Is it possible to make money online? Absolutely! Is it confusing as hell? Absolutely! That doesn't mean you're SOL though. Here are some ideas and heads up tips so you can learn how to earn a proper living (or at least suplemental cash flow) through the internet.

When you're rowing the boat, you decide where to go.

(First of all, I think we should take a moment to sew that phrase onto a pillow.)

Or not.

The point is that you have the most control when you do it yourself. How? Build a website. What kind? The answer you don't want to hear (again) is "anything." You know that already, but still need some pointers? Study your 3 favorite websites. What makes people come back? What makes you come back? How does this site earn money? What's the source of revenue, membership, sales, or ads/referrals?

Next look at Alexa.com and see which are the most popular sites overall in the world, in the US or any other country.

One option you've got is to write down everything you know and post it on the internet. That's fine, and it can work, but it's not the most effective (especially long term.)

Your other chance at a solid online income is building a system that's interactive or at least gets updated daily. Right from the start, you've got to think about what brings your audience back.

You've got to be seductive that way.

MONEY!

After you're done singing that catchy little tune, let's focus on where the cash comes from in the case of ads.

The most popular choice, by far, is Google AdSense. First you build your site, then you submit an application (a query if you will--it's not daunting,) then Google-people check it out to determine the quality. If you're site is set up for the sole purpose of their ads, forget it. AdSense can be your motivation, but not your content.

Assuming you develop it with reasonable insight or value and Google is pleased, you'll recieve an e-mail of approval. At this point you log-in and walk through the process of setting up what kind of ads you want to display. You have options of size, shape, color and text/picture or both. You must get in the minds of your audience when you describe your site. What ads will they be interested in? Google helps you come up with keywords and details.

After this process, you're good to go. Now you need to find traffic (if requested, I'll write a hub on traffic, but this isn't the one.)

Each time someone clicks on an ad from your website, you earn cash.

Virtual Assistant

The most reliable venue in Virtual Assistant jobs I've come across is TeamDoubleClick.com

Recommended why? Because they screen workers well. You must fill out an application to get started. After approval you can begin taking 3 assesment tests. This way they know how well you can use a PC.

TeamDoubleClick is the middleman--they connect you to an employer who's looking for a desk job to be filled out of office. That means you, at home.

MTurk.com is Amazon's system.

They call the jobs HITS (Human Intell. Tasks.) There are some things computers can't do, like give an opinion. Maybe a web developer will want input on their logo. Someone else would post a request for an article for SEO (search engine optimization.)

There are hundreds of projects to be done, but keep in mind, most of them don't pay very well. It could be anywhere from $0.01 to upwards of $20 +. It depends on who's posting the HIT and what they're willing to pay. The good news is, you know upfront. The bad news is, they determine whether your work is worthy of payment. I've been burned twice here by writing 1200 word articles (that may or may not be in use right now, that I won't be paid for.)