As I just stated, there are good and bad sides to everything – including the Internet marketing industry. If you are serious about turning to the Internet to generate some serious cash, then it is vital for you to read the following section. I’m here to tell you the honest truth and perhaps dispel previous notions you had about the field. Are these statements True or False?
• Becoming an Internet marketer is not a get rich quick scheme.
o True. Although many entrepreneurs have entered this lucrative market and become millionaires, when you compare the number who have had such wild success with all the businesses who have failed or never really taken off online, you will find that the “overnight” millionaires are not the norm. Nearly all of the business realities that apply to a brick and mortar store still apply to your virtual business – taxes,employees, customer service. Just as any other type of business venture, much of your success in Internet marketing will require a lot of hard work. I’m not trying to crush your dreams, but more than likely, you will not become a millionaire overnight. (In a year? Perhaps!)
• Starting your Internet marketing career is free.
o False. Although beginning your Internet marketing business is cheaper than creating a brick and mortar start up, there are still costs associated with your endeavor,including website design, advertising costs, software, domains and hosting. With just a couple hundred dollars, you can get started. If you don’t have the money to invest at this point, I suggest that you continue this course and save money along the way. The more serious you are – the more money you’ll stash away.
• Most affiliate marketers never make a sale.
o True. Many people join affiliate marketing programs (we’ll dive into this deeper in Week 2) and never turn a dime. I believe this fact is in direct correlation to the number of people who think enrolling in an affiliate program equals the ability to generate cash. With a great site, a decent amount of traffic and a solid foundation of knowledge, you’ll be able to beat the odds. Taking the information provided to you seriously will definitely increase the likelihood that you won’t be one of these people who never makes a sale.
• Internet marketing is just a hobby.
o False. I won’t deny the fact that there are a decent amount of people out there earning a nice passive income from their Internet marketing efforts. Maybe you are already one of those people! However, I believe if you refer to Internet marketing as simply a “hobby” and something you do “on the side”, it will be difficult for you to truly take your income to the max. If you want to start a true business, service or website, there is a great chance that you may have to invest serious time fielding customer concerns, arranging advertising agreements and maintaining your site.
• Websites are fail proof.
o False. When your site goes ‘down’ for technical reasons, you may become extremely frustrated trying to solve the problem and get your site back in working order. Not only that, but every second your site is unavailable to potential visitors means that you are losing money. Be prepared to cross the hurdles, ask others for help or advice to solve your problems and learn something from each experience.
• Buying just one ‘great system’ will solve all my problems.
o False. There are TONS of eBooks, guides, systems and tools that promise you outrageous success online. You don’t have to invest thousands of dollars buying these types of products and learning other people’s ‘systems’ because there truly is quality free content available. I’m not downing all of the great informational products available as I’m sure some of them definitely are worth the investment. But as someone just starting out, it is more advantageous for you to learn through a course like this. No matter what you decide, you must take ACTION. It doesn’t matter whether you buy 1 or 100 courses. If you never implement the information given to you – you will never make progress. But I'm sure you have more ambition than that .
• I can set up a “system”, let it run on autopilot and make money within hours.
o False. Are you kidding me? Technology changes overnight and the Internet marketing industry evolves at a rapid pace. Any ‘system’ promised to you as something you can simply put on autopilot and allow you to generate cash as you lay on the beach is a complete lie. Just because one marketing or traffic generation tactic has worked for you (or someone else) in the past doesn't mean it will work in the future. It’s important for you to remain flexible and willing to learn new strategies, technologies and trends. If not, you'll be left in the dust by your competition.
Warning: This industry isn't for people who like a simple routine and who can't stay on their toes.
• There will be people against you.
o True. If you achieve real success, there will be people looking to take you down. Once you have people against you, you know you’ve really made it. There are tons of amazing people in the field, however, who can become great friends and business partners. Protect your brand, but don’t take criticism or ‘haters’ too seriously.
• Competition is fierce.
o True. You have to stand out to make an impact. Write some amazing articles and cause a stir! There is so much competition and people vying for the top spots in search engines and consumers’ minds that if you’re not working hard 24/7, you better believe someone else is out there doing it.
• Making money online is easy! I can’t wait to start spending the cash!
o False. If you are serious about truly building a long‐term online business, then the first profits you generate should go right back into your service and advertising efforts. If you simply cash out, you’ll never maximize your profits. More importantly, you must be aware of the taxation and current laws that affect the industry. It is worth your time to investigate the tax and legal advantages of creating an LLC or other type of corporation. Setting up something like an LLC is not a huge monetary investment, but it could really protect your personal assets and liabilities. Depending on your income and situation, creating an official organization could also prove to be wise in terms of tax savings. Contact a legal or financial professional who has experience dealing with other Internet marketing professionals like you. They will provide you with the best advice based upon your situation. This is probably one of the most important steps in truly creating a legitimate business and protecting your assets. This step should not be overlooked. (DISCLAIMER: I am in no way providing professional LEGAL or FINANCIAL advice. This is just information based on my personal experience.)
