We’re in a recession?  Wow, you could’ve fooled me.  And I’ll bet there are thousands more out there that continue to profit day after day online.  There are dozens of reasons for this, but here are just a few important ones:

1. You have a global market.  If your local economy is lagging, you can sell to the whole world.

2. People will always buy items they need or want.  They will always find the money, so why not let them give it to you?

3. You can get started with a very small initial investment.

4. You can start part-time while keeping your day job.

5. You can work in the comfort of your own home.

As I said in my last post, I will publishing a series of videos to show you how to create a website that can make you hundreds - maybe thousands of dollars per month.  If you follow the steps I’ll be outlining, your success will only be limited by your imagination and determination to do the work.  It will require taking some action, but it won’t be overly difficult.  And with the step-by-step instructions I’ll provide, it won’t require any special technical skills.

While I’m preparing the first video and supporting documentation, there are a few things you can do to prepare.  The first is to look for a web hosting account.  When choosing an account, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. You will probably want an account that will allow you to maintain multiple websites for one low price.  One site probably won’t produce the level of income you seek.  You’ll likely want to operate several sites.

2. Some of the scripts we’ll be looking at will require the Zend optimizer.  Don’t worry if you don’t know what I’m talking about.  You don’t have to.  Just make sure the web host you’re considering has this installed.  The majority of hosts provide this.

3. Make sure the host supports PHP and allows multiple MySQL database installations.  Most hosts support PHP - even those that use the Windows operating system.  But for the scripts I’ll be demonstrating, a Linux account will probably work best. 

4. Look for a web host that provides quick and easy installation of scripts like WordPress for blogs and Joomla for membership sites.  This will make your life much simpler in the long run, and most hosts that provide this are very affordable.  This is usually provided through the hosts CPanel (their web management interface.) 

It probably won’t matter where you host your sites if they meet the criteria listed. In case you’re wondering, I host many of my sites with HostMonster.  I’ve had accounts with them for over a year, and I’ve been extremely pleased with their service.  I’ve only had to contact their support a couple of times, and they were very helpful.  I run dozens of sites on their servers that earn me money day after day.  But the choice is ultimately yours to make.  Just be sure to get an account that will grow with your business.

Next, you’ll want to begin thinking about the market you want to target.  The best way to do this is to make a list of things you’re interested in.  Also create a list of anything you’re particularly good at doing.  These lists may or may not be the same.  Don’t rush out and buy a domain name just yet because there are a few rules to keep in mind.  We’ll get into that soon enough.  For now, just begin thinking about what you’d like your site to be about.  Have some fun with it, and stay tuned for our next step.

With all of the doom and gloom handed out by traditional media on a daily basis, it’s no wonder people are getting anxious about the economy.  Oil prices are soaring, retail prices are following suit, housing prices are eroding, the value of the dollar continues to slide, and on and on and on…  Okay, we get it.  Some bad decisions were made, and it’s causing a little pain at the moment.  We’re going to have to pay up for a while until we can turn this thing around.

But, on the other hand, entrepreneurship is becoming a more viable career choice.  I read somewhere that college graduates are choosing to go into business for themselves at an increasing rate.  It seems that stories about teens starting and growing a profitable online business are becoming the norm.  Of course, from their perspective, it’s all just fun and games.  When Mom’s paying your way, it’s easy to invest your time in a questionable endeavor that may never pay off.  But what if you’re Mom?  Would it be possible for you to make money online without risking everything in the process?

The answer is most definitely, “Yes.”  And in the next few days, I’ll be releasing a series of videos that go into detail to show you exactly how you could easily make enough extra money online each and every month to cover two car payments or the mortgage.  And if you’ll just keep applying these principles, who knows where you might end up? 

Try to avoid the doom and gloom stories.  They do nothing but sap your strength and prevent you from taking the action that will lead to positive results.  There’s a whole new game in the works.  The rules might be a little different, and the challenge might take us out of our comfort zones, but the excitement is unmatched.  It will take us back to where we need to be - back in the driver’s seat of our lives.

Stay tuned - much more to come…

Why not choose both?

I talk a lot about making money online.  But I have to be honest here.  I enjoy every minute of the work I do.  If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be doing it.  If, like the bumper stickers say, “I’d rather be …” (fill in the blank with enjoyable task of your choice), I’d be doing just that.  But the truth is I’d rather be sitting at my keyboard building websites.  That’s what I enjoy.

What do you enjoy?  If you don’t like typing, and you don’t like reading, and you don’t want to learn at least a little bit of programming, then don’t do it.  Don’t spend all of your time doing these things if you simply hate them.  Leave it to someone like me who really enjoys it.  Your time would be better spent doing what you truly enjoy.  You can still make money - maybe lots of money.

The great thing about technology is that it has created a channel for creative individuals and technical people to collaborate across the miles to create great things.  There are dozens of sites where you can find freelance workers to do just about anything you would need.  You get to request bids, and you get to choose the winner.  The whole process usually works through a reputable third party, so the risks are minimal for both the requestor and the bidder.

Check out sites like elance.com, guru.com, freelancedesigners.com, and ifreelance.com.  There are many such sites, and doing a quick search will probably return a list of freelancers that can provide just the service you’re looking for.  Also, you might want to read a book titled, “The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich.”  Timothy Ferriss has done a great job of detailing how to set up a business doing what you enjoy to build the life of your dreams. 

Think about it.  It’s not really about the money anyway, is it?  I just ran across the video below.  It’s part of an interview with Jim Koch, the founder of the Samuel Adams brewery in Boston.  In the video, he says that he set out to have fun - not make money.  And he’s right.  More people need to understand that life is meant to live.  Money comes in exchange for the best you have to give.  Use your talent and skills to the best of your ability and find others to help with the rest.