Nigerian Scam FAX - Received Tonight
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Admittedly, this is a little different topic than normal.

The Internet has become such a juggernaut in the past couple of decades that it seems to produce a millionaire for every person who gets swindled out of their life savings by a “Nigerian prince.”

I’m sure you have received such an email or request for engagement. In fact, it’s similar to the off-line mailers from companies that promise riches if your number comes up (and it always does, and you must call somewhere to hear the ‘next steps’).

Most people are aware of the myriad ways to lose money on the Internet, but there is obviously a portion of the population that has struck it rich with the advent of the world wide web.

As you have seen in previous posts about money – there are no overnight riches on the Internet. People have spent years perfecting their skills and talents by learning the real Internet game, and applying sound principles of market research, analysis, common business sense and investment opportunities.

How can you be one of the real money makers online?

We’ve compiled a few tips to help you make some money online.

Yes, it’s possible to do so and not run into disaffected “African royalty” that desperately need your help and your credit card number!

Patience 2
Image by Mavro308 via Flickr

Here are some tips to get you started:

  1. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. We keep hammering home about those “Nigerian princes,” but the sad fact is that thousands of people get suckered in every year by these schemes and ones like them. Don’t get so desperate to make a buck that you lose your good sense. Anything that promises you’ll make a ridiculous amount of money if you just give them your financial information is probably a hoax. Scratch that. It is a hoax. The only place to get free cheese is in a mousetrap. Remember that.
  2. Sell things! Many people have made a mint using online auction sites such as www.ebay.com and had great success with it. Just browse your house for things you no longer want or need, set up a profile online, and start selling. Be sure to deal reasonably and promptly with customers – your customers will rate you as a seller, and the better marks you get, the more future customers you’re likely to have. You can even buy something for less, and resell/list it again later at a better price, nicer pictures, etc.
  3. Domain name flipping. This one requires a little bit of extra work, but the payoffs can be amazing if you do it right. Domain name flippers make a living by searching for old, unused domain names and buying them from their original owners, and then marketing them to people who might be interested. For example, the domain “bird-cage.com” was bought for 1,800 in 2005, redesigned, and sold to a bird cage seller for $173,000 two years later! Try www.registercompass.com and buydomains.com and look at opportunities on www.flippa.com

Notice that none of this is get-rich-quick, as mentioned.

But you can make money off the Internet. Give it a chance after doing some research and talking with friends and business partners. Look at companies and individuals that match markets close to yours and have taken the jump before you.

Just don’t give any Princes your credit card number.

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Entrepreneur Magazine says Jon Rognerud is one of the most sought-after Digital Marketing Experts. His clients extend from high-end brands and middle-tier businesses in both B2B and B2C. His SEO website optimization book, "The Ultimate Guide to Optimizing Your Website" from Entrepreneur Press is in bookstores now.