Making Money Online

The old Smith Barney commercials had John Houseman say, "We make money the old-fashioned way. We earn it." Well, it's a new day, and the "old-fashioned way" of earning a living  by having a J-O-B still works, but modern technology has made it possible for virtually anyone to build a stream of income from the privacy of their own home - even in their underwear! What a time we're living in!

We've all heard of others who have done it, but is it possible for you and I to do it, even if we have very little experience and meager resources? Is it just a foolish pipe dream that has no chance of becoming a reality, or is it worth your time and effort? The simple answer is: Yes. It's possible for anyone to have an online stream of income. How much can you make? There's no easy answer to that question, because the answer is dependent upon a number of factors. But understand this: You can make something, and it is therefore to your benefit to make the effort.

A word of caution is in order as you begin your journey. There are many empty promises made on the Internet, and if you're not careful you can be separated from your hard-earned cash and have little, if anything to show for it. Remember the words: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't." Determine in advance that you will walk away from an offer or opportunity and think it through before you act. That is something which many of the online marketers don't want you to do, because they know if you think about it, you probably won't do it. But do yourself a favor, and put some serious thought behind your actions. You'll be glad you did.

Here are some basic steps to keep in mind as you pursue your dream of owning an online business:

1.    Read - Take the time to read all of the offer or opportunity. The Squeeze and Capture Pages are designed to grab your attention and your wallet, but commit yourself to reading even the small print.

2.    Research - Do a search on the Internet and find out what others are saying about the opportunity you are considering. Visit some of the online forums and see if there's any positive or negative discussion being circulated. At this point, take everything "with a grain of salt." Just listen to good and the bad. Every business will have both good and bad reviews.

3.    Reflect - Take what you've learned and discovered and think it through. Does it make sense? Is it ethical? Will it involve me in compromising my values and principles?  If I join, what are my responsibilities.  What sort of upline support will I receive?

4.    Respond - Here's the moment of decision. You either get in or get out; you either say "yes" or you say "no." If you've taken the previous steps, your decision will be an informed and rational decision. Does that mean you won't fail if you get involved? Absolutely not! With any worthwhile endeavor there is always the possibility of failure. You will be contending and dealing with many different and unforeseen variables, so there will be no guarantee of success. You can fail, but you can also succeed.

Yes, it's possible to make money online, even lots of it, but it doesn't happen overnight. The popular get-rich-quick schemes are a fantasy and you would do well to avoid any opportunity that promises to escort you to "the top" in rapid speed. Do your homework - take it slow - learn as you go.