Newbie Checklist

[E. Brian Rose]

There are probably more than a hundred threads that have been posted in the last few months from people asking where to begin. I thought that it would be nice to put out a checklist that would help a newbie get started and hopefully reduce the number of threads all asking the same question.

NEWBIE CHECKLIST

1. Decide how you want to make money - There are many ways to make money on the Internet. You could market affiliate deals, create your own products, dropship products, AdSense, etc. The list goes on and on. The first step is to decide on a method that interests you. Once you decide on how you want to make money, learn as much as you can about that method here and on other sites. Here's a start.

2. Buy a domain name and get hosting - There are a lot of free places to claim your stake online, like blogger.com and wordpress.com, but why would you want to do that? Those sites are not in your control and you could lose everything at any given time. A domain name will cost you under ten bucks and you can get a baby hosting package for five or six bucks a month. You can start at Hostgator.

3. Learn about list building - One of the biggest mistakes that newbies make is that they do not start building mailing lists the day they start IMing. I don't care if you are selling pooper scoopers to dog owners or information only ebooks, a mailing list is a must. A good way to build a list is to create a product or use a PLR product that you give away as a trade for somebody subscribing to your list. Read up on it and get yourself an autoresponder. I suggest AWeber, which is $1 for the first month and then $19 a month. Here's a start for the lazy.

4. Learn about PLR - PLR stands for Private Label Rights. In a nutshell, it is content written by others that you have the ability to modify for your own benefit. You can use this content in so many ways to build your business. The key is to modify it and make it your own. Learn something about it here.

5. Set goals - If you don't know what it is that you want to accomplish, then how the heck could somebody else know? Set some goals for what you want to achieve before coming to the forum and asking, "What should I do?" Once you have goals set, you can ask specific questions on how to get from point A to point B. People are more than willing to help, especially if you have shown that you have done a little research yourself first.

6. Set your expectations when seeking help - It is important to have realistic expectations when asking for help or buying a course/blueprint/game plan. There are a lot of expert marketers that will give you advice or sell you a system. This does not mean that they will do the work for you. Set realistic expectations and don't think for one second that just by buying a course that you will be successful. You need to act on the information that you learn.

7. Look for other newbies to collaborate with - Instead of trying to get all of the experts to do your research by posting a million questions, why not partner up with another newbie so you can split the research tasks. you can also split the actual tasks of creating websites, blogs, articles, etc. This can be your first "Joint Venture".

8. Know when it is time to expand your horizons - I suggest working on one particular method of making money and not sway from it until you are actually making money. Then, and only then, should you look into adding another revenue stream. Multiple revenue streams are very important in online marketing, but if you half ass them all, none of them will pay off. Learn the ropes and succeed with one before moving on to another.

9. Schedule your time - Time is money and if you are wasting it, then you might as well be burning dollar bills. Make a work schedule. I don't care if it's just one hour a day. Just be sure that when it is time to work, you are working. I recommend scheduling separate times for learning and implementing what you learn.

10. Don't be afraid to fail - Fear of failure can lead to anxiety and eventually make you want to quit. Chances are that you will not be a success your first time around. If you know this ahead of time, then each failed attempt at something can be chalked up as a learning experience. We have all failed. Those of us that are successful still fail at new projects. We learn from them and relaunch using the lessons that we learned. You should do the same.

This is certainly not meant to be a game plan or blue print for your business. The purpose of it was to alleviate some of the beginner jitters and stress that most newbies suffer from. Being a newbie is not a bad thing. We were all newbies at one time. With the right amount of discipline, patience, and practice, you can graduate from the newbie category in no time.

I welcome your comments and additions to this list.

Now, get to work!

E Brian Rose

[Jeremiah Walsh]

If I only had this list when I first started out back in 2005...

[Sarah Russell]

Great list of tips If I could add one thing (that you kind of hint at, but I like to say explicitly) - this is a *business*. IM can be a very rewarding and enjoyable business, but at the end of the day, it's a business and businesses require work, and time, and dedication.

And to expand on your first point, I put together a free report on different ways to make money online, with pros and cons of each plus recommendations on who each model is best for. It's free, no opt-in required:

http://www.commonsensemarketing.net/...s%20Models.pdf

[trustedremedy1]

thanks for the advice are no other cheaper way to start

[tishwash]

awesome list. Now if all the newbies can find it! lol

[donhx]

I agree totally... except for #4. People DO have the power to create something unique, even newbies, and it is counter-productive to keep recycling the same old junk.

[E. Brian Rose]

Originally Posted by donhx

I agree totally... except for #4. People DO have the power to create something unique, even newbies, and it is counter-productive to keep recycling the same old junk.

Good point. It was not my intention to leave that out. I figured that it was implied that they are able to use their own brains, but maybe I should edit the list to explicitly let them know that it is OK to think for yourself.

[talfighel]

You forgot to mention one very important tip.

Learn how to effectively advertise your website or what ever business you are getting into.

This is VERY important too.

[Rich Lowe]

Hi,

Practice the art of copywriting. Gary Halbert once said "You may have all the fancy strategies in the world but if you don't know how to write an ad which gets someone to take action and buy, you are toast.

Rich

[Matt Maiden]

Too much info man. This is overload.

I heard that you are supposed to buy this program where somebody comes to your house and reads you a bedtime story, tucks you in, and then makes you money while you sleep

[ShanaL]

I found it :-D Thanks E. Brian Rose "Matt" Huge Typo I really needed this today. I sat down to make my own and was stuck and of course Heavenly Father always comes through. It's people like you that make this world a far better place.
I apologize Brian as I meant to Thank YOU E. Brian Rose. I am typing with one hand as I sing and rock my infant to sleep. Please forgive me.

[ShanaL]

Originally Posted by tishwash

awesome list. Now if all the newbies can find it! lol

I found It lol :-D

[Matt Maiden]

ShanaL,
you mean E. Brian Rose. It's his thread

[E. Brian Rose]

Originally Posted by ShanaL

I found it :-D Thanks Matt I really needed this today. I sat down to make my own and was stuck and of course Heavenly Father always comes through. It's people like you that make this world a far better place.

Yes, Matt is awesome.

[ShanaL]

[quote=Sarah Russell;3362219]Great list of tips If I could add one thing (that you kind of hint at, but I like to say explicitly) - this is a *business*. IM can be a very rewarding and enjoyable business, but at the end of the day, it's a business and businesses require work, and time, and dedication.

And to expand on your first point, I put together a free report on different ways to make money online, with pros and cons of each plus recommendations on who each model is best for. It's free, no opt-in required:


Sarah your guide is awesome and helpful to anyone wanting to begin to make money online. Its all about decisions and action to make it happen. Thank you for sharing. I really appreciate it.

[E. Brian Rose]

Originally Posted by ShanaL

Sarah your guide is awesome and helpful to anyone wanting to begin to make money online. Its all about decisions and action to make it happen. Thank you for sharing. I really appreciate it.

Yes, Sarah is awesome.

[kangen]

I am new to this, the checklist is really great, it helped me a lot .

[Matt Maiden]

Hey E. Brian, I guess you are the only one in this thread who is not awesome.

[Intermission]

A really good list. I do wish I had a list like this to refer to a few years ago. But this was a good review. I can still tend to struggle with focus. There are just too many things I want to do ...

[ShanaL]

Originally Posted by Matt Maiden

ShanaL,
you mean E. Brian Rose. It's his thread

Sorry Matt I'm sure you are awesome too :-D

[William Prawira]

Well, This guide is awesome. I just started learning IM this month. I'm doing the exact same thing with the list. If I find it earlier, It can save 2 weeks of my time researching. LoL....

Good List, Let's climb up to the top

[Daniel Santos]

If there was a Greek God of Internet Marketing, it would be E. Brian Rose.

Seriously, this guy knows what he's talking about and nobody could've laid the basics out as concisely as he has in this thread.

This deserves "Sticky" status; thanks for sharing!

[Rose Anderson]

Anyone with the name "Rose" first or last...is awesome.
rose

BTW - awesome checklist, too. Should be very helpful to those who are starting out and overwhelmed with too much information. It's simple and concise.

[E. Brian Rose]

Originally Posted by Daniel Santos

If there was a Greek God of Internet Marketing, it would be E. Brian Rose.

Seriously, this guy knows what he's talking about and nobody could've laid the basics out as concisely as he has in this thread.

This deserves "Sticky" status; thanks for sharing!

HA HA! The last person that called me a Greek God was an old lady that I worked with. She was about 75 and was constantly pinching my butt.

[E. Brian Rose]

Originally Posted by Rose Anderson

Anyone with the name "Rose" first or last...is awesome.

LOL You said it, Rose!

[Besttips]

Great list! And as many have said, I wish I had had someone share this with me long ago.

I'd add to # 3 (build a list) to really connect with those on the list and ask what they really want..what are the struggles, challenges and pain points so that your content and products offered can really make a difference. Building trust is paramount to success.

[Jill Carpenter]

And you forgot #11

11. When all else fails, grab a drink and go to your favorite live marketing chat for some new ideas and some advice.

[Sandor Verebi]

Great list.

When I started my first offline entrepreneurship in 1990, I've compiled a business plan, according to the requirements. But before, I needed to find answer to that question: WHY? Why I want to start this?

The simple answer was to make money. But this wasn't enough. Why I want to make money? And the answer was: I have a family and I want to give them everything what I could. I wrote down that in three simple sentence and put that piece of paper into my wallet. That was my guideline. In the course of times I re-read that three sentences when I...


- wanted to imitate other businessman and failed,

- stumbled on to something and didn't find the solution,

- made bad business decision and have suffered financial loss,

- wanted to give up due to the circumstances.


Naturally, there were occassions when I had successes. I also read my guideline at that time... but how different was the mood I felt. These three sentences were my compass in many situations. They helped me stay on the right track always.

I think, a right business mindset and a strong commitment can help you achieve your goals. Always keep in mind, WHY are you doing it?

Many successes,

Sandor

[craig j]

Thanks for an excellent checklist - I too wish I'd had this years ago when I started out!

I think it's worth emphasizing something mentioned in point 8 (Know when it's time to expand your horizons) where you suggested working on one method and not swaying from it until you are making money - I believe this is so key to success online because it's so hard to stay focused on just one thing in IM!!

Once someone gets involved in internet marketing, subscribing to lists and hanging around forums the distraction is constant and the temptation to go chasing after the next bigger, brighter, shinier thing is unrelenting. If you fall prey to temptation and start reading every salesletter and every pitch you'll soon be on the road to ruin and be stuck just "spinning your wheels". To succeed you need FOCUS. I shudder to think how much a lack of focus has cost me over the years.

[Shakakka]

Good list.

I've always thought the first website you make should be about something you love. For me, it was flying. I didn't do it for the AdSense (although I did add it later on), and I didn't even know what an affiliate link was. But when I created the site, I did it for one simple reason: to provide something USEFUL to other people who wanted to learn how to fly.

You'll learn SOOOOO much from the creation of your first website. This is why you shouldn't go crazy with a gigantic project (i.e. don't bite off more than you can chew), and why you should choose something you like to talk about.

Your first site shouldn't be about monitization, but about learning the in's and out's of building traffic, providing content, website upkeep, etc...

EDIT: Oh yeah... and as a newbie, you shouldn't be discouraged by less than average results - especially moneywise. Understand that you're learning valuable lessons in just DOING, and these lessons can be priceless later on.

[Steven Miranda]

Awesome list. If only I had this years ago when I started!!!!

[E. Brian Rose]

Originally Posted by avenuegirl

And you forgot #11

11. When all else fails, grab a drink and go to your favorite live marketing chat for some new ideas and some advice.

I'm quite certain that you have a recommendation for both

[celente]

Yes I wish I had this back a few year ago when I started.

these days I mimic and study successful marketers and see if I can incorporate their ideas into my business. how has that worked? Insanely well.

Next time you buy something, study everything, offers, downloads, bonuses, download pages, sales funnels, upsells, downsells, emails, email copy. That is how you can go from a newbie to intermediate quickly. Dont just buy and think, "oh god, more offers from this idiot" that idiot is making more money than you. So start thinking .....hmmmmm ok he did this......and hmmmm he sent me here straight after.....and hmmmmmmm He offered me this the next day.........etc etc

It makes total sense to me and has made me good amounts of money over the last few years.

I have heard Brian say a squillion times in here. "Do not do what the gurus say, do what they DO!" Makes total sense to me.

[LukeH]

I have got 7 of them checked so far.

I'll start with learning PLR thank you !

[skibbz]

great info, I hope all the newbies are paying attention :-)

[PaulMark]

EB - super solid. Thanks!

[jimotman]

thanks, I didn't really think that list building is that important, as I can see other people (gurus) saying that you can make money just with websites.. now I think I really need to start building my list

[E. Brian Rose]

Originally Posted by jimotman

thanks, I didn't really think that list building is that important, as I can see other people (gurus) saying that you can make money just with websites.. now I think I really need to start building my list

Jim, without question it is important! It's how your customers and FUTURE customers will get to know you!

[Manc]

Great list by the OP by showing people new to IM how to do it but also in a way the more advanced people might even get something from it.

As is always said in this game, miss out one vital thing and it means hugely reduced sales, or even no sales.

[Brad Spencer]

Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose

6. Set your expectations when seeking help - It is important to have realistic expectations when asking for help or buying a course/blueprint/game plan. There are a lot of expert marketers that will give you advice or sell you a system. This does not mean that they will do the work for you. Set realistic expectations and don't think for one second that just by buying a course that you will be successful. You need to act on the information that you learn.

7. Look for other newbies to collaborate with - Instead of trying to get all of the experts to do your research by posting a million questions, why not partner up with another newbie so you can split the research tasks. you can also split the actual tasks of creating websites, blogs, articles, etc. This can be your first "Joint Venture".

Dude, two really cool things you just talked about.

I completely agree.

I think these are two of the reasons newbies fail is they buy something thinking it's going to make a ton of difference. Most $7 products just teach one tactic and thinking they're going to do more than that is just nonsense and setting yourself up to fail.

2nd, getting equal level mastermind partners is great b/c you can target different areas of business, learn together and usually the way it goes is that 1+1=3. Your efforts+Their Efforts= A Lot More Combined Success.

This is pure magic and while not sexy...shouldn't be overlooked.

Great Job EBR!

Cheers,

Brad

[MajorSuccess]

I want to personally THANK YOU for your post and your WSO I invested in the other day, but for some reason, the landlord here won't allow me to thank you with the automated method until I've reached a certain point in my postings/answers, which I haven't reached yet. So thank you for all you do here and for this post

[MajorSuccess]

Originally Posted by Besttips

really connect with those on the list and ask what they really want..what are the struggles, challenges and pain points

Plez explain how I would ask my list.

Major

[Rahul Gupta]

That's a great way to start on....Checklist really helps a lot to everyone.

[affiliateprogramindex]

10. Don't be afraid to fail - Fear of failure can lead to anxiety and eventually make you want to quit. Chances are that you will not be a success your first time around. If you know this ahead of time, then each failed attempt at something can be chalked up as a learning experience. We have all failed. Those of us that are successful still fail at new projects. We learn from them and relaunch using the lessons that we learned. You should do the same.

if you never try you will never know if you could have and will always wonder if you could have, at least doing and failing you know...

and when you know you have experience and with experience you will be ready to try something else with an edge on your side and more confidence..

[mkonate]

Thank you for the idea, it is very helpful....

[paulie888]

Great tips, I only wish I had this when I was first starting out several years ago, as it would have saved me a lot of wasted time, money and heartache.

It all boils down to treating your internet marketing like a business. You have to be serious and focused about what it is that you want to do (you can't just say you want to make a living on the internet, but this is a mistake that practically every newbie makes), and you'll have to persevere and not get distracted, not only by new products and methods, but also by friends and loved ones who will either mock you or want to take your attention away from internet marketing.

It definitely won't be easy in the beginning in terms of seeing results quickly, so you have to mentally prepare yourself to be in this for the long haul, just like you would if you were getting into any other business.

Paul

[Andrea Wilson]

I like the idea of a newbie joint venture. Splitting up the tasks can really help out a lot, making the work lighter for a single person and you can also do brain storming at the same time.

Andrea

[E. Brian Rose]

Originally Posted by Andrea Wilson

I like the idea of a newbie joint venture. Splitting up the tasks can really help out a lot, making the work lighter for a single person and you can also do brain storming at the same time.

Andrea

You'd be surprised at how much this helps make the learning curve go much faster. It's much better to be able to bounce ideas off one another, rather than telling your wife and having her stare at you like a deer staring at headlights.

[aawarrior]

Don't forget the best way to accelerate your success is get a MENTOR.

[E. Brian Rose]

Originally Posted by aawarrior

Don't forget the best way to accelerate your success is get a MENTOR.

It's always good to have somebody to show you the ropes, but not always necessary. I had somewhat of a mentor 11 years ago, but I quickly surpassed his knowledge and achievements. I still thank him for helping me get started.

The reason I mention this is because you can be coached by somebody that is just a little ahead of the game than you are. It may save you a lot of time. I'm not sure that I would label this type of person as a mentor, but along the same lines.