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. Oliver Ndegwa

      I sure must admit that this is a very noble idea you got going here. How better to give to the world than to teach them how to become better than they already are.. I sure will follow this to the last lesson and Having had several businesses running I cant wait to see how an online one will go.. There is always room for an extra $ to be made. Much obliged.

      ~Oliver~

      Reply
      1. cendes

        Yes,Eric I always looking for doing online business but I am totally green and poor in English wondering whether suitable or not. Please advice.
        Last month I did create a domain name -yesmoneycome.com but no hosting don’t know can do anything on it? Pls advice. Thank you.
        Thank you for your true and real teaching I really appreciate and feel so grateful about what you do for us. It really help me a lot.

        Reply
    2. Helen P. Harris

      Yes I would love to run my online business but I have tried many times but I just seem to run into to many obstacles. Number one is my family, they just don’t think that is the thing for me, Who ask them? When you go into a business not knowing anything about doing a business there is just too many lies and miss guiding answers over and over again and also no Mentors. When you sign up they quote one price but when you get into it there are so many underline billing that you don’t know about if you don’t do the research to begin with about the program you sign up with.

      Reply
    3. Helen P. Harris

      Yes Eric I have wanted to have my own online business for years. I am 74 years old retired and need something to supplement my income, but need a lot of guidance.

      Reply
    4. Paul Grodkowski

      HI Eric,

      I have joined Eric’s Tips. So far I have listened to Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 and I am a little bit confused about how to

      run an online business and if it is really for me ? I am planning to listen to your further lessons and I am hoping that

      will shed some more light.

      Thank you,

      Paul

      Reply
    5. Anthony

      you ask the question , do you want to run my own online business
      My answer to that question is yes, but i seem to be coming up short
      every time I try

      Reply
    6. Rosemary Fisher

      Eric,

      I just purchased some of your products and CANNOT wait to learn how to make this profitable. I am an author of two books (Recycled Women and The Smokin’ HOT Bride of Christ) and am BELIEVING that after this course, my internet businesses will be so profitable that I can send my books for FREE to all prisons, rehabs and small churches that cannot afford the books. Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents to help others! God bless you!!!

      Reply
    7. Bishop Andy Lewter

      I have been in pastoral ministry for the last 40 years and I want to run an online business. I am approaching retirement and I feel that the experiences and information that I have gathered over the years would be a strong foundation to share with others and provide a revenue stream for my twilight years. I am interested in the “church niche” market and would hope to make enough money to give much of my material away, free of charge. I have only listened to two lessons, but am very impressed with what I have heard so far. I look forward to more.

      Reply
    8. Richard

      Great point, Eric, about not consulting your family too closely. It has always amazed me how few families are really playing on the same team. I never understood growing up what the point of having children was if you’re just going to tell them that nothing is possible, criticize everything they do, and never defend them in a conflict. Fortunately, as an adult, I’ve been blessed with a wife who’s nothing short of an angel.

      Reply
    9. Eseigbe

      Certainly Yes! I want to run my own online business. I have been out of job for about a year now and there doesn’t seem to be a likelihood I may get another job so soon especially considering my age and the country where i come from . I think the online business is the only possible avenue i can fall back to for making and earning money to pay my bills . I am in.

      Reply
    10. Marcey Sperling

      Hi ! I believe I want, am in need of and ready, to start and run my own business online. I have been researching and studying the online atmosphere for the prior two years. I’ve been waiting to find a part of the industry that I feel the most comfortable and the happiest doing, and have been waiting until I understand what it is with which I will have to deal. I have run my own business before however it was not online, and therefore I needed a lesson and a feeling of security before I indulged into beginning. Fortunately, I believe I am finally at that time, and I am very excited, and very excited to get help from Eric who I had been following for two years. Thanks

      Marcey

      Reply
        1. Micah

          Hello Marcey,

          We recommend that you hang in there with Eric’s free video lessons at http://www.ericstips.com/. Eric’s lessons have helped many people to go from beginners, to successful online business owners!

          The lessons are presented in a sequence that starts at the very beginning, where the very first things you need to learn about online marketing are shown in the first few lessons!

          If you’re interested to go even more in-depth with marketing, you might also want to take part in Eric’s coaching club:
          http://www.realguysrealmoney.com

          Eric, Paul, and Jeff are expert marketers. They will be a great resource for you!

          What is included in the Coaching Club:
          – 2 Live Coaching Webinars Per Month with Jeff Wellman, Paul Counts, and Eric Holmlund
          – Access to the Archive of All Coaching Calls
          – Monthly High Quality PLR Product
          – Massive Video Training Library
          – Community Forum (JV’s, Support, and More)
          – Articles, Bonuses, and More
          http://www.realguysrealmoney.com/go17/

          Reply
    11. Alidra

      I’ve had my own online business for many years and I am ready to learn more about driving more traffic, opt in pages, auto-responders, and keeping it as high on the top of page 1 as possible. I’m not a youngster any more and my learning curve isn’t as easy as my children, but I’m trying to learn more every day.
      Thank You for all your information, I have downloaded several books and am reading and learning!
      Thanks Again,
      Alidra
      bonusvelvetantler

      Reply
    12. Kimmy

      Thank you Eric, i’ve already been inspired even though i’ve only watched your first two videos. i’ve tried many different things that have been internet based over recent years as i truly believe there must be a way for ‘little me’ to make some money through the internet, but so far everything i’ve tried i’ve not been successful, but the main thing is i’m still trying! It has cost me a lot of money and i hope that someday i’ll be able to earn that back again. I’ve enjoyed the straight-forwardness of your instruction, and the fact that you cover some seemingly ‘simple’ yet imperative points regarding considering starting up a business. I like your style and the way you communicate and that you are a genuine and giving ‘good guy’ comes through in your videos. I’m looking forward to learning from you! Thank you! Kimmy .
      New Zealand.

      Reply
    13. Sandra

      I Am committed. I want to have my own business and I sure want it to be online. I think it’s the best way to be financially free and completely independent. My major concern is on the start up costs. I’ve been unemployed for a long time and financially I’m quite unstable. I’m not sure I have someone who will lend me any money at this point. So, if it takes a lot of money; it will be a greater challenge!

      Reply
    14. Jos van Doorn

      Eric,

      You had a question for me. You want to know if I want to run my own business? You are talking about an Internet business. Let me tell you how it is. Yes. I want to run my own Internet business.

      I’m doing AutoLISP programming. I have had a job as an AutoLISP programmer and I made some money with it. But that was years ago and I haven’t found new job as AutoLISP programmer.

      I’m looking at ways to make money. And an Internet business is a good idea for making money, I think. I don’t know how I can do it. Or what Internet business I will have.

      You were talking about fear. You were saying that you should not start an Internet business if you are having a fear. Well. I can tell you. Now I have no income. So there is no fear.

      In your first lesson you told me about what you are doing. You give ten percent of the money, that you are making, to your church. I think that I very good. I have no church, but I would like to help other people.

      Somebody else was saying, that having an Internet business makes you financially free and completely independent. I think that is true. That is another reason why I want to start an Internet business.

      Jos

      Reply
    15. Gavino Berardesco

      As a former brick and mortar business owner I have enjoyed running my own business and now need some good training to really make it work online I have tried in the past and given up, but I know it’s possible no matter what others say and I’m here to really learn this time around.

      Reply
    16. Jose Bulao Jr.

      Thank you, Eric, for these lessons. I have been looking for an online teacher like you. Now I have found you.

      Reply
    17. Jessie

      Yes, I want my own business part time. I have always enjoyed some type
      of business to help people. I am over seventy-five and plan to live
      doing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my city and the world.

      Reply
    18. Rory V

      Hi Eric,
      I am a Newbie with no business experience. I was educated in the old school of learning: Reading, Riting and Rithmetic, therefore I am a tech illiterate. I love to learn and hope to improve my tech savvy, and I am learning more everyday. I spent a lot of money on courses and was overwhelmed with so many concepts to “digest” and not enough support along the way. I was really very frustrated. While I loved to learn, I do not aspire to earn a million bucks, a few dollars would be nice to feed my habit of traveling around the globe.

      Your business experiences are very inspiring, and hope they will rub on me. I knew it is hard work and this endeavor is really a challenge. I am very confident, however, that you are a very dedicated and compassionate “teacher”.I quote Benjamin Franklin when he said: ” Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

      Reply
      1. Micah

        Hello Manoj,

        We recommend that you hang in there with Eric’s free video lessons at http://www.ericstips.com/. Eric’s lessons have helped many people to go from beginners, to successful online business owners!

        The lessons are presented in a sequence that starts at the very beginning, where the very first things you need to learn about online marketing are shown in the first few lessons!

        If you’re interested to go even more in-depth with marketing, you might also want to take part in Eric’s coaching club:
        http://www.realguysrealmoney.com

        Eric, Paul, and Jeff are expert marketers. They will be a great resource for you!

        What is included in the Coaching Club:
        – 2 Live Coaching Webinars Per Month with Jeff Wellman, Paul Counts, and Eric Holmlund
        – Access to the Archive of All Coaching Calls
        – Monthly High Quality PLR Product
        – Massive Video Training Library
        – Community Forum (JV’s, Support, and More)
        – Articles, Bonuses, and More
        http://www.realguysrealmoney.com/go17/

        Reply
    19. alan suter

      Dear Eric,
      I have just returned to your site after a no of years trying other internet marketing courses without any real success aprt from puchasing domain names/hosting/autoresponders without making any real money. Your introductory e-mail arrived just at the right time as i was considering giving up permanently but I was both thrilled and motivated to purchase your No Income Internet Business Course and as a result am now fully retired from NHS after 35 years and am now more determined than ever before to succeed in this business whatever it takes now. Thank you for being so frank,honest and real in all your advice. On to lesson 3 and NCIBS Chapter 2.

      Reply
    20. Gertrude Onwukwe, Nigeria

      Yes Eric,I want an online business and I also want to be successful, so I need all the tools available.

      .

      Reply
    21. Christine

      I very much want to have my own business and have been trying for 8 months straight but jo success as all. My biggest issue is getting subscribers, traffic to my site and figuring out the best sales pitch to present so people are interested or something about it catches their eye… I hope your able to give useful information / advice so something clicks and I finally “get it”. Thank you for this program,
      Christine

      Reply
    22. Stephen Minter

      YES!!!!! I want to run my own online business, with the economy the way it is jobs are not guaranteed anymore, so you have to diversify my income, as the old saying goes , don”t put all of your eggs in one basket.

      Reply
    23. John Pirtle

      Yes I want to run my own business.. I have tried a lot of shinny programs that have no merit. I feel this is the real thing,

      Reply
    24. Rebecca Heaney

      Hi Eric
      I am definite in my decision to start my own business!!!
      Also wanted to ask you Eric. I’m an absolute newbie and absolutely relate to your first lesson”information overload & analysis by Paralysis” I’ve just purchased the WP Income Formula (which you have partnered with and endorsed). What do you recommend I do…should i do the 100 lessons with you first and then start the training with WP Income Formula (HWplrstore) or do BOTH???? Kindest regards Rebecca

      Reply
      1. Micah

        Hello Rebecca,

        It might be good to go through some of Eric’s lessons first, just so you’ll have a greater online business overview and perspective.

        Also, be sure to go at your own pace. It’s better to understand the information, rather than going too quickly, where it either goes in one ear and out the other, or paralyzes you from all that information overload. The lessons are made for beginners, so you don’t need to worry about those things too much! 🙂

        Reply
    25. Leslie Courcha

      Well I’ve been in the IT business since 1983. Do I have an online business in my opinion yes. I create web sites for clients and sell security systems on line and make a living securing people s computers and websites. I believe that to be a successful online business person you need to have an understanding of business . just because it doesn’t have four walls and a roof doesn’t mean it’s not a real business and it needs to be run as such. All I ever see from the hundreds of emails I get each day is people trying to sell products to internet marketers to help them with their business I never get emails from an Internet marketer trying to sell me a product that isn’t internet marketing related.

      Reply
    26. Seun

      How can I build my own website and hosting it. Building online business as been my dream but thank God finally you have open my mind to move on.

      Reply
      1. Micah

        Hello Seun,

        We recommend that you hang in there with Eric’s free video lessons at http://www.ericstips.com/. Eric’s lessons have helped many people to go from beginners, to successful online business owners!

        The lessons are presented in a sequence that starts at the very beginning, where the very first things you need to learn about online marketing are shown in the first few lessons!

        If you’re interested to go even more in-depth with marketing, you might also want to take part in Eric’s coaching club:
        http://www.realguysrealmoney.com

        Eric, Paul, and Jeff are expert marketers. They will be a great resource for you!

        What is included in the Coaching Club:
        – 2 Live Coaching Webinars Per Month with Jeff Wellman, Paul Counts, and Eric Holmlund
        – Access to the Archive of All Coaching Calls
        – Monthly High Quality PLR Product
        – Massive Video Training Library
        – Community Forum (JV’s, Support, and More)
        – Articles, Bonuses, and More
        http://www.realguysrealmoney.com/go17/

        Reply
    27. Theuns

      I am 60 years old and have been forced into early retirement due to the policies of the South African Government. Since 1995 I wanted to get into the online business but always thought I didn’t have the knowledge and skills. Now at times I truly think I don’t but I am determined to still make a success of my own online business. However you are right. the volume of information supplied is just too much and I am stuck. I am at my end right now. The last cash I had to invest in an online business was spent when I subscribed to all the products and offers with the launch of My Funnel Empire. That was a week ago today and still I am not active on the web because I don’t know how to put the finishing touches on everything to get it active. Right now I am stuck, it seems that every package that I bought is hanging in the air because with all the information I still don’t know how to get the landing pages out in space and to start sending and receiving traffic. I would very much appreciate if this series can take me to a point where all these tools can start working for me and not the other way around. I NEED to generate some serious cash with in the next 5 to 6 days or I can just as well go and jump of a cliff. Thanks for the way you approach this entire issue.

      Reply
    28. Eyad

      Hi again

      Yes I want the online business and I am trying to have it from long time ago but I never reach what they show me :o(

      I will do my best to get your 100 lessons maybe much luck will round for the good way .

      Thanks again
      God Bless You
      Eyad

      Reply
    29. Kunta Bush

      Yes indeed I do won’t my on online business work toward that goal everyday
      I green but I’m determined to have successful online buisness an I will with the help of a few good mentors thanks in advance

      Reply
    30. Sharon Mayer

      Thank you Eric. I am already selling books on amazon and I love it i I love having at least started selling books on amazon. Now I can at least learn from you on how to start from the beginning and do everything that is required step by step. this online business is just what i need

      Reply
    31. Roberto

      Hola,
      El problema que tengo es que no hablo inglés y lamentablemente los videos están en inglés y no están subtitulados, creo que esa es una gran limitación que no me va ha permitir avanzar con este proyecto que aparentemente no es tan difícil.
      Saludos

      Reply
    32. Jacquelynne Myers

      Having been around internet marketing since Mikey was chasing butterflies, 🙂 trying and giving up because life happened and it was a good excuse to quit, 2017 has to be my year. I’m not religious, but I’m a Christian and very spiritual. I’ve prayed about this. I discovered a niche that has been of great interest since I was a kid and bought a valuable domain name for it. I’m working on content and all the things I need for a great blog. But the fact is it takes a while to build enough traffic, trust, and authority to make money, no matter how well it’s monetized. And Liz Tomey said many times that if you are selling something online, you are in the MMO niche.
      I’m not going to quit. I know a lot, but not enough, and I think I could learn while I earn with affiliate marketing. My family needs me. Do you know how much money most gurus want for coaching? By the way, the bonuses and your new product are very educational and in demand. I was up late last night reading. It is good to be back to Eric’s Tips and Jeff and Paul, none of whom I fear 🙂

      Reply
    33. Marc M. Demers

      Hi Eric,

      I’m definitely interested in starting an Online Business.

      You are right, it’s will not be an easy trip but as I surf a lot on my spare time on Internet, it’s will be a wonderful trip.

      I’ll put my heart on this business, it will be an achievement for me and my family.

      Regards

      Marc M. Demers

      Reply
    34. Ralph Huntington

      I want a successful online business so much I am completely determined to have it. I can’t really express exactly how much I want it. I want it BAAAAADDD. I will have it and I will succeed. Big Time. I expect 6 figures minimum this year (2017) and 7 figures minimum next year (2018). I know it can be done because others have done it. If they can do it, surely I can too, and I will do it.

      Reply
    35. Ralph Huntington

      Let me answer more specifically the action question: Yes, I want to run my own business. I have done this successfully in the past as a consultant and as a partner in a couple of other businesses. But I’ve never run an online business. I did run an Internet business but that was a brick-n-mortar ISP business (back in the old dial-up days), not an online business as we think of it today. Yes, I want it!

      Reply
    36. elzie

      Erick i have tried a online business and have been a little success. I gave up because i am really computer illiterate! and the very people u trust and like once u sign up with them u don’t see or here from them like u did before that. That’s so discourgen so i have been on your email list 5 years but it’s now i finally decided to be dedicated to u and your ways to do this because the proof is in what i been reading and watching u thanks ElzieJackson

      Reply
    37. NeKeshia Henderson

      Yes, I want my own business and I have been trying to learn how to build it. I appreciate the fact that you are going step by step. I have several domains that I am wanting to revamp to create the streams of income to get out of the 9-5 business world.

      Reply
    38. Cathy

      Thank you for teaching all of us about online business. I have never done this before, but find it exciting to learn.

      Reply
    39. Paul Bass

      Thanks for offering this. I have to say, it appears there are multiple ways to skin this cat, but if I take them all – no success. I come from a perspective that I have always felt that it was a calling but so far I have only been able to supplement. I want to teach my children how to understand the economics of an online business (and offline).

      Reply
    40. mourice

      Yes, I have been trying to start one but have not had a breakthrough for now about 15months and have not made a Penney, but am sure there are ways of doing it and most likely I have been doing it the wrong way. But after it all I will start to earn a lot when I come to the right track.

      Reply
    41. Peter Edwards

      I almost laughed when you stated “if you do not know what a business is” It could be summed up in a few words.

      A business is an online or offline company that generates revenue for or not for profit.

      Good point stating that a business is not for everyone, there really are some people that should never be in or even think of starting a business. We need to be prepared to take a risk, that may pay off if we are Successful. It takes long hours in the beginning, to reap the fruits of our labour.

      Jesus planted the seed years ago, and through Faith and the Fathers Blessing, are those seeds reaping the harvest.

      I have had many ups and downs in life, where I could have chosen to give up. By Faith and Trust, I continued on. If you fail get up and try again.

      Reply
    42. Bryant Dodd

      Eric you seem like a real nice ethical guy. I could tell from your first video. This lesson was well explained and I thank you for this. Yes, I do want to move on to the next lesson,

      Reply

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