I have learned many lessons in my quest to become a successful online marketer. As with all things, common sense rules. If someone approaches you via email or an online ad that promises to make your bank account explode with profits with no work at all and IF you use THEIR tool only....run! Run in the opposite direction and take a breath.

In all walks of life there are salespeople willing to tell the tall tale about how simple it is to make money, and if you buy their product your fortunes will come. You scan the internet under categories such as "work from home" or "own your own money-machine online business" and their polished pitches do get your heart beating faster.

You wonder to yourself: "could this be the one opportunity that will make me financially independent, never having to work 9 to 5 again?" You want to believe, after all we are cultured to trust others. The internet can be a snake pit of dishonest over-delivering salespeople who you want to believe. But as the old axiom goes, and I know it's a cliche: if it sounds too good to be true...it is! No ifs, ands or buts!

Wanting to have your own online business and make it financially viable is a great vision..you just need to employ what nature has instilled in you: common sense. To be successful, you need to be knowledgeable, and to be knowledgeable you need to read. Read everything you can gather about starting an online venture. Go to searches and if you have heard of someone, or of their program do a search with the word "review" before or after their name or product. People who have been taken for a ride are more than willing to air their grievances and share them with others. And, on the other side, people like to share their winning stories.

Take your time with a new online venture, read as many articles as possible and visit forums...listen to what others are saying. Red lights will go off in your head with caution about a certain product, or a little light bulb will go off when you find something that rings true with common sense. There are many fabulous sites available to help guide you in your new venture and there are many trustworthy people running these review and help sites. Trust the experts who do not throw out wild promises to make you rich with no work...there is no such thing. Trust the people who lay out information in front of you and who let you make up your own mind.

After all...it is your business and your dream. And your future. Trust your instincts. Take it slow and keep it simple. The desire to go out a "make a killing" without enough investigation is overwhelming at times, the "wannabe-experts" can fill your mind with visions of grandeur that are not viable. Stop and take a breath and you will see beyond their false promises. Believe in yourself and your ability to see past the con games.

There are many honest people out there who will gladly offer you great information and even assist you on how to make decisions regarding online ventures. Look for these people. And look inside yourself and trust yourself. You'll make the right choices.