ARTICLE:

Having a profitable e-business takes a LOT of guts.

It can even involve you sometimes doing things that seem moronic on the surface, like finding already successful experts in the field you want to dominate ... and telling them to take a hike.

(It's true.)

And if you follow the 5 steps below, you'll discover how just that kind of "backwards" thinking can end up putting money in the bank. Let's get started...

 1. Determine what areas you're weak(est) in.

There's no way you can be good at EVERYTHING you do, or try to do ... so you may as well admit it now. It'll save you a lot of headaches (and dollars) later on.

What things aren't you good at doing, in your e-business?

Writing ad copy? Designing websites? Approaching people for joint ventures? Coming up with unique product ideas that make a ton of money?

Whatever those things are, get a notecard. (Or a noteBOOK.) :-P

And jot 'em down.

2. Find experts to trust who are already successful in the areas you're weakest in.

If you're terrible at arranging joint ventures, make nice with a marketer who's known for setting up killer JVs that make lots of cash ... then pick their brain.

Exactly how do they do it? What steps do they take? What forms do they use? How do they split profits? How do they find out who to approach?

You get the picture.

Now keep in mind, a lot of people -- especially the big names -- won't give you ALL of that info for free. [Hey ... we all gotta eat.]  You may have to spend some money to get it, or spend some time at relevant niche forums to learn it yourself.

3. Remember those experts you found and squeezed dry? Good! *DIS-regard* their advice. (Yep -- even mine.)

Not ALL of it, of course.

But realize that even though you may ask for advice specific to your personal circumstances, experts are not all-knowing. They can only tell you what's worked for them (or speculate on what MAY work for you) based on both what you've told them about yourself and on their experience in the field.

Consequently, this might well dictate that you not invest in their latest product recommendation or business opportunity because it doesn't properly fit your goals, needs, or budget as it should.

Now, even though you may have to disregard some of their advice, still listen ... and observe them CLOSELY.

Which leads me to my next point--

4. "Do As I DO ... NOT As I SAY!"

Actions speak louder than words.

While you definitely SHOULD take the advice they give you into account, you should pay the MOST attention to what principles, marketing tactics, and advice an expert applies to their OWN site and e-business ... rather than what they say that YOU should do.

Why?

As you know, a lot of successful marketers won't reveal the secrets of how they make their millions. Or their thousands. Or whatever.

At least, not right down to the specifics.

They might hint at it. They might give you a much too general outline. But in the vein of the whole "survival of the fittest" thing (whether on purpose or subconsciously), they normally won't tell you straight out...

EXACTLY
      HOW
             TO *DO* SOMETHING!

Have you noticed?

So, "do as I DO, NOT as I SAY."

5. Realize that it takes money, time, AND focus to make money.

I live by the motto, nothing in this world worth having comes for free. You have to pay for it either in time or money, and sometimes heartache. But the more you go through to get it, the more you appreciate it when you finally do.

So, the next time you're looking at:

 A free web host vs. a paid one...

An e-course promising a way to make 8 million in 30 days vs. one that tells you that you'll have to do a lot of work to even make $100 in your first month...

 Or anything similar...

Remember that it takes time, MONEY, and a very strong drive to make money. Period.