The single most important advice for a newbie.

[pilpil]

What is the single most important advice do you have for a newbie in order for the newbie to succeed an online business?
Do share your tips...just one only so that we can see the success pattern of as many members here who are more seasoned.

Thanks

Philip

[Lynn Terry]

Dont give up. Be prepared to invest 18 months of sincere effort into your business venture. Be both persistent & consistent.

[kierang]

Philip
Get yourself a MENTOR.

When I started my internet journey 3 years ago, I was overwhelmed with advice from all quarters. 'Gurus' were sending me over the edge.
Then. I decided that I needed one mentor and cut out all of the clutter. After some research I shortlisted 3 and finally opted for Derek Gehl. I learned so much from his programs and have not looked back since.
I have just signed up as an affiliate of his because his teaching methods and advice are very good. You can read about him here http://www.superinternettools.com/derek.html

[TimeSaverVA]

Oh I love this post because I can get alot of good tips from it. I love both of these tips so far. And have both of them in motion.

[Alan Petersen]

Focus and zero in. Do not move from fad to fad. Finish one project before you move to the next one.

[Les]

[JosephRatliff]

An extension on what Alan posted...

Focus. There are so many different ways to make money online, so many different business models to choose from, and also so many marketers that are marketing all of that to you...it is very easy to lose focus.

So, before hand, choose your business model, and plan out your first 6 months of activity online. Follow that plan. Only adjust that plan. Do not move to a different plan, unless you are getting nowhere on your developed plan (give it a fair shot though).

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
--As quoted by many millionaires.

Also, don't do what the "big guys" are doing in marketing until you are at that level. Rather, you should see what people are doing at your "level" in marketing, in your chosen niche, and do it a little better. Then, focus on the people who are at your newly attained "level" in marketing, and do it a little better.

You will get there if you focus.

[TheDivaLady]

[dand2008]

People need to know who you are! All the emails, banners, and traffic generation programs in the world won't help you if they can't find you.
Join forums like this one, leave posts where you have the knowledge to join the discussions. I spent more than 2 years doing all the things in the first paragraph and never sold one thing. . .Why, because just having a great site is not enough if no one can find you in the first place. You must make yourself known to all those in your niche. A tough job that takes work, work, work, work, work.

[pilpil]

Fantastic. Many great tips.

To summarize so far:
Focus - 3 counts
Too much window shopping-2 count.
Get a mentor, Be persistent/consistent, Good autoresponder,Market yourself first... all each has 1 vote.

Let's wait for another week for more contributions and see if the 3 top tips can evolve and then the next related question will be posted.( Hint: The 'how' to)

As for focus, interestingly as a metaphor, I have a physical mini-torchlight cum laser pointer beside my pc.Occasionally I will flash the laser light and the torchlight to remind me to be laser-focused.

Want more?
Yesterday, maybe by the law of attraction, I was flipping a book on quotes.
Here is a quote that I read yesterday....
"The successful warrior is the AVERAGE man;with laser-like focus"-Bruce Lee.

For the rest, please be generous and contribute your tip.( your top tip only).

Cheers,
Philip

[pilpil]

[AlexNewell]

pilpil, are you collecting material for an ebook?

The very best advice for anyone is tailored to their circumstances and can only be given by an expert who knows them a bit and cares!

The general advice you've had from Lynn and kierang and others is superb.

My contribution comes out of my experience and so may not apply to you but it is this. I have very high standards (Lynn talks about being a recovering perfectionist!) and I always look for the BEST solution to a problem.

Nothing wrong with that? But the best solution may take many months or years to find...so we have to go with a "good enough" solution.

Find a method that's OK and follow it.

Work on it as time goes by and as you are earning and bringing in money

Is this answer perfect?

No, but it is good enough.

So I'll stop



Alex

[pilpil]

[AlexNewell]

[dmcape]

I am a newbie as well. But have gotten focused in last month on building my list. I think this is very important. I am starting to make a couple sales. I believe having the mindset of learning and to never give up is also key.

dmcape