For instance, do any of following sound familiar?

Online Wannabe: (checking off list) OK, signed up for a few affiliate programs, posted provided websites...I know there are a lot of people online just like me, and I KNOW they'll want this.

(time goes by....but nothing happens)

Wannabe: Ah, c'mon! EVERYONE needs this product - it's a sure thing! Everyone says so! Maybe if I place more ads - I'll just stick a classified in this one - it has tons, so I'm sure a lot of people are reading it.

(...still nothing)

Kindly Online Mentor-Type: Maybe you should do a little research into your market - have you done a survey? Do you know what your market wants? Have you asked at forums and discussion boards? Have you checked out your competition's ezines?

Online Wannabe: Research! Big yawn! It's boring, and I'm busy. I don't have time to do all that...You know, this online stuff isn't as easy as I thought. And I'm running out of money. Maybe I should go back to my old job...

OK, enough of this...bottom line: skip your research, and you lose. And not just your money; ultimately, you could lose your business.

Regarding surveys, have you ever done one? They are a quick and popular method for getting inside customer's heads, to discover their problems (that you could solve!) and what they really want. They've been around forever, and for good reason: they work.

If you have an existing business, aside from valuable customer insight, a survey could also uncover problem areas that you may not be aware of. Fix these, and you have a great opportunity to bring in new customers while keeping current ones in 'buying mode.'

Do you have a problem or question? Have you tried to figure out how to do something only to give up in frustration? Are you ready to throw your computer out window? Don't do it!! Let me tell you about a great resource available to anyone. Ezine publishers!!

When editors ask for comments, feedback, or questions, they really mean it. It helps them to find out what their subscribers need. Information that can be passed on in their newsletter for everyone's benefit. They also like to know that folks are reading their articles and learning from them.

Every time I have written an editor with a problem or asked a question they have always responded with an answer or given me advice on where to find answer.

I might never have attempted to build a web site without instructions of Newbie Club and Web Site Marketing Machine, and encouragement of these editors. On occasion I know I've made a pest of myself, but I never got that impression from any of publishers themselves.

My web site is finished - thanks to advice and help from many of you. George, Seqkat, Bo, Jane, Sharon, Tony, Joe, Margot, Marion, Bina and many others. You know who you are. I thank you.