Let's Talk - Where Are You With Your Online Business?

[Lynn Terry]

Hi slbagley,

Thank you Glad you enjoyed the article in Social Media Woman this month!

To answer your question, build a site around a topic - not a product, or a merchant. Products change, get replaced by newer models, or go away. Same with merchants. Topics are evergreen and give you the flexibility to work with the changes in the marketplace.

[Lynn Terry]

Welcome Michael

Rosalind's Super Affiliate Handbook is where *I* started!

In addition to the links, answers & help Angie gave you already... I wanted to share these links with you from my blog. I think you'll find these helpful in sorting out how things work:

http://www.clicknewz.com/2341/how-to...oducts-online/

http://www.clicknewz.com/2414/promot...ical-products/

http://www.clicknewz.com/2680/top-10...ate-marketing/

-

[angienewton]

Michael,
You're welcome, I'm happy to help.

Actually affiliate marketing (selling other peoples products) is one of the simplest businesses to do online if you work at it. As an affiliate you do nothing when it comes to boxing up and shipping products or customer service. That is all taken care of by the merchant, you just promote the products and get paid a commission.

As for the hosting, that has nothing to do with your business (music lessons) so I would not even pursue that because it's not relevant to your current business.

If you need more step by step help, might I suggest Lynn's elite mastermind group? It's affordable and is a very close knit community where we help with specific details of your business. There are weekly and monthly webinars where you can ask for input about your website, business questions, etc. Plus there is a free download area, social media club and more.

Two more links that might help guide you:

How to Make Money Online

and you'll find some great nuggets in this starting a free online business post.

Hope this helps!

Hi Angie,
This is Michael Walker again. I just want to say thanks for anwering all of my questions. I'm just really new to doing business and business on the internet. Right now my business is just giving music lessons. I could branch out and do something else with in music like you said maybe sell products for somebody, but the only thing about that it seems to me there would be alot more work involved. I know people buy and sell stuff on the internet all the time, but I'm looking at it the old fashion way where you have to go out and box stuff and ship it and all that stuff. I was looking more on promoting somebodies products. Now how do I find these people who are looking for people to work for them on the internet; people that I can trust. You did mention Amazon. I haven't really worked with anybody other than the company that gave me my website just host. They say go out and send people to just host through my website and they'll pay me. I left a message on my website saying buy a just host website and I'm hoping people will and I'll get payed for it. But like I say I'm new to all of this and I know there must be better ways to promote just host. Talks about links and all that stuff how is all of that done? I mean can I post a little advertisement of theirs on the side of my website and when people click on it it goes directly to their website? I need to know how all this internet stuff works. Or what if somebody promotes music lessons for me how am I going to pay them? I've heard of paypal and I do have an account with them, but I haven't used it yet, maybe thats how I'll pay people. Ok Angie I'm sorry this letter is getting a little long. I do understand if you can't answer my replies all the time, but do appreciate any help you can give me.
Thank You
Michael Walker

[slbagley]

Lynn, great advice - thanks!!!

Steve

[sona88]

My previous month was the best 200 bucks per month

Sona

[Lynn Terry]

Thank you Kelly! Glad to see you here

[Lynn Terry]

Welcome Lorraine

Sounds like you have a great start! If you have ANY questions just start a new thread here in the forum and let us know!

Also, I have some great ideas & sources on Link Building here: http://www.clicknewz.com/tag/link-building/

[cereborn]

Hi Lynn,
I picked the first choice because it is closest to the right answer, which is that I am absolutely a beginner. I am only just learning about online business. I have a domain and a blog page but still haven't done much. I have not yet started making a list, and I have a few niches which interest me and having a hard time picking one. I am at the beginning of a huge learning curve. Then again, I love learning stuff, because it keeps my mind young. ( I'm 61 btw )
- cereborn

[Lynn Terry]

It gives me more hope after seeing some of your answers! I see I fall into the largest category, that of moving forward, slowly, but still making progress.
I have been enjoying the learning curve, but sometimes been frustrated over how slowly things move, which I am sure most of you could say as well.
My biggest stress out was the fact that I understand that it will take some time and investing before I see returns, but my husband gets a bit impatient when he sees money going out and none coming in yet. So now and then I have to reassure him that I AM making progress, however slowly it may be!

What are your biggest expenses, and where are you currently seeing your best returns?

I look forward to getting to know you & brainstorming with you!

[Lynn Terry]

Hi Lynn,
I picked the first choice because it is closest to the right answer, which is that I am absolutely a beginner. I am only just learning about online business. I have a domain and a blog page but still haven't done much. I have not yet started making a list, and I have a few niches which interest me and having a hard time picking one. I am at the beginning of a huge learning curve. Then again, I love learning stuff, because it keeps my mind young. ( I'm 61 btw )
- cereborn

Hi cereborn,

Have you done the quick Niche Selection exercise yet??

If not, you'll find it here: How to Choose a Niche

I would love to hear your thoughts, and whether that helped you narrow it down.