Are You the Jack of All Trades?

By Sean Wu
Posted Friday, November 12, 2004

The most commonly overlooked question for a great number of netpreneurs who are looking to start an online business is whether they are planning to do it alone or as a team. Whether you are planning to start or have already began working on your Internet business, it is wise to step back and evaluate the different skills that are required to succeed online.

For most people new to an online business, their Internet dream starts with a great idea, which can be an original ebook, affiliate program, software, or online service. Yet, most people fail to realize that from their ideas, the product or service must be produced, a web site must be created, a marketing campaign must be executed, and so on and so forth.

Many people say that the beauty of starting an online business is that it requires little or no startup cost. Well, the truth is that if you are planning to start an online business with little or no money, be prepared to do A LOT of things yourself.

Also, starting an Internet business rarely costs nothing. At the very least, you'll need a computer, an Internet connection, and a web host if you are planning to have a web site.

If you are planning to pursue your Internet dream alone, you will have to be the jack of all trades. That means that you must be your own web site developer, product creator, search engine expert, links manager, ezine publisher, customer service personnel, accountant, and Internet marketer. For the average person, assuming most, if not all, of the roles mentioned above is indeed a daunting task.

On the other hand, you may choose to work on your Internet business as a team. The advantage of working with a team is that it lessens each person's workload and allows each individual to concentrate more on his or her assigned task(s). However, be prepared to share your profits with each other.

If you do not have any friends who are interested or willing to work with you, then you might consider hiring others to work for you. You can hire others to work for you on a one-time basis (such as designing your web site) or you may choose to employ someone to do some routine work (such as maintaining and updating your web site).

Now, if you still think that starting an Internet business is easy, think again. Despite all the hype that you might have heard about making great amounts of money from your own product or affiliate program, succeeding online does not happen overnight.

However, starting an Internet business does not necessarily have to be hard. As with any offline business, an Internet business requires that you take the time to learn the different aspects of the business. Would you go to battle in a war if you have never done any military training?

After all, an Internet business is, as its name implies, a business. Hence, you must treat your Internet business seriously if you wish to succeed. Having an Internet business does not mean that you can work any less than an offline one. It only allows you to work flexible hours from the comfort of your home (and in your underwear, if you wish).

So, if you are thinking of starting an Internet business, decide today: do you want to be the jack of all trades? If so, be prepared to open your eyes (and mind!) to learning new things every day! After all, isn't learning supposed to be a lifelong process?

On the other hand, if you don't want to be the jack of all trades, be prepared to open up your wallet... KATCHING!

About the Author
Sean Wu is the founder of (http://www.MoneyALLY.com), a newly launched web site that reveals the truth about making money online. Subscribe to his MoneyALLY Newsletter today and get as your FREE gift a $159 Money-Making Starter Kit. Simply send a blank e-mail to: mailto:moneyally_ezine@ListWarrior.com