Is It Really Possible to Make Money Online?
by Pam Jones

I was asked a couple of questions this week by a subscriber. Many of you are probably wondering the same things so I thought I would try to answer those questions to the best of my ability.

Am I making a living on-line?
Everybody's definition of 'a living' is different.  I could be making a lot more if I charged every person I offered advice to and promoted every reseller program I am involved in each week in my newsletter and everywhere else, but that's not my intent. I enjoy helping people and the messages I receive from some of you make it all worthwhile. I am working a part-time job, three days a week, for the time being and my family needs tended to periodically. I do have  clients I am working with and am forming alliances with others. I am also involved in a few reseller programs and am beginning to write my own information manuals to sell, but I'm not getting rich-yet.

Do I believe it is possible to make a living online for someone who will put forth the effort?
Yes! But I also believe that it takes time. Just like any off-line venture, nothing happens overnight. It takes a good three to five years to establish a strong business structure. Granted there a few who claim to strike it big overnight. But, this is not the majority. If you have a product or service that people want and you promote it correctly, I truly think it can be done. Too often people give up too soon and waste a lot of time performing meaningless tasks.

I think for the small business person, the 'net makes success even more possible. I live in a rural area in the mountains of Idaho. It is very difficult to build any type of small business locally here. I see the Internet as a way to expand to the world and not be limited to just my local area and wish I could have been connected when I had my sewing business. The possibilities would have been endless.

As with any business an online venture takes time to structure and build. The first questions you need to ask yourself are: "Is this something people want?" and "How strong is my conviction about this product or service?"

If people don't want your product or service, it won't fly. You will also need an inside love for what you are doing. There are always times of discouragement and challenges in any form of business. If you don't have the inside conviction you won't be able to make it over the hurdles.

The next step is to make your website work for YOU.
-You have provided useful and informative content on your site
-You have told your visitors what you want them to do and have provided the means for them to accomplish this (a means of contact for more information and ordering, etc.)
-You have combined your autoresponders into your website and automated the process as much as possible without losing the personal touch

In other words, your website and autoresponders do your initial work for you so now your time can be spent marketing your product or service. Who do you market to and how do you accomplish this?
-Decide what types of people would want your products or services.
-Get involved in discussion groups that those types of people would frequent, subscribe to newsletters in that area and either place ads or exchange ads and articles with those newsletters, get to know others (even competitors) in your area of expertise and exchange reciprocal links, spread the word about your product or service anywhere and everywhere that is ethical, become a part of that community.
-Follow-up, Follow-up, Follow-up with your prospects.
-Write articles in your area of expertise and submit them to the newsletters that target your audience
-Use your imagination.
-Spend a designated amount of time each week marketing and promoting your products and services. Be consistent and persistent!

One of my favorite sayings that has helped me keep going when times get rough is included at the end of this article. I have it on my office wall so I can see it every day. I have even copied it and carry it around in my pocketbook so I have it with me all the time and can read it whenever I need to.

There are always discouraging times in our lives no matter what we are doing. It is our choice how we handle those situations. The main thing is DON'T QUIT! If your desire is strong enough you will find a way to overcome the challenges and become a WINNER!

Don't Quit
Author Unknown

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit --
Rest if you must, but DON'T YOU QUIT!

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!
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