I’m curious what your thoughts are regarding the internet as a means to make money. Actually, more specifically, I’m wondering do people naturally assume because it is easy to access the internet, that translates into “easy money”, too?

Evidence I receive day to day suggests more and more desperate individuals (and with an unemployment rate at worse than scary heights it’s not small wonder) are making their way to the internet in the search for money. The primary question asked, “How fast can I make that money?”

Actually this question comes in many forms. From the “how many sales” to the previously mentioned, “how soon” to the “what should I promote to make some fast money?”

People are desperate, because these are precarious times. However, don’t let your desperation let you do something stupid. If you’re down to your last dollars (hopefully not!), then hoping to suddenly strike it rich online is foolish. (more…)

This morning I needed to investigate and make suggestions for a family member on the best place for him to host his website. The website in development is going to be huge, and require extensive use of databases (mysql, etc.). Space is a factor and RAM (tons of it) a definite necessity.

So the solution was super easy! I took a look around the Geek’s web site hosting (where I always head), and I’m almost positive he’s made up his mind – or is narrowing down his focus at least.

The reason this was so simple to accomplish is that Web Hosting Geeks (you might remember I’ve raved about them before) provides reviews, ratings, and even awards – and they’ve been doing business since 2004.

While I was there, what caught my eye was their link to GREEN Web Hosting. Yep, a whole list of the top “eco-friendly web hosts” for all of you looking for not only quality hosting, but also want to feel good – and save the planet – at the same time. Alternative (renewable) energy sources run “green hosted” websites and blogs.

Web Hosting Geeks currently lists eight green hosting websites from 300% green hosting to solar/wind powered hosting to carbon neutral hosts. This is very cool!

But, of course, the Geeks have much more to offer you to help you narrow down your search for great hosting. They have an impressive web site filled with extensive lists of different kinds of web hosting, including budget-friendly hosting, your best UNIX hosting possibilities, which hosts provide the best php for your needs, and so much more.

Excellent information right at your fingertips as you look for hosting or go looking for a new host (I don’t know how many times I’ve changed hosts – I cannot even remember – but as I’ve said before, I sure wish I’d known about WebHostingGeeks.com before)!

I’ve been meaning to write this post for several days now, ever since I read an article in our Las Vegas Review Journal dated Monday, February 16th. In fact, it’s been sitting on my desk just waiting for the right moment to go from paper pile to post.

What really caught my attention was the headline, “Cultural differences: Economic values may explain why businesses owned by Chinese-Americans are faring well in the recession.”

We see all too often people pulling away from the very thing they should be doing during down times or slow times or tough times – especially online. The energy exerted to build a business is tamped down (or shut down) in the hopes that somehow, magically, sales will continue – in spite of no advertising or marketing.

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Here’s something that very well may (and should) change your perspective on “should I or shouldn’t I be advertising and marketing or even blogging?”

“The fortunes of a newspaper published out of a second-floor Chinatown Plaza office may give us insight into differing attitudes about money and ways of surviving tough economic times.

In a time when a 162-year-old national news chain such as the Tribune Co. file for bankruptcy protection, the Las Vegas Chinese Daily News is actually growing, fueled by an increase in advertising. The paper has gone from 16 to as many as 36 pages since printing its first copy five years ago.”

The article goes into further details by defining how different cultures view our current times; “…many Chinese business owners consider a time of economic stress a time to spend money on advertising.”

This advertising “outlook” is considered to be a definite separation of U.S. and Chinese cultures. Where the former sees nothing but doom and gloom when it comes to doing business, the latter are taking advantage of great rates and exceptional deals. These factors also attribute to the fact that over 20,000 valley residents of Chinese heritage are surviving the highest unemployment rates in a generation.

“Chinese attitudes about money include the notion of saving profits and growing slowly, instead of leveraging long lines of credit and expanding rapidly, several business owners said.”

Now here’s the best part, and what I’d really like you to come away with (having read this post… thank you):

“The Chinese rely more on what is known as a relational economy, compared to Americans, who function more in a “me economy.” The Chinese system is based more on, “I do something for you, you do something for me,” with everyone being on the same level.”

Sounds a lot like the Golden Rule applied with a fine paint brush to the art of keeping customers coming back by treating them right.

So if you’re asking yourself, “Is now a good time to slow down with my marketing and advertising?” we think it best to tell you the answer is no.

Recovering lost ground is costly.

Instead, plan and budget for an amount comfortable (and affordable) for you in today’s economy. Be it $10 or $1000, keep your business plans afloat and keep them growing.

We’ve said it before and we’ll keep on saying it. The internet waits for no man, woman, or child. Let up for even a tiny bit of time and your competitors are going to sweep right over you.

Your wise move is again budgeting. Keep your ads out there, continue investing your time and energy, too.

These rough times will not last forever, even if (in the moment) the light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t shine very brightly.

Stay on top of what you’ve been doing, and when the sunshine hits, you’ll be well positioned – ahead of your competition – in the months and years to come.

I need to start this post by telling you that we (Scott and myself) have been around for a LONG time. I know more about advertising and marketing online then any individual program/membership owner can ever tell you. I do this day in and day out, trying to help you make sense of what it is you are doing online – and how to get it done.

Scott, with a background long on years in affiliate marketing, is also an expert when it comes to marketing, advertising, and promoting online. We teamed up a few years back, (the best move either of us ever made!) and provide several online business resources tailored specifically to help you be successful online, too.

Each and every thing we do – whether planned that way or not – revolves around helping others be as successful as possible online (with offline ideas thrown in for good measure).

With that bit of hoopla and flag waving out of the way, today we’d like to help anyone who’s stuck in what can be a vicious, yet unnecessary, cycle… (more…)