Simplest way to make money online

When I say simple I mean that the concept is easy to understand. Anyone can do it if they put their mind to it and were prepared to spend the time to make it work. Unfortunately, there is no get rich quick schemes that actually work, despite the fact we are constantly bombarded with such claims.

When people first toy with the idea of starting a business, particularly an offline business, they realise that to get started it takes a substantial cash injection. Almost immediately they incur expenses for rent, stock, and so on.

With an offline business the money to getting started is relatively affordable. The major cost is time, but that is also true of an offline business.

Now, I said that I'd explain a simple way to make money online so here goes.

The first thing is to brainstorm what sort of business to create? This is easy!

Think of the things you love to do? Craft, watching movies, gardening, fixing cars, tennis, netball..... Whatever it is, write it down. Don't concern yourself with the level of skill you have in that area. Whether you are good at it or bad at it doesn't matter. You just have to enjoy doing it or learning more about it.

Then think of things that you know about. Perhaps you have a child with ADHD or some other disability. May be you have first hand knowledge of illness such as cancer or scleroderma. Perhaps you have overcome some major addiction and your life is back on track.

Look at your current occupation for skills. Maybe you're in the customer service industry and know heaps about conflict resolution. Perhaps you're a handyman that knows how to solve problems around the house.

So, write those things down. You'll probably have a list of three to four things. Can you build an online business on one of these things? I'm betting you think "no", but I know the answer is probably a resounding "yes".

Then have a look at this site Affiliate Scout. Also google "affiliate programs". Look at the results to see if there are affiliate programs related to the topics on your list.

So, what is an affiliate program? For example, lets say someone has written an ebook called "How to Stop your ADHD child having a tantrum at the supermarket". That person has set up a website to sell the ebook for $27 that can be downloaded instantly after payment.

OK, that's all well and good but how do all the people who have a child with ADHD know that the website actually exists? Afterall, if no one knows about the website then no one will buy the book will they?

So, the author has to advertise and that could cost thousands depending on how, why and where they advertised. The problem also is that the author is not a marketer (probably), he/she is an author and would rather spend time writing more books rather than learn about marketing.

That's where we as affiliates come in. The author offers us a percentage (and it can be as high as 75% or more) if we direct traffic to their site and subsequently make a sale.

So, it's a win/win situation when the author makes a sale from someone who was directed from an affiliate site. (Remember, unless the author wants to spend lots of money and time on marketing themselves it is quite likely that most of their sales would be affiliate sales).

Doesn't that sound easy? It is, a child could understand the concept.

However, do you need a website? If so, how do you build one? Once built, how do you get traffic to it? It's the old situation of the more you know the more you realise you have to know (if that makes sense).

As a matter of fact, you don't need a website. You could promote affiliate links through traffic sites, blogs (like this one), forums and social networking sites.

However, if you want to build a serious online business you'll need a website eventually. You can get to my website through the link on my "About Me" information. I started that website with absolutely no knowledge of HTML whatsoever.

Anyway, I hope that you now realise that whoever you are, whatever you do it is within the realm of possibility for you to make money on the internet.

Download this free ebook called The Affiliate Masters course for more information on creating your own online affiliate business.


best wishes
Sharon