Everyone knows that referrals are best form of advertising; a customer referred by a friend is already half-sold. You know yourself, if you're new to an area and looking for a plumber, doctor or hairdresser, you ask your neighbours. These people have done all groundwork for you; they've rung around for best prices, they've made appointments and had work done and they must have been happy with results, mustn't they, otherwise they wouldn't be recommending business?

We humans are funny little critters - we all love to be asked for our advice so we enjoy referring others to those businesses we like.

Fortunes are being made online and you want to stake your claim.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind as you develop and build your business -

1. Focus on knowledge that you already have. Every web site, newsletter and online venture needs to have a Unique Selling Proposition or USP. This is something that sets you apart from rest. Everyone has knowledge between their ears that is different and unique. Use it. Be willing to go extra mile to make your product stand out. To further develop this, find other web sites and newsletters that are similar to yours. Study these and brainstorm about what appeals to you, and what you can do that is different.

2. Make sure your site is not another copy-cat web site. Nothing is worse than seeing same information over and over again on many web sites. If you are offering Affiliate Programs, that's great. But, develop your own sales letter and testimonials. Don't just slap up a banner and hope it will make you millions. For more information on doing this effectively, go to http://www.streetsmartwealth.com/sitesell.htm

3. Avoid constantly comparing yourself to others. Everyone comes to table with different experiences, education, ideas, etc. If you are just getting started, you must realize that it will take time and many fine-tunings before you get your site, newsletter and product line just way you want it. This is just part of process.

4. View everything you do through eyes of your potential customer. Make it about THEM, and not about you. Use word you at least three times more than you use word I. Believe it or not, people don't really care about you and what you have done. Turn your knowledge and experience into information that relates to them.

5. Tell people who you are, provide them with contact information and don't be anonymous. Your picture should be on your web site, as well as where you are located, a phone number and valid email address. You don't need to list your home address, but give them an idea of where you live. There is nothing worse than a web site promising you overnight riches with no contact information. I don't know about you, but to me, this screams "SCAM" very loudly.