Mikael Rieck is the author of more than hundred articles on topics of how to make money both online and offline. He has been online since 1999 and has always had a passion for money making opportunities and teaching others how to make a profit.Improve Money Making Online Skills Like If You Were In School
Now this is the sixth tip I would like to give you that can help you make more money and be able to retire early and retire rich. If you haven’t read the five previous posts, be sure to go and check them out. You can find them here:
1. To Retire Rich You Must Start NOW
2. Why You Must Learn To Make More Money
3. Be Very Careful Of Over-Spending Habits
4. Learn To Invest Instead Of Wasting Money
5. Why Families Should Talk About Money Every Day
The best way to go through these posts is by starting at the top. 
Improving Skills Require Education
I know from my own family and friends that the most common ways to make money is to go get a job, work hard and collect a paycheck. Often times the job they have comes from the education they chose to take in the past and more often than not, they paycheck reflects how much education they have taken and how hard they worked at it when they were learning (aka getting higher grades).
To most people is makes sense that if you spend a lot of time going to school, learning new stuff and working hard to get good grades, it will be reflected in the monthly salary that you’re being paid. The reason is that we must assume that a better educated person will do better and is therefore rewarded with more money,
It is also widely known and accepted that an employee that gets better at his or her job by improving skills and/or effort will be more likely to get a promotion and therefore a pay raise.
Apply the Same Thing Online
Since most of us can agree that improving skills and putting in more effort is a vital part of getting more money, why is it that very few of us applies these widely accepted facts in other money making areas?
The funny thing is that just like making money from a job where we have learned a special skill set this can be applied to everything else as well. If we are trying to make money online it is no different. It is true that we can’t go to high school, college and the university to learn this set of skills but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be learned.
But just like an education can take 3, 5 or 7 years, learning online marketing and money making from an online business will take time. Especially since we will have to do most by self study and in our spare time!
But without it we’ll not become skillful just like if we didn’t attend classes in school we would most likely get poor grades and flunk at the exams.
Less Time Is Required
The time aspect of online money making has both a positive and a negative side to it. If we start with the negative we have to look at the time we spent in school learning a certain skill set and trade.
If we say assume that our education required 3 years in school and that we spent about 30 hours a week (+ homework) and that we went to school for about 40 weeks per year. That would equal about 3,600 hours of learning plus the time we spent doing our homework.
After passing the exam we were ready to start making money on a job and if we’re like most we probably found that we knew very little about trade and that we needed to learn a lot more once you were hired by a company.
All in all that was 3,600 hours of preparation plus additional training to start making money on a job and for most that is perfectly acceptable because “that is just the way it is”.
Now let me ask you this: Have you honestly put 3,600 hours of educational preparation into making money online?
If we haven’t put in the same effort, why is it that we assume to get the same or a better result out of it?
The great thing about Internet marketing is that even though it will take time to learn and will be an ongoing learning process, we will start making money after a relatively short period of time. We do not have to spend more than 3,000 hours to see our first dollars come rolling in and for most that put in a serious effort (just like the ones that got good grades in school), the payoff will be so much higher in the end.
Putting in the same effort as if we were trying to learn a trade when we’re trying to make money online will provide us with the same (and most likely way better) results. The only difference is that we will have to do this on our own.
WE will have to find the books, audios and videos to learn this set of skills.
WE will have to actually read, study and re-read the material.
WE will have to apply everything we learn and see if it will work for us or not.
WE will have to hold ourselves accountable and follow through.
Our exam will be shown to us in the income we’re able to generate and if it is not there WE didn’t practice, study and apply it to the extent that was required. It might be hard to accept but just like with “normal” exams that is the way it is.
So are you ready to start accepting that it will take time and effort to learn this set of skills? I know I am
To You Success,
Mikael
27 Responses so far
Ravi@How to make quick money
August 17th, 2009
1:30 am
Hey Mikael,
This is a very good post. You make a great point that every new thing has a learning curve. There is no get rich quick. Everything should be planned and learning curve should be accounted for in that plan.
.-= Ravi@How to make quick money´s last blog ..Steps to First 1000 =-.
Ric
August 17th, 2009
4:04 am
Interests and desire is what makes the world go around, the reason the internet has attracted so many people is the lure of easy money. As you state you need to become educated and this is when we see the drop-out rate soar. Is this not common in most instances when reality hits? Starting an Internet business just might be an easier sell.
What were seeing with jobs now is they may not be as secure as we thought. Skilled, educated people are doing jobs for survival and not what they trained for, unfortunately the Internet opens the door for the easy money marketing.
I hope the public will get a taste of the new marketers like yourself and discover what it really takes to run an Internet business, not the old pump and dump stuff.
Regards
.-= Ric´s last blog ..How To Decide Which Internet Business Is Right For You =-.
Mikael
August 17th, 2009
8:08 am
Hi Ravi, the problem for most people (I think) is to add that learning curve into a plan. It is hard to ever predict how fast (or slow) you will be able to learn something.
Mikael
August 17th, 2009
8:11 am
@Ric, thank you for the kind words.
Even though I hope that I will be able to make just a few more people see “what it is really like”, I don’t really believe that I can. The “EASY” push is simply too great and as you yourself say, what lures people online is the “easy money”.
If you’re looking for easy money, you’re not going to trust someone telling you that it isn’t THAT easy
Ion
August 17th, 2009
9:48 am
Hi Mikael,
From my own experience I can say that I starting “studing” internet marketing 4-5 months ago.
What I have seen is that is no “become rich fast”, “make easy money”.
Secondly, there is a lot of study on your own. If you are not determined to learn it will take a lot of time only dreaming about “making easy money” on the internet.
Thirdly, I’ve seen that World Wide Web is full of internet marketing information. In terms of studing internet marketing you can’t read, listen and watch everything. We have 24 hours a day only, so here we have to choose for our selves sources of information that works best for us. Personally me, in 3 months I stopped with 3 sources where I read and learn. I’ve unsubscribed from any other newsletters.
Also, the difference of studding internet marketing and studding at school is in communication with people. I meat people who said they couldn’t do what I’m doing now. They need communication with people, while studding online you are on your own with your best friend – your computer.
Thanks,
Ion
Mikael
August 17th, 2009
9:58 am
Great point Ion. It is true that we can’t study everything online and in schools what we should study has been determined by others whereas online we’ll need to sort through everything ourselves.
As for the “communication” part I think it is a poor excuse for not being able to working on your own. Even as online marketers we can still get out and meet people. Nobody says that you have to work from home. I know a lot of people that works from coffeehouses or internet cafes because they like to have people around them.
I agree that sitting in front of a computer all day can be a little lonely but that is what instant messengers and Twitter is for
Ion
August 17th, 2009
10:15 am
You are right, that this is an excuse for people.
People will make up their mind when they will see me succeed in internet marketing. People like real examples in order to believe in something. They want to be ruled by others. When you start to succeed you start to present an interest to people and they start thinking on what you are saying.
Mikael
August 17th, 2009
10:19 am
I thought that too as in the beginning, but unfortunately once you will become successful they will say “I can’t do that” or “Well if I had only started back then, but now it can’t be done”
The best thing is to help does that really want the help and just let everyone else go about doing their own business.
Ion
August 17th, 2009
10:27 am
What about you Mikael?
Did your study online took you a lot of time?
Chloe @ Ben 10 Toys
August 17th, 2009
3:03 pm
I agree with Ion that you can’t read everything out there. The hardest part is finding the right “books, audios and videos” as you can waste loads of time reading rubbish. I’ve just done a quick calculation on how far I am through my ‘schooling’ (based on your 3000+ hours) and I’m only a third of the way there – a scary thought!
I think the best learning is done on the job. You can’t read stuff all day. Like you said in your Do It Now post, you have to just do something and see if it works. Test, test, test! Shame there’s not more hours in the day!
Cheers, Chloe
.-= Chloe @ Ben 10 Toys´s last blog ..G.I Joe Toys – The Rise Of Cobra – 10 Things Every Parent Needs To Know =-.
Mikael
August 17th, 2009
3:12 pm
Very true Chloe, and that is exactly why I think IM is great. You can read how to do something, instantly try it out and see whether it works or not.
I agree that there is some rubbish out there but I will still refer back to my statement about the people reading it being the majority of the problem and not the material in itself
But sure some of them are not worth the time but I guess that can be said about some of the books you read in school as well
Sounds great that you have done 1,000 hours of learning and practicing. Can you feel that it is starting to pay off?
Chloe @ Ben 10 Toys
August 17th, 2009
3:25 pm
I definitely feel like I’ve done the beginners IM course! I try and read something new most days in the little bit of time I allocate to continued reading as opposed to applying. It’s nice when I read something and think “I already know that and am applying it.” When I think back a year ago, I knew nothing and thought I needed to know everything. Now I have my list of a few areas I am interested in and disregard the rest. It’s certainly paying off in terms of traffic and rankings but I definitely need the next two thirds of the course to be able to make a living. I’m plodding on though!
Cheers, Chloe
.-= Chloe @ Ben 10 Toys´s last blog ..G.I Joe Toys – The Rise Of Cobra – 10 Things Every Parent Needs To Know =-.
Mikael
August 17th, 2009
3:39 pm
Awesome Chloe, then you’re already better off than the majority of people online. Congratulations!!
Geoff@babysitting jobs
August 17th, 2009
6:38 pm
The reason I enjoy making money online more than a traditional job (which I still hold for now) is that in essence the sky is the limit as far as how successful you can be. Not only that but the effort you put in through studying and action can reap huge rewards for years and years to come in the form of passive income.
And yet despite this, as a father, I still feel the compelling need to instill traditional education on my daughter, and will I’m sure, when she’s grown, encourage her to go out and get a university degree. I guess, because I feel it’s the “right thing to do”.
Mikael
August 17th, 2009
6:45 pm
Hi Geoff, I get what you’re saying and had you asked me 5 years ago I would probably have said the same if I had kids. But now I feel a little differently.
Since I do not want to encourage anyone to get a job I feel that an education should not be something you get to “become something” that will tie you to a job. Instead I feel that everyone should spend time on learning specific skills that can help them do whatever they want to do.
Such skills could be “selling” or “discipline”. If I could encourage kids to do something it would be to work as a salesman for a couple of years as well as spend a few years in the army/navy. Not because those are great jobs at all but because they skill can become invaluable to them later on.
Matt
August 17th, 2009
6:49 pm
Hey Mikael,
Another great read. I particularly like the school / work analogy.
My online marketing analogy can read like this:
‘I messed around in the back of class making fun of people who were putting in the effort at the front, telling them they were missing out on life. I saw them get some good grades on coursework and still mocked them as flukes. But then they got their exam results and they were actually really good. They got into a great university and started getting some awesome grades!’
‘I finished school and went an ok uni and then decided to prick up my ears and listen seriously. I effectively went back to school’
lol – sorry for that rubbishy analogy, not as good as your but I really appreciate your sentiment here. I the real world, if I want anything I need to learn how to do it and apply my knowledge etc and I am now realising that I HAVE to do the same with online marketing.
Mikael, your posts give me the kick I need every time I read them. Thank you.
Mikael
August 17th, 2009
6:59 pm
Hey Matt, at least you ended up seeing the point in listening and learning
I actually found your analogy quite good.
I’m glad that you liked the post and I truly appreciate your feedback. It is always great to hear that people enjoy what you do, so thank you.
So how far are you in your +3,000 hour online marketing education? Just getting started or already way down the path?
Mikael
Matt
August 17th, 2009
7:09 pm
I would say, and I relate this back to the analogy, that I have written my coursework to hand in, but now realise that I need to go back to it and put in more references, check the spelling, and make sure it all reads properly – and then actually get the teacher to read it!! I was quick to try to emulate what others were doing (and reaping benefit from) and so didn’t put as much thought into it. I realise this was a false economy now.
I’m not at 3000 hours but hell I’m doing my best to get there.
Mikael
August 18th, 2009
11:58 am
@Ion, sorry you post was in my spam folder. Yes I’ve spent a lot of time studying and I still study every day. I don’t think that you can ever become too good at anything and if you aren’t constantly improving your skills you’re falling behind.
Ion
August 18th, 2009
12:23 pm
I think you overcome those 3000 hours of studding until now
This may scary most people when they see that you have to learn everyday. They would say: It’s enough for today and they are happy with what they have at the moment.
Mikael
August 18th, 2009
12:29 pm
Well I guess there is a difference between “have” to learn and “want” to learn.
If you don’t want to achieve anymore then you don’t need to do anymore. But if you want to become better, smarter, faster, more efficient, richer, happier etc. you will need to keep working at it. I think it is impossible to ever perfect something.
But another important issue is that it is also important to be happy about where you’re already at. If you can’t enjoy what you have now you will never be able to enjoy the things you get.
Matt
August 18th, 2009
12:33 pm
“If you can’t enjoy what you have now you will never be able to enjoy the things you get.”
An absolutely fundamental but overlooked attitude – I couldn’t agree more.
Mikael
August 18th, 2009
12:44 pm
But also one that I have found to be easier said than done
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach
August 18th, 2009
2:38 pm
Your quote here:
“If we haven’t put in the same effort, why is it that we assume to get the same or a better result out of it?”
So very true! It’s great to see how you’ve been evolving as an online blogger in the IM industry these past few months…good job!
.-= Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog ..BY Invitation ONLY – Income Fitness Launch =-.
Mikael
August 18th, 2009
3:52 pm
Hi Barbara, thank you for stopping by and for your kind comment. Actually I have been blogging for a couple of years but just not on this blog
I am however glad that you have noticed improvement. Then things should be moving in the right direction.
I hope that everything is going well with your launch?
Kai Lo@I Want Six Pack Abs
August 20th, 2009
6:26 pm
This is very true Mikael. Most newbies believe that they can start making a lot of money right away. 3600 hours and up seem very reasonable and more realistic.
.-= Kai Lo@I Want Six Pack Abs´s last blog ..Shoulder And Leg Workout Today =-.
Mike Collins
September 19th, 2009
3:56 am
Hey Mikael, great post. I’m a strong believer in always trying to learn something new and improve yourself. When you stop learning you stop living.
.-= Mike Collins´s last blog ..Earn 75% Commissions On My Answers Domination Report =-.
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