The Internet is an absolutely Amazing beast!

  Think about it.....not that long ago it didn't even exist and now its everywhere, and those using it, can literally find anything! from down right nasty trash to Professional Research Thesis's and endless Academic Knowledge, music, movies and communication, it is truly historic...

The social groups are Amazing! The first time ever in history we have a means to 'keep in touch' with everyone we meet....Instantly, no matter where they are in the world. We can search and find people we hadn't seen in decades and maybe never would have, were it not for, FaceBook, Flickr and the likes. Today, many of us would be 'lost' without the Internet. And there are Millions upon Millions of us. The population of online users is growing at staggering rates, every day. I think its pretty cool.

The Internet has Forever changed the face of Information and Communication and, I think, has influenced the very fabric of our society. Leaders are scrabbling to keep up, establish security, privacy, standards, guidelines, safety nets, enforcement and, of course, the technology to support it all. All the while the Internet continues to explode. It's kind of Like the Virtual "Wild West" with sites of all sorts popping up all over the place.Thankfully, technologies have managed to keep a reign on the Wild Web. As long as your not trying to do anything "Fishy" or X Rated, it is a pretty safe place to hang out, chat with friends, look stuff up, play games, conduct business, ect.

For the average user, the Internet enables us to check out a preview of a movie playing at the theater, look up information for a report, perhaps a recipe for dinner, pay bills and conduct banking, take a course, chat with a friend in another city, etc. Many of us have become so accustomed to this technology that we kind of take it for granted.

Last summer, I was away with family way out in the Middle of No Where at a nice Lake Resort, there was no Internet access for A WEEK! I found myself really missing it and thinking, "I could go into town and look for an Internet Cafe". If you understand and agree with this, your likely hooked too. Its funny, I think, just in my short lifetime of 31 years, I can remember clearly a time when the Internet was just not something the average person knew much about or had much of anything to do with. To become so 'Essential' in such a sort time period illustrates the power and contribution the Net has made to the world. It is truly amazing.

The changes, or I should say, potential changes brought on by Internet access/technology to the Established or budding Small Business are Profound. Mr. Bill Gates is just one of many examples of the potential Power of the Internet, there is also eBay, Amazon, YouTube, Facebook and countless others. With the Internet, a business has the ability to reach a HUGE market, Millions Upon Millions around the World. Even a small, off the beaten path, 'Mom & Pop' business can have a customer base not otherwise possible. This means that any smart small business has the potential, if positioned well, to generate a Ridiculous amount of customers from around the world. There are of course challenges, as is often the case with a budding business. Most of us are not graphic/web designers and we don't know much about html, SEO, PPC, etc. Many of us don't know where to start when it comes to web design, development and marketing not to mention Mass product sourcing and/or delivery and large scale customer service.

If it were really as simple as typing "make money online" into Google, we'd all be rollin' in it. The reality is of course another thing. Google that phrase, "make money online" and chances are you'll find more people lookin' to take your money than help you make any. None the less, everything one needs to know and use to learn to bring their business online, is in fact Online, and Much of it is Free, or close to it. One just need to know where to look and where not to look.

Guard Your Wallet, Make Friends and Network

There is a huge 'community' online, a whole bunch of 'communities' actually. If you want to know whats what in anything, hobbies and interests, gaming, education, marketing, business or any product/service Niche just look for the 'real people', the community. A community online is generally a Forum of some sort, HubPages is a type of Online Community. Community forums exist on pretty much any topic you can think of and more. These are great places because folks hang out and talk freely about what ever. There are forums for Horse lovers, Parents, Kids, Soap Opera Fans, etc, you name it, its probably there. What is good about these places is people are generally open and honest, and sharing their own opinions. Its a great place to find a good discussion and figure out what folks are interested in online, besides trash. A smart online business owner will hang around a couple, few of these and 'keep up' on the online world, the prefer tools, what people like, what they don't, what they want, warnings and scam, tips and ideas, etc. There are open (free) forums and some Members Only forums.

My Favorite Open Community Sites

A couple of forums that I like to check out if I am looking for info on an Internet product/service is Warrior Forum and Digital Point Forum. If I am looking for help with Internet Marketing and Online Business guidance, I like to check out and post to, Quite Your Day Job Forum and a few other WebBlogs. I also found Young Entrepreneur Forums & The Small Business Community Forums . To find the right Community for you, try and Google some phrases applicable to your area of interest, your audience. Just add the word 'forum' and/or "blog" to the endof your search word. Spend some time researching different words one might use and you'll most likely find a bunch of sites full of people 'in the know'.

My Favorite Members Only Community

A valuable addition to your business will be joining at least one Members Only Site related to Internet Business and Marketing. There are a number of reasons why this makes sense. The main advantage is 'live' integration with other Screened and serious Internet Business owners. To illustrate why this is important.......I recall in College that I did FAR better my second term when I became connected with my fellow classmates, through assignments, study groups, etc. I still did good on my own, some A's, B's and C+'s. But my second term, and all those after, I had straight A's. I created and joined groups and we learned together from each other. So simple, but effective, hang with those that are doing it too. There are loads of people out there that have their business online. Connecting, learning and contributing to this 'community' is, crucial to the development and running of a Successful Internet Business, especially if one does not have significant experience in the Internet Business World.

The Internet Globally generates Trillions of Dollars. I am not sure what that number looks like, but I know it is HUGE. There are Millions of Businesses online, a Wealth of Knowledge. A good Site is like having your own Business Consultant Team on hand at all times. The two forrums I mentioned above are very good sources of information. There are two private sites that are the highest recommended, Wealthy Affiliates University and My Silent Team. Wealthy Affiliates is a solid site targeted primarily at the Affiliate Marketer. They have a very active Forum, a bunch of Internet Tools, Web Hosting and some other Goodies. My favorite site however, is My Silent Team. My Silent Team has become my primary source of Information and my primary place to post questions related to my business Online.I have pulled a Tonne of Stuff out of the Bonus Pool, software, guides, Templates, ect. Its been a big help for getting started, and a great place to get well Established in the Online Business world.

When I first began to build my Internet Business I went out and purchased Guides, Software, Tools and what nots. Many have done little more than take up space on my Hard Drive, some I believe to be very good and are a part of my virtual Library. To weed out these 'Gems' for my learning benifit and future reference, a considerable sum of money and time was invested. It was through this experience that I stressed the importance of community and research. My best Guides/Tools have been sourced through Networking. Many of the guides are developed as a Step By Step of someones Own Internet Business. These folks are generally successful, so they can tote themselves as experts. Guides developed in this way can be useful for helping to generate Ideas for a prospective Internet Business Owner. If it is a Model that has Genuinely Succeeded Online, one can expect a reasonable likelyhood that, if followed, it can succeed again. There are Quite a Number of Very Solid Guides/WalkThrus available Online.

Digital Distractions WILL Hurt Online Business

A common problem with Many would be Internet Business Owners, is digital distraction. This is getting pulled from one 'Carrot' to another. There are quite a number of Very good products/services available. It is easy to 'jump' from one to another. Doing this, however, leaves one not establishing a solid plan and direction for thier online business. To succeed at Internet Business one must focus. Use these sort of things as prospective ideas. Once a model that fits for you is chosen, stick to it. Resist the urge to jump on that other Idea you found Online. Develop that business until it is complete before starting any other 'systems'. This practice, over the long haul, will help to establish multiple Revenue streams.

Pre Screened Internet Business Tools, Tips and Guides

The My Silent Team Bonus Pool is my Idea Place. This is a Huge collection of Stuff from Pre Screened Internet Business Owners. The developers are each invited contributors to the site. They are available for questions and add their expertise to the 'Community'. Having all these folks available is like having your own team of Business Consultants at your disposal. Members of My Silent Team have access to all of these business owners and their products, most of which are sold outside of the Members Site. This is a Huge Value as I don't need to keep spending on guides and systems nor do I have to worry about being 'scammed' by some 'snake oil' promise. I can find what I need to quickly and with higher expectation of quality. Anything that is not there, can be discussed within the Forum. Folks are pretty quick to let you know their experience/knowledge of whatever is posted.

A Successful Internet Business is built with the right tools and the right guidance. More than 90% of new businesses fail because they haven't established these basic necessities. More often than not, they are lead astray by this 'snake oil' and that one becoming broke and discouraged.

Networking with a Good Team of Serious Business people will help one to develop clear direction, find the right tools, know what scams to avoid and build a team of Business Consultants to provide guidance along the way.

The Internet is Amazing and Immense. There are many many business opportunities waiting to be developed. An Internet Business can be started and run for a fraction of the investment/costs that are required for your traditional Brick and Mortar Business.

As with any business, an Internet Business must be treated seriously. Work IS required to build it. Planning, Research and collaboration with experienced businesses will Make or Break an Internet Business. Establishing and following thru with clear goals and objectives is essential to achieving success.

Focus on your Own Interests/Experience/Knowledge. You'll have more fun and a much better chance of success.

Open Communities

Digital Point Forum

Warrior Forum

Quite Your Day Job

Young Entrepreneur Forums

The Small Business Community Forums

Private Members Only Communities

My Silent Team

Wealthy Affiliate University