[Dell11]

Seems like everyone here is obsessed with the Internet. Why waste your time making 10 dollars a day writing a blog and promoting/advertising affiliate programs? Yes, alot of money can be made on the internet. But, how many actually make it? There are some exceptions. Like the rich jerk and the guy with the "famous" blog. But dont you think you should want to start and actual business? All I see on here is stuff about selling websites, domains, and scripts. This site, should just switch its name.

[Dale King]

You are sadly delusional about the Internet.

Many offline businesses have a strong Internet presence.

In addition, there are tens of thousands of successful individuals on the Internet, whom you've never heard of before - selling everything from pet supplies to soap and everything in between.

I know because I'm one of those success stories.

Don't hate the Internet game. Just learn how to play!

Dale King

[Dell11]

Dale, im not hating on the internet. Im just pointing out thats all this site is. You think Bill Gates, Mike Dell, Donald Trump, and Robert Allen made there money on the internet?? LMAO. NO!! They may have added an E-BIZ later on, but they already had made it. I dont know about you, but I want to start and run a biz that people will talk about. Something thats real. Maybe then ill add the internet later.........Most people want to start an internet biz because they think its a "Get rich quick" type thing. Its not. Like I said, not hating on the internet, but I think succesful people become just that, by wanting to make a difference in the world. Wanting to start something noone has seen, or just adding something on to an existing idea and making it better.

[akula]

I tend to agree with Dell

Simply speaking, the amount of wealth being created in this 'internet economy" is practically insignificant when compared to the turnover of other industries

some companies in the mining sector make more money in one day than the whole internet industry makes in a year (when you exclude Google, Yahoo, MSFT and the other top 5 other players)

same with manufacturing, financial services, construction and lots of other industries

there simply isn't enough money being made on the Internet for an entrepreneur to assume that there's enough for her to get a killer cut

Internet advertising spending only accounts for 5% of all advertising spending

The internet economy is really not a very big place at all, when you consider it in context

for example - I'd bet that phishers, spammers, nigeria letters and other criminal networks probably earn up to 50% of the whole turn over on the internet

It's only with very small, totally undeveloped industries that criminals can earn such a large share of the entire industry income

i mean, hey, i do internet startups, but you gotta objective about these things

[jpaynecr]

The differrence is you can make money on the internet with little money. Whereas, Donald Trump needs hundreds of millions. Dell and Gates would not have been the success they have been with out the internet. There is tons of ways to make money and for computer savy people the net is the best way for them. I do agree that this site needs some more non internet business ideas though.

[sicnarftea]

I do agree that the internet would not be the best place to get you rich, but its definitely a stepping stone for alot of people, its just the means to be successful, not the ends

[jg_macarthy]

Firstly the example of Bill Gates not using the internet to be famous is kind of a terrible one if you think about what he is famous for doing. But I do agree more people need to focus on off line endeavors. While your intentions are good, and you understand the obvious fact that people start a business to get people attracted to it, you are not considering the huge amount of risk and financial backing you need for a busines with a physical location. From your prior post about business aspects you probably are not aware, and might be shocked at the planning you have ahead of you. You will find that even in the world of tangible businesses there are just as many people trying to make it if not more, and the ability to access financial resources to do so is left to those with a strong experienced business team or connections. I guess my advice is if you want a tangible business location you have enormous amounts of planning ahead of you, especialy if you have no experience in the type of business you want to open. Also, just the fact that you are in a physical location adds hundreds of variables you must consider. I believe that the huge amount of risk and capital involved in opening a tangible location is what has made people search for various means to earn money onlline. Think of it this way if you are looking to open a coffee shop and need financing, you have to at a bare minimum create a business plan. The core of your business plan will be 3 years worth of financial projections of every dollar you take in and cost you incur. From heating in the building to the depreciation of your latte maker. When you look at what it really takes to run a business, especially in an area of business you have no experience in you will not be so perplexed by why people opt to the internet more often. I myself want to begin a tangible business post graduation and do agree online markets are a lost cause for those not already in the game, mainly because it is so easy for them to become completely flooded. But consider the intense increase in time and risk assoicated in what you are about to begin and on line business will not seem so laughable.

[Dell11]

What are you guys talking about? The internet may have helped Bill Gates and Mike Dell, but by no means "MADE" them successful. Do you even know how Mike Dell got started? I suggest you read, or re-read it. Also, even if we didnt have the internet, we still need software. LMAO.

[pbradish]

Originally Posted by Dell11

Seems like everyone here is obsessed with the Internet. Why waste your time making 10 dollars a day writing a blog and promoting/advertising affiliate programs? Yes, alot of money can be made on the internet. But, how many actually make it? There are some exceptions. Like the rich jerk and the guy with the "famous" blog. But dont you think you should want to start and actual business? All I see on here is stuff about selling websites, domains, and scripts. This site, should just switch its name.

There's plenty of that but there are tons of us out there on the net working full time with legitimate businesses. Ecommerce is growing. For my niche, there was a local shop that went out of business within a year. The internet is perfect for myself because I can reach my sport all across the country from my computer, as opposed to 5-10 gyms in and around the cities.

I never really understood all of the get rich quick scripts and blogs. I write a very small blog because it pays the cell phone bill and only takes a minute or two here and there, nothing fancy.

Affiliate programs work well when you mesh them in with an ecommerce site. I use a sports betting affiliate. Generally my customers are athletes already so you know that they are already atleast somewhat interested.

[sicnarftea]

pbradish, my point exactly,

Dell11, if you think making money on the internet is all about having a blog and adsense enabled (assuming thats why you said $10 a day), you're deadly wrong. alot of companies survive via ecommerce and selling products online. Its not all just about adsense and affiliates, though there are thousands of sites like that.

Purchasing certain products in my country is very hard and nearly impossible, but ecommerce (ie online shopping) made it possible, as well as very easy for us. There has been recent increase of online shopping here in Australia (because we are getting lazy) and its evident with an increased number of ads on tv related to online stores.

once again, its just a means to be successful, there is no ONE ultimate way to do it, everyone has their own way and using the internet as a medium is in no way a bad thing. Its cheap, its relatively easy, and has a large reach.

Also, keep in mind that most of us here do have a business which is offline, be it mail orders, hair dressers or recruitment agencies. We just tend to talk about internet related stuff, since we're on the internet, you will occasionally see a thread about "how to market my new product" or "how do i fund my new cafe?".