OK, we've covered the basics, now what? You need to learn internet marketing strategy, just as you would develop a business plan for a "bricks and mortar" business.

Assuming you have done as suggested, and gotten some education on how internet marketing works, and perhaps enrolled in an affiliate program so that you can get some "mentoring" and marketing advice, you need to start narrowing your focus, and refining your internet marketing strategy.

For most people, the easiest way to learn internet marketing is to begin with affiliate marketing, and/or online network marketing.

In either case, pick a high quality product that you'll be confident to endorse, and learn how to write effective copy and develop traffic while marketing the product. Later on, you can add additional products, or develop your own products.

The beauty of this is that you can promote products as an affiliate even if you don't have your own website or mailing list. While marketing as an affiliate, you will learn a great deal about how to start your own internet business.

The value of being tightly focussed at first can't be emphasized enough. You will find that you'll initially be much more effective if you promote only one product or program, or a tightly related small group of programs or products, instead of using the "flea market" approach and spreading yourself too thin, trying to promote dozens of unrelated products.

Step One is to define your market or "niche". Too many people try to do business online in highly competitive markets, and doom themselves to failure. In reality, "the riches are in the niches". If you can find a tightly focussed topic area with relatively little competition, you almost can't help but make money with it. Ideally, you also want to find something you are at least interested in, if not passionate about, so that it will keep your interest and be a "labor of love".

Step Two is to select a product, or a small group of highly related products to market. This is similar to selecting your niche, as you ideally want products that are in demand, but not already heavily marketed. Do your homework ... it will pay off!

Step Three is to refine your internet marketing strategy. You need to decide whether to do your marketing from your own content or sales web site, or strictly through Pay Per Click search engine advertising, purchasing leads, and/or newsletter advertising. As an alternative, you might choose first to start an email newsletter, and then do promotions in the newsletter for the various products you have created or represent as an Affiliate.

Step Four is to select a Domain Name for your web site (assuming you're going to build a website right away), and a name for your business (they need not be the same, but it's usually a good idea). Picking a domain name, in particular, is something you should put some thought and research into. Having a domain name that also happens to coincide with a well searched for but relatively noncompetitive key word or phrase can be a significant factor in bringing you search engine traffic.

Step Five is to learn to write effective copy. Writing for the internet is not the same as writing for the print world. Invest some time and money in learning how to write copy for internet marketing.

Step Six is to be sure you are legal. Make sure you have a Tax ID number and/or Business License, if you need one, and have a system in place for keeping good records of your income and expenses. Also, take the time to write the proper disclosure documents for your web site. Not having them can get you shut down, and/or into all kinds of legal and financial hassles.

One last bit of advice, before we move on. If you are serious about succeeding, then you need to treat your internet venture as a business. This may seem obvious, but all too many people treat it more like a hobby than a business.

If you're serious about making money online, then think of yourself as an internet business person. Get organized, be willing to devote time and effort to your business, budget a certain amount of time and money for education and a certain amount for advertising, and keep good records of your income and expenses.

Finally, be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a successful business. It takes time and effort.

"If you build it they will come" makes a great line for a movie, but internet business requires that you learn three important things:

1.) Find or develop quality products for which there is a demand.

2.) Write effective and persuasive copy (or hire someone to do it for you).

3.) Learn how to get web site traffic, or your internet business will die.

Most people would be well advised to read a couple of top quality ebooks to learn internet marketing strategy. The small amount of money spent at the early stage will save you a lot of headaches and expense in the long run.