Message From jl

Hi Everyone!

WELCOME to all of our new subscribers, this week! We truly appreciate you! "Trade Journal Subscribers are THE BEST!"

I couldn't believe my eyes, last week. I was at some website, or other, and, as I arrived, another page popped up and minimized.

Nothing new about that. However, this time, I heard talking, so I checked that minimized page. And, so help me, God, that page had an AUDIO FILE included - for a different product!

It began its spiel while I was trying to read the material on the site I'd surfed in to see. UN-freaking believable! I don't know how anything could be more distracting - or rude!

I wish I could tell you who did it, but I had a knee-jerk reaction and closed the window before paying attention. Then, when I refreshed the page, I couldn't get it back.

I couldn't help but wonder if the owner of the original site was even aware of it. I also wonder what it's doing to THEIR business!

So, if you use those traffic programs, I would suggest you check out your own site pretty regularly - to see what's popping up.

Internet Scams Defined

One of my “Down Under” friends sent me the following link to pass along. Below is a list of scams used on the internet, click the link and read up on them to protect yourselves.

www.ic3.gov/crimeschemes.aspx

Many thanks to Robert Ringin!

How Do I Start an Online Business? Pt 2

Last week, we covered many of the things that have changed in the past 10 years about starting an online business.

Many things have changed, and many of the ebooks out there still tell you about things that don't work so well, any more - and leave out the things we've learned.

This series of articles should help you avoid erroneous information.

I asked iCop members what they would do TODAY if setting up an online business. I plan to pass along their knowledge to readers who need to know.

I didn't get as large a response as I hoped for, but still have plenty to cover the subject. In fact, I'm going to divide the information into three categories, using the best response from each category.

Bear in mind ... These are the opinions of folks who are doing exactly what they suggest to you. Some will, no doubt, disagree with certain points.

So, if you can build a better mousetrap - let me know.

This first suggestion is something I'm hearing more and more about, lately:

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Hi jl,

I get this question an awful lot since taking my business online half-dozen years ago. With nearly all my income now coming through PayPal, this whole transition has been an extremely pleasant surprise to me, and very rewarding! After driving around working in people's homes for some 37 years, I *love* working at home! (Sure beats crawling around on floors under appliances all day!)

Anyway, I always tell newbies asking this question to join Ebay first and learn their system. It's already up and running, with no need to invent their own “wheel,” so they can just plug themselves in to get familiar with how e-commerce works from the seller side.

If they're still interested and serious, I tell them something like:

After you've done some auctions and have gotten familiar with the system, find something you're passionate about and/or know lot about, set up an Ebay store and start an email newsletter on your subject, as soon as possible, to build a list.

As you're working with Ebay, start getting educated on how to put up your own website and plan to do that as soon as possible. - it's WAY easier today than it was even a few years back when I did it - and stay on Ebay, too, because it's an astounding traffic source.

And, as anyone can see from my own little home-made website (now averaging around 2,000 unique visitors/day, amazingly!), your site does NOT have to be fancy with all the latest whiz-bang bells and whistles, but just has to supply the information your niche is looking for.

Once they have a website up and running, I usually tell them about Jim Cockrum's little ebook, and how using his “Silent Sales” techniques will allow them to deduct all their Ebay fees as advertising costs while diverting a lot of Ebay traffic to their own site (ethically and within Ebay's guidelines). And, that can become a huge savings.

So, that's a quick overview. If I see eyes glazing over, I stop and change the subject, knowing they're among the dreamers, and not the “do-ers” who will make it work at any cost. (My time's very, very limited these days, like yours, and I can afford to devote none of it to hand-holding and babysitting anyone who isn't willing to jump in and swim for themselves).

Sadly, way too many, otherwise sensible, folks have been brainwashed by the so-called “gurus” that all you do is join some affiliate site and the cash comes pouring in, no work required whatsoever. I went down the MLM “fast-buck” road for several frustrating years myself, and I'm still paying for those mistakes - but they're lessons I'll never forget!

Sorry this turned into an ebook-sized tome ;-). Hope it's helpful to someone. Thanks for asking, and for all you do.

God bless you and yours,

Dave Harnish
Dave's Repair Service
www.DavesRepair.com
www.DavesRepair.partsquik.com
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If you will click on BOTH of Dave's links you'll see how he took an “outside job” and made it work on the World Wide Web. He used some creativity and accomplished his mission - to work full-time at home! And, he admits, he attempted to go the “internet marketing” route, first.

This would be an ideal situation for anyone who has past experience that can be reworked to sell online. You are automatically an expert in your field - because you TRULY are - not because you decide to simply “appoint” yourself as an expert.

That never works in the long run. You're going to be asked questions you had better be able to answer.

You'll learn more about some of the things Dave suggested you do in other parts of this series - such as start a newsletter and build a website.

I wanted to use this category because you can TRULY make the most income if you're doing something you KNOW. Or, even, something closely related.

And, eBay IS the perfect place to start. You have all kinds of help, there. You'll start building customers. You'll have the built-in payment system. And, as Dave said - it's MUCH easier today than a very few years ago.

Thanks to Dave for a GREAT idea - that works!

To be continued next week ...

Have a fabulous week and ... keep on keepin' on!

  jl

P.S. Do YOU have the iCop seal on ALL your web sites? Scammers abound in a depressed economy. You will need the credibility of your iCop membership NOW, more than ever!

Use the iCop Seal on Every Site You Own at NO Extra Cost!

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Online Business Trade Journal™ is published solely by dr. jl scott, Director of the International Council of Online Professionals (iCop) and may not reflect the opinion of all iCop members.

Material in the "Leaving You With a Smile" column may be copyrighted by unknown persons.

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