LESSON #2: What is an online business?

By | June 12, 2008

Contrary to what some of the so-called guru’s may say, having an online business is not for everyone. But in order to judge whether it’s a good fit for you, we first must define what an online business is and what it isn’t.

Please watch the following video:

Main points:

  • My personal definition is that it’s a business which is conducted primarily on the internet.

  • A website is NOT an online business.

  • It’s not a job.

  • There may be risk involved, but it’s all about how you perceive it.

  • If you’re afraid to start a business, then you need to either…

    a) get over your fear

    or

    b) decide to be happy with your job, and forget about starting a business

    Action steps:

    1) Answer the following question honestly:

    Do I want to run my own business?

    As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below.

    Have a great day!

  • 835 thoughts on “LESSON #2: What is an online business?

    1. Varneca

      The question you asked is “Do I want to run my own business?” I say yes I do want to run my own business. A little about myself, I’m currently in the military and I’m about to retire in September next year. I’m right now in change of a career. I’m in the process of looking for another career and trying to get resumes out there and it is hard. So in the mean time I’m looking for a change in career to supplement my income until I better understand the online business or succeed in it. But in the mean time I will be still looking for another career. I believe once I have a better understanding I will be able to be debt free and at this point that is why I’m so determined to try it. My goal is to try to be debt free before my retirement date. After that little history the answer to your question is yes I do want to run an online business. I feel I’m ready and its time. I’m used to hard work and patience. After all being in the military is hard work and it does take a lot of patience.

      Reply
    2. Bill

      I have been “trying” to run a on-line business since 1995 with little success. In a last ditch effort I decided to partner with a successful on-line marketer, thats you Eric, (well I must have being doing something wrong for all those years so why not learn from the expert)
      If my efforts fail this time, with you as a partner Eric, I’ll forget about “all” business and go enjoy my retirement fishing and sailing 🙂 (I’m 69 years of age)

      Reply
    3. Katherine Arayssi

      How can I download these videos to keep them and listen to them again?

      Reply
    4. waseem

      Thanks for the lesson Eric.
      to your question is yes I do want to run an online business. I feel I’m ready and its time.

      Reply
    5. Micah

      Hello Katherine,

      Unfortunately, it’s not possible to download the lessons currently. However, Eric plans on putting the entire lesson series on DVD when it is completed.

      Reply
    6. Jonathan

      Do You want to run your own business? – What a great question! – so many people have misconceptions as to what will be involved and don’t really think it through. It is refreshing that Eric asks this question ‘upfront’ and thereby gives his students the choice of direction and commitment. Gaining a ‘Support Network’ is paramount particulary to those who may be affected i.e. friends & family.

      Reply
    7. Troy

      Thanks Eric,It is refreshing to find someone who tells it like it is.I have been trying to get an online business going for month’s and have spent several thousand dollars and received a lot of info that has me very confused.I am looking forward to your help in putting it all together.

      Reply
    8. Charlie

      Hello Eric, Once again, a very sensible, understandable lesson. Your non-hype presentation is a breath of fresh air. I’m very happy I discovered your site. Thank you.

      Charlie

      Reply
    9. Timoteo

      Hi Eric,
      Thanks for the lesson #1 I click on lesson #2 it did not work it said ( missing plug in)
      I really want an online businessI spend so much money but did not get a penny I trust. I am a newbie.

      Reply
    10. kevin stainbrook

      hi Eric this Kevin i am just starting out in this adventure so let me tell you a littel about my self i am a truck driver i have been doing this for about twenty two yers now and it has taken a toll on me my wife and my life so the question is do i want to run my own busines and the answer is yes because rite now i am not ejoying my life my wife or any thing for that matter this has gotten me down what i need to know is how we do this and do it with out any out of pocket expens on my part because what money i make gos to the bank and it pays for tha previes week so rite now i am one week be hind and over drond so please i need all the help i can get

      Reply
    11. violet

      every time i told someone i wanted to loose weight I was told I didn`t need to, (even though i was 60 lbs over weight) When I shut my mouth and proceeded to do what I felt was in my best interest I lost the weight I needed to for my health. So what I am saying here is making money on line is a personal thing, and there is always those people that mean well for us, or think they know better, however unless they have experienced doing it themselves I NEVER ASK FOR FRIENDS ADVICE ON A SUBJECT THEY KNOW NOTHING OF.
      For example: Can you imagine someone telling us what religion to pick just because its been in the family for years. We all have free will to choose for our self do we not.

      Reply
    12. Kate

      I understood there were webinars in the coaching program. Is Eric’s Tips the same as the Real Guys Coaching Product? What is the difference? I bought a coaching program and just want to make sure I am in the right place. I know the Webinars are to take place on tuesdays, I dont know when or how to connect.

      Reply
    13. Anonymous

      I just got cut off . I will try again.

      Hi everyone,

      I believe I want an online business very much since I have spent 2 years learning the computer and business online, so I would think I have the determination to succeed. But, I can’t seem to put it together. I am on information overload and my creative writing powers are for the birds. Although I am educated and a retired senior, I am still determine to prove to myself that life begins at retirement and that I am still creative enough to build a business even at my age of 71. What do you think? Good night!

      Reply
    14. Micah

      Hello Stan,

      The reason your comments aren’t showing up instantly, is because they must be manually approved first. This is due to the rampant spam online. Even though we’re using great spam protection software, some can still get through.

      Reply
    15. DOROTHY HASKINS

      Yes Eric, I do want to run an online business. I have run a business before and know some of the ups and down of it. I am retired and older now. Spending most of my day not doing a lot I want to keep my brain active; learn how to do this and make some money in the process.

      Reply
    16. David Beggio

      I want to replace my current income of $100K per year. I can retire with an income of about $50K, not nearly enough. So with my biz earning me $100K I will have a gross of $150K a year. Makes sense to me. I am in the cell phone arena which is not going away anytime soon. I need to get the word out to everybody.

      Reply
    17. Marija

      Thank you Eric! I am very serious and have a great desire to run my own business. Months ago I started to learn the basic computer skills but to make a traffic I am inefficient yet. As a completely newbie I already study all your downloaded material. Your coaching is very welcome. Thank you! Marija

      Reply
    18. Derek Perkins

      Well Eric i just want to say i don’t see how you can judge someone saying that internet business is not for them, so if you think negative like that then i can’t work with you.

      Reply
    19. Linda

      Hey Eric,
      I have a information overload going on. I have purchased you firesell and it has so much material-great material but, I don’t really know where to start with the material. Any help with this would be awesome.

      Reply
    20. Linda

      Oh to answer the question, absolutely I want a online business. I been chopping at this block for a couple of months. I only been getting little chips off the block but, I will end up with a mountain with time and patience. My meaning of mountain is that I will succeed. I just need to be pointed in the right direction.

      Reply
    21. LaShawn

      Yes I am ready to start my own online business. You are very easy to understand. Peace & Blessings to all

      Reply
    22. LaShawn

      I am sorry to hear about your health. How are you feeling? I hope that you are feeling a little better. I will pray for you. Peace & Blessings to you.

      Reply
    23. Arthur Buccheri

      Hi Eric:
      What I am finding out about online businesses is that after buying the package, there are a lot of forced upsells without the training and support. It seems that most of these sites are actually your competition, and although they offer to train, they really don’t want you in their world. I believe that their income derives from offering more than what it really is.
      Any business requires dedication and in reality, your new business can’t be dictated by someone else.

      Reply
    24. Joel Charles

      It won’t open for me, it’s saying “missing plugin” I had no trouble playing Lesson 1 yesterday and I have not deleted anything from my computer. Help!

      Reply
    25. Heidi Schell

      This is one of those offers that sounds too good to be true. I’ve gone through some so called make money online opportunities and to this day have not made money, but they did, because they now have mine:( Since this is on Eric’s training site, how does he feel about this business? I would join in a minute if this is for real.

      Reply
    26. Dave

      I just like Abraham and many others ,I would believe are just getting started on an online business and I believe you are doing a great job keep it up. lets maybe do 2 lesson a day it makes up more time and we can start our business faster

      Reply
    27. alice

      help!! I watched the first video, now when I went to view the second one, it says “missing plug-in” what does that mean?

      Reply
    28. Lawrence

      Hey Laurie youcan go to camstudio.org and get the free version of camtasia with all the same features.

      And I lovethe video lessons I finally feel like someone geniunely care about there students and not how much money he can squeeze from a list. Thanks eric so much for your trainings

      Reply
    29. Akmal

      Don’t just learn how to success online. Learn also from other people mistake. Failure can be costly but it is a good learn. Business success is the journey not destination.

      Reply
    30. kATHLEEN

      My desire is yes I want a business and have wanted it for about 25 years now. Thanks for showing me how! Doing this in steps will keep me organized and focus. I am dislexsic and put things backwards or mixed up. Thanks.

      Reply
    31. Danvelyn

      I am already starting; afraid though that I won’t make it, but I’m willing to put in the hours and learn the “ropes.” I am not able to view your videos, keep getting message “plug-in missing.” What plug-in?

      Reply
    32. Danvelyn

      Are you the Eric who got me interested in Triple Action Traffic? Well, I’ll tell you that I was never able to download the software AT ALL! Now how do I recover my expense?

      Reply

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