There is one and only one online marketing secret. There is no secret, no magic bullet, or foolproof formula.

Ignore the daily emails we all receive from self-proclaimed internet millionaires who make thousands of dollars daily while traveling to the world’s most exotic vacation spots. If these folks are as wealthy as they claim to be, their money probably comes from selling worthless „secrets“ and questonable business opportunities to newbies.

I am not just guessing. For years, I have offered a free website promotion course to webmasters. As a result, I have closely investigated numerous information programs and pieces of software. A few offer decent advice or assistance at reasonable cost. Most do not.

There is no shortage of self-promoters who will tell you how much they earn and promise you the same result for $50-$200. And, if you pay their price, one of you will make money…exactly $50-$200 dollars.

But, there are some tips and techniques that can help you become a successful internet marketer. And all they will cost you to get them is a few more moments of your time.

1. You do not need a formally constructed business plan unless you seek investors, but you do need a plan. Better to move forward slowly than to spend months making up for mistakes.

2. Almost nobody builds a successful business without putting in time and effort.

3. Your best product or service is something people need. Something they think they need can work too.

4. Be honest. Say or write nothing that is not true. If you exaggerate or lie to a prospect once, he or she may never be able to trust you enough to buy from you.

5. Make sure your website gets to the point. People are busy. Tell them what they want to know, offer to answer questions, and invite them to buy. That’s all.

6. Surveys show that people are afraid they’ll get ripped off if they buy online. A good guarantee and an „about us“ page on your website can overcome buyers‘ fears.

7. Invest in products that can save you time and bring you success more quickly. Link building software, article submission software, and a good autoresponder are good examples.

8. Devote at least 20 hours a week to promoting your website unless and until you hire someone else to do so.

There is no shortcut to success, but there are tried and true principles. Choose a good product or service, continue to educate yourself, and work hard. If you do, your odds are good.