Monday 25 February 2008

Next Generation Of Internet Home Business

"Internet Home Business" is the in thing nowadays.

In a way it's good for the market, as more players invariably means more sales and turnover.

Over the last few years there has been a huge growth in the numbers of people working from home. This has been caused by the increased use of the Internet and mobile phones facilitating the ability to work wherever we like. There are obvious advantages to home or remote working. The most important being the work-life balance is much improved without the time wasted going to work every day on the congested roads.

I am also in this jig and although I try to put in my two pennies worth now and then.

But what really amazes me is when some newbie comes and joins a forum where you happened to be a member as well. The next thing you know of is that, he has struck gold and that too within a three month period and people are discussing his methods in the forum.

This is the same guy, who cannot spell straight, excuses himself for his ignorance apart from the language flaws, and yet on the third month he is rolling.

How do they do it ?

I have asked myself this question couple of times and still not found a sensible answer. There is no planning, there is no organizing, no budgets, no schedules, and no books to follow by and yet the guy is rolling.

One of the main reasons is of course Adsense, and the other is the bits and pieces of advise he picks up from forums.

And the best part is that he quits when the going is good - why ?

Because most of these businesses fall apart quickly and if at all it succeeds.

And even if the business sustains itself after that, it is because of the capacity of the person who purchased it in the first place, who incidentally is recognized as a nobody.

It is interesting to note these fresh new things aged between 18 and 25, talking about Google and Affiliate Marketing just like they were inbred into it. But what really fascinates me is that these new blokes are quick learners. Not only they know how to get around the market fast but also learn the so-called "tricks", as if it was their back lane.

I have read in forums of such people-making killing through Adsense earnings within their first three months that leave their seniors and experienced colleagues with their mouths open.

Doesn't matter what methods they used as long as it is within the "rules" (Besides, as mentioned earlier, these guys have an amazing talent to quit and sell just before any trouble sets in)

Now, when you say "tricks", it sort of leaves a bad taste in your mouth, as if you are not supposed to use those methods.

But they view it as your incapability to learn those methods, and to a large extent I find myself agreeing with them. Not because, you should practice it, but these so called methods, should be known by most players, whether they use them or not. Some of the experienced players even list them in their black book.

No wonder they are a hot topic at forums !

Now, we know that in every aspect of business rule, there is a loophole. So it is interesting to note that a lawyer is referred to as qualified, when he finds "a loophole". Likewise, any new bloke who finds such loopholes online should be at least given some credit, rather than out casting them at forums, where he or she spills out such methods.

Anyway, without such methods, the whole shebang would come down. For any firewall there must be a code-breaker, otherwise how are we going to improve on our security aspects?

So, in any case, it is only good for the market as a whole

For the past year, I have been researching ways to make money on the Internet and although people are becoming rich through online marketing and home business, it is interesting to note that nearly 90% of affiliates never get a regular check of any size.

You also have a home business and yet you never seem to make money online. You dabble in affiliate marketing, Google AdWords, try out every new PPC strategies, ClickBank strategies, Adsense strategies and just about any other method on how to make money with Google, yet you never seem to make alot of money and that internet treasure chest is no where in sight. Even joining a make money online forum doesn't seem to help, but still there are new kids on the bloc who waltz in and within a few months they are making money.

Then you begin to think about a generation gap and whether this is the real work from home business ?

Besides, I am still someone, who is trying to break in to the affiliate marketing elite club. What I mean to say is that I still haven't started receiving regular checks !

Whether it is embarking on joint ventures, setting up affiliate program websites, or marketing your own product or service online, it takes time, persistence, focus, and yes, at least a small amount of cash (relative to setting up a brick and mortar business) to build a business online.

That's not to say it can't be done.

Nevertheless, there definitely is cash to be made online.

In fact, Rosalind Gardner began part-time at first, and is the real deal in going from zero to a six-figure income online. Like the successful players, there are an equal number of failures. Not because they were unfit, but they just couldn't sustain themselves - in short, they quit ! What I mean to say is that on a scale of 500, if only 10 guys names are constantly featured, what happens to the rest? So the success percent advertised is hardly (2 %), and I would advise you to put away your plans of building castles.

There is also another aspect to this so-called home business - that it doesn't suit everyone.

Being alone day after day with no social interaction can be very lonely. For those individuals prone to depression working from home can become a nightmare with the distinction between work and home becoming a blur. While it is not for everyone, working from home is ideal for self-starters who can discipline themselves so that there is a clear distinction between work and home.

Other considerations to take into account before beginning to work at home include making sure the type of work is adaptable to home-working. Security of information and data protection should also be a high priority.

While I understand that there is a strong desire to change directions to start an online career, spending thousands during the early stages is a tough way to start.

But please note there are no instant riches on the Internet (no matter what you have read above - this is a market and like all market it is susceptible to changes)

In short, I am not here to tell you about the successful affiliates presently in the market, nor am I going on to rave on about successful home businesses. That is your homework.

So invest your few dollars very carefully, and build it slowly over time.

Please also note that the only benchmark to assess this success, is their income or turnover. If their product or service had been given much importance, their success rating would have been mostly calculated on their turnover over a period.

What I am trying to emphasize here is that any kid with a mammoth turnover over a three month period can be classified as equally successful, if not more.

Now this just goes further to prove another point. The basic ingredients we need to start and survive in the affiliate market are the following; A product or service (obvious). Its source is not a priority. Which means that you can identify a product or service being offered by someone else, and market it as your own - through a resale rights option.

You don't have to be well versed in the service the product offers, but have a basic "sales" idea of same, which of course can be obtained through partner sites and parallel products

The objective is to start something, breakeven, and then slowly increasing/ diversifying the range.

The net is no more a smooth talking arena, where you can sell just about anything, because buyers are becoming more aware of its potential

Therefore, it is not shameful to admit your ignorance in certain areas, rather than confirming same by making a fool of yourself. Forums are the best examples here. You can member of many forums, express your ignorance and most of the people are only more than willing to help you.

I find it hard to believe those who can predict Internet market movements. As it is so difficult to come to terms with the concept of interacting through a machine, let alone with the mood swings of identities around you and a live machine and a 'ive net.

Either adapt to what the Internet has to offer, or you will fail if you try to force it down the throats of those visiting your site on the Internet seems to be the bottom line.

Now is there a method to this madness ?

Primarily, try and use the Internet as a way to collect as much information that identifies related processes.

If possible, target a specific market. Then surf, surf as much you can. Enjoy it while it lasts - because in the future you would be surfing with a purpose. It is during your innocent stage that you collect most of the information. Bookmark information on a daily basis - don't bother to analyze the pattern - if the thought of "analyzing data" persists - then your surfing days are over. Its better to get down to business

Now that you have collected as much information, try to identify related processes.

Also try and keep in touch with those contacts who respond. Doesn't matter whether the response is positive or negative.

Next, try and position those links (which have survived this exercise) in to your marketing strategy. Eventually leveraging this information, you should be able to gradually develop a mind share and appreciation in your processes.

You should slowly begin to know the business models that are working and how to leverage into your own venture.

Now, you would be amazed that at a later stage - these sites that you have book marked would answer to over 60% of your doubts. They seemed to have developed a sense to spontaneity, which at a primitive stage, is hard to fathom.

It is also important that you don't start building your revenue streams by focusing on short-term results.

In other words, work like a kid for the first three months and enjoy yourself

Then slowly start organizing yourself, if you find the whole thingy interesting. Remember, you can also try and make a short-term killing, if you play those cards right by cashing in on the opportunities (i.e., net fluctuations)

This is where these new kids come tops; the whole process excites them.

They know the structure than most average players. Besides, they have multiple skills and fewer commitments. This is what sustains them, besides taking smooth and taking a bit of risk and sometimes bending the rules. Can't blame them, it's all in the game. End of the day, they are the ones who are laughing!

In short, this only helps you get a feel of the market; understand its way of functioning. Now the most important factor is don't try and build your system in line with your relative pain points and the NET.

Now keep on tweaking, as there is much perfection to be acquired after this.

Of course you can always try - but I tell you it never works. The best way to exemplify this is through contextual advertising. It responds very well to the net fluctuations (in short, it is alive). But if you try fudging here, the likely chances are that it will eat up your information.

Of course, you can always start multiple sites between a span of 3 to 6 months, after which you can sell them off. But you never realize your objective with this. But, you can use it as a supplemental income.

Now, you would be amazed that at a later stage - the information collected would have over 60% to your marketing hiccups.

So start modeling yourself from the new kids on the block. If you want to be like them, identify a few processes, analyze them quickly, make your kill, and diversify fast

Is this the next generation of the "Internet Home Business" ?

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