Making it in Tough Times

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Most of us are affected by today’s inflation.

One source estimates the average American family needs an extra $11,000+ this year to keep up with inflation.

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In my neighborhood premium gas is over $7 a gallon. At the supermarket, two bags of groceries now cost $100+. And much of that is house brands. That cost does not include expensive items.

As a result, most of us struggle to make financial ends meet.

What’s the solution?

Many are turning to make money online. I think that’s a great idea. However, the Internet is not a place where you can make a quick buck. Unless you sell something you own online it takes time to build a business.

Don’t believe the Internet ads describing how you can earn easily. As they often promise if you buy a software program. Or invest in expensive training. Some products are very good. Others are not.

It’s estimated that 80% of those buying online training never complete the course. I know people designing and selling excellent products. And money-making courses. They are legitimate offerings. The problem usually is the buyer’s expectations.

I’m surprised that people buy lottery tickets. As the odds of winning the big prize are one out of twenty million. However, they expect to buy something online that makes them rich overnight. With little work.

Internet money-making rockstars have been at it for years. They’ve failed often. These financial top dogs are few compared to the number of people making money via the Internet. Some studies reveal the average online income is less than $500 per year. But I know many people making a decent living via the Internet.

Understand who and what you are.

Your greatest asset is your name.

The second greatest is what you know.

The third greatest is not who you know, but who knows you.

Think about it.

What you know gets you started. And what you don’t know puts you out of business. All too often we do not know what we do not know. And that’s why we succeed with help of mentors. Another other path is learning from our mistakes.

Thomas Edison said when asked about failing 10,000 times attempting to invent the light bulb, “I learned 10,000 ways not to build the light bulb.” Some say Nikola Tesla said that first.

Our world turns too fast to learn 10,000 ways how not to do something. Malcolm Gladwell writes that it takes 10,000 hours applied to any endeavor to be good if not great at it. No matter who you are you know things I do not.

And rather than learn them on my own I prefer learning them from you. Provided what you know is proven and can be implemented by me. I know things you do not. And it is more prudent to learn them from me than struggle on your own.

I believe that is called education and training. Education teaches you why. Training teaches you how. Find successful people. Study what they do. And emulate them. Don’t plagerize. Learn their process and discipline. Then apply that to your work.

A surprising thing I’ve learned from teaching others.

I get better at what I teach. By writing about how to perform better at a task, I perform better. You want to know something so well you can teach it to someone else.

That takes us back to Malcolm Gladwell and “the 10,000-hour rule” written in his book Outliers. No matter what it is you want to do, you have to do it consistently every day if you want to become good at it.

Think of the journey of an entertainer. “Oh, he/she is a natural.” Baloney! They start from nothing with nothing. The great Morgan Freeman was not born the talented actor he is. Nor did your favorite musician begin life with the talent you admire.

Tiger Woods was not born a “natural” golfer. But his father started him at a very young age. Perhaps as young as 3-years. And he applied himself every day.

A few years ago I wanted to learn oil painting. And took a series of classes. A fellow student painted the same scene over and over. He perfected it to his satisfaction. I learned by copying famous paintings. Perfecting the use of color and brush strokes. And then I started painting my imagination.

Malcolm Gladwell doesn’t mean simply being on a job for 10 years gives you 10 years of experience. As some people have one year’s experience 10 times. You have to work at something to be experienced. Strive for the next level of excellence. That’s the hunger we satisfy.

Starting your online business.

The easiest method for earning online is selling stuff you own on eBay. Many sites are explaining how to do it with success. Look around for things of value to others. However, be prepared to ship the items yourself.

I got started online doing that. We had several gifts we never used. Toasters and other small kitchen appliances were the first to go. Then some classic items people collect. The wife and I roamed social media. We found interest groups and sold to them items of their interest.

It is amazing how many people purchase old cell phones. And vintage photos. And women’s purses from the 1940s. One person’s junk as the saying goes.

Have you ever held a garage sale? There is always a buyer for stuff many people throw away.

Another portal is becoming an affiliate marketer. That is promoting products and services owned by others. Each sale earns you a commission. Most large stores offer affiliate programs. As does Amazon. Walmart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot offer affiliate programs.

Sites like Clickbank, JVZoo, and Warrior+ provide access to digital products. There are many free affiliate marketing training programs available online.

Final Words

Most of us can make money online. How much depends on several factors. Are you willing to put in the time to learn how? Are you patient or do you give up easily? A key is understanding why people buy things. And then getting your offer in front of them.

Successful products solve problems. Domino’s got started selling convenience, not pizza. It was the first to offer delivery. Rolex sells jewelry. A Timex watch usually keeps time within seconds of Rolex accuracy.

Take time to learn how to make money online. There is no magic formula or “secret.” What you need to learn is what you do not know.

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Each image above is a link to a product or service that will assist your Internet money-making journey.

Read these posts for more information.

3 Steps to Making Money Online – Joe Aro dot Com

3 Ways to Make Money Online – Joe Aro dot Com

When Things Go Bad – Joe Aro dot Com

3 Reasons To Start a Side Hustle – Joe Aro dot Com

How To Choose A Niche – Joe Aro dot Com

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