Are You the Jack of All Trades?

The most commonly overlooked question for a great
number of netpreneurs who are looking to start an
online business is whether they are planning to do it
alone or as a team. Whether you are planning to start
or have already began working on your Internet
business, it is wise to step back and evaluate the
different skills that are required to succeed online.

For most people new to an online business, their
Internet dream starts with a great idea, which can be
an original ebook, affiliate program, software, or
online service. Yet, most people fail to realize that
from their ideas, the product or service must be
produced, a web site must be created, a marketing
campaign must be executed, and so on and so forth.

Many people say that the beauty of starting an online
business is that it requires little or no startup cost.
Well, the truth is that if you are planning to start an
online business with little or no money, be prepared to
do A LOT of things yourself.

Also, starting an Internet business rarely costs
nothing. At the very least, you'll need a computer, an
Internet connection, and a web host if you are planning
to have a web site.

If you are planning to pursue your Internet dream
alone, you will have to be the jack of all trades. That
means that you must be your own web site developer,
product creator, search engine expert, links manager,
ezine publisher, customer service personnel,
accountant, and Internet marketer. For the average
person, assuming most, if not all, of the roles
mentioned above is indeed a daunting task.

On the other hand, you may choose to work on your
Internet business as a team. The advantage of working
with a team is that it lessens each person's workload
and allows each individual to concentrate more on his
or her assigned task(s). However, be prepared to share
your profits with each other.

If you do not have any friends who are interested or
willing to work with you, then you might consider
hiring others to work for you. You can hire others to
work for you on a one-time basis (such as designing
your web site) or you may choose to employ someone to
do some routine work (such as maintaining and updating
your web site).

Now, if you still think that starting an Internet
business is easy, think again. Despite all the hype
that you might have heard about making great amounts of
money from your own product or affiliate program,
succeeding online does not happen overnight.

However, starting an Internet business does not
necessarily have to be hard. As with any offline
business, an Internet business requires that you take
the time to learn the different aspects of the
business. Would you go to battle in a war if you have
never done any military training?

After all, an Internet business is, as its name
implies, a business. Hence, you must treat your
Internet business seriously if you wish to succeed.
Having an Internet business does not mean that you can
work any less than an offline one. It only allows you
to work flexible hours from the comfort of your home
(and in your underwear, if you wish).

So, if you are thinking of starting an Internet
business, decide today: do you want to be the jack of
all trades? If so, be prepared to open your eyes (and
mind!) to learning new things every day! After all,
isn't learning supposed to be a lifelong process?

On the other hand, if you don't want to be the jack of
all trades, be prepared to open up your wallet...
KATCHING!