A Business Guide for the Very New Internet Entrepreneur

Did you recently buy your first computer and just started
surfing the Net? Isn't it fun? All the new websites and
places to go, sights to see! Have you ever wondered if you
can make money with your newfound toy?

I think that thought is something that comes into the mind
of all Newbie computer users. I mean, there's no way you
can miss all the offers from the heap of self proclaimed
"Gurus" selling you get-rich-quick plans and schemes!
Nonetheless, people that started out just like you are
making a good living on the Internet.

I know the constant assault of ads and all the new
technology must be intimidating; some of it still
intimidates me! That's why I've decided to write the
present article and make it as simple for a Newbie to
understand the basics of Internet Marketing.
Please follow me as I give you a guided tour.

The first thing you should do, is this:

Don't purchase anything, at all! The previous sentence is
so important because the pressure to buy all the assorted
plans and schemes is so great. Look at it this way: Since
you just got here, how in the world are you gonna know
what to buy for your first step onto Net marketing?

Give yourself some time to get to know the Web, join
many of the good forums and newsletters available.
Discuss items that will help elevate your general
knowledge of the Web and Internet Marketing,
in particular.
After a few months things will start to sink in and you'll
be more Internet savvy!

While going to the forums and gaining experience, keep
these questions twirling around in the back of your mind:

What kind of Internet business would make me happy?

What activity have I seen on the Web that I would love to
do or be a part of?

Think about it for as long as what it takes and start
coming up with a general business vision or inspiration.
Don't think you need to understand all the small details
or particulars of the technology. All you need is a guiding
vision and principle that will sustain you through the good
and bad times.

Once you feel up to par with many of the concepts talked
about at the forums and you start getting the itch to jump
in with both guns blazing, consider these very basic items:

1- You are going to need your own website! Don't get a
fr'ee website because you want to establish your own
identity. Furthermore, they don't offer any services for a
true business website. That point is very important because
your website isn't just a container that holds products you
sell.

---- Your website IS YOUR FIRST PRODUCT !!! ----

2- The thing you really need to fill your website with is:

---- CONTENT! -----

It is provided mainly by the written word coupled with
images and audio. You are going to do a bunch of
writing. The source of content ideas is limited only by
your imagination. If you need help with it, farm it out.

3- OK, so you've got a website filled with content; how
do you let the rest of the Web know you're open for
business?

Answer: ---- PROMOTION! -----

You must live with the constant idea of promoting your
website. It's done mostly through writing.
Post articles at the forums with a link in your resource box.
Offer your website to the Search Engines and directories.
Write small informative booklets with links back to your
website and give them away for fr'ee (BTW, that's called
"viral marketing").

In closing, I'm going to say the number of ideas presented
within this article is just to let you know your own Web
business is a viable idea! The ways to get visitors to your
website are limitless. If you have vision, focus and
determination you will succeed in Web Marketing.

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by Francisco Aloy

(C)2004 Francisco Aloy
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