6 Steps To Make Yourself An Internet Entrepreneur

For many people, the Internet is simply a way to entertain themselves or waste a bit of time at work. However, for others, it’s a place where they make their living. They have learned how to build themselves as a brand, how to become an expert in their field and to work at home whenever they want to. How can you become get in on this type of job? What are the steps that can help you make yourself an internet entrepreneur? Becoming a successful techpreneur is actually a lot easier than you might think, and it starts with a few simple steps:

 

Step #1: Find What You Love To Do

Finding what you really want to do for a living might sound like something easy, but it’s actually one area that you need to give some thought to. Some people have had a passion for games all their lives, for others, it may be computers. Other people may love fashion or writing, maybe medical information or teaching might be up your alley.

It doesn’t matter what you’re passionate about, you need to give it some thought and choose an area that you won’t get bored with quickly. It needs to be something that you really do love, something that you can easily put skills you already have to work so you can be successful with it.

 

Step #2: Evaluate Your Current Skills

Once you have narrowed down what you want to do online, you want to then evaluate your current skills. For example, if you want to do computer programming, do you know the correct languages? Or if you want to work as a writer, do you know the different types of writing that people will want to hire you for? Or maybe you need to know Excel or Word, maybe some specialized software, or other types of programs that you will be using on a daily basis for your new job.

No matter what field you choose, there are going to be specific programs that you will use on a daily basis. If you aren’t familiar with them, you need to learn them. Evaluate your current skills on a level of 1-10 and see where you need improvement and where you are already ok. Once you know what you need to brush up on, you can then move on to step #3.

 

Step #3: Online Learning

The beauty of the Internet is that there are tons of excellent websites where you can take online classes to help you get ready for your new job. We bet that you can easily find the exact classes you need on several sites so you can choose the one that fits you the best. You will find sites that offer free basic classes, those that offer low-priced classes, and full college courses that you can apply for financial aid if you aren’t able to spring for the whole amount.

No matter what type of online school you choose, make sure that they offer classes that will actually help you with your new career. You don’t want to take classes in fashion design if you’re wanting to be a computer programmer right, so why take classes that aren’t going to help you in your new field even if they relate to your field?

You want to start off by taking classes specific to what you want to do, technical writing classes if you want to be a ghostwriter, and computer drafting if you want to be an online architect.

 

Step #4: Building Yourself Up

While you are taking classes, you can start to build yourself up online. Start with building your own website where you can post information about yourself, what you do, what types of services you provide, and so on. Getting your name out there will help you when you’re ready to work as people can search you out and see that yes, you do what you say you can do.

Once you have a site built, start to promote yourself with backlinks, blog posts, comments, and any other way that you can promote yourself and what you do on different sites. When people start to see your name on different sites that revolve around what you do, it will make them more aware of you as an expert in your field.

 

Step #5: Find Sites To Help You Gain Work

The Internet is full of great sites that allow freelancers to bid on projects that other people need help with. These projects range from simple blog writing to medical coding to advanced computer language programming. No matter what you love to do, you will find some great quick work online.

Two of our favorite sites are Elance and ODesk, and we have been using them for years. Here, you can easily search out work that fits your exact skills and provide services to someone that needs them. Bid on projects, work, and get paid – it’s as simple as that. And, it helps to build your online resume as well as your business presence.

We would also suggest that you build up a presence on LinkedIn and other business social media sites that can put you in touch with others in your field and those that need your services. Monster and other online job sites will also help you find jobs that you can do at home that revolve around what you love to do and provide you with a way that will have you making money doing what you truly want to do.

 

Step #6: Upkeep is Key

Once you have yourself established online in your chosen field, you cannot just go relax and assume that job offers will roll in. We suggest setting aside at least three days a month (usually one day a week) to update any business profiles, answer any comments on websites, and keep your online presence up to date.

If you just let it go, your information can easily get old and people will think that you aren’t up to speed on what’s latest in your field. Don’t let this happen, as it can tank any progress you have made so far.

 

Moving On

From here, as long as you work at it (just like a normal job), you will find it getting easier and easier to find work in your chosen field online.

It doesn’t matter what you want to do, you will find that it’s easier than ever to get started with your online career and make yourself a successful Internet entrepreneur.

Title Image Source: Flickr/US Embassy