I just wanted to write a little bit about working online...and the importance of finding great mentors and NOT going it alone. And I wanted to express my gratitude to those that have helped me (and are still helping me today). These people have gone above and beyond to help me with a great many things over the years. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go out to Richard Weberg, Bo Tipton, Brenda de  Reus, Carol Walczak, just to name a few... If any of these folks offer you help TAKE it! They have never steered me wrong. And I was, and still can be, a dense, hard-headed S.O.B.

I have finally learned to listen to my mentors and then implement what I'm taught by taking massive action! I have learned so much from them, and want to help others like they did for me. So, if you need help just reach out and I will do my best to help you any way I can.

And another thing about me is that if I don't know how to help, I won't BS you, I'll either go learn how to do it and pass it on to you, or I will point you in the direction of someone who does know how to help you.

So here are my top two tips about working online:

Tip Number 1: Whether you are a newbie, or even if you are a veteran online marketer- DON'T try to go it alone! I did that when I first came online and it SUCKED!

Find someone who is where you want to be, or someone with whom you "click", or someone who reaches out and offers help.

Then GET OVER YOURSELF, don't be stubborn or prideful, don't try to reinvent the wheel! Just get out there and if there is something you need help with, reach out and ask questions. There is no shame in asking for help. And, providing they are willing to help,the people who usually help you do so because they have gone it alone before too and want to give back. You can get help via Skype, Facebook, forums, blogs,and fellow members in programs that you are a part of. Those are just a few examples.

When you are working with a mentor online-try to respect their time-some may have more to spare than others for a variety of reasons. My best advice is you can always write down a list of questions etc and agree to speak with them once or twice a week in one block of time. Others may not have such time constraints and you could message them at 2 in the morning and they are fine with it. You'll have to get a feel for this yourself.

This next line is for those who are the suspicious type or just like to exercise their "due diligence" and learn more about someone that they have met online... You can always ask around to those others in your niche to see if your potential mentor is going in a similar direction that you want to go and are someone that you can trust. There are no guarantees in life but it never hurts to ask around.

Oh, and if you Google someone, take those search results with a grain of salt, because online, no matter who you search about these days there is always someone online who will be pissed at, not like, have personally clashed with, or have had a falling out with the person you are searching and reading about and will not be shy about expressing their opinions on why they think so-and-so is a d-bag. You can't have this many people working online without some friction and throw downs. That's just life. At the end of the day information is good, but you have to trust your instincts- trust your gut- and go forward from there.

Tip Number 2: This one is short and simple- Build your list, Build YOUR list... BUILD YOUR LIST!!!  In my opinion, the single most important thing you can do to help your long term success online! This way once someone on your email list you can reach out to them for as long as they are on your list to offer help, guidance, and tell them about training, places to market, and programs that will help them. DO NOT abuse or spam your list! This is one of the things Richard has pounded into my head both through his program Your Eight Steps and in personal talks too. And, like I said, he has never steered me wrong.

SIDEBAR: One more thing to keep in mind: Don't be afraid to tell your mentor what you are working on and about any upcoming projects or promotions you are working on. Common sense says you shouldn't constantly hound your mentor to join every thing you are involved with BUT don't be afraid to tell your mentor what you are working on either. It gives them a better idea of where you are at, what you need help with.  

I learned this recently myself recently- if you do find something that is really amazing that you want to share with your mentor because it is in their niche or area of interest- just ask them if they have heard of it. Just mention it. If done properly, it's a show of respect and consideration from you to them.

Do not assume that someone else has already told them about it, do not assume that they have already joined up with someone else. Just mention it ONCE ONLY. If they are interested they will ask further questions or express interest.  If you don't mention it to them, they may hear about it from someone else and be disappointed that you didn't think to come to them with it first. After all, respect, information, learning, and sharing cool ways to succeed is a two way street.

Well, that's all I've got for now. Hopefully for you, Constant Reader, my next post will be shorter. Until next time we meet- I wish you much success!