Post lessons you've learned being an online entrepreneur

Good saying

 

Another key item: Always REINVEST in your business.

 

This is a great thread and thanks to everyone for sharing. I am on the verge of starting my own business and any help I can get is very much appreciated!

stinkingrich, I totally agree with you, read read n read some more!!! My eyes are burning with all the info i've read on setting up my business

Thanks everyone.

ANT

 

I agree, but I think there's a point at which you have to stop reading and start doing something yourself, even if it is a failure you'll be on your path to success.

 

Good point re failure. To me, failure is preparation for success. The key is ACTION.

 

My plan was always to fail while working for other people, and then to start my own business when I got enough figured out. I jumped the gun a wee bit.

 

hehehehe Failure is just dress rehearsal for success.
For a cool article on failure check out http://webmasterlabor.com/articles/failure.html

 

In my opinion, the following statement is the most important from what I've learned:

"Persistency is a key to success!"

 

And what comes before "persistency"?
"PASSION"
Without passion to fuel your work, your energy will drain out very fast... and there goes persistency.

 

Remind me to:
1) never hire you
2) never contract with you



This has been an awesome thread. I don't think there is much I can add to this - my own values appear in so much of what everyone else has said.

I especially like the concept of relating web sites to real estate - that is how I have viewed this line of business for a very long time.

 

I agree. There's an old saying "Analysis is Paralysis". There are MANY MANY smart people in the world who don't act on their dreams because they focus their intellect on "what can go wrong" or on risks. Success requires action.

 

Probably the most important rule I've learned & used:

 

One lesson that I learned is that it is essential to track your marketing in order to know where your results are coming from. It sounds obvious but as a newbie it is just not something that you think about.

 

Very very true.

 

make sure your site has unique selling point, plus if using buttons use words such as apply NOW, beckon people to click - not apply today , challenge people to click

 

True. Urgency normally sells. But, ultimately, it depends on the product/service.

 

indeed it does, what a great thread

 

Think about a mission and vision statement for your site/blog or anything else. Marketing and management applies to the online world as much as it does for the offline world.

 

Good point. Many businesses veer off course and fail if their activities aren't reined in by a clear focus and definite vision statement.

 

I've learned so much.. but the biggest thing I have learned:

Watch out who you trust.

There is fraud all over the internet. I was doing a lot of web design work for people/companies and trying to charge them for the final product... then would never hear from them again.
I've also purchased things that the sellers didn't even have the right to sell.