I am writing this article in the hopes of letting

people know the truth about online marketing and

building a home business. I have been in online

marketing for almost ten years and have had several

successful businesses and a couple not so successful businesses. In that time, I have learned many truths

and seen many misleading half-truths.

So many times you will hear how easy it is to throw up

a website and then watch the money come rolling in.

Sorry folks, it just doesn't happen that easily! We are

here to tell you the whole truth - no hype or misleading half-truths.

When you read these ads that say things like:

Make $20,000 Your First Month or

All You Have to Do is Send Emails to Make 1000s Weekly!

Delete it or leave the site. Things like this just do not happen. I am not saying it is impossible, but extremely unlikely! So, if you are interested in hearing the basic and honest truth about building a home business, keep reading.

Truth #1

Anyone cannot do it!

It takes a certain amount of self-discipline, commitment, perseverance, strength and a LOT of work. Unfortunately, we do not all possess these qualities. If you feel that

you do, then you can do it!

Truth #2

Just build it and they will NOT come!

Putting up a website does in no way guarantee sales,

success or an income. Just putting up a site and not

promoting it, is like whispering someone's name in a

crowd and thinking they will hear it.

You have to work day and night and night and day on

promoting your site and getting your name known. And

there is much more to it then simply placing an ad here and

there. There is also much more to building your own business than having a website to promote.

Truth #3

You will become frustrated and feel like giving up, many

times!

I guarantee you will wonder why you even started doing

this and it will happen many times. Building a home

business can be extremely frustrating and overwhelming

at times. That is when connecting with other business

builders online and offline can help keep you focused.

Join some networking groups so you can talk to others who

are going through the same experiences and feelings as

you are. Remind yourself why you started your own

business in the first place. You can work through these feelings.

Truth #4

You will spend more time than you think working your

business.

So many people believe that if they start their own home business they will only have to work a few hours a day or a few days a week. Sorry, but that would be a hobby,

not a business. Building a business, at least for awhile,

takes many hours a day, and a lot of times, 7 days a

week! Be prepared to work, work, and work some more!

Truth #5

You will lose your confidence from time to time.

This still happens to me and I have been in business

for almost ten years! If you feel like you are a failure,

take a good look at the business you are in or the company

you represent. Is this really the business for you? Do

you have the passion needed to make this business a

success? Don't be afraid to change your business. I

had several businesses before finding the one that is

truly my niche! You cannot let feelings of failure stop

you from making your dreams come true.

Truth #6

Success definitely does NOT come quickly or easily!

As I mentioned before, you will need to work your business

7 days a week. It will be a part of you for the rest of your

life and must become a part of your daily routine. I have

seen many people quit their business for reasons like

problems with their kids, or their spouse losing their job,

or financial problems. These are the people that will not become a success. We all have these problems from time

to time, but quitting our business is not going to stop

them from happening.

Truth #7

You will need to market and advertise offline as well.

So many people mistakenly believe that if they throw up

a website, post a few ads here and there, and gab on the email groups all day (call it networking), their business will be a success. That is so far from the truth. Networking is fine if you do not perceive it as chatting all day on the email

groups. You need to get away from the computer every

day and get out in the real world and market that business!

Join your local Chamber of Commerce, get involved in

community events and activities, expand into surrounding

communities! Pass out flyers, get business cards made up

and hand them out to everyone you meet, talk to everyone

you possibly can about your business.

Your website should be an extension of your business,

not your entire business!

Truth #8

Building your own successful business is very rewarding.

And I am not just talking money. It builds your character,

boosts your self-confidence, gives you a feeling of pride, makes you feel complete, gives you a purpose and much more!

Truth #9

There are a lot of wonderful people online.

One of the things I enjoy most about working online is

meeting so many people from so many different places.

Without my business, I would never have known these

people even existed! Establishing all these online

relationships is definitely one of the rewards of online

marketing.

Truth #10

I would recommend to anyone who feels they have the

qualities needed for success to go for it!

My intentions with all these truths is definitely not

to discourage you from starting your own business, but

to prepare you for the truth of what lies ahead. Success

will not come easily or quickly. It is a long, hard, frustrating journey to success. But, if you want it bad enough and

possess the qualities needed to finish the journey, success

can be yours!!

And when you finally get there, you will realize that all

the places you momentarily got lost or took a wrong turn

were very instrumental in helping you reach your final destination! And you will also realize that it was all

worth it. Owning your own successful business is very rewarding - personally, emotionally and financially!