First the grim news: VERY few people make money right away. For those thinking they can throw out an e-book or two and rake in the dough within months - don't even bother to read further because you won't like what I have to say. But I speak the truth - as it has applied to me and how I see it applying to many others.
I hired a mentor for 2 basic reasons: 1) because I don't believe in re-inventing the wheel and knew that someone else who had been there and done that would keep me focused on what brings the best results. 2) I knew they would know the best products to use or avoid to put together your empire. Not all shopping carts are equal - I examined at least 15 before I realized the one that my mentor recommended was still the best for the dollars spent. Having someone to tell you how to do something is far easier than trying to go it alone. Yes, it costs money - big money to some people. But the amount I saved by not choosing the wrong products as well as shrinking the learning curve will allow me to start making money probably one year earlier than I would have otherwise. So eventually I will get that up front cost back sooner - and probably more exponentially to boot.
What you should look for in a mentor is obviously someone you get along with and while there are many on Twitter, FB and everywhere else on the net to choose from, a personal recommendation from someone is far more valuable than choosing one at random. My particular mentor, Connie Ragen Green, is no longer accepting mentees (she limits the number she will work with) but slots will open up from time to time as people drop out of the program for a variety of reasons. What is perhaps better however is that Connie offers individual classes and on-going training, which you will absolutely need when setting up sales pages, copy wrting, shopping carts, web sites, etc.
You can begin by simply listening to valuable information off her free weekly calls and perhaps graduating to a paid 6 week course. Eventually you may choose her very cost effective home course, which covers everything she teaches and has taught. Eventually you may choose to become a mentee if space allows.
I personally went from scratch: only having the shell of a couple of e-books on paper to now having 4-5 web sites (sales pages), a travel blog attracting over 30 views a day on average, 3 e-books for sale, free products including a free consultation, a substantial presence on FB and Twitter, over 70 articles on EzineArticles (many re-printed on other sites), having my tips published by other websites (including Chris Elliott of MSNBC fame), a joint venture with a partner for a 4th book currently being written, a radio interview by the Trip Chicks on the SandySprings.com travel show out of Atlanta. All in less than one year - 9 months to be exact.
If I can do it, anyone can. And if I cn help anyone decide what is best for them in particular, I will do it. Just contact me for a free chat or go to http://www.howtogrowanonlinebusiness.com to check out Connie's offerings.
Great post,some very interesting points to think about.
Posted by: hotel search engine optimisation | February 10, 2009 at 11:40 PM