How to Build an Internet Publishing Business

My mission in life is to destroy every "internet marketing guru" selling a "proven system" to make "quick, easy money." It just makes me mad when scams like this victimize people who are desperate, especially in times like these. All the wrong people listen to the gurus' siren song. People like me who know how to make money and who can afford it never seem to fall for these scams. It's the people who can least afford it - and who are least likely to succeed as Internet publishers - that waste their money like this.

There is some good news: If you are determined to join the large and growing Internet publishing business, it is still open to you. Please do not kid yourself, though: This requires discipline, incredibly hard work, a lot of failure, quite a bit of talent, and even a bit of luck. Not everyone is cut out for this. In fact, most people will fail. This is true in any business.

When I first started out, I failed for a full year before I saw any money. Eventually I succeeded, though, and now I tell everyone that I'm an Internet publisher when they ask about my job. I don't tell them I blog (even though I do), and I don't tell them that I run an online store (even though I do). Why do I not do that? Because it doesn't sound as professional, frankly. I worked very hard to get to where I am today, and I am quite proud of it. My business has given me the opportunity to give myself any title I want, and I choose "Internet Publisher." That's what I am.

If you want to do this (and you might not once you learn the facts) you should view it as a publishing business. Even if you are an online merchant, you are still really a publisher, writing and presenting information in an attractive way that (hopefully) nets you some sales.

If you can approach it as a publisher and do the work, real money can still be made on the Internet. As with any business, it takes time. If you are not willing to devote years to building your business with little return before any big payoff, you are best off not even trying because you'll be wasting your time.

I will now tell you - free of charge - the "proven system" that the "gurus" are all selling: Get enough people to visit a web page, and you will be able to make money. It's that simple. If 10,000 people a day visit your page, you will make a good living. If 100,000 people a day visit, you will grow rich. Even if only 100 people a day find your little corner of cyberspace, you can still squeeze out a small second income if you're clever. It's hard to get 100 people a day to your site, though, so be ready for that.

Don't listen to the "gurus." Learn how it's really done, then do it. Never pay more than $10 for any product that promises to teach you how to make money on the Internet. As I mentioned above, the basic recipe is simple: Provide information or entertainment that people want, and make it easy to find. That is the Internet publishing business in a nutshell.

Now for the big question: Do you have what it takes? Is the Internet publishing business for you?