So you want to start a business online. You've heard all the tales of bumming around in your PJ's or hanging out at the best beaches or sleeping while the mega-bucks flood into your bank account. Well, my friend, this is your wake-up call.

The gurus are misleading you. The hype they are serving IS true, but not for someone starting out. They don't tell you about the 16 hour days, the software and information you will need to purchase, the steep learning curve or the months or years it will take you to get to where they are.

Don't think you are going to slap up a website with a couple of product links and make next month's rent before it is due. You're courting eviction if you take this approach.

The first (not only) investment you need to make in your business is some research and planning. These steps can be accomplished free or very cheaply.

First, you need to do some self-assessment. What skills do you bring to the table? Are you comfortable with your computer? Is your word processor your friend? Do you know how to upload/download and install files? You will save yourself a lot of grief down the road if you have or are willing to develop basic computer skills. Your computer is about to become your almost constant companion and your best friend. You better get to know and understand it!

Now, what about your personal needs? Can you happily spend many hours interacting with nothing but your computer? You will spend many hours at your keyboard working without reinforcement from others and for free while you are building your business. Are you able to postpone gratification and/or income? Are you action oriented or are you just a dreamer?

Nothing happens online (or for that matter, anywhere) until action is taken. You can read every available course and buy all the best software and dream the most glorious dreams, but until you actually DO tasks you will be right where you are today.

OK. Now you know something about yourself and your skills. Let's move on to your business and its needs. What do you want to do online? I know...you want to make money, but how? The old adage that those who fail to plan plan to fail is probably more true online than anywhere. Competition is really fierce and these people against whom you will compete are dedicated, skilled, knowledgeable and determined to succeed. Are you?

You will essentially be providing a product or a service for sale. Oops! You don't like sales. Let me tell you. Everything in life is a sale of one kind or another. If you make a new friend, you have "sold" another person on the value of your personality traits. If you get a job, you have sold the employer on the worth of your knowledge and skills to his company.

Everything is sales. Its simply a matter of what vehicle you choose for the process. Do you want to be a merchant and create and sell your own products? Would you rather be an affiliate and promote products for merchants? Do you want to engage in MLM and build downlines of people to whom you sell and whom you educate and indoctrinate into the sales process? Knowing your strengths (and your weaknesses) will help you plan and organize your business so that it rests on a firm foundation and will serve your needs over the long haul.

Yes, my dear, there is an internet marketing Santa Claus. But, he does check his list to see who has been lazy or productive before showing up in bank accounts with his bag of goodies.

Thank you for reading my hub. Please comment below. Visit my blog or website for more information on affiliate marketing.

http://www.best-affiliate-tactics.com