There is a common misconception from people who are running an online business from home. They think they need to sell their products or services, and work hard on finding ways in which they can "sell" them. Selling is not about "closing" the sale per se. Selling is really a process about trying to understand what people want and need, the motivations of why they want and need those things, and then guiding them through a process of having them buy those things from you, or if you don't offer a solution from someone else.

Those people who are successful at staring a home based business, and then are able to consistently make money online are the ones who quickly understand that it is not about the sale. It is about differentiating yourself through offering unique value. You can achieve all the things you want out of your online business if you focus on helping people achieve all the things they want and desire. When you are selling products or services over the internet keep a few things in mind:

First ask yourself who is the type of person who would purchase your product or service. What types of questions are they asking of themselves, and what are the motivations behind what they are buying? Try and get into the head of the perfect candidate that would need to buy your product or service, and then advertise your product based on those motivations. If your offering a solution that helps people start an online business, then that person may be really motivated because they want to make more money, have financial independence, start a home based business in their spare time, may be looking for the best home business for mom's, etc. As you advertise your solution, think of the types of motivations that each of those people may have. They may have lost their job and are looking to make money, they may be retired and looking for supplemental retirement income, they may be a single mom looking for part time work at home. All these different type of people have different motivations and you must try and get into their heads to appeal to what they are feeling and what they really need.

Secondly, ask yourself why people would buy what you are offering. Are there other competitors of yours that sell the same exact product or service? If yes, then how can you differentiate your product? Maybe you can provide a 30 day money back warrantee, or offer a free tutorial on how to use your product or service. Maybe you can give them a unique point of view on something that gives them free advice on how to do something. If you are able to differentiate yourself in some way from your competitor, you will stand out and be much more successful

Finally, do not try and sell something. Get that thought out of your head. Try and help people buy. Solve a problem that someone is having, or offer a solution that you know they are having. Online marketing is a little harder than face to face marketing in that you really have no opportunity to have a discussion with your prospect to understand what they really need. However, when you have an online business you should try and think from the perspective of the type of person who would be interested and have empathy towards their motivation for buying. For the most part, in an online business what people really are looking for is information and guidance. If they already had the information they wouldn't be searching for it. Therefore, if you can offer free information you are serving a need they have and they are likely then to feel comfortable buying something from you.

Selling a product is not the goal of an online business. The goal should be to create value, and being a trusted advisor to your customer. You are really aspiring to create a customer for life, not sell a single transaction. You can achieve this if you start thinking like the person who is buying and then appealing to the needs and desires you know your potential customer has. In the long run, if you follow this advice you will build a successful online business and have repeat customers and then have those customers refer you to their friends. When that starts happening, your business will explode with profit.