4 things to consider before you join that "New Amazing Business" in 2009

Well here we are in the new year and no doubt you have the opportunity to join the latest online business in Pre-Launch. How about becoming a founding member so you can make $10,000 a month to start. How about never having to sign up anyone or do anything and still make a huge income. Could it be true?

I want to give you a bit of a heads up before you lose money because you didn't really think it through. Just in case you thought the internet was some sort of parallel universe where only sugar coated things can happen.

Of course I am having a bit of fun here making light of some of the catch phrases out there. The truth is the internet is a breeding ground for every scam imaginable. I hate to say it I have been suckered in more than a few times in my day. As a measuring stick if you write articles and you haven't lost at least 500 bucks to some program you are a rookie and don't have my respect yet. I dare not read your article because your turn is probably coming to be taken. Seeing how I have I am now qualified to speak on this.

Enough rambling! Without getting too negative here what should one do if one is pretty much new to the internet. Let's say you want to start a good online business but don't know what to look for.

Here are a few good common sense pointers before you join any program.

#1) Who is the CEO of the company you want to go into business with?

This is obvious but you would be surprised how often this gets overlooked. I actually joined a program once and then I googled the guy who owned the company and found out he was a major scam artist with a trail of angry people following him. Needless to say I dropped that business opportunity quickly and ran like a scalded dog.

It only takes a second to do a little background check on the person at the head of the program. If you can't email the guy and talk to him, or get an idea where he lives on the planet chances are he is trying to be elusive and is not someone who is capable of caring about your success in his company . You should be able to see and talk to the CEO of the company if they are worth your time and money.

2)Research the company goals and direction first.

How creative is the concept and timely for these economic times. Do they have a winning track record. Any past success you can look at as a benchmark. If they have a website click on "about us" or the "compensation plan". Reading the fine print can be enlightening. What looked like a lucrative pay plan may have a few qualifiers before they let you make any money.

3)What is their marketing strategy?

How do they plan to attract clients or affiliates. What is the target market? Do they have leads for you or are you on your own there? What does your back office look like and what kind of tools are there? What is your role and what do you do to keep business coming in?

It has been my experience that if they tell you that no work is involved for you to earn money then you'd be better off to stab yourself in the eye with a fork than join up. That's how it's going to feel anyway after you march along paying your monthly fees only to find out there is no "magic spillover" from the sponsors above you and you end up hundreds of dollars in the hole.

4)Who is the person introducing you?

How much experience do they have and can you talk to them. What interest do they have in your success. Can you pick up a phone and get help from them if you needed it? Maybe they just wanted to sign you up and are too busy to care about you. Getting to know your sponsor is never a bad idea ahead of time before you join.

So there you have it. Don't say I didn't warn you. If you can't be bothered to do these then there is a good chance you will lose money. Make a good choice with your new amazing online business.