Are you one of the people who sits at home, dreamily staring at your computer while wishing for the secret recipe for Internet marketing success? If you are, then you might benefit from this article.

But let’s take things step by step first. There are a couple of reasons why most people aim for this often elusive dream. They might:

• Be fed up with their current work situation.
• They have heard about XYZ and how successful he is with his Internet venture.
• They want out of their current life situation.

Most often it is a combination of all three anyway. It isn’t uncommon for us to wish for more than we currently have. There is nothing wrong with that either.

Unfortunately, this is where it stops for most people. Most people never get passed that wishing stage. May it be for lack of time, effort, or even resources, but most of you will keep wishing until the day you die.

I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but statistics don’t lie.

However, if you truly want to make it on the Internet, you can. But, there is a but (could have told you couldn’t I)…

You have to be prepared to work hard and be dedicated to your Internet business to make this happen. If you are smart, you already know that nothing comes from free. Especially not success. Even an Olympic athlete has to work real hard to become number one in the world.

The same principles apply for Internet marketers.

What defines Internet marketing anyway?

Good question. If we look at this more closely, I think it is safe to say that Internet marketing could be any or all of the following:

• Niche marketing
• Product creation
• Affiliate marketing
• Webmaster (with product to sell)
• Blogger (with product to sell)
• Service provider (online)
• List builder
• ……?

Internet marketing explained quick is to make money on the Internet. How you do this is entirely up to you. Perhaps you are really good at sales, therefore you might be great at selling your own info product. Or else, you are a freelancer like me and make your money by selling your services.

The great thing about Internet marketing is that you are not limited by space – but only by your imagination.

Please go an re-read this last sentence again.

Taking grasp of the dream

Grasping the actual dream is a lot harder than most of us believe it to be. It’s not really hard in regards to needing special abilities, more so in regards to our own commitment we put into our Internet marketing business.

As some of you know, a few months ago I enrolled into Court’s Internet marketing coaching program. It was one of the best investments I have ever made. Not because I’m already rolling in the dollars.

No, but because I know that the knowledge I have gained from Court will be my ticket to the 4 Hour Work Week. But like many of you, I also struggle with the implementation of the whole knowledge that is now stuffed in my head.

I have a serious lack of time issue. Not because I am slack and don’t work. It’s because my successful freelance writing business doesn’t allow me room to breathe. There will always be things, events and people that hold us back from going further – if we let them! For some of you it will be a job that has you slave away for 80+ hours a week. For others yet it is simple lack of imagination. For most however, it is lack of believe into yourselves.

Taking advantage of disadvantages

Here is the thing though, even though I struggle too to implement certain aspects of my business, I finally saw the bigger picture when I experienced a temporary lack of bookings in my business last week. Initially I was depressed and spent a good few days moaning, cursing and crying myself into sleep.

In short, I experienced SAD (seasonal affective disorder, also know as depression)

But then something happened. I posted a blog post about my emotions and it was like I opened the door to another realm. By writing about my feelings and why I felt like I did, I started to understand that this temporary reduction in my income was in fact – a huge blessing!

Finally I had the time I needed to give my niche site projects a great boost.

This revelation (to me anyway) created a huge shift in my mood and my actions. I’m happy to say that my niches are now moving ahead as they should and I’m the happier person for it.

Have you considered outsourcing?

Over the last few months I have also spent quite a lot of time thinking about outsourcing certain aspects of my business. I did make a start by outsourcing my niches site content to a new writer, which put a huge dent on my to do list.

But despite this step ahead, I also realize that no matter what, if I want to double or triple my income, I need to continue with this, while building my niches. Since my days are limited, much like yours, I have no choice but to think lateral.

After all, I can only work so many hours each week and once they are booked, there is no extra room for business growth.

For you, it could mean a similar deal. If you struggle to keep track of your growing Internet business because of your work, your family, the dog, the shopping, the cleaning and whatever else is holding you back, then it might be time to outsource the nitty gritty of your life to an able person.

It could be the ironing, the shopping, the cleaning, the website building, the marketing. Anything that helps you to move ahead with the ultimate goal. If that is to be successful in Internet marketing, great. If it is something else, great. As long as you act now.

Getting back to the secret

At the beginning of this article I mentioned the secret of Internet marketing. Is there a secret at all? And if yes, how can we define it anyway. Here is what I see from where I’m standing right now. The secret to Internet marketing is:

• To have a vision (without a vision you will be like a train that has gone off the tracks).
• To make an actionable plan (just remember, you will ALWAYS end up using more time for tasks than anticipated).
• To take action (implement all your little action plans to form one massive puzzle).
• To persist (if your goal is worthy enough to you, never give up)
• To allow for down times. We all get down. It is important to recognize when you are and take positive action to move forward.
• To enjoy the ride (seriously, if it isn’t fun for you, you might want to consider doing something else instead).

It is never too late to take the first step

One thing we consistently do is to blame ourselves for lost opportunities. Instead of link building we end up watching that cool movie on TV. Instead of setting up yet another niche site we choose to go out for dinner with friends, etc.

Know this: we all do it. But instead of beating yourself up about yet another missed day, understand your choices.

Once you learn to see the different outcomes of your choices, things will become easier. You will gain a new found awareness and it will become second nature to you to take positive action – every single day.

If you were hoping for some magic formula to Internet marketing success, I’m sorry to disappoint. There is none.

For more information please visit my friend Florin’s site on make money on ebay