[In Parts One and Two of this series about what it costs to work online from home as an Internet marketing entrepreneur, Thia discussed two kinds of expenses: capital and operating. She continues the Q & A discussion here, in Part Three.]

Q: Okay. So let’s say I find the money, get started and then discover that there are MORE things to spend money on than I could see at the outset: Have I been scammed?
A: Not necessarily! In fact, probably not. Chances are, you are now just far enough into it to begin learning what the top-tier producers do to succeed: they leverage what they spend in time and money strategically.

Q: What does THAT mean?
A: In short, once inside the world of Internet marketing, you can expect to be marketed TO; it’s the nature of the biz. Just “man up” and say no to those offers until you are 1) more experienced; 2) generating profits; and 3) have a clearer understanding of which products and services will really make you more successful, and which are a waste of time and money.

Here is a rule of thumb: if you have more time than money (as do many new Internet entrepreneurs who start with very low budgets), then you should pass on many (or all) of the offers for additional tools, services, and resources that more experienced and profit-generating marketers like to add to their marketing toolkits. Yes–you will have to work harder until you can afford them, but there is a payoff in that as well: you will learn more than those who don’t put as much “sweat equity” into it as you do.

Those who have more money than time, however, will find that there are many excellent ways to re-invest their profits strategically to save time and get bigger results.

Q: So wouldn’t it make sense to get all the tools and services I can, as soon as possible? I need those “big results” soon.
A: Tempting, but I would caution against that. Until you thoroughly understand how to use the tools you start with, you will not likely be able to recoup your investment on additional bells and whistles. Even worse, many newcomers to the Internet marketplace are easy targets for less-than-reputable offers.

Remember this: if it sounds “too good to be true,” it probably is. Don’t cave in! (Contact me if you need to be talked down or want to see what I may already know about a particular offer’s legitimacy, usefulness, etc.. Glad to help.)

My final tip would be to find an entrepreneurial community like the one I belong to, or another that suits your needs to a tee, and join it for the high-quality Internet marketing education and back-office support it will provide. Hands down, that is the single best investment you will make in your future online marketing success.

I hope this has been helpful. I consulted with my own team of rising star marketers, to get their input for this article. (Thanks, everyone!) If you would like business-start-up coaching and/or guidance on your own Internet marketing strategies, contact me at Thia@ThiasPlace.com and we can have a talk. Maybe you’ll even end up on my team!

Meanwhile, post a comment, share, bookmark, or ReTweet this article, and help me get the word out!

Be amazed and amazing today!

Still scaling the Internet-marketing learning curve, or struggling to get a new online business off the ground? Take Thia’s online Tools For Success survey and qualify for a complimentary 30-minute phone “workout and fitness evaluation” with this Personal Trainer for Internet Marketing Newbies.

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