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Running a real business

by Tejabuu
19 replies
Hey guys,

I've been trying out internet marketing ventures on and off for about two years now, starting at age 16. During that time everything was cool, I was still in high school and didn't have to worry about a single thing. I am 18 years old now, am done with high school and have to make some life changing decisions in the coming years. I'm becoming an adult and shit's gettin' serious.

My parents and I have made a deal. As I don't know what I want with my life they have allowed me to take a "year off college" to work and possibly start a business. I really want to grab this opportunity and make something happen as an entrepreneur but I'm finding it hard to get a plan and get started.

In the previous two years I've learned that I want a real business. I want to help real people, proudly tell my family about what I do and be able to sleep without a feeling of guilt. This means that I don't want to create a bazillion site reviewing products I don't even have. This means that I don't want to blog about a subject I know nothing about and this sure as hell means that I don't want to sell eBooks about making money online. I do, however, want an internet-based business.

Now, what do I do? I have no specialised knowledge about any problems people might be dealing with and I have a limited budget to start on. But... I do want this, I do have some talents and am willing to work hard to make it.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated!

Regards,
Tejabuu
#business #real #running
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Sell a service. Sell an ebook. Sell on Ebay. Don't mess with Amazon. Learn internet marketing from all of the experts on this forum, and keep marketing... even when things look bleak. Eventually your dreams will come into fruition.
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    ==>> Free book reveals make money with affiliate marketing
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  • Profile picture of the author clean99
    Hi!

    Sounds like you want to concentrate on 1 topic and become an authority, which is a good way to go! First of all you need to figure out what you want to do:

    Do you want to have a blog about a specific topic?
    Do you want to make a big online store?
    or maybe a review website where you will be buying a product and then provide people with your honest opinion and experiences?
    or maybe a SEO company to help local businesses?

    So, before me going on about what you can do, do you kind of know which way you want to go? And what are some of your talents? I can help you if you can tell me a little more
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    • Profile picture of the author Tejabuu
      Originally Posted by Russerg View Post

      Hi!

      Sounds like you want to concentrate on 1 topic and become an authority, which is a good way to go! First of all you need to figure out what you want to do:

      Do you want to have a blog about a specific topic?
      Do you want to make a big online store?
      or maybe a review website where you will be buying a product and then provide people with your honest opinion and experiences?
      or maybe a SEO company to help local businesses?

      So, before me going on about what you can do, do you kind of know which way you want to go? And what are some of your talents? I can help you if you can tell me a little more
      Hey, thanks for the reply!

      I don't really have a set way I want to go just yet. I want to help people and be real.

      Some of my talents are: Public Speaking, Sports and Video Games. Also, I'm pretty intelligent.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jeff Sommers
        Before you can make money on the internet you will need to know how to set up a website. I would advise one built on Wordpress.
        To start with go to youtube and search for videos on how to do keyword research. Choose a domain name based on this research
        Select a video on how to register a domain name
        Select a video on hosting and how to direct the domain to the hosting company.
        Another video on how to install wordpress and more on how to set up the website
        Choose an affiliate product and promote it.
        Whenever I want to find out how to do something I go to Youtube and search for a video on how to do it. I learn visually. If you learn faster by reading google and find a PDF
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        • Profile picture of the author iwowwe4you
          Originally Posted by Jeff Sommers View Post

          Before you can make money on the internet you will need to know how to set up a website. I would advise one built on Wordpress.
          To start with go to youtube and search for videos on how to do keyword research. Choose a domain name based on this research
          Select a video on how to register a domain name
          Select a video on hosting and how to direct the domain to the hosting company.
          Another video on how to install wordpress and more on how to set up the website
          Choose an affiliate product and promote it.
          Whenever I want to find out how to do something I go to Youtube and search for a video on how to do it. I learn visually. If you learn faster by reading google and find a PDF
          Well, website is not a must but the matter of choice... First he needs to figure out what he wants to do and they decide if he needs website for that or not. I know a lot of people who build up good income without even thinking of setting up a web site.
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          Happy to share 18 years experience in MLM/IM. Not doing any other work for over 7 years now. Accredited as a coach by 3 companies I worked with after completing a course of education and passing exams. HND in Business, Economics, Accounting, Market Research, Market Development, Management.
          Love to Learn - Love to Teach!

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      • Profile picture of the author clean99
        Originally Posted by Tejabuu View Post

        Hey, thanks for the reply!

        I don't really have a set way I want to go just yet. I want to help people and be real.

        Some of my talents are: Public Speaking, Sports and Video Games. Also, I'm pretty intelligent.
        Alright then, first of all you need to see exactly what you want to do. There are many ways to help people. Things a said earlier are all ways to help people.

        Okay start with your talents:
        -public speaking - create a website on how to be comfortable when doing public speech. This one is a real problem for many people (including me). You can greatly expand on this topic.
        -sports - not really sure, depending on what sport
        -video games - video games review site, or a website concentrated on 1 particular video game where you can provide tips, tricks etc.

        These are just quick tips. To me, public speaking although somewhat a long term, seems like a very good opportunity. If you are truly good at it you can definitely make a business there.
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        • Profile picture of the author Tejabuu
          Originally Posted by Russerg View Post

          Alright then, first of all you need to see exactly what you want to do. There are many ways to help people. Things a said earlier are all ways to help people.

          Okay start with your talents:
          -public speaking - create a website on how to be comfortable when doing public speech. This one is a real problem for many people (including me). You can greatly expand on this topic.
          -sports - not really sure, depending on what sport
          -video games - video games review site, or a website concentrated on 1 particular video game where you can provide tips, tricks etc.

          These are just quick tips. To me, public speaking although somewhat a long term, seems like a very good opportunity. If you are truly good at it you can definitely make a business there.
          Thanks for the reply again! I'm going to shoot you a PM .
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    What do you want to help real people with?

    Most business people that have this thought already know what it is they want to help others with.

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    Wanting to help people is great but it's not a business if you don't know what you're doing, have a plan to get there, and then consistently do what it takes to help those people in every possible way.

    Sounds like you have no clue how you want to help people. You need to figure that out first. No one can tell you what to do. There are lots of causes - everything from children that die in war to women with breast cancer to churches to saving the frogs from the capitalists.

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author iwowwe4you
    Do a research and try to find out what suit you best. There are many ways to make money online.
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    Happy to share 18 years experience in MLM/IM. Not doing any other work for over 7 years now. Accredited as a coach by 3 companies I worked with after completing a course of education and passing exams. HND in Business, Economics, Accounting, Market Research, Market Development, Management.
    Love to Learn - Love to Teach!

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  • Profile picture of the author Ernies
    I would definitively take a course in at least basic entrepreneurship or business as well as take a job. Then I would take a year off with the money and the knowledge.
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  • Profile picture of the author MartinPlatt
    What have you learnt over the previous two years? Is there anything with that understanding that you did really badly or really well that you could write about?

    Are you good at writing? SEO? Marketing? Selling? Sell these as services and / or create information products.

    If all else fails, go and do some affiliate marketing. This is a profitable business...
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    Martin Platt
    martin-platt.com

    Stuck with earning commissions online? Get this get this uncensored affiliate marketing guide for free (sold as coaching for $4,997)

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  • Profile picture of the author JasonBennet
    There are many different ways to make money online and you will be able to get tons of information from this forum.

    I will suggest that you decide on one method that you want to follow and stick to it. Having the discipline to stick to it is important because you do not want to be distracted and start doing other things.

    The most practical thing to do is to just choose one system to follow and just take action on it.
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  • Profile picture of the author betterwtveter
    You are on the right track at your age. Yes find a particular product topic you are passionate about and promote the heck out of it on forums, blogs, press release and more. Selling affiliate products is a good start for a beginner before jumping into a business. You need to test test test your marketing strategies before running your own business in my opinion.
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  • Profile picture of the author HarrisonJ
    A "real business" is just an entity that makes money. The reality is, there are some thing you can make money doing, and some things you cannot make money doing. There are 7 billion people in the world that like to buy nice things. You have to think of a way you can get people to give you money, by selling them a product or service. You can do this online or offline, either way its the same. If you're not good at anything, you have to get good at something.
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  • Profile picture of the author stefanvanray
    As Harrison said, legitimate business just means that its self sustaining and money making. No one can argue about the legitimacy of what we do online when we're making real money. What's the difference between the money I use to buy my Starbucks and that of the guy behind me in line? Nothing. Except that I made mine at home in my boxers in a few hours of work a day and he's working full time and barely getting by. What I'm saying is, you don't have to tell people exactly what you do. Say you're a web consultant. Doesn't really matter, it's technically true.
    Just remember to do what you want. Knowing "what to do with your life" is a little too broad to be applicable. What I am saying is, just chase your dreams. Life is too short not to. Set real attainable goals and work hard to reach them. I would suggest, as others have on this thread, you focus on one area and become an authority. Then you train others to do what you do. The money is in teaching others to do what you do. Consulting and coaching bring in more money than the business itself most the time. And doing both makes you more money, and keeps you fresh in the market so your coaching is current, relevant and applicable. Work hard and set goals. Above all else, manage your time well! Time management is what makes the difference between a professional and having a hobby that makes a little money.
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  • Profile picture of the author sarahAttkinson
    Banned
    It is a long way to success. But I have to admire your guts and your commitment to your goal.
    I would figure out first which are my prerequisites and how can I use them successfully. then I would read a lot, ask a lot of pertinent questions. In the end, you will find your own way by yourself. Wouldn't that be rewarding?
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  • Profile picture of the author Dazzling Content
    There are thousands of businesses that you can start. Nobody can tell you which business to start except yourself.
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