Where Do Newbies Start Online?

When I lost my 'good-paying' J-O-B in October 2002, I started searching for ways to earn income online. I knew there had to be a way, I just had no idea HOW other people were doing it. And I spent countless hours looking for ideas while running across programs that promised big money. And the major problems I had when I got started were:

1. What I saw cost money I didn't have;
2. I didn't fully understand what some of these programs were or why I needed them; and/or
3. I simply wasn't interested in what was being offered.

Maybe you can identify with one or all of these?

It has taken me a really long time to figure out what I am doing online. I AM a Help Desk Support Specialist, and a resource for alot of information, if you will. I enjoy teaching people who need help with understanding how to do something on their computer or on the Internet. I'm not a hardware techie, but more of a software techie. And if I don't know how to do something, I either find out or straight up tell you so!

In early 2009, I FINALLY completed my first ebook as a way to summarize much of what I have learned about what works for me. I think the problem most people encounter is not knowing exactly WHERE to start with what they've learned because there's just SO MUCH STUFF! My ebook is an attempt to help cut through the clutter for people who are considering starting a home-based business.

Make no mistake, I do NOT know everything, but I have enough information at my fingertips to help someone who is looking for what I have to offer.

When I got started, one of the first things I learned was how to advertise for free online. Remember, I didn't have any money and so consequently, joined EVERYTHING that was free if I thought it might help me learn to earn income, or point me in the right direction to learn HOW to earn income online.

What I wish had been available at that time was training that would teach me what I wanted to know. It simply didn't exist, at least not for free. But now there is and this where I would start if I had to do it all over again.

I was introduced to the Thirty Day Challenge (30DC for short) a few days into the 2008 Preseason last summer. But as things usually go, life got in the way, and I didn't complete it. BUT, I certainly learned a great deal of useful information from it.

Now this is a program that I highly recommend and strongly encourage newbies to go through. In fact, anyone who is interested in earning their first $10 online is invited to join the 30DC. One of the very best part of this is that it's totally FREE! The other neat part is that there will be no pitching of products or services, etc. during the Thirty Day Challenge, which starts on August 1, 2009.

You'll want to go through the Preseason training that is offered in order to get familiar with the tools being used year. In fact, here's an example of one of the training videos that will teach you how to integrate the 30DC with Facebook.

But if you are already on Facebook, then just go ahead and add the new Facebook application and invite some friends who might want to learn from this training too!

And if you want to get a glimpse into what's in store, take a look at the Ustream 30DC Preseason videos. The last live broadcast was on Monday, July 20. If you'd like to participate in either the live chats or Twitter feeds during these broadcasts, make sure you register for an account at Ustream.tv.

To get you in the spirit of things, take a look and listen to the theme song from 2008's 30DC:

My ABSOLUTE favorite training resource is called Renegade Professional (formerly Renegade University). Had this resource been available when I got started online, I certainly could have been spared a lot of trial and error in figuring out how to market myself online.

What I think is unique about this program is that it teaches basic skills in a step-by-step, "click here, do this", "hold your hand" fashion. Its purpose is to teach you how to market yourself online without pushing your products, services or agenda onto others. This is something that too many people fail to learn.

I wish such a program had been available when I first started online because it offers video tutorials that explain in great detail the hows and whys of what to do.

While it is geared more for the Network Marketer, I believe its value is in showing anyone, regardless of industry, how to promote YOURSELF online. Most people learn advertising, marketing and promotion in bits and pieces, and too many spend too many dollars that don't yield results. If you're going to spend money, then make sure you're getting value for the money you are spending.

This program is like getting a college degree in marketing, although you are doing it on your own time, from the comfort of your home or office. And what you are learning are no-cost, or low cost methods to get YOU, and whatever you have to offer, found online.

Renegade Professional is a self-paced training program with over 275 video tutorials (totaling over 104 hours and 55 minutes). In my opinion, what you will learn here is not only worth the $49.95 a month investment, but probably more valuable than a college degree.

You can learn exactly what this program has to offer by visiting the
Renegade Professional blog.