It'll help you discover if it's for real... or a real waste of money.

#1 Scam Alert - The company can't demonstrate a successful track record

Because you've probably never heard of the company before - if they can't offer proof they've got a successful track record - then how can you trust them to help YOU make money?

Be skeptical. Ask questions. If they say they're a success, look or ask for proof!

Scam Alert #2: You can't reach a company representative

Before you make a an investment in their product, talk to them in person. Ask them hard questions.

If they don't make it easy for you to them in person, then don't do business with them!

Scam Alert #3: Thousands of other people are selling the EXACT same thing

If the opportunity includes a product for you to sell, do a search on the name of the product in Google and go through the results. How many people are selling the exact same product? Say hello to your competition!

(And how many of them are using the exact same website the company is trying to get YOU to buy?)

If you can't see any way to offer a unique selling proposition that makes your offer stand out from the crowd - you're going to find it extremely difficult to make any money at all.

Scam Alert #4: They can't show you real testimonials from recent customers

If you are making a significant investment in an opportunity, the company you are purchasing from should be willing to put you in contact with other successful customers.

(If you'd like to take a look at how we use those testimonials on our salesletters, please visit: www.marketingtips.com/testimonials.html.)

If the testimonial has a URL, go to that person's website and check it out. Does it look like the website of someone who's making good money? Look for the contact info on the site and then email that person to ask him or her directly about the product you're thinking about buying.

If the person says yes, and is still experiencing good results with that product, then chances are it's the real deal.

Scam Alert #5: The company is charging YOU money to sell THEIR products

Ask yourself this: If a company is making a product that millions of people are going to want to buy, why wouldn't they simply sell it themselves... instead of making other people pay for the opportunity to sell it for them?

The truth is, companies like this know their affiliates aren't going to generate any sales. That's why they need to get your money up front!

If someone wants to become on of my affiliates and sell my products, I'd never make them pay. Why should they? They're doing me a favor!

Scam Alert #6: Outrageous income claims, without backing them up with proof

If a company says their product will have you earning tens of thousands of dollars within a matter of weeks, be very skeptical. There is no magic bullet that can promise huge income in 30 days or less.

If someone claims to have made incredible money from using this system, track them down via their URL and ask them if it's really true.

And be sure to listen to your "inner radar".

Above all, do your research and ask lots of questions. If you follow these guidelines, chances are you will make the right decisions and pursue the right opportunities.

When it comes to online success, there is no magic pill. If you want to start a real business on the Internet you need to be prepared to put in the time and effort to build it.

I can give you all of the strategies you need to make that happen. I can break them down into easy-to-follow instructions. But the rest is up to you!