Overcoming the “Technical Learning Curve”
Starting an Internet business takes work – but it’s easier than you may think. Unfortunately, many people are stumped by the “technical” side of it. Here is just one example of the kind of e-mail I get from frustrated entrepreneurs on a daily basis…
“What if you do not know your way around a computer? What if that is why you are sitting with $1,000 worth of products and cannot use them because you just do not understand the technical stuff and do not find any material or help on the subject… and it takes so long to teach yourself that you just give up?
“Wouldn’t it be great if someone would write a manual for newbies, telling them what to do and how to do it and translating everything that their webmaster is talking about!”
Does that sound familiar?
If you are new to computers, the learning curve involved in starting an online business can seem insurmountable. On top of trying to figure out the business and marketing part, you’re faced with technical challenges around every corner.
So if you are a complete newbie with very little computer experience – but are desperately eager to start a business on the Internet – where do you begin?
Here is a step-by-step action plan that will give you the technical knowledge you need to get your business up and running as quickly as possible…
Step #1: Assess and build your general computer skills.
If you are reading this newsletter, it’s safe to assume that you have basic computer skills and know how to use common programs (such as Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer), send e-mail, and navigate to different files on your computer.
If you are not comfortable with these tasks, you need to get yourself up to speed. You could take an “Introduction to Computers” course at your local community college. But the easiest way to do it is with the following books:
Don’t take the “Dummies” in the titles personally. These books will teach you the fundamentals, so you can spend less time banging your head against your keyboard and more time building your business. (Best of all, they can be purchased for less than $20 each on Amazon.com.)
It shouldn’t take long to learn what you need to know. If you spend an hour a day reading one of the books mentioned above, you’ll be able to do it in just a couple of weeks.
Step #2: Assess and build your general Internet skills.
Once you’re comfortable with your basic computer skills, it’s time to move on to your Internet skills. You have to know your way around the Web if you want to build a successful online business.
This doesn’t mean you need to know the technical details of how the Internet works. (For example, you’re not going to fail if you don’t know what “http” means.) But you should understand the basic principles of how websites work and how they fit into the big picture of the Internet.
The best way to figure that out is with the book Internet for Dummies. And then you’ll be ready to proceed to the next step.
Step #3: Build a basic website.
Some people will say you don’t need to know anything about building a website in order to have a successful online business. All you have to do is hire a Web designer to do it for you. (If you can afford it.)
I don’t share that point of view.
I believe it’s important for you to have at least some understanding of how to design and set up a website. These skills will give you a significant advantage when communicating with the designer you hire to build your site for you. (And, obviously, these skills are even more important if you decide to design and build your website yourself.)
If you choose to hire someone to build your site – and don’t have any Web design skills of your own – you’re totally at the mercy of your designer whenever you want to make little changes. Every time you want to change your sales copy… or your images… or your price point… you’ll need to get them to do it. But if you know how to make simple changes yourself, you’ll save yourself both time and money.
You could learn basic Web design skills from a book like Web Design for Dummies.
Another option is to look into taking a Web design course at a local college. It’ll help you fast-track the learning curve and bring yourself up to speed much faster. Or you could find a website-design program that walks you through building a website, step by step.
Step #4: Get your business started.
That’s it. Now you’re ready to start building your business on the Internet!
[Ed. Note: Once you have the basic “technical skills” necessary to build your own Internet business, you can get started making money. Internet marketing expert Derek Gehl has helped thousands of people grow online businesses that generate $100,000 a year – and often much more! Find out if you have the personality to create extraordinary wealth online right here.]