© 2002 Elena Fawkner

Several weeks ago I finally took plunge into world of network marketing. I had been running an online business for almost three years by then but knew that I would have to make leap to network marketing at some point since it was such an obvious fit with Internet marketing. And I haven't been disappointed.

One thing did surprise me though -- number of people who approached me about my network marketing business, interested in running their businesses exclusively online, but with mistaken belief that it would be somehow easier and less expensive than establishing and running a home- based business offline.

Well, let me tell you, there's nothing easy or inexpensive about running a home-based business - online or off. The Internet is just a different way of going about it. And that's all.

Here's my top 10 myths about running an online business (and in answer to missing Myth#11, NO, you CANNOT run a serious online business with WebTV - get a REAL computer already).

MYTH#1 - It's Easy, Anyone Can Do It

FACT - It's not easy, by any stretch of imagination, and no, you may not be able to do it.

Reality is, establishing an Internet business is a long, slow, frustrating process. Your first attempt at creating your own web site will be an abomination. You'll look back at it in 12 months and shudder. I know I did.

You'll feel utterly overwhelmed by sheer amount of information you need to absorb. And fact that six different "experts" each tell you six different things doesn't help. (There are no "experts", by way, just a lot of people with a lot of opinions. Bottom line? Do what works. For you.)

The only way to learn is by trial and error. Some days you'll feel like you're on a roll, next you'll feel like you're backsliding and FAST. No sooner do you manage a respectable ranking on Altavista, than your Yahoo listing disappears altogether, and where hell did that number 5 listing with Google go?

After spending an ENTIRE DAY trying to work out what's going on with your search engine listings, giving up, going searching for yet another "expert" to tell you what you're doing wrong, finally realizing there is no such expert and you're going to have to learn how to do it all yourself after all (dammit to hell!) you suddenly realize that you've done absolutely nothing all day to promote your business and you still have to write article for this week's ezine which has to go out tomorrow but you can't work your business tomorrow because you have to go work at your J.O.B. .... AAAARGHHHH!!!!!

Many, many people, give it up. Most, probably. It's hard work and it's frustrating. At end of day, most are just not prepared to do what it takes.

MYTH#2 - I Can Get Wealthy Overnight

FACT - The only way to get wealthy overnight in this world is to win Lotto. Period. It will NOT happen on Internet. Not these days, anyway.

MYTH#3 - Once I Build My Website I Can Relax And Let It Do Work For Me

FACT - Hah. See Myth #4.

MYTH#4 - Once I Build My Website The World Will Beat A Path To My Door

FACT - No. It won't.

Merely creating a web site and uploading it to your host's server means that your web site is available for viewing by *those who know it exists*. Only problem is, you and your web host are only ones who know. And even your web host doesn't care (at least as long as you pay your monthly hosting fees).

© 2002 Elena Fawkner

I received an email during week from a reader of a recent article "The 10 Most Popular Myths About Running A Home-Based Business Online" (http://www.ahbbo.com op10.html). That article was, I admit, something of a vent which was long overdue and it struck a chord with many readers who wrote in to let me know that it described their experiences to a T.

One Internet-experienced reader wrote: "People ask most amazing questions, such as 'I put up a web site. When do I start getting money and where does it come from?'"

Amazing but true. I kid you not, I get emails like this all time. They're what prompted article in first place. So, in this article, rather than venting, I'll be a little more constructive and actually answer question: Just how exactly DO you make money on Internet?

1. The simplest - join an affiliate program (hell, join LOTS of affiliate programs) and spend your time and money advertising and promoting it to drive traffic to you-beaut self-replicating website every other affiliate gets. A la Amazon.com.

This is a VERY inefficient way of trying to make money online. And it will cost you a fortune before it yields a return. If it ever really does. If you're VERY lucky, you MIGHT just cover your costs.

(If you don't know what an affiliate program is, read "Affiliate Programs ... A Not THAT Easy Start To Your Own Online Business" at http://www.ahbbo.com/affiliateprograms.html.)

2. Create a content-based website, get traffic to it and use it to promote your affiliate programs. The trick here is to sign up for affiliate programs related to subject matter you choose for your website. The idea is that, by creating a content-based website, you will attract targeted REPEAT traffic, thereby increasing odds that someone will buy one of your affiliate program products. This is a MUCH better option than #1. and will save you a fortune on advertising.

3. Create a content-based website, get traffic to it and use it to sell your own products. Anything that can be delivered digitally is a good bet - software, e-books etc.

4. Do #3. above and establish your OWN affiliate program so other people can also sell your product in exchange for a commission.