For those of you who want to chuck it all and work from home online, let me give you a little advice. Don't quit your day job just yet. I know you're anxious to experience the instantaneous riches and exotic lifestyle, but you may need to slow down a bit.

Building a substantial online business is very doable, but it takes time. It does not happen overnight - despite what some of the advertisements say. The odds of that happening to you are about the same as you winning the lottery. You're more likely to get struck by lightning.

The first thing you have to decide is the type of business you'd like to promote.  It's very difficult to start a business from scratch, even on the internet, so you may want to consider starting out as an "affiliate".  In other words, promote someone else's business and receive a commission for doing so.  That way, you don't have the expense of hosting, creating a merchant account for processing payments or stocking and shipping products.  It's a great way to test the waters before you jump right in.  It may also be a stepping stone for you to start your own internet-based business.

Be smart with your money. Yes, there will be expenses. Don't go crazy buying leads and advertising before you check things out. You'll want to find smart places to spend your money. Most importantly, don't go into this blindly. If you're broke and can't afford to put at least $100 into your business, this may not be the thing for you.

Find a "real" opportunity. In other words, look for a business model that offers an education as to how to build your business. You can never know too much and there's a lot of free information available. Be prepared to study and learn new things. Focus on those things that will help you in any online business.  Constantly learn and add new tasks to your daily routine. You don't have to know everything overnight, but really concentrate on learning everything you possibly can. Information is "King" and if you can find a business model that supplies you with information, that's the best way to start online.  It will speed up the money making process and will prevent you from wasting money unnecessarily.

So take your time to choose the right business and then give it a chance to grow. Be consistent and persistent in your daily routine and truly treat it like a business and not a hobby. Give it a little time and you will definitely be able to quit your job and make money from home. It's a wonderful thing!

Best of luck in your online business,

Susan Kimbrell
Work From Home Online