Online Marketing & Business Opportunity

Scam or real business opportunity? The difference is not always immediately obvious.

“How to distinguish a real home based business opportunity from a scam?” is one of the biggest questions facing entrepreneurs and e–entrepreneurs to be.

Scams are the entrepreneur´s nightmare.

We fall for scams because we want to believe that what we are being told is true. We want to believe it because we are anxious to see our dreams come true. Now when we mixed together misdirected faith and anxiety with naivety, impatience and big dreams we become the perfect prey.

The greatest damage scams reek is not always on our pocket books. Rather it is on our faith in our self to make the right choice. When we consider how important making a ‘choice’ is; and how the quality of our lives reflects the quality of the choices we make, then the scams which leaves us broken and cynical is the greatest thief of all.

The internet as everywhere else has both good and bad. And as a new medium it comes with a new set of rules. Although there is no blueprint to prevent being scammed there are 7 rules which lessens that probability.

Rule #1 That Old “Too Good” Cliché is still relevant

If it sounds too good to be true it probably is!

On the internet where it is more than possible to earn way more in a month that what many people make in a six, how does one distinguish “too good”?

Where scams are concerned ‘Too good’ is too loud, too urgent, too brash. ‘Too good’ plays on human weaknesses– greed, laziness and folly. Yes it is possible to automate a business so it makes thousands daily. But any offer that promises a quick fix with little or no labor is just “too good to be true!”

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Rule# 2 Look for a track record

If you are interested in any e–entrepreneurial opportunity ensure that the product or knowledge which you are being sold actually works. Also ensure that the promoters are not fly by night travelers. Look for a track record. Research the item or the site. Go to investigative sites to see if the object of your entrepreneurial pursuits is listed.

Scambusters

Trader–list

I.D Theft

Fraud Watch International

Consumers Affairs

Go to chat rooms and find out what people are saying. Its´ true there is always that one person who complains but if there is a chorus of dissent– take heed! It is most likely a scam and not a real home based business opportunity!

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Rule# 3 Look for ‘real’ references

When purchasing an e–books / e–courses and so on purchase items that have ‘real’ references.

‘Real’ references go beyond the generic name of Tom, Dick and Harry (no offense to you guys). Look for names and references that come with valid e–mails. Emails that you can use to contact the person and double check their claim. Real people who feel so strongly that they are willing to endorse a product usually are delighted to share. Also a referrer who is endorsing a product that is supposed to enable him to perform better on the internet ought to have a site. So check it out!

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Rule# 4 The only guarantee is a money back guarantee

Beware of e–products which do not have a money back guarantee.

Money back guarantees suggest confidence.

It says that the writer has done such an excellent job that he is not afraid to offer you your money back. He believes that his product is too good to be returned.

It suggests that the writer is fair, is concerned about his reputation, your satisfaction and that he has integrity. It also suggests that it may be a real home based business opportunity and not a scam

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Rule # 5 Values your privacy

Purchase e-entrepreneurial offers which state clearly that they would not share your personal information such as email et cetera with third parties. And that their site is fire-walled from crackers, hackers and other malcontents.

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Rule # 6 Get contact information

Whenever you make a purchase ensure that there is a physical address, a phone number that works, fax number, email and other means of contact. The reason for this is self evident. How would you get in contact with them if you need to? And if there is no physical address there is a high probability that this is not a real business opportunity but rather a scam.

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Rule # 7 Go with your gut feelings

When you have followed the preceding 6 rules yet you are still undecided go with your gut. Your gut or intuition is that still small voice, your deepest and most profound ‘reason’. It knows best so learn to trust it. Many successful business people do! Use it too, so you can distinguish a real home-based business opportunity from a scam.

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