LESSON #3: Is an online business right for me?
Unlike many of the internet marketing teachers, I’m not going to tell you that ANYONE can successfully run an online business.
The fact is that it takes hard work to build a business, and there are certain abilities that will greatly increase your chances of success.
Watch this video to see what I mean…
Main points:
a) you must be OK with marketing
b) you’ll need to learn it along the way
Action steps:
1) Right now, you simply need to commit to the following.
a) I’m willing to be a marketer
b) I like computers and the internet
c) I’m willing and able to learn (and I know it will take work)
Take some time and be honest with yourself (and don’t WORRY about WHAT you’ll need to learn. That’s what I’m here for, and I’ll guide you through the entire process.) If you are confident in those three things, then I’d say you meet the basic requirements for being able to start an online business, and you’re ready to move onto the next lesson, in which we’ll explore several different types of online businesses.
As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below.
Have a great day!
Hi Eric - Folks,
Thanks for a great video series so far! I just wanted to say a few words about the theme of this latest installment.
I used to h8 the idea about Sales and Marketing, but the more I learnt about it the more I grew to love the subject. I started looking into Internet Marketing out of desperation and originally I just thought that the end justifys the means. Of course it is better to have an affinity with the subject to begin with, but sometimes you don’t know until you try.
I have also been a compulsive buyer of Internet Marketing stuff as well, but I made this decision not to buy anymore a while back. The fact is that even if the stuff you buy is good and useful and if you don’t use it, then it is as useless as a chocolate teapot.
I’m very unsatisfied with my job and have been since 8 years or so and I have been searching for that internet pot of gold since a year and a half or so, but have not had the courage to take the plunge…yet. I would like to say to everyone, that as a conclusion to about 1.5 years of research, I think that there is no quick and easy way to success. It will take time, effort, commitment and perseverance and I’m currently devoting about 5 hours a day in getting my thing started (on top of my day job, 2x kids and a chronically ill wife and it is tough).
Thanks again Eric!
Brgds,
Dave “mchappy” Chan
(Sorry for the bad english)
Dave,
God bless you and best of luck in your journey towards a successful internet business. Your very right in saying that it’s important to take action rather than always searching and buying new products.Love your analogy when you say it’s all useless as a chocolate teapot if you don’t take action.God Bless you!
We Give You 120 Individual Turnkey Websites With Your Paypal ID On Each
http://www.Instant-Paysites.com
Hi! Eric,
Honestly speaking, I was trying to understand what this on-line (internet) marketing is?
With the blessing of God I started receiving your lessons. This is the third(3) one.
This is encouraged me to start my own online business. I hope by the end of your lessons I will be able to start.
God bless you dear.
Regards/Iftekhar Hussain
I think you must be most concret.Or is an introduction?
Thanks!Andy
What do you mean?
hi eric ,l love sales and marketing l have taken your very good advice and from today l will stop buying products for my business until l learn more about selling products online .you have given me a good insight into what happends online .l will be listenig to your info all the time .thanks anthony
Thanks, eric
I always waiting for your next lesson and still curiosity what the next step. I think I have spend more than $ 100 to make money online do I have spend more and for what ?
You might have to spend a little more, but probably not much. Keep following he lessons…
Hi Eric,
this is just another great lesson.
Most people only see the money they can make with an online business and not all the work they have to do! Am I right?
Yes you are right. And I think most of that is due to all the hype from other marketers saying you can make $xxx in no time flat. It’s true that I make money while I’m sleeping, but it took a lot of work to set that up.
Hi Eric,
First, Happy Father’s Day to you and all the other Dads out there!
With regard to lesson #3, “Stop Buying Stuff” is a biggy! Because everyone and their uncle tries to sell, sell, sell. It took it me a few purchases before I realized the names I liked and trusted (quality content and products) were also JV partners and affiliates just promoting to make some extra cash.
Enjoying the lessons. And by the way, an additional lesson for me within your lessons is patience! Want them all now!
Always Grateful,
Andrea
Haha, thanks
and thanks for your patience!
Awesome lessons Eric!
Thank you for that info, I have linked back to this article by means of ShareThis.
Cool- thanks for the link!
Honestly Eric
This is just what the doctor ordered. I am sick of
Scammers and worthless trash sites that are legit
but offer no real information getting rich off me.
And not only me but others like me.
You are a breath of fresh air.
For the first time in life I am actually learning mow to market and loving it.
I am studying marketing with articles that I
write and a whole lot, lot more.
And to think I was crying because I had wasted
over $500.00 on internet trash just this past
April. Lost my job this May past and still trying to figure out how to borrow $250.00 for
yet another opportunity.
And one of my Internet buddies said; Nadine…
don’t buy that course you don’t even have a job
I’ll give it to you for free.
No I didn’t write the course he wrote but I’ll
give you the link of the guy who did. So I know
what you mean here.
I heard it a hundred times learn to market yourself and once you do you’ll be able to sell
anything. Responsibly of course, so you are one
of my teachers an d mentors.
Thankful for those like you.
Nadine
Hi Nadine,
Sorry to about your difficulties with past internet scams…I think most of us have felt victim to it one time or another. Best of luck with your future endeavors.
STOP! WARNING! Myth: Anyone can run a PROFITABLE online business.
AAAGGGHHH! What? Are you kidding me? but..but… the GURU’s said it was easy.Work! What do you mean work? Like hard stuff? I think I just soiled my jamies:(
Eric starts Lesson #3 with a rude Awakening for some.. This internet Business stuff is WORK! Let me say that again WORK, WORK, WORK, WORK!
After you leave your comments for Eric..
you can read my full review of Lesson#3 and get involved at:
http://ericstips120forum.com/index.php?topic=5.0
Pura Vida! Nico
What’s your problem? If you don’t like it just let it go. It’s easy! Just quit, Nico!
Eric hi,
Thanks a lot for being so generous as to impart your knowledge to all of us naive internet marketers.
I’m really enjoying your course and hope to pick up as many tips as I can from those lessons and to apply those techniques into my newly setup home based IM business.
Thanks again.
Dora
Hi Eric, I’m a computer programmer/instructor and I’m very much enlightened with your topics about sales and marketing.. I hope that I can learn more from you and I want to personally THANK YOU for sharing your ideas FREELY!
God bless you and your wonderful family!
Thanks, Eric! I think you are really doing a lot to help people know what is really involved in building a sucessful internet business. There is no magic pill. Yes, you can work in your pajamas from home if you want, but note that that sentence has a very important critical word - WORK!
I started my first internet marketing business in 1997 when there were no expensive training courses out there. I had three small kids at home, a computer with a 14.4K modem and used Netscape Navigator Gold to design my first two sites. The only internet marketing training that existed was newsletters from Cory Rudl and Mark Joyner. I studied and worked my butt off to build my first company, set up a seperate checking account and reinvested every penny that I made for YEARS into building up a business that eventually was bringing in $75K per month. It took a lot of hard work!!!
Things are so different today - there is SO MUCH training out there - some good, some bad and it can be overwhelming. But none of it will work if you don’t apply what you learn. Yes, you can outsource certain things with your business that you couldn’t in 1997, but managing those outsourced relationships is still WORK. You are only going to get out of your business what you put into it.
Thanks, Eric, for your honesty! People need to hear more of this in the IM world and less hype!
Juliet Easton
Juliet- cool, thanks! Since 1997… you’ve been doing it longer than me
Congrats!
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your honesty about this business, I only hope I had met you much earlier. I came in without any kind of knowledge, but was told it was alright, anyone can do it, and I have learned the very way, after getting in debt to the tune of $25,000. at this point I am determined to make it work for me as I must get out of this, Thanks for you honesty and clarity of instruction. Looking forward to making it with you. The lessons so far are great. Thanks, Sarah
Hi Sarah,
With the way the economy has been lately your not alone when you speak of debt. Hang in there and best of luck….you’ll make it!
Hi Eric,
Thanks for the tips so far and for sharing them with us.
I think I’ve to learn how not to buy from the Internet anymore cos I’m one of those compulsive Internet spender!
I believe selling and marketing on the Internet is a different ball game altogether. I want to know from you how long it took you to master and become successful on the Internet, and whether you will reveal your income as of today!
For all internet marketers, keep going:
“Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may
come tomorrow. You have set yourself a difficult task, but you
will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in
overcoming obstacles.”
Hi, my name is Daniel and I’ve been around the web looking for ways to make money a few years now. The biggest problem I have faced is the information/oppurtunity overload, I certainly know that this is a big problem for many people, including myself.
After listening to the so called guru’s in almost every area, trying hard to figure out what to do next or what latest greatest new information product to buy, I gave up! I was confused and exhausted really by all this information flying around and everything they wanted to sell. One sales letter after another and one promise after another really drove me nuts.
The thing is about most of these informaion products the “REAL GURU’s” are selling is not that the informaiotn is bad, but by reading to much you lose focus and think you need to know it all! That is so so wrong! You not only lose focus, but also alot of time and money, not good!
You don’t need to know everything at once in the world of the web. What’s way more important is focus focus focus!! I can not say that enough times. When I found myself focusing on what to do and made a plan that I executed with very little sidestepping or altering of the plan, then I was moving somewhere.
Listen up now everyone! This is my first blog post ever on a blog like this, I never ever spend time reading anything that’s probably not worth the time anymore. I don’t know any so called GURU or are in some way affiliated with someone but I’m still moving to where I want to.
My opinion about buying things and startup costs is, it really depends on what type of business you are starting. Eric talks about being a marketer and acting like one, I agree there. But you also must know what type of marketer you are. For example, do you need the skills of copywriting or don’t you? Do you need articles that will serve as material for contextual advertising(adsense) or do you need great copy to sell products or other people’s products?
A couple of years back, my answer would have been, I need them both and every the other skill existing! This is where confusion, exhaustion and total loss of focus came for me. There is no way you will master everything and being able to do everything yourself and still remain productive, if you are going to try to master and succeed in every area you are doomed to fail. You need a plan and focus, focus focus!!! And the plan cannot include everything you have ever heard of, it must a very focused plan with a systematic approach taken.
So, what about buying things. IMO you are going to have startup costs most definetely! How much depends on what you are doing of course and there is no simple answer to that as Eric said. Down below are my tips on what to think of when buying something.
-Does this purchase make me more effective or even removes the specific task completely?
Start by doing your tasks manually so you know for sure what is taking the most time!
If you don’t know the process of your work in detail, how can truly you know what you need.
NOTE: Everything written here is from a perspective where money is something you need more than something you got!
-Does this purchase take me closer to my goal much faster?
if yes, go for it!
/Daniel
PS. You can even see that I don’t even own an internet marketing webiste, NO LINK! DS
Nice tips
as you will see throughout the lessons, my philosophy is very similar.
Daniel,
I really enjoyed reading your review on the internet marketing industry. Thank you very much for taking the time to express your thoughts so clearly…I’m sure your post will encourage and help a lot of people. I’m currently doing a great course called simpleology and I have to tell you that I agree when you say focussing is one of the most important things!
Hi Eric, how are you?
I already the latest flash player version installed on my computer. But, your video would not play. Was it your link or my computer? I did read your main points and I will have to agree with you.
Thanks for the help,
Ron
LOL read between the lines if you can.
haha nice one
Thanks Eric well said, its people like you worth being around with. Thanks again I’m looking forward to the next lesson.
Norman
Hello Everyone
I was routinely deleting my emails tonight, when the words”Stop buying stuff!” caught my eye.
I clicked on the link to lesson 3. Wow, I am so glad I did.
I listened intently to what Eric had to say, after 4 years of trying to absorb internet marketing, Eric explains it better than anyone.
Thanks Eric for the email and lessons.
Welcome aboard and best of luck! “Stop buying Stuff” is a good eyecatcher for anyone whos been down that road once to many!
Internet marketing is a whole different way of doing buisness.Your teaching videos are the best way to bring across the message.I am enjoying it,please continue with the good work.
Dexter,
I am intrigued by your comment that IM is a “whole different way of doing business”. Perhaps it is just a semantic difference in our perception of the words, but I feel what Eric and most other gurus of IM are now saying is that IM is very like existing business. Aside from the work required, the disciplined processes, there are still fundamental requirements of any business in order to be successful ;
1) Identify a target client
2) Identify their ‘emotional wants’ (note NOT their needs)
3) Establish a empathy / relationship with them
4) Provide a product or service that satisfies that want
5) Exchange money
6) Repeat over and over.
This is of course the very simplistic list but is what I believe are the fundamentals.
These fundamentals are the same whether you operate a off-line or on-line business. For example a sales person in an off-line business focuses primarily on building empathy and relationships with his prospects. The “new” social marketing world of Facebook and Myspace is about…… building relationships. This is why you will sometimes hear the term “Relationship Marketing” used in place of social marketing.
Where I agree with your comment is perhaps in the area of tools we might use in each of the types of busienss. For example in an off-line business I may purchase a ‘Yellow Page’ ad to drive my market to my business. In the on-line world I may purchase a “Pay Per Click” ad to do the same thing. The purpose is exactly the same, to drive traffic, but the tool is somewhat different.
Many internet gurus are curently giving away their “secret” process charts, get your hands on one and look to see how very much alike it is to running any regular business (well ok, any regular sucessful business).
I wish you every success in your on-line endeavours.
Regards
GC
Well spoken! I was in Manufacturing plant doing design, service and automation for the plant. After spending 5 years in this job to fully automate the plant operation, I decided to quit and do my most desire hobby - computers and internet. So I took the daring step to quit my most comfortable job in 1987 and run my own computer business. Now I am investing myself with online internet business. It has been a long journey but with passion, I have survived till today. Now looking forward to learn more with your lessons.
Cheers!
Edward Han
Hi Edward…wow your own computer business since 1987. I bet we could all learn a thing or two from you!
We Give You 120 Individual Turnkey Websites With Your Paypal ID On Each
http://www.Instant-Paysites.com
Great video, most people don’t realize that you can’t simple stick a page up on your website and wake up the next day to have $2000 in your paypal account. It just doesn’t work that way!!
Hugh
Cool thanks
The funny thing is that I could stick a page on my website and wake up the next day with $2k in my paypal account. But it took a LOT of work to get there! So you’re right
LOL…thats funny!
Good point about “Buying Stuff” Bankers generally won’t loan money for an Online business… they want collaterial. I think what you are recommending is “Sweat Equity.”
Once a person has cash flow and a track record a banker will suddenly become your friend!
Hi Eric,
I think you advise is very aptly on stop buying stuff. For years I have been buying new ebooks and software but stock up in my notebook and suffer information overload. Recently, I decided to clean no all these stuff and unsubscribe lot of newsletter which send me junk and offer without much substance. my inbox is now cleaner and am now more focus on what i need to do.
Apparently, your newsletter is still in my inbox, I guess, I still have not unsubscribe, at time,I actually thinking of hit the unsubscribe link when you send me the GURU offer which I received lots of them, some with ridiculous bonus as you did one time. But frankly your newsletter is one of the very few with value information and hope you maintain that way. I now have a very simple check on newsletter I subscribed, if I received 3-5 continuous sales pitch emails I will hit the unsubscribe link. Period.
Hi Eric I love to know more about the little girl who started an online business with the borrowed $8, can you email it to me or refer me to her link Please
Sure… her name is Ashley Qualls
http://potw.news.yahoo.com/s/potw/52250/teen-millionaire
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/118/girl-power.html
quote from FastCompany: “Ashley is evidence of the meritocracy on the Internet that allows even companies run by neophyte entrepreneurs to compete, regardless of funding, location, size, or experience–and she’s a reminder that ingenuity is ageless. She has taken in more than $1 million, thanks to a now-familiar Web-friendly business model.”
Thanks for the great advice Eric!
It is good to know there are some good people in the world that are really trying to help others succeed.
One of the key points to remember in any marketing venture is not to get over your head and buying stuff that you don’t really need or know how to use. Take it from experience because I have done that myself and wish I would have had this knowledge a long time ago.
Anyway, thanks again and keep up the great work!
Hi Eric,
I’ve been fortunate lately to being introduced to fellows like yourself - honest folk - who actually provide some useful info that is productive. I’ve always been an entrepreneur and I’ve had some limited successes in mail order marketing in the past. Online though is another matter and I’m still not at the point where I’m making any consistent money - so your lessons are like gold to me! A few years ago - I had some success online but found that what I was marketing did not perform as it should which resulted in others not being able to profit from it like they should have. Even though I was making profits - I dropped that venture because of this problem. If I can’t make an honest buck online - I’d rather not do it. So I’ve been searching for a long while to start a profitable business online that is ethical and offers value. I’m looking forward to taking in all your lessons to help me towards that goal.
Thanks for your help. Signed Ron
Hi Ron,
Its true…honesty,ethical and a legit business is always your best bet.
Hi Erics,
On the early part of your lesson, you did mention about the “Don’t buying any stuff!”. But at the end of it you’ve stated, to be a succesful marketer you need to learn all along the way.
How to learn if are not buying any stuff within our niche? Or just visit blogs or forum to get materials to learn!. A bit confusing here. May be there are something hidden that I couldn’t catch up your words.
Any way, thank you.
There are some things which are good to buy… such as things that truly save your time and cut your learning curve. I’ll be discussing these things as we go. But just remember the qualifier on my statement: Don’t buy stuff **unless you know what you’re doing**
We are really lack of knowledges on this business but we are interested to learn. Opening heart lessons like your do will give us more confident to learn as to be success on this Online business.
Thanks to your great infos, regards
Good and useful video Eric.
I’ve realized quite some time ago that I won’t be rich overnight!
Since then I’ve learned good deal of IM knowledge and I’m heading for success.
I just need to be more focused and I know I’ll make it
Thanks.
Focus…Focus…Focus! Words of Wisdom!
I agree with this.
Though along with your presentation I must suggest everyone to read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
They’re not specific in what they are talking about, but their philosophies will both give you the tools and the motivation to truly succeed in life. Along with Eric’s slideshows here, it will make a powerful Rosetta stone as you learn the languages of marketing and technology : )
Keep up the good work Eric. I’ve been on your newsletter for well over a year now and never started reading any of your stuff till now, cause as you said in lesson #1 it was by far too fragmented knowledge for a newbie to really grasp and put together.
Many thanks
Sincerely
-Greg the Writer
I agree those are good books… I own both of them. Here’s my affiliate link to Amazon in case anyone decides to go buy them
Go to amazon.com
I’ll be recommending a couple other books as we go along…
Eric, this is so so, good. I am learning a wealth of information. You Rule, BRO. I wanted to ask, Can a person make a living off the internet using Adsense only.
Keep it Up
Oscar
thanks! Yes it is possible, but I don’t recommend it… for 2 reasons…
1) there are more profitable forms of monetization (which may take a little more work)
2) you don’t want your business to be 100% dependant on Google or any 3rd party
I personally think adsense is a good side business. If you want to learn the best techniques I recommend my friend Joel’s $9.95 ebook: Adsense Secrets
Hi Eric,
Your eye opening tips have been a true treasure so far!
I plunged into ecommerce just a couple of months ago. Now please don’t blame me for doing one very stupid thing. I googled “how to make money online?” After that all hell broke lose, and I got bombarded with so called opportunities from every corner of the earth (but mainly from the US of course) I fell into a couple of traps the gurus so cleverly had set up. Now, please bare in mind I’m Dutch and we Dutch are well known for our sceptism. That didn’t count for me, though! I was all too willing to devour one product/training/or what ever after another. I must have spent at least 5 grand. But I realized buying stuff is leading to no where. So I’m now only spending some monthly fee’s on products that don’t have anything to do with MLM. I gave a system called “Bebiz” the benefit of the doubt. I have an offline business as well, so I wasn’t a wage slave in the first place, but the idea to work from home was very appealing to me. I haven’t made a dime so far, but I believe this mainly has to do with the fact that I haven’t put that much effort in it. Anyway I have all the ingredients (a couple of hosted sites, my own autoresponder, templates, some products, banners e.g) ready to fire my business to a new stage, but I take it step by step now. So, thank you for your clear and honest approach towards ecommerce!
Leonard Roscam Abbing (Mokumkat)
Hi Leonard,
Did you have any luck with Bebiz? I know exactly the program your talikng about(tried it myself). I think you’ll have much beter education here with Eric. I found Bebiz just ok. The price for everything on that sight though is ridiculous.Best of luck!
Hi Leonard
My situation is somewhat similar. I have spent a bit - maybe $300 or so -but I do think it is all useful. I just don’t have the time to start. But my retirement is coming in a year perhaps so I am getting a lot of information. I like Eric’s and Mcrath’s newsletters. I do like being able to put my 2 cents in with Eric’s blog though.
In this thread someone mentioned Adsense but did I not read that Google is discontinuing Adsense and switching to some type of Affiliate system? Lord only knows how that will work.
I’m still on break before I begin my night class and so now off to work.
Sunshine to all.
(Not every day you see two Oscars in a row, having to further qualify your name.)
These lessons are a great idea.
Personally I have done my IM preparations for some time now and are about to enter into a more action oriented phase.
Although I have already thought thru many of the basic steps you are talking about in the first lessons, I think I will be following along to fill in the holes in my knowledge. Great to go through important stuff in small chunks.
You are so right about stoping to buy stuff. One thing is the money you spend unnecessarily, another is the loss of focus that might follow.
The same goes for internet marketing forums. You really do not need to be a member of all of them. Just stay with a few good ones that have either knowledgeable forum members or great learning resouces, or, best of all, both. And, what is interesting is, those are not necessarily the most expensive forums.
All the money you save being a little conservative with your buying habits will come in handy when you some day feel the need to pay for a really great tool or service.
Best of luck to all of us!
Oscar Toft
Hi, Eric!
God bless you for this LESSON!
Go, go, go!
Hi Eric
I really like your tips, they are so down to earth and practical. Everybody else seems just out for the money. I really have
information overload and I still dont know what I am doing. I am really desparate to start an internet business as soon as possible but I dont know what I should do. Everthing I have bought is either too simlistic and junk, and doesnt really give you the meat, or it is so technical you need a PhD in prgramming to understand it! You seem very honest and ethical and I think I can trust your judgement - do you have a course, or know of one that can REALLY get me started?
Thanks
Marilyn
This is the course, and its free
When its done I might package all the lessons into one collection on DVD’s or something, but for now you can get all the lessons for free here on my site as they are released.
Great advise ! Don’t buy anything from the internet! “Information Overload” is the dilemma for most of the newbies.
To your success
Bryan Hee
eric great tofind you and the tellit how it is approach,good on you………
i see your list pros offer is closed,any way of taking that up? be good to?
what do you suggest/
I don’t think they are selling List Pro’s any more. I will be teaching how to build a list, but if you’re looking to buy something because want a jump start on how to build a list, you could join Tellman’s Listbuilding Club
I’m strongly agreed with your that we need to equid ourself with basic internet marketing skills and computer savvy. We need to have continuous learning and learn new skills from time to time.
Thanks for your advice for not continue to buy too much from the internet.
It looks to me that if person knows how to generate leads and convert them into buyers,can really sell anything online.That skill is 90% of everything.That is something that you can’t find free or cheap to buy unlike product or design or anything else. Targeted traffic,conversion and marketing skills
HI! I think You’re doing a great job. There are lots of people suffering from information overload (Myself included). I hope YOu see this post I’m a bit behinde schedule! I actually LOVE my job (I´m an artist) but would like to stop doing certain things related to my job that take time and don’t bring me enough money (like teaching). So is it possible to do Internet Marketing part time and still have some profit (my short term goal is $500- $800 a month and my long term goal is $2000 - $5000 a month)? Is it realistic to expect to outsource most of the work so I can keep working on my art? In terms of hours what’s the minimum You think is required in order to achieve the types of goals I mentioned? I hope You can answear those questions and keep up the excelent work…
Pedro- Yes it’s possible. That’s not an income claim or a promise, but your goals sound very reasonable. I can’t say how much time it will take you, because it all depends on what kind of business you build. I think you need to have at least a couple hours a day to devote to your business. The more time the better, and the better your time management skills the more you’ll get done. You might be interested in this article I did awhile ago:
http://www.ericstips.com/tips/valentina/
Lesson # 3: Stop buying stuff…
That subject caught my eye.
I don’t know Eric. I don’t know what lessons 1 and 2 were about, but I surely do need to stop buying downloadable stuff (or can we say: junk!)?
I guess that having a PayPal account is a financial dangerous feature for a newbie or unsuccessful online marketer to have.
One keeps buying all that junk that is offered online just because you can have it in a minute “even if it is 3:00 am in the morning”.
And that wonderful offer where all is done for you: no work, no recruiting, no selling, no inventory, no html know how. You receive your own website, all setup and running. You pay and sitback and your PayPal will be flooded with 1000’s of $10 orders.
Almost three years in this online marketing thing and not making a cent. Have I missed something?
But I have joined almost all those affiliate programs, all those free offers, many paying offers, some mlms, subscription based, one time offers.
What happened?
My hard disc is filled with all those 100 Gbs bonuses, how can I fail?
Took a long time, money, desperation, frustration, misery, bankruptcy to learn that an online business is the same principle as an offline biz.
I don’t care how much money you are making online, I want me to make money online.
Can that be true?
I will be “working” on it now!
And, all those FFA, safelist, 1mmm (yes 3 m’s) lists, free ads, paid ads, ppc, TE’s, etc., etc.
Änd all those adversities: computer crashes, internet server crashes, website down, hosting server down, lost 2 years of work in a buckle of water (pent drive in kids hands), lost backup, etc. etc,
Is there life after all this?
Can Eric be our salvador?
I hope so……
Dude, you rock! I’m currently putting some products together built around my music passions. And I’m glad to say I’ve been keeping my wallet closed until the time is right. And I’m with Andrea above: I want all your lessons now! if patience is a virtue, then it’s being tested big time! This is great stuff! Thanks a million, or two, or three, or four…etc.
Haha
Thanks!!
Eric,
Thanks for educating us on the realities of Internet Marketing and not like the 98.5% of fluff that is out there.
Love that Poppin’ Bass in your opening and closing music!
Jamie
Hehe, thanks about the bass
I made it in Garage Band on my iMac (I still do all my business on my PC, but use my mac for Video/art stuff)
LOL…the opening music to your videos is quite catchy. Reminds me of an opening for some sitcom on tv.
I’m glad I didn’t deleted your message, thanks for your honesty and willingness to share your knowledge, keep up the good work Eric.
Thanks a lot,
Muchas Gracias!
Fernando
Hi Eric,
Very Honest opinions on buying stuff and debt.
Anything worthy will take time and learning involved.
I don’t have any marketing knowledge but i am willing to learn.
Great Tips!
Best Wishes,
Kannan
http://www.growing-self.blogspot.com
Hello Eric,I am really happy about what you are doing.I have always listened and watch your videos and I am 100% with you.The last video #3 audio is not clear it has a echoing sound that distorts the sound,that I could not able to here please check it out for me.Thank you
Hmmm… I am thinking it may be your connection or something in between us
I am enjoying the lesson and I know with this,I will be a better marketer even though I know little about internet marketing. Thanks Eric.
Expecting lesson 4.
patience is the major element to read your training lessons, how long you expect to finish all the lessons ? I am now truly understand that a successful online business not only be setup by time, money and great effort, but also required patience to wait for the rewarding result to come…! If possible, please do speed up your pace to deliver the lessons in the shortest time of period.
Eric, you’d already done a very nice job, do a little bit faster would be marvellous and more better well done.
Cheers to all for the great success !
right now I’m planning on doing about 5 per week.
Greetings from a fellow Coloradoan. I grew up in Fort Collins, and graduated from Poudre.
I am new to IM, about six months of info overload.
Your newsletter has a great start to it. I like the way you present your ideas.
I am willing to work at this, and able to learn quickly.
Thanks for your time
Bryon
Welcome Bryon! Thanks, and the west side of FC is the best, that’s where I live
Yet another great post!
Glad I found you Eric,
I have a couple few hundred dollars worth of stuff sitting on my HD that I have done very little with. Sure many of them are probably great guides and I almost always find better deals than the mainstream promo, but it can be almost addictive to buy another and another.
I have begun to apply a method for keeping myself in check and I suggest anyone in the Internet Business field take note:
When you stumble onto a product sales page and decide you are interested in the product…..Stop! Close the web page (note any special offer that comes up) and walk away from the computer. No really, step back, take a walk, breath, and process.
What are you working on now online?
Will this product compliment your current endevure?
Will it add a new project to work on instead or as well as?
Do you have time to implement what ever the product is supposed to deliver?
Do you know the product creator? If not Research heavily before buying. Warrior Forum and Digital Point are good places to start.
Can you get a better deal somewhere? Is anyone offering a extra bonus for using their link? Can you amass 3 or 4 others interested in the product to do a link exchange so that you each get a commission back (lowering you end of day cost)?
And the Biggest Question to always ask…Do you really need “This” product? Will this type of thing be available again (or has it been already)? And if so, do you need it Now, or can it wait for a better time in your business endevures? One of the biggest causes for failure for newbies is getting bogged down by info overload.
Cheers!
Jeromy
good tips, thanks!
Hello Eric,
Thanks for all those helpful tips on “How to” and it is possible to start an online business. With your guidance with these videos, and of course hard work I believe, No I know I can get started.
So here’s to a long & promising relationship.
Thanks Eric you’re giving back and helping others. It’s nice to know people like you still exist….
Thanks Again
I would like to thank you firstly. I am living in India. Is it nessary to have a ceredit card for on line bussiness. As I am not having credit card with me.
Thanks
Shrinivas
Shrinivas,
You don’t NEED a credit card. You can do quite a lot of financial dealings online with a free Pay Pal account. Your Pay Pal account can then be linked to your bank account. Don’t worry, Pay Pal is very secure and safe. It will take a few days to verify your bank account. What Pay Pal does is makes a couple of small deposits into your account. When you see those deposits in your bank account, you go back to Pay Pal and enter them. This verifies your Pay Pal account. You can add money to/from your Pay Pal account and Bank account.
I like to use Pay Pal for most of my dealings for two reasons;
1. I minimize the number of sites my credit card gets entered on (higher security),
2. I can generate monthly reports from Pay Pal that identify much of my business incoming/outgoing finances, making it easier to track.
Another option you may consider (if available there) is a paid credit card. Here in NA, through some of the major credit card companies, one can get a credit card that they have to “load” first. So say you want to purchase something for $100. You would first need to put money onto the credit card, before you could complete the transaction. I understand this is a good way to build credit.
Hi Shrinivas,
Wow….someone all the way from India! Thats great! Best of luck to you!
Learning is the hardest thing that anyone can do in this business. And learning not to buy stupid things is just a way too cool lesson. I am sure that there are too many of us who have over spent to try and find the right place for us.
Eric,
I look forward to all of your lessons. I have spent so much money on way too many programs and membership sites, and have become overwhelmed, scattered and unfocused online. I suppose it’s my own fault for being so unfocused (something to work on). All these programs sound so good, and make you feel like you’re going to miss out on the next best opportunity. I have always appreciated your honesty and trust your advise. Looking forward to more lessons!
Eric,
I was listening to Lesson 3 & it stopped at 2.42 minutes where you are talking about not having to invest a lot of money. I get the message of the Lesson from your outline, but would like to hear all of the audio. Was that
all of it?
Thanks, Joanne
The whole thing is there… Perhaps your computer memory was used up. I suggest closing ALL programs on your computer, clear your internet history, then come back to my site and try again.
Hi Eric,
I really appreciate very much your lessons. I’m French and although I find them easy to understand and very practical. HOpe I’ll be smart enough to continue with them. Million thanks to you.
Bienvenue Mireille, et merci beaucoup! tu es tres intelligent
hi eric i have a website that wasnt getting any action so bought a landing pg to get traffic which is supposed to be optimized so what else should i do to get traffic
Hi Eric:
I received a “tip” from another guy named Eric on a day when I was being bombarded by emails from every list I was on to “BUY NOW” … “MUST HAVE” … “WON’T LAST” … etc., etc. ad nauseum.
Anyway, this other Eric also said “STOP”. Do you need this today? Can you put it to use immediately? If not, PASS ON IT because another, probably better version will be along next week or next month. Also, have you put to use the last product that you bought or is it collecting digital dust on your hard drive?
I took his advise and passed on the offer and I have no regrets and a few more dollars (actually many more) in my pocket.
Keep up the great work here.
Wayne
Great Example! You can achieve whatever you lay your hand upon or dreamt about with determination and focus, no matter your age. Ashley is a good example to emulate.
I received your Stop buying stuff lesson this morning.
I have spent a few hours analyzing my “bought stuff” which included subscriptions to a few programs, and have been cancelling some of them.
I didn’t clearly realized that I had subscribed to five webhosting providers.
How can I transfer all those domains to one webhost without losing the content of them?
I am planning to keep GDI only.
Any suggestions?
Thank you.
I recommend Hostgator, they offer to transfer everything for free including the domain, files, databases, and any scripts. My coupon code is ERICSTIPS.COM to get a discount
Yes…Hostgator is great! They have a few different plans depending on how much bandwith you need. I’ve looked at a lot of different hosting sites out there and Hostgator has the best support and prices I’ve found!
120 lessons of this? No kidding. Who’s got the patience? Cut the cheese and Let’s move it to the point! Make it 5 lessons not 120 “lessons” of blah,blah,blah…no time for that. Keep it short and simple. Thanx.
I know what you’re saying but there’s a lot of newbies who need this stuff. It’s about building the right foundation to give the best chance of success. I’ve spent 9 years to get to where I am… they could do that, or follow the lessons
Well put….thank you Eric!
Very good point Eric. I have been online now for 6 years and things are just coming together. I wish there would have been someone like you when I began to walk me through the tough times.
It is a good idea to learn from other peoples experience than to learn everything from you own mistakes. It helps make the learning curve a little less steep.
Patience is a virtue
I agree too Eric,
A good flag to know if someone is trying to take you for a ride, is when they say something like “A monkey could do it! Sit back and watch the money come in, its so easy”.
It is rather difficult to find a marketer that will be honest and say, “this does take work” and really identify the steps to really get there. I have been blowing along at break neck speed for a year. I have made some money, but not a lot. What I have done though is LEARN and what I have confirmed is there is NO simple 5 steps to building an online business.
You are now only the second person online to tell me to stop buying stuff! Jeremy Palmer was the first.
Your a good man Eric, Thank you.
I think you’re doing JUST the right thing here.
There are hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic internet users out here who will absolutely lOVE the way you’re presenting things.
Everyone has to start somewhere, and there’s nothing worse than people speaking ‘above’ your head. (Like most mentors do).
Probably the most ‘valuable truth’ here, is the fact that we can ALL keep out of debt. There is just TOO MUCH ‘free’ advice out here to be ‘buying’ it in.
Once we start ‘earning’ we can THEN re-invest in ourselves and our bisiness’.
Thankyou,
Pete.
Yeah…its funny how mentors almost speak a different language. You pay them for a service but language they speak is on their level and not yours. Best of luck here!
Thanks for saying the real thing because many online teachers will only canvass people so as to have enough students for traffic-building sake. Thanks again for this lesson
Hello Eric,
I’m enjoying your lessons and want to thank you for offering them. I appreciate your honesty and frank comments. I, too, have purchased several products from so-called gurus only to become confused. So, I’m looking forward to your remaining lessons to hopefully clear the mist a bit.
Once again, thank you.
Bonnie
Thanks Eric for your honesty. You r indeed a rare find in this wacky world of Internet Marketing. I will definitely recommend you to any one who wants to know anything on IM.
[…] to help us along the way. Eric is one of these people and here is the link to the next lesson! Eric’s Lesson #3 Posted in Making Money Online | Leave a […]
HI ERIK, THANKS FOR THE LESSONS. (WRITING CAPS, SO I SEE BETTER) NOW SINCE I’M NEW TO GMAIL :ONE QUESTION : CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW TO OPEN A FOLDER HERE ? THANKS
Hi Eric,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and putting this program together. God will Bless you and your family.
[…] LESSON #3: Is an online business right for me? […]
Your video will benefit me and many other internet marketer, will follow up again.
Eric and friends out there,
Eric ask us whether an online business is right for us?My answer is YES,YES,YES and YES.An online business is different with traditional business.Online business will spread your business beyond your own country. It means that you can get more than 100% profit.Just try to learn with GURU like Eric and others.Ask them for any problem in online business, they will gratefully answer your question.
If you want to start your own arts & crafts business online, try to visit http://www.easyartscraftstips.com.
Yes…thats one of the biggest advantages of an internet business,you can reach people far away from different areas of th