Marketing on internet can be one of the most rewarding experiences for many marketeters - if done correctly. You can use any parameters to measure this success. To me, the best of all parameters is the old fashioned ROI - return on investment. There is no other brick and mortar business that gives this kind of return, considering the amount of effort involvd in setting up the business in the first place. And there is definitely no other business that can be exited and another one started that easily.

I've been in the Internet Marketing business for a while and have seen lots of people making lots of money. However, sadly, I have also seen a lot more who, despite high hopes, never hardly make any thing at all. What is the difference between those who have it and those who fall in the 'have not' catagory?

Experience....direction...mentoring.

The start up, like in any business, can be a daunting experience. o start, the amount of information available on internt about internet marketing is overwhelming. Who is saying from experience and who is eyeing your credit card? How do you know? Not al things or products are made the same. Some things that work for someone may not work for most others. How do you know?

However there are some general guidelines that, if kept in mind can help you succeed. But remember, books and courses are there to give you information. There is no substiture for experience though.

1. Find A Niche

Being an Internet Marketer is not easy, so if you are going to chain yourself to your laptop you may as well promote products and services that you love and know something about.

If it helps, get out a piece of paper and write down all of the things that you enjoy to do. Now write out all of the things that you would like to do, but haven't had the courage or the means to act on. If you have half of a pulse and devoted even 5 minutes to this task, you should have a list of 20 or 30 "things". Go back through this list and circle the top 3 things that you are passionate about (or can become passionate about). You've now got a few potential "markets".

Now do a search on Google or Yahoo (or any other search engine) and see what information you can find. Do you have your million dollar idea yet?

2. Find A Mentor

Let me guess - you don't know any successful Internet Marketers, or successful people in your chosen area of focus? Well guess what? A Mentor does not need to be a person. A mentor can be found in the form of other Websites, Forums, WebLogs, eBooks, eMail Newsletters, and traditional Print Material. Research a few successful people in your chosen field, and see if you can emulate some (if not all) of what they did to become successful.

If you haven't spent a considerable amount of time living in the African Plains, then I would sincerely doubt that you would attempt an African Safari without hiring an experienced guide. A Mentor has been where you want to go, and if used properly, a Mentor can decrease the amount of time it can take for you to start experiencing success.

3. Plan Your Work

You've decided on a niche. You've found a mentor. Now What? Now you need to chart your course to success!

Pick up the pad of paper and pen that was used in step 1 and you should be able to identify and write down a series of personal and professional goals. Go through that list and circle which goals can be achieved by serving your chosen niche. Now consult your mentor(s) and identify each of the steps and sequences that are required in order to meet your goals.

Note: As a Newbie, many of those steps may require you to learn new things, such as Website Development, Product/Service Development, Advertising and Marketing Strategies, and Prospecting, to name a few.

4. Work Your Plan

Now that you have a list of action items...JUST DO IT! This is the most difficult part for many home based entrepreneurs. There is no science or specific insight to this stage of your business. Each and every day, be sure that you are doing something to promote your business and taking action on your step-by-step plan. The compounded effort of all the tiny steps forward will help to ensure that your business is a success for weeks, months, and years to come. Try to improve your business every day.

5. Do not Quit:

It is easier to keep an object in motion than it is to move a standing object. What that means is that although it will take a concerted effort to get your business moving forward, once you have gained some momentum, it will be much easier to maintain it's progress than it will be to allow it's movement to stop and try to start it all over again.

When you are faced with tough times, consult with your mentor(s), and revisit your goals; Identify newer, more effective ways to do business; Re-establish your "WHY"; Launch a new opportunity. Do anything to keep moving forward, just please don't stop!

Good Luck with your new venture. You've made a great choice!