Then all kinds of smart technology came along to automate your business. Everything from autoresponders to fancy shopping carts and ad exchange systems offered immediate riches.



Over the past year we saw dozens of major business opportunities fold because: (1) they weren't REAL businesses and couldn't pay anyone but a few founders at the top, (2) they couldn't attract enough interest and participation from the public to create any kind of success, (3) their product or service was the same old thing in a new wrapper and not many people wanted to purchase it, or (4) the program turned out to be against the law and was shut down by regulators.

If you're vowing to do things differently this year, I've got a simple 5 step plan that will help you be truly successful in a year or less. You'll notice I didn't say "get rich in days or weeks." Honest businesses take honest work. You have to put in some serious effort over an extended period of time to create your own viable business. But I have a strong feeling you're up to the challenge, otherwise you wouldn't still be reading.

(1) Get a mentor. I can't stress this point enough. Almost EVERYONE who achieves success got where they are through the strong support of a mentor. Find out if you can partner with someone who has been working the business for several years, or enlist the help of a consultant, or make sure there is a friendly, supporting, and knowledgeable person in your upline who is willing to help you over the long term.

(2) You need a system. In most cases, your mentor should have this system in place so he or she can teach you how to use it. There is absolutely no sense in wasting time and money learning through trial and error. You'll be way ahead of the game if you can put a simple 1,2,3,4,5 step plan into action.

(3) Get something to market that is in demand by an audience who not only wants it, but can pay for it. The law requires every opportunity have a tangible product or service to market. Make sure your opportunity not only has this, but possesses a product that a sizeable, highly interested group of prospects demands.

(4) You MUST have an affordable and EFFECTIVE way to advertise to your prospects. Nobody is going to beat a path to your door unless you can get your advertising message in front of them over and over again. Can you reach your audience with ezine ads, articles like this one, newspaper classified ads?

(5) Stay committed for a year. If you can't stay focused on your project for at least a year, it's unlikely you'll ever make much money in business for yourself. Staying committed need not be difficult. Set realistic, attainable goals for yourself for one week into the project, one month in, three months in, and six months in. Plan your work, then work your plan with encouragement and suggestions from your mentor.

Follow these good-sense tips to achieve real success. You will be duplicating the methods used by countless millionaires who were once stating out just like you.