"Starting Smart!"an online e-zine for newbies and semi-seasoned Internet marketers alike.

Issue: September 13, 2003

"Why Skepticism Is Vital To The Newbie Netreprenuer"

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"Starting Smart"
The Ezine for the Online Marketing Newbie

September 13, 2003
Karl Augustine - Publisher

Subscribe Link:
http://startingsmart.9mistakes-online.com

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*Greetings...I hope all is well with you...
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Hello,

Welcome new subscribers, thanks for being here!

Welcome to this edition of "Starting Smart". I trust you had a great couple weeks online.

I'm back from Canada, it was the perfect vacation. I worked side by side with my Dad fixing the cabin's deck and "weather-side"...the deck lasted 20 years before some of the wood got rotted. As you surely know, it get extremely cold in Canada and the snow comes down by the truckload. Well, 20 years ago when the deck was built, we didn't think about the snow piling up on the deck in the winter and having nowhere to drain when it melted...we put the deck 2X4's flush up against the wall of the cabin. A friend, my brother and I built the deck, my father wasn't there...if he had been there, he'd have known not to put the deck floor flush up against the side of the house!

Putting the deck butt up against the side of the house was a bad idea. The water got into the siding of the cabin and eventually rotted some of the sills (2X10's) that support the framework. What a mess! My father had the rotten portion 90% cut out before I even got there, he had done the bulk of the hard work before I even arrived. He is a serious worker...he's 75 years old and can still squeeze the breath out of me.

Anyway, not to bore you with carpentry, it was a perfect vacation to me even though I worked 8 hours each day doing manual labor. I love it! Why? Lots of reasons, #1 being I worked side by side with my father. But also because that cabin has deep intrinsic value to me, my sweat went into it along with the rest of my family's. In addition, I was on an island on the French River out in fresh clean Canadian air with loons, seagulls, hummingbirds, and other wildlife all around me. Oh yeah, and my pale white Seattle skin actually got some sun!

Take a look from the deck at one morning's sunrise!

After several days of constant work, my father and I were standing on the deck looking at we needed to do next (we were 80% done) and he said, "I thought about paying someone to do this...". I smiled and turned to him and said (while chuckling) "Yeah right!" If you'd have done that, you wouldn't have the satisfaction of knowing we did it together and it wouldn't have the same meaning."

Of course, he grinned, I knew he felt the same way and only said that to get a rise out of me...no way in the world my father would ever pay someone to do what he is supposed to do.

What a great feeling...we did it, no one else. Clearly, Dad's old school and so am I...wouldn't have it any other way. The same idea/concept holds true with anything you do...don't be afraid to dig through the mud, learn on your own, and do it yourself. Hard work is one thousand time more beneficial if done the right way and for the right reasons...I'm not saying to do things the hard way, just remember the value on being able to do it yourself. Work hard and smart and you'll make it.

Changing gears...

Need a job?

I was interviewed this week by Don Monteith of GetYourDreamJob a very nice gentleman who is determined to help people get the job they want even in these somewhat depressed economic times. Don is an ex and semi-retired CEO of a staffing firm...he spent his career helping people find jobs! You couldn't find a more credible source help you find the job you want. Don and I connected because I told him I wanted to help him help people get he job they want, I feel bad for folks who can't find the job they want or any job for that matter. I've got 5 years of technical recruiting under my little belt so I know how folks get the jobs they want and what makes employers bite on job inquiries.

Don's book and entire product offering is terrific, I've reviewed it...Don's right on the money! Take a look right now if you are looking for your dream job or any job.

GetYourDreamJob

Highlight of the last 2 weeks: My wife and I had a 'date night' which we rarely do. I didn't work at all, which is rare.

Low point of the last 3 weeks: Reflecting on the tragedy of 9/11. My thoughts to all who suffered.

Publishers:
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One more quick note to all of you...

I truly do enjoy publishing this newsletter. I couldn't do it without you. I deeply value your time and interests and want to continue helping any way I can. Please send any feedback to me...what you'd like to see, what you want me to stop doing, what you want me to start doing, etc...your input helps make "Starting Smart" what it is.

MAILTO:karl@9mistakes-online.com

Thanks for being here and enjoy the issue!

Karl Augustine

"The Regular Guy"

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In this edition...
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*Products I can't live without
*Featured Article: "Why Skepticism Is Vital To The Newbie Netreprenuer"
*In the news
*Get Interactive With the Publisher, me.
*Welcome New Subscribers! Help us grow...
*F*reebie(s) of this issue in the "Starting Smart Community Chest!"
*Copyright and Publisher Info

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*Products I can't live without...
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*One of the books that is truly a must have! Paul Myers' "Amazing List Machine", there's nothing else like it...

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*Push Button Leads: One of the best list building services around. Get paid to build your list.

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*Featured Article:
"Why Skepticism Is Vital To The Newbie Netreprenuer"

At least 90% of all online businesses fail...the netreprenuer's time and money simply run out!

So, exactly how skeptical does a newbie need to be in order to really be sensible?

Being presented countless offers and products as an Internet marketing newbie, this question is really a matter of common sense. Still, many newcomers react rather than evaluate, and fall into the trap of falling for "the hook" of the offer being presented.

Rookie marketers get excited about most things that come across their desk...and for good reason. The Internet is the most powerful non-human tool in the history of marketing, and folks are making large sums of money using it. Newbies who are truly dead set on joining the wave we call "Internet marketing" realize they have to purchase certain products and listen to certain people if they are going to learn what it takes to be successful. And, when a bullish newcomer makes his/her mind up to go for it, excitement can usually get the better of them when reading web copy. They imagine themselves making x amount of money or driving x amount of traffic to their site or believing that "this is the most amazing system...", just like they are being told to do by the sales copy of web pages.

Before they can really assess what is being presented, another senior level marketer makes another sale and one more rookie has used by far his/her most valuable resources; time and money.

Rather than waste time and money, rookies should force themselves to be skeptical if they aren't inherently skeptical already. Skepticism is a good thing...it alleviates doubt and diminishes blame. Skepticism in these terms is merely taking a step back when evaluating anything and saying "Sounds good, but, am I letting emotion get in the ay of my intellect? Did what I read, saw, or heard spark a specific feeling?".

If the answer is "yes" in any form, then the true skeptic will actually realize that happened to them before they act on that feeling. At this moment, the rookie knows he/she has reached a level where he/she can protect those 2 most valued resource; time and money.

For the newbie, skepticism will hopefully lead to research and clear thoughtful evaluation before doing anything online, especially when evaluating and product or service.

Here are 9 steps for the newcomer to take when evaluating anything, i.e., being skeptical:

Read sales copy and identify features and benefits that fulfill the immediate and long term needs
Go to Google and find other sites with similar products and repeat step 1
Compare features and benefits of all products that are being evaluated
Compare prices
Email the site owner and inquire about their guarantee is or ask about any features that are unclear. (Their response time will also give you an idea of their credibility.)
Consider who referred the product site and/or visit the sites of the people who have written the testimonials and see if they look credible
After choosing the product that will be purchased, go to any well traveled forum and post a message asking if anyone could give you feedback about the product you are evaluating
Check out the sites of the people that respond to the forum post...don't listen to just anyone!
Go back, re-read the sales copy and ensure that the product fills every need that is present ...newbie should ask him/herself, "Does this product fix my immediate problem and will it be something I can benefit from for the long term based on my business plan?"

Newcomers to Internet marketing should always be skeptical about everything and evaluate with an elevated sense of logic rather than emotion. For the newbie, this skeptical yet sensible approach will save time and money, something a rookie desperately needs in order to survive online.

Be humble, work smart, keep it simple.

Karl Augustine
"The Regular Guy"

(c) Karl Augustine
http://www.9mistakes-online.com
http://startingsmart.9mistakes-online.com

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In the news...

If you want to use audio in your website, don't use Flash...

http://news.com.com/2100-1032-5074799.html?part=dht&tag=ntop

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(c) Karl Augustine
http://www.9mistakes-online.com
http://startingsmart.9mistakes-online.com
"9 Deadly Mistakes To Avoid When Starting An Online Business". How much time and money have you wasted? For more time saving and money making tips, get your full copy here => http://www.9mistakes-online.com

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*Welcome New Subscribers!

For those of you just joining, welcome!

Your time is valuable and I'll do my level best to make this "read" time well spent. I am just a regular guy, just like many of you out there...I stuck with it, and now am having a blast doing what I love to do. Keep a positive attitude and you can do just about anything....seems like old news, but it works and we all can use a little reminding now and then.

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*Freebie(s) of this issue

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Click the link below and use this info to gain access:

*Username is "communitychest" without the quotation marks (" ")
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*Copyright and Publisher Info
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"Starting Smart" is copyright 2003 by Karl Augustine.
No part of this publication may be reproduced
without consent from the publisher.

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