredible results.

"A Cheap and Easy Guide to Self-publishing E-books" became number one best-selling non-fiction e-book on Barnes & Noble.com

It was competing against non-fiction eBooks written by major authors from major publishing houses.

"How to Hypnotize People and Other Living Things" stayed up in top 5 hypnotism book rankings on Barnes & Noble.com, competing against print for almost two years.

Barnes & Noble.com finally dropped Gemstar eBook a few months ago.

The only marketing I ever employed for these two titles was spending a total of 4 hours at a keyboard hammering out 4 articles.

The main reason I brought this up is, I was competing in a very sterile environment.

There was no TV, Radio, or print ads to dilute results. There were no special features in e-zines or on house list ads by Rocketbook people. There was no attempt by Barnes & Noble to "promote an unknown author" There were no booksignings, trade shows or seminars.

By writing articles and targeting an Internet Library that required people to own a dedicated eBook reading device, I found that indeed publishing articles were most valuable marketing strategies that authors can use.

Over last year I have been side tracked but in last month I have submitted over 100 articles, (2 articles X 50 e-zines). I have had amazing results.

I have sold other e-books and sold reprint-resale rights to my e- books, booked speaking engagements, and sold my telephone consulting services.