The Truth About Online Marketing
Terri Seymour of [http://www.seymourproducts.com]

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!