My 4 year warrior-niversary is on Saturday - What I've Learned.

So, it is that time of year again... Yet another anniversary here at the Warrior Forum. I'm looking forward to next year - my 5 year will be neat!

This Saturday, I will have been on the WF for four whole years. I joined August 8th, 2005. And here, fellow warriors, are some things that I've learned...

1. This is a community. Help people for the sake of helping them. Don't look at everything with a "what can I get out of this?" mentality, because it backfires really fast. Do good things for others, and good things will happen to you - but only if it isn't the only reason you do good.

2. Don't expect so much. A large majority of the people here are pretty new to IM, and those of us who have been around awhile and have seen some success in various parts of internet marketing are usually pretty busy. Don't expect someone who gets paid to provide information or a service, in one form or another, to drop what they're doing and do it for free all of the time. We do it sometimes - see point number one. But it shouldn't be an expectation.

3. You earn friendship. You can't just PM someone and offer them a percentage of your affiliate sales, and then say that you are friends. I have a few friends who happen to be warriors - and it is because we have long standing relationships. We know about eachothers personal lives, and have even worked together on occasion. And honestly, I value those relationships MORE than the "will you sell my stuff?" PMs that call me a friend...

4. This forum contains enough information to make you MILLIONS of dollars - or leave you flat broke and crying. Be selective in what you read here. It used to be that someone posted a lesson or a tip if they had something to contribute - now, that isn't always the case. Sig files have taken on a great importance here. Read selectively, and you will prosper.

5. Times change, groups change, communities change, but human nature stays the same. In the "old days" (ala 2005, when I joined) there was a lot less greed in this forum, but the greedy people were still here. We had our blackhat marketers, our get rich quickers, our "I can't figure out how to make money from my make money online ebook"ers... Now, they've taken over - but they were always there.

6. Out of all of the time drainers, this forum is the best. Why? Because it actually contributes something to my business. If it wasn't for this forum, in fact, I probably wouldn't even be in this business. But now, I get to write for a living - at home, in my PJs if I want. I am the envy of everyone I know. And it is all thanks to this community - I owe a lot to everyone here.

7. Stop and smell the virtual roses. Alot of "old timers" will post occasional off-topic funny bits - check them out. A little IM related laugh is good for your day.

Most of all, I've learned that using the internet to build a profitable business is not only possible, but it is the best possible lifestyle for me. I work long, hard hours - but I love it. I could create my own products, and I do have a few - but I love writing. It is what I want to do. And thanks to a simple post on this forum years ago, it is now my life.

I owe a lot to you guys - thanks for making the last 4 years so spectacular!

- Cherilyn