Refrain from falling for these misleading over-hyped slogans when thinking about buying or starting a new business. Are you trying to start an online business? Are you overwhelmed with the many online business programs or concerned that you’ll lose money by investing in them? While many offers sound too good to be true, some excellent ones are available – but how can you be sure? 

Reading “between the lines” will better prepare you for what’s involved.

These four common ‘hyped’ terms mislead many wanna-be online business owners. The bottom line is this. Everyone would make six figures with an online business if it were easy.

Here are some common phrases used to promote online businesses and what they mean:

#1 – Simple & Easy

Simple and easy, depending on who’s speaking. A doctor may tell you it’s only a ‘simple procedure,’ but that doesn’t mean you should attempt it yourself. Many online businesses ARE simple to operate. 

If you understand how it works, you will be amazed at the simplicity – but getting to that point will require time and experience. You may need to try a few to get a ‘feel’ for the business before deciding which one is easiest for you. 

Those who have learned from experience can look back and see how simple it COULD have been if they’d known what to do all along. Finding a trustworthy guide can be a great assistance to your business efforts.

#2 – Anyone Can Do This

Sorry – starting a business of any kind is stressful and requires a learning curve. If you attempt an online business out of desperation or believe you will make easy money, you will face enormous obstacles. On the other hand, if you genuinely seek a company you can learn, work at and make a living from, you will find something online that fits your needs.

Studies of successful business people concur that those who make it have common qualities of persistence, patience, and desire. These qualities are essential when trying to start an online business – do you have them?

#3 – Turnkey

The term ‘turnkey’ meant a business was set up and ready to go. You will find the time in business classifieds when the new owner can step in and start running the business.

 Unfortunately, some marketers use the term to suggest that a business is fully automated and that no work is involved. There is always work involved. If the company is turnkey, you will begin work immediately because it has already been set to go. If you want an automated business, you must work to make it automatic. Nobody will give you a mechanical, turnkey company that makes money – they had to do the job, so why would they share it?

#4 – It Won’t Cost Anything

You absolutely CAN set up an online business with no money but be prepared that a combination of no money and lack of experience will stifle your efforts immensely. 

Most individuals who start or run a business without money have learned how to use the best free techniques through experience. They have paid their dues by trying companies that cost money. They have spent time in and around their industry or market, and they’ve been able to see where they can cut costs.

If you are prepared to spend much time researching before starting your business, you may be one of the few who does it right the first time. Most people expect to pay something towards your online business education before seeing results – you can’t buy experience.

Online business has its share of work involved, but finding the right one has enormous payoffs that many people are willing to sacrifice time and money to achieve. 

Running your own business is satisfying and can give you more time to do what you want to do in life.

Creating a successful online business is within the grasp of nearly everyone prepared to stick to it. Face the task of starting your business with realistic expectations while continuing to dream big, and you may surprise yourself!

Whatever else you do, don’t follow the old axiom, “those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” Create a simple but well-challenging business plan just like if you were to buy a brick-and-mortar business. Plan realistic expectations for time, money, competition, and desired revenue. 

There are some excellent references to writing a more complicated or sophisticated business plan online, do a Google search or call The Foster Jones Group at 202-600-7793.