Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Online Business Opportunities.

Welcome Back...I'll talk about online business opportunities in this article and clear up confusion many have about what an online home business is, what its designed to do, and if it might be good option for you. You've likely seen the...


....Dollar sign eyed and plaid suit clad infomercial guru's talking about FREE FREE FREE government money, real estate, and gold, might come to mind when you think of "business opportunities" online. A couple years ago, I would have been giggling too.

Are Online Business Opportunities For Real?

Yes and No. The term "business opportunities" has at best, been a long sufferer of a chronic identity crisis. In the time I've been interested in the Internet as a viable opportunity to earn a significant income without investing a ton of money or more importantly a ton of time, I've been baffled some of the perceptions people have about business opportunities. I thought I'd write an article about what I've learned, what you can expect, and how best to approach the world wide web in terms of entrepreneurial pursuits.

The business opportunities you see advertised online via google AdSense, banner ads, and text links are mostly turnkey business opportunities for making money from home. So in essence, at the end of the day, what is the "opportunity"?

  • Do you have a way to earn a significant income from home now?
  • Do you have an Internet connection, telephone, and a desire to work from home?
  • Would you like to earn extra income besides a job?
  • Do you currently have a plan to create passive income?

A online based business opportunity is a chance to realise these things mentioned. It is not a guarantee. Its not a sign and drive affair and in a sign and drive world, its important to take a minute and realise what that means.

First off, if your thinking about starting an online business opportunity, almost without exception you will play the role of marketer. You will be using the Internet as a tool to attract clients,customers, or associates to your business. Online marketing is multi-faceted ordeal that I find fascinating and challenging at the same time. Using the Internet to make money creates opportunities that otherwise would be an arrogant dream. I've talked with people in four different countries in the same one hour period while following up with potential customers, something totally new to me and impossible without an online presence.

How do Online Business Opportunities Work?

Online business opportunities are usually quite simple. They are systematic by nature and this is appealing to traditional entrepreneurs who may struggle with the traditional business models. Most profitable online business opportunities are affiliate marketing business models in one form or the other. Whether you get involved with referring visitors to someone else products or services, network marketing, or direct sales, your basically an affiliate. Whats the upside to affiliate relationships?

  • You have low overhead.
  • The company handles inventory and shipping.
  • The company handle customer service.
  • The company handle product development.
  • The company provides marketing tools, advice and materials.
  • Affiliate cash flow models are extremely efficient.
  • You don't have employees.
  • Your time is yours. Affiliate relationships are the epitome of flexible income.
  • Many programs provide passive or residual income streams.

So to recap, online business opportunities allow you, the affiliate or associate or partner, to earn money from your home office, while marketing products or services of a company who also benefits by not having to have an in house sales force.

That's pretty simple. You just use your good old fashion common sense. Whats that mean?

Well if someone tells you you'll make x amount of money or if you join this or that you'll get rich. Or you have to hurry....this sound goofy 'cause it is.

How Profitable are Online Business Opportunities?

With that being said, some opportunities offer greater Potential profits than others. Some online business opportunities with residual income will earn you nothing until you amass a following or customer base. Some direct sales opportunities have a minimum profit margin of over $1,000, while other pay pennies but build residuals overtime. Not that it needs mentioning, because we all have common sense, but different opportunities operate in different industries and those industries affect the viability of the opportunity as a profitable online business opportunity.

Where to Start Making Money Online?

Look for what fits. That's pretty simple and its good advice. In my opinion, starting out marketing affiliate products online without even having a website is not a good route to take. Now that doesn't make affiliate marketing a bad business model, it just makes it bad if your new to the Internet marketing world and don't have a platform to market from.

Businesses in general have a way of transforming, or taking on a life of their own and its no different with online business opportunities. It is unlikely that your business will look like you thought it would at the outset. Other opportunities will present themselves that compliment of even out perform the intended income source.

What is the Best Online Business Opportunity to Start?

You are really the best clue in choosing the right online business opportunity to start. Do you like people? How much time do you care to invest on a daily basis to the new business enterprise? How much money are you comfortable investing upfront? What monthly fixed expenses are you able to afford? Are you and introvert? Do you have previous experience? How important is a good mentor or working together with a team. How many rules are you comfortable with? Choosing the best business opportunities is a simple process you'll want to be willing to follow through with.

Answering these questions is a good start to help you narrow down your search for a successful online business to start. Remember simple doesn't meant easy. If success were easy, you wouldn't be looking for an opportunity, would you? Success is simple regardless of the endeavor your embarking upon. Any business enterprise you engage in will require certain characteristics that will always precede any measurable success. Some of the more crucial ones include:

  • The ability to persist or willingness to acquire the ability.
  • The willingness to communicate and learn.
  • Consistency. You must be consistent.
  • You will need to set attainable goals.
  • Only focus on what you can control i.e; Attitude.
  • Successful people continue when others quit.

Know why it is important for you to succeed. What impact does success in this one are have on the rest of your life. Why are you starting a business? What is it that you want? Is it important enough to do what is necessary to succeed? Its important to keep you goals and the meaning behind the activity present in your daily thoughts.

If you have questions about an online business or make money online opportunity you can contact me via email or the comments on this website.

J. Crawford.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Home Based Business Opportunities: Types Of Home Business Ideas.

Home based business opportunities is a very broad category that encompasses a number of online or Internet based business concepts that people use to make money from home. Choosing from the different types of home business opportunities is a task you will have embark upon unless you have your own unique home business to start. Starting your own home business based on your own idea, product or service may be the best opportunity you have for success. Of course that will depend on your business concept and your experience with launching or starting a business.

Not to over simplify but when you step back and evaluate a business opportunity, you can be sure it is either selling an original product, someone Else's product, or selling ad space to someone who is. This is where the types of home business ideas come in.

Affiliate Marketing as a Home Based Business Model

Affiliate marketing is a viable money making business idea and business ideas for 2009 and many people use affiliate marketing online. Affiliate marketing has really gotten its name online although offline small businesses also implement affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is pretty simple and straight forward. It ranks well amoung favorites for home based business opportunities.

Business owners, companies and other entrepreneurial individuals create products that sell for, lets say $100 bucks. If you promote their products they may pay you anywhere from 10% to 75%. This allows the creator of the affiliate product to grow his or her business and revenues without the expenses of an in house sales force. Of 2009 business ideas Basically, affiliate marketing is outsourcing of sales and marketing. It is a strong cash flow business model as are most top rated business opportunities online today. Afifliate marketing is also a low cost business.

Multi-Level Marketing.

Also called MLM, multi level marketing is also a viable business model. You may challenge that statement, and if not, its not hard to find someone who would. If you have a hang up with the mlm business model, don't get involved, you'll be miserable. MLM basically shares profits from sales with an up line, the company and you the associate or independent business owner. Recruiting others to your opportunity is a crucial step to success in marketing a multi level marketing opportunity. MLM is a form of network marketing as are most Internet based home business opportunities.

Turnkey Home Based Business Opportunities.

Turnkey home business opportunities are much like affiliate marketing opportunities but they usually also include a business system that assists new home business entrepreneurs to achieve results quickly. Making money with a home based business opportunity is not easy. It is however, quite simple. You will likely have a leadership team to assist you in becoming profitable, limiting the time it takes to earn a significant income and also teach you how to help others. Turnkey home business opportunities offer an opportunity to make money by recruiting others into your opportunity.

Turnkey home business opportunities will often times have an entry level product along with "back end" products that usually sport higher price tags, and profits for you, the entrepreneur. These home business programs often require or encourage you to buy the products, many people see red flags with the lack of a clear end customers. End customers sometimes don't exist or exist scarcely. Depending on the product line or services offered this may be unavoidable.

Some general tips for making money this year and earning 100k plus income with a home based business are much like being successful in anything, including small businesses, jobs, or careers. Here are some general success ideas you can implement today if you operate a home based business opportunity online or are thinking about starting a business opportunity.

Home Based Business Success Advice.

Be a Student. Follow the Leader. Keep It Simple.

Be clear on your goals and WRITE them down.
Be clear on income producing activities, and do them.
Be consistent.
Persist until you achieve your goals.
Stick with the winners.
Evaluate your progress and make changes.
Keep open lines of communication with your mentors.

Knowledge To Make Money Online.

In order to achieve notable or significant success with an Internet based business opportunity you may need to learn a number of skills. Most successful home based business opportunities will provide training and tools to assist you making money with the opportunity. Here are some areas to familiarize yourself with.

Search Engine Traffic and Search Engine Marketing.
Conversion Rates.
ROI or Return on Investment.
Google AdWords and other Online Advertising.
Writing Compelling Ads.
Email Marketing and Auto Responders.
Generating Leads people to talk to everyday about your new business opportunity.
How to talk to people, what to say to interested people.
Building a sales Team.
Article Marketing.
SEO or Search Engine Optimization.
Print advertising via newspapers, magazines, and trade journals.

There is a plethora of information to be successful with an online business opportunity whether it is affiliate marketing, mlm, or a turnkey home based business. There are countless home based business options and just as much information. Much of the information you will find is free, in fact, some of the most useful information for making money online that I have found has been free. One of the best resourses for making money online that I've found online is at Make Money Online With Griz...Sounds kinda scary, but I don't think he bites...the guy likes helping out, and says stuff worth listening too.

Having said this, don't be afraid to invest in a quality online education. Its cheap, especially in the long run.