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1.
Start with something simple and use it until you
understand it. "I need email service... I am going
to get something simple, try it out, and do research until
I understand how email service works."
2.
Don't get a more complicated tool until you are unhappy
with the limits of the old one. "I don't like the way
AOL handles email... what else is there?"
3.
Nothing is really free. Offering or getting something
"free" is good. Many things have free trial versions.
But "free" means it costs you TIME, not money.
Or it costs your eyeballs x-number of ads to view. Does
your website visitor want to spend time sorting through
ads to get to your "free" content? Is your free
content THAT good?
4.
Don't pay for something or someone you don't know
how to use.
5.
Find advisors that have nothing to gain from your
trust. Groups of them, so you can get several opinions and
choose one that matches your needs. Support groups, discussion
boards, email lists with diverse participation.
6.
When you ask for and get advice, look at it carefully,
and say "thank you" even if you don't take all
of it. Pay some attention even to rude advice, because it
often reflects the opinion of the "general public."
For every person expressing a point of view, there are several
hundred nodding in silent agreement.
7.
Never pay to do something 100,000 times until you
have seen it work once or twice. For instance, sending something
to a big mailing list, before you notice your email address
is typed wrong.
8.
If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Nothing
is "unlimited" or "instant" or "guaranteed."
Things happen that cannot be predicted or controlled.
9.
Ask yourself, "If I explained what I am doing
to a 10-year old in simple terms, would it sound smart and
ethical?" "Buy low, add value, and sell a bit
higher" sounds reasonable. "Send junk to people
who don't want it, in case a few of them can be suckered
into giving you money" doesn't sound like something
you'd teach a 10-year old. At least, not my MY 10-year old.
10.
There is no question too stupid to ask. If someone
treats you like a dolt... move on and seek advice elsewhere.
No one was born knowing this stuff.
_______
Copyright 2003 Tracy Brant at Gryphyn Media, Inc.
Reprint permission: reprint@gryphynmedia.com
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