The potential to earn money from the comfort your home is tremendous. There are numerous legitimate and profitable business ventures out there. However, the challenge lies in sifting through the noise created by less reputable business models and outright scams.
If you’ve been seeking ways to generate income online or from home, you’re probably all too familiar with this predicament. There are countless opportunities that initially seem promising, but upon further investigation, they prove to be unfeasible. Some might not be lucrative, while others could be downright fraudulent. Therefore, it’s crucial to safeguard yourself.
So, what’s the solution? When you come across an appealing opportunity to earn money, consider these questions…
Are you offering substantial value to others?
This should be the first question you ask yourself. In essence, are you providing a product or service of real worth to others? If not, then ponder why you’re being compensated. It’s likely to be some form of Ponzi-style scheme.For instance, have you ever encountered those lists of names and addresses where you’re asked to send $10 to everyone on the list and then add your name at the bottom so you can get paid too?These are Ponzi schemes, where those who initiate the list tend to profit, while others are fortunate if they don’t lose money. Many people don’t even pay others on the list – they simply add their name and circulate the list, hoping that others will pay them.There is no value in this. The individuals on the list aren’t trading goods or services for money. That’s why such schemes are not only deemed scams but are also illegal in many places.Another example would be Ponzi-style schemes disguised as network marketing opportunities. Those who join early earn the most money. The focus is on bringing others into the “business,” as new recruits often have to pay for a starter kit (and the profits from these kits go to the upline).So, once again, ask yourself – are you truly providing value? Are you selling real products or services? If not, then steer clear of these opportunities.This leads us to the next question…
This should be the first question you ask yourself. In essence, are you providing a product or service of real worth to others? If not, then ponder why you’re being compensated. It’s likely to be some form of Ponzi-style scheme.For instance, have you ever encountered those lists of names and addresses where you’re asked to send $10 to everyone on the list and then add your name at the bottom so you can get paid too?These are Ponzi schemes, where those who initiate the list tend to profit, while others are fortunate if they don’t lose money. Many people don’t even pay others on the list – they simply add their name and circulate the list, hoping that others will pay them.There is no value in this. The individuals on the list aren’t trading goods or services for money. That’s why such schemes are not only deemed scams but are also illegal in many places.Another example would be Ponzi-style schemes disguised as network marketing opportunities. Those who join early earn the most money. The focus is on bringing others into the “business,” as new recruits often have to pay for a starter kit (and the profits from these kits go to the upline).So, once again, ask yourself – are you truly providing value? Are you selling real products or services? If not, then steer clear of these opportunities.This leads us to the next question…
Are you required to recruit others or purchase products yourself to earn money?
Some network marketing companies do sell actual products or services, and they’re generally considered legitimate businesses. Avon is an example where individuals can sell beauty products and earn a portion of the profits. In fact, one can make money even without recruiting another person into the business.However, not all network marketing opportunities operate this way. Many of these MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) place a focus on recruiting others into the business. Some of them not only encourage it but make it a requirement to the point where you can’t earn unless you’re recruiting others.Even worse, some MLMs insist that every salesperson also be a customer. So, if the company sells health supplements, you’re likely required to purchase a certain amount every month. This guarantees that your upline profits from you, and you profit from your downline. Quite the scheme.Remember, you shouldn’t have to recruit others and you shouldn’t have to buy a lot of products yourself every month to make money with an “opportunity.” If you encounter something like this, turn around and leave. There are far better ways to earn money.Next question…
Some network marketing companies do sell actual products or services, and they’re generally considered legitimate businesses. Avon is an example where individuals can sell beauty products and earn a portion of the profits. In fact, one can make money even without recruiting another person into the business.However, not all network marketing opportunities operate this way. Many of these MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) place a focus on recruiting others into the business. Some of them not only encourage it but make it a requirement to the point where you can’t earn unless you’re recruiting others.Even worse, some MLMs insist that every salesperson also be a customer. So, if the company sells health supplements, you’re likely required to purchase a certain amount every month. This guarantees that your upline profits from you, and you profit from your downline. Quite the scheme.Remember, you shouldn’t have to recruit others and you shouldn’t have to buy a lot of products yourself every month to make money with an “opportunity.” If you encounter something like this, turn around and leave. There are far better ways to earn money.Next question…
Are you required to purchase a kit?
Sometimes, you encounter a business opportunity, but you’re required to purchase a “starter kit” to leverage the opportunity. This should serve as a warning sign for you.Now, it’s important to note that I’m not talking about purchasing tools, guides, or other resources. For example, if you choose to become a freelance writer, you might buy a few books and other resources that teach you how to earn money by offering your writing services to others.But here’s the crucial point…You don’t NEED to buy these books to become a freelancer. You could go to eLance.com right now and start bidding on jobs. The books simply make your journey into freelancing easier by shortening the learning curve. While most people would choose to buy them, you’re not required to before you enter the field.Another example: if you choose to start an online business, you’ll obviously need to purchase a domain name and web host. But the point is, no one is forcing you to buy the domain name and hosting from a specific company. People may recommend certain companies – which is fine – but you’re not obliged to purchase from those companies.In contrast, some business opportunities require you to buy training or a kit from a specific company, and that’s a red flag. So, be discerning about where you invest your time and money.
Sometimes, you encounter a business opportunity, but you’re required to purchase a “starter kit” to leverage the opportunity. This should serve as a warning sign for you.Now, it’s important to note that I’m not talking about purchasing tools, guides, or other resources. For example, if you choose to become a freelance writer, you might buy a few books and other resources that teach you how to earn money by offering your writing services to others.But here’s the crucial point…You don’t NEED to buy these books to become a freelancer. You could go to eLance.com right now and start bidding on jobs. The books simply make your journey into freelancing easier by shortening the learning curve. While most people would choose to buy them, you’re not required to before you enter the field.Another example: if you choose to start an online business, you’ll obviously need to purchase a domain name and web host. But the point is, no one is forcing you to buy the domain name and hosting from a specific company. People may recommend certain companies – which is fine – but you’re not obliged to purchase from those companies.In contrast, some business opportunities require you to buy training or a kit from a specific company, and that’s a red flag. So, be discerning about where you invest your time and money.
Ready to move onto the next question?
Are you focused on asset creation?
This powerful question will swiftly provide clarity. A different way to pose this question would be: Are you creating a business?If you aren’t accumulating assets, then what you have is a job rather than a business. In this scenario, you’re probably amassing assets for a third party… that’s perfectly fine, as long as it’s within your goals and you’re compensated for it.However, if your objective is to establish a business, but you’re not generating any assets for yourself, then you might be stuck in a rut. This could indicate a poor business opportunity or it could simply mean that your business model needs improvement.Consider the scenario of affiliate marketing. This involves partnering with a company like Amazon.com, promoting their products, and then earning a share of the profits whenever a purchase is made through your affiliate link.Some affiliates channel all their traffic directly to their affiliate link. They might optimize an article for search engines and include their affiliate link at the end. Or perhaps they buy a banner ad on another person’s site, which also leads to their affiliate link.The issue here is, the affiliate isn’t creating any assets using this strategy. They have to constantly put in effort just to keep up.A more effective strategy is to first establish a mailing list. That is, all traffic is directed to a lead page. Once you have people on your list, you can direct them to various affiliate offers. In this way, you’re creating an asset – a list of potential and actual buyers – which is highly valuable. When you start creating assets, that’s an indicator of a profitable opportunity.
This powerful question will swiftly provide clarity. A different way to pose this question would be: Are you creating a business?If you aren’t accumulating assets, then what you have is a job rather than a business. In this scenario, you’re probably amassing assets for a third party… that’s perfectly fine, as long as it’s within your goals and you’re compensated for it.However, if your objective is to establish a business, but you’re not generating any assets for yourself, then you might be stuck in a rut. This could indicate a poor business opportunity or it could simply mean that your business model needs improvement.Consider the scenario of affiliate marketing. This involves partnering with a company like Amazon.com, promoting their products, and then earning a share of the profits whenever a purchase is made through your affiliate link.Some affiliates channel all their traffic directly to their affiliate link. They might optimize an article for search engines and include their affiliate link at the end. Or perhaps they buy a banner ad on another person’s site, which also leads to their affiliate link.The issue here is, the affiliate isn’t creating any assets using this strategy. They have to constantly put in effort just to keep up.A more effective strategy is to first establish a mailing list. That is, all traffic is directed to a lead page. Once you have people on your list, you can direct them to various affiliate offers. In this way, you’re creating an asset – a list of potential and actual buyers – which is highly valuable. When you start creating assets, that’s an indicator of a profitable opportunity.
Conclusion
The internet is full of so-called money-making “opportunities”, and they can seem very attractive when you’re seeking a way to earn extra income or even replace a full-time job. By asking the above questions, you can quickly weed out the less promising opportunities.So, what are the real opportunities? What can you do online to earn a legitimate income?Check out my free Web Profits Club membership, where we go over ten different legitimate, profitable online business models… and it costs you nothing to learn about them by just watching the training videos.Don’t hesitate to check it out – if you’ve ever aspired to earn money online, the link above will guide you to the most reliable methods to achieve it.
The internet is full of so-called money-making “opportunities”, and they can seem very attractive when you’re seeking a way to earn extra income or even replace a full-time job. By asking the above questions, you can quickly weed out the less promising opportunities.So, what are the real opportunities? What can you do online to earn a legitimate income?Check out my free Web Profits Club membership, where we go over ten different legitimate, profitable online business models… and it costs you nothing to learn about them by just watching the training videos.Don’t hesitate to check it out – if you’ve ever aspired to earn money online, the link above will guide you to the most reliable methods to achieve it.
Here’s that link again…
