First, an apology for the radio silence of late. The beginning of the year is the biggest time for my online businesses, so I’ve spent the majority of December and the first week of January busily working away and preparing.
Now that I’ve got a bit of breathing space, it’s time to get back to work over here. 
Since we’re at the start of a brand new year, I think it is the perfect time to speak to those of you who are struggling to make a “go” of your online business, and have yet to see any financial payoff from your efforts.
Of course, since I don’t know you personally, I can’t speak directly to your specific issues. I can only address some of the more common issues and barriers I have seen over the years, that come between beginner Internet Marketers and earning a living online. And there are a few common ones…
1) Patience & Perseverance: No matter what you have chosen as your business model, it takes time to build an online business to the point where it starts to generate revenue (yes, despite what the gurus selling the “quick fix” solutions might say). Unless you have unlimited financial means, incredible marketing savvy, or a series of established joint venture relationships with trusted online individuals or resources, you simply cannot expect your online business to start making money tomorrow.
In other words…
If you lost your job yesterday, don’t expect your online business to cover your bills this month or next, or even in the immediate future. In my opinion, beginners need to build their online businesses in their spare time, relying on a regular day job until the time comes that your online business can sustain yourself. Otherwise, you end up chasing rainbows.
I started my online business in 1999. It took 6 months before I made a cent, 2 years before I was receiving checks on a semi-regular basis, 3 years before those semi-regular checks amounted to anything, 4 years before those checks arrived regularly and had an impact on my monthly financial commitments (they made my car payment), and 5 years before my online business was actually paying all of my bills.
Of course, while I was building my online business, I was working a full time job (now of course, this is my full time job, and I answer to no one but myself). This is the way to build an online business; in your spare time.
So be patient, and persevere.
2) Direction & focus: You’d think lack of direction would be one of the most common issues for newbies who looking to earn an income from the Internet.
Not so.
Most newbies are focused. For a while. Then they grow impatient with the lack of results and income. Inevitably, some guru comes along offering some “instant riches” solution and they abandon their current business models for something new. Recognizing that for the vast majority of us, building an online business is not a “get rich quick” solution, you need to stay focused on your business for as long as it takes.
3) Passion: I’ve seen people enter niches simply because they show promise for profitability, not because they have any particular interest in the subject/theme. Established marketers, of course, have the cash and savvy to get new sites up and generating revenue relatively quickly. But as a beginner who’s learning the ropes, you can expect to have to put a lot more time and effort into the project.
Given that you’re going to be at this for some time (which will vary according to how much you can devote to your business on a daily/weekly basis, and what your goals/expectations are), it pays to be involved in something for which you have some passion. One of the reasons why I was able to plug away at UltimateFatBurner.com for so many years despite minimal financial reward was that I loved what I was doing.
4) Belief: Obviously, you need to believe strongly in what you are doing and the business model you have chosen. If you weighed the various options thoroughly before beginning your business, there’s no need to question them now. On the other hand, if you really didn’t do your due dilligence prior to starting your online business, it may be time to do so before proceeding any further.
OK, let’s wrap this up…
I believe everyone can earn income from the Internet. The exact amount is going to vary greatly according to your topic and business model, but I can guarantee that each and every one of you can make enough to make a substantial contribution to your monthly finances. You may not be driving a fleet of Porches or living on some exotic beach somewhere, but I’m sure you’d be thrilled to have your online business cover your mortgage/rent and/or your car payment.
Stay focused, persevere, work hard, and believe in your niche and or business model, and 2010 will be your year for success!
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