[This post carries the message to help you make more sales online AND is a political statement all wrapped into one. Please do hit the "read more" link!]

While I figure out a way to pull my how to make money online post together (writer’s block at the moment), it did occur to me that I do have something to say. (more…)

Like many around the country, we’re dealing with some unemployment issues ourselves. Not directly online, but within our own family. With that in mind, and if you’re facing the battle of trying to make headway to secure a new position, upgrade a current position, or even sell your business ideas online to someone else (see below for further clarification), here’s information that may help you turn mountains into mole hills: (more…)

It seems a bit odd writing this post because as you read it, you’re already “doing it.” And, if you take the time to comment, you’ll even be putting it into practice (and getting some free marketing all at the same time).

Social media is huge, and blogging is one of the fundamental layers to using social media marketing to your advantage.

Being a blog reader - and again, commenting - also makes you a strategic part of the whole web 2.0 marketing hubbub. (Keep reading to get the stats AND find out what new “toy” is available online… for free!) (more…)

Yesterday, while Entrecarding it, I came across Michael’s So-Called Life.

And… his July 8th post most certainly caught my attention

We’ve talked here on this blog (and will continue to talk) about various ways to make money as a blogger (see our numerous postings in search form here). We even spoke about our testing of SocialSpark and getting paid to write.

And, not to leave website owners out, we’ve covered ways to make money that rely on your skills not your ability to talk “Aunt Sally” (remember her?) into buying into that next “hot program”

So it wasn’t surprising that the universe provided us with the perfect outside source - Michael - who also was talking about writing for money, AND giving us specific examples of just HOW MUCH MONEY (for him). (more…)

Networking is a must if you plan to run any type of successful business online. Even if your goal isn’t to “make money” you still need resources that help you locate like-minded individuals. (more…)

Or When Do You Stop “Learning” and Start Doing?!

Unless you are in a position to inherit money, get continuous cash gifts from relatives, or win by chance in Las Vegas (after parting with your own money first on that chance), nothing comes to mind where a person can sit still and rake in money (okay nothing legal that is).

Not offline. Not online.

Even the money making programs out there that tell you “no this” or “no that” don’t really mean it at all. The fine print, if they even bother to put fine print on the page, would read, “But the more effort, time, and money you put into this, the more successful you might be.”

End of story.

Same goes for the ever popular “guru following.” Now I am not slamming gurus, they are actually some of the smartest people on the internet. They know. They share some. They anticipate you will return to get the next piece. And the next, and the next, and the… well you get the picture. Granted, information. But will you ever really get going doing what you need to be doing or will you fear you need more pieces and do nothing (and nothing could be further from the truth).

Very few people on the internet say, “Here you go!” and give you everything you need. Very few people will continue to give you even more information to learn more or stay current with rapidly changing online techniques without some expectation from you.

Some would tell you that it is because one person cannot possibly want (or need) to “know it all at once.” (Pure fabrication)

Others will never tell you outright, but the truth is if “it” is given to you in bulk, will there be any reason for you to return? They fear your fickleness.

And, to be perfectly honest, people are fickle.

Witness the statement made at the top of this article. Where else in the world would you really think to yourself, “Oh good, I’m gonna get rich by not doing a thing!” Go ahead, re-read that. Sounds ridiculous because it is ridiculous.

That’s not to say there are not great programs out there to work. The emphasis, of course, lies on your willingness to become active and engage in the process to make it happen.

[A word of caution: If you are lazy and broke, do not exacerbate that condition thinking the internet will solve your problems.]

If you are able and willing, the internet can bring you wonders you never dreamed possible. No where else is it possible to meet and make friends with others from around the world. Friendships just as solid as if they were your next door neighbor (and maybe even more so in some cases).

There also are numerous methods to use when you’ve chosen a project to work diligently. Advertising and marketing online abounds, but again caution is in order. Throwing money at something, without a passion for that something, is no better than walking into a casino and handing your money to the doorman (if they had them), turning around, and leaving.

As you study your options online, all sorts of traffic-driving techniques may intrigue you. Many with (false) promises of the ease and viability with which it can happen. After a decade online, and in the marketing arena itself, I can with all honesty say there is nothing that does not require effort on your part - physically and economically - to make it happen. In particular - time and money.

Money is obvious, some services and methods are going to cost the green stuff. Time, however, and the concept of “I want it (or expect it) now” can be mind boggling. Ask yourself, do you get every job you apply for in the real world? Didn’t you have to prepare for the interview, dress the part, interact with others, and then wait for the phone call that might mean you got it? Time does not mean something else online, it’s just that… time. And being online means alloting proper amounts of it from all angles.

Okay, if you’ve made it this far (and I thank you!), then you deserve a reward. The key is to combine what you love with what you join and use both traditional and web 2.0 techniques to tell the world, “Hey here I am! Come visit me!”

Ah, there’s the rub. But it can be done in an amazingly short period of time - like visitors arriving today if you do it right.

Will they buy from you? Ask yourself instead, “Should they.” If you are willing to engage your visitor and give them a reason to come to you, really care that they do come, referencing to “time” above and the answer is yes.

Visitors arriving immediately. Staying and returning to talk with you. Yes the adage, people buy from people they feel they know is very true. You just need to help them discover who you are.

Yes, it really can be done and there are honest people out there willing to help you on the right road to doing something you love - now and forever.

Change fickle to “finally!” and learn the skills to get your job done.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Theresa Cahill and her partner Jeff Greer publish their OIMS blog under the pen name Diane Scott. They cordially invite you to see for yourself how to increase website traffic using a combination of how to strategies and you. Visit today, stay for life.

Today while cruising through another favorite haunt of ours, Entrecard, I came across “Blog Tips Blogging Brainiac Series” and Mark’s post of March 11, 2008. Mark details how in one day he personally pulled in $100. Yes, and the title of this post is true… Mark is just 13 years old.

how-the-13-year-old-made-100-at-the-dp-forums

I don’t want to say, “What the heck…” but I guess I just did. Our goal here at Online Internet Marketing Strategies is to bring you up-to-date ways to make money online. Strategies for successfully navigating both the internet marketing and social media marketing arenas.

Then, every now and then, Scott and I sit back and wonder if anyone reads, picks up the ball, and runs with it?

Yet here’s a 13 year old most likely running circles around a good many online marketers.

What has Mark got that other’s are missing? Here’s just a few guesses:

1. A dream
2. A mission statement of sorts
3. A detailed how-to succeed plan
4. Short, medium, and long-term goals
5. The where-with-all to go the long haul.

If you read his post, you’ll notice he was busy a good percentage of the day. Maybe not out there digging ditches, but working all the same. It’s evident that he has put into place strategic ways to pull income in - and he has not put all his eggs into one basket (as we see too many “grown ups” do).

Multiple ways to produce income.

Another point to watch as you read is Mark did not go into hock to start making money. He didn’t overcharge his credit card, mortgage his house, or bring himself to the brink of bankruptcy.

What he does do is get up every morning and work his businesses.

Too often, with so many programs out there shouting this, adults actually believe the ludicrous claims like “no calling, no selling, no …” you fill in the blank.

Do you really believe that after forking over X amount of dollars you can just sit back and do nothing…??

Let’s all take a page out of Mark’s book and learn a valuable lesson. Have a plan, develop your strategy, and get to work.

It’s late, but I don’t want you to think that’s what has me slightly grumpy, it’s not. What got me was a short piece written in the Webpronews.

Writer David Utter, in his featured article Beware Social Networking Ad Buzz does another one of his quick looks (without much fact) and provides a sweeping opinion (without declaring it is opinion) on whether or not social media sites like Facebook and Myspace are really designed to help online businesses grow. He (continues) to insist that these sites are filled with college-types not much interested in anything business related. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen him say this very same thing… and it drives me nuts. Every time I read his absolute-sounding statements I wonder what he’s basing these statements on? Statistical fact or personal opinion? Because statistically he’s wrong.

I’m not about to disclose my age but suffice to say college has been several years in my past, yet I frequent social media hot spots and I’m aware of numerous individuals my age and older doing the same.

Social media communities are filled with all kinds of people, of all ages. A trip around any of them, checking profiles and seeing who’s who, can show you that much. Facebook even provides demographics for heavens sake…!

After reading his article, it became apparent to me that the person most “in the know” was the first commenter to his article, Lyn Mettler. Lyn wrote:

“I personally think that the way to go online is not to pay to have a presence but to actively get involved, such as by setting up a page for your business on MySpace or Facebook and using that as a tool to reach out to your target audience.

I’ve never been convinced that paid advertising online fares much better than paid advertising in traditional media. It’s much better (more credible and authentic) to get a story about your business published in the newspaper than to pay for an ad, and similarly it’s better to have a page on MySpace than to pay for placement there (excluding pay per click).

One other point, these social networks are definitely not just for the 20-something, college-age crowd. All age groups are getting on in huge numbers. A couple stats I found:

More than 50 percent of all MySpace users are now over the age of 35, according to comScore Media Metrix.

Between May 2006 and May 2007 the number of unique users on Facebook over the age of 35 grew 98% to 10,412. — comScore Media Metrix”

Hats off to Lyn for stating so clearly the reason for any internet marketer to venture into the social media arena. “To actively get involved” is the key phrase there. Clearly social websites are not the place to go barging in and spamming the living daylights out of all and sundry. Common sense, a sense of community and fair play, and above all an understanding of these communities can and will take any online entrepreneur far.

Seems like David needs a wake up call - and a research partner. Give it a rest David

(I did weigh in, couldn’t leave Lyn just hanging there alone lol)