Make money while you sleep; Work in your pajamas and make a fortune; Just put this ebook up and sit back and watch the avalanche of checks; Buy my product and you will be making millions in months - I am sure you have seen all of this on a regular basis.



Unfortunately, many of us - me included - get drawn into this hype at first, and I bet you speak to any recently started internet marketer and they will tell you similar stories about how they bought everything that moved, have bulging stock cupboards, and for 18 months to two years earned virtually nothing at all.

Not that these 'gurus' are deliberately trying to take you for a ride - many of them forget that you are a newbie, and don't even understand many of the principles being preached about.

And many of them definitely can't do much 'hands on' work themselves.

The other thing to realize, is that learning long-distance, and in large groups, the quick get quicker, and the slow loose their shirts!

There is really no substitute to getting a one-to-one slow build up with a local coach - somebody you either know, or know of from a reputation point of view. But, one-to-one coaching is expensive, as there is no leverage of the coach's time and difficult to get in many instances.

Most courses just seem to cater for large groups , at all levels, and in many cases, in different time zones.

However, there is no getting away from the fact, that there are tremendous opportunities here, both to expand an existing 'off-line ' business, or to start a brand new one.

So - you have heard the warnings, are aware of the risks, but you still want to set your own work at home-based Internet business.

But wait - Do you have all it takes to make your work at home-based Internet business a success?

Before you go ahead and take the plunge, it is important that you answer a few questions first. This will help you determine how prepared you are or what areas you need to work on.

Have you done your planning?

Think of it this way: You definitely don't want your work at home-based Internet business to be just a result of impulse. There's too much at stake and the rewards and failures are steep.

So, take the time to write out a mission statement. Too many people embark on working on a home-based Internet business without realizing that that is exactly what it is, a business , and has to be treated as such.

Writing your business plan has far more added benefits than simply devising a plan in your head.

For one, there's no way that you're going to forget it as long as you keep the hard copy in a safe place.

Two, it's going to help you keep focused on your goals for your work at home-based Internet business.

Three, planning your work at home-based Internet business on paper can help you foresee any problems in the future.

Four, it can help you decide beforehand how you will deal with these problems.

Five, you will need a well-written business plan for your work at home-based Internet business since this is the first paperwork that bankers and investors are going to ask for before giving you your much needed capital.

Six . Bankers don't understand the internet, but they sure as do understand a well-written business plan.

Bearing in mind what we have said earlier, are you being realistic about your abilities related to your business? Any business requires work, time, and money up front.

Too often, profits don't come that soon so it's important that you are prepared for that reality.

As far as running your work at home-based Internet business is concerned, ask yourself these questions:

Do you know everything that pertains to your product or service? Does it interest or excite you? Success in work at home-based Internet business is closer at hand if you display the right attitude towards it.

As for being realistic, don't choose a work at home-based Internet business that does not tap into your strengths. You will have a very difficult time succeeding if your business is not suited to your abilities in the first place.

Do you know where your start-up money is coming from? As stated earlier, starting a work at home-based Internet business needs start-up money.

There are going to be costs and you will need the funds to cover those. You can start by borrowing money from other people. Check out your local bank or ask your friends or family to help you in your work at home endeavor.

Do you have the time to start and run this business? The business of running a work at home-based Internet business is demanding. Your time will be sorely needed, especially when you're just starting out.

As such, you need to set priorities. Some less important things may have to take a backseat while you concentrate on making profits with your work at home-based Internet business.

Yes, it's true that one of the supposed benefits of working from home is flexibility of schedule.

Don't worry. You will have more flexible hours but when you're first starting out, you will certainly be putting a lot of overtime.

One thing that starting up such an activity does demand, and that is FOCUS.

Unless you are used to it, the internet will rob you of your time before you know where you are. You can get embroiled in too many emails - delete or unsubscribe from topics that are of no use to you TODAY - you can always rejoin a list at a later date.

Don't make the mistake of OPP-HOPS ie hopping from one seemingly good idea to another. Plan your route, stick to it, and trust in the outcome (especially if working with a Coach). You can always explore other avenues when you are making a good income.

Process map everything. Why? Well, for one you don't want to forget anything, and for another, as you grow, you may well want to outsource some of the daily 'grind'.

Test everything you do. Ask yourself 'Why I am doing that? ' What am I expecting?'

Track all your adverts and articles, so you can see what is and is not working for you.

Don't get despondent. Plan your route to success, and stick to it. There are so many opportunities out there on the web for a home based business of your own, that with careful planning, a focussed approach, Oh - and mixing with right-minded people, you will make a success of it.