Chapter 1
Why Sell Online
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Everyone wants to make money. That's a given. And the internet can present some pretty lucrative possibilities. But it can also create a breeding ground for scammers. Sometimes it's tough to know what a scam is and what isn't. No one can tell you in all honesty that they haven't, at some time in their online career, been taken at least once by a hyped up scam. You have to understand that there are some folks who are a constant source of helpful information, and those that are hanging out looking for the quick cash. While you can make some easy profits doing business on the internet, you still must be vigilant and careful when buying. The old adage still rings true, especially online: "Let the Buyer Beware".
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Plus, when you sell products online, generally start-up costs are much lower than that of a traditional "brick-and-mortar" store. In many cases your monthly costs would be less than going for a night out. So, turning a profit is much, much easier to accomplish.
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Setting Your Own Hours
Who doesn't want to be their own boss? Deciding when and if you work gives you such a sense of freedom. Well, not exactly. A common misconception about home-based business is that you will have much more time to do the things you want to, and less time spent working. You see it all the time if you've seen any type of "infomercial" when you're up late watching television. The fact of the matter is any business is still a business.
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Meaning, you have to work at it to taste success. Many times, when running your own "stay at home business", there are more work hours put in, and less time for all the fun things that you thought you'd be doing. This is not meant to be discouraging, just a reality check. So be prepared for this ahead of time.
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Limitless Opportunity
Earning money online is virtually limitless. Every single day, millions log on in search of something. Whether it be information, or a specific product. Shopping by internet is a time-saver. Collecting information online is a time-saver. Understand that most folks looking for information are prepared to pay for it. This is a fact. And absolutely anything that you can think up can be turned into an informative product. Remember, there are millions of internet visitors all across the world searching for information. The only "limits" involved with selling online are those you set for yourself.
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Add to that the fact that with information selling, you can resell the same "packet" of materials over and over again to as many people who want it, and you have an unstoppable income force! However, it's important to remember that technology is an ever expanding field. So you will have to "change with the times" and be prepared to keep your information up to date. Change is a good thing.
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Any "idea" can be cultivated into a product. Does it have to be a great idea? No. But, you do need to make sure that you are offering something that has a value. You can't just go and copy down some free information, change some of the wording, and then expect to make a profit. It doesn't work that way. You must put forth effort to get value from what you're creating. This way, if you value and believe in what you have made, then most likely others will too. Plus, eventually, you'll get caught and be labelled a "scammer". And that, my friend, is a reputation you do not want if you want to make your online business a success.
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Chapter 2
Where to Sell
The first thing you need to do is have a place to sell your products from. It doesn't matter what you're selling, but it does matter where you sell it from. Let me explain. When you plan to run an online business, treat it like one! You'll make much more money this way, believe me. Sure, you'll have some out of pocket expenses, but that's part of doing business. I cannot stress enough the importance of having your very own domain name and web site space.
There's a big difference between a department store and a yard sale. Think of your business as a specialized department store, and give it a place to "stand". If you try and do every single thing for free, you're business will suffer for it in the long run. You need complete control over your business. After all, you are the boss and not just the manager. That's why y...