It is not as simple as people seem to think and there are a lot of tricks on the Internet. It is therefore important to be “Smart”! Let me explain about being ‘smart’ and how it ties into planning and goal setting and finally into running your own Online Business.

Smart is being Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. So let us start with Planning and Setting Goals using the ‘smart’ system.

Planning involves a business plan, and if you want to have a successful business you need it to be a ‘smart’ plan.

Specific: The more specific you are in what you want to achieve and the more specific you are in setting guidelines for your achievement the easier it will be to follow.

Measurable: You choose your own system for this, something that means something to you. For planning, it can be how you set out the plan and how you measure success. Setting Goals is easier if you can measure the results against success.

Achievable: When planning and setting goals you must ensure that your ultimate plan and goal setting is achievable otherwise you will give up easily. It is also very unrewarding to work without achievable goals.

Realistic: Planning and Goal setting must be realistic. If you are Specific enough and everything is Measurable and Achievable they should be realistic. It helps if the plans and goals you set are what you want to achieve for yourself. It is never the same if we set plans and goals into motion for somebody else.

Timely: Set plans and goals into motion with standard guidelines for when you want to achieve them. Be realistic about time and be prepared to adjust your time if necessary.

Apply the ‘smart’ technique to running an online business will help you to run a successful internet business. So lets apply ‘smart’ to your online business:

Specific: Have you decided on what your Niche Market is and do you know exactly who your competition is and where to find them online? Do you know who your potential online customers are and where to find them? Have you worked out an online marketing plan taking into account Search Engine Optimisation and Traffic Generation? Do you already have a web site or do you need to obtain one?

Measurable: Once you have gathered all the Research data on the Niche product, Customers, Competitors, Search Engine Optimization and Traffic Generation you should be able to work out if you will be able to measure your growth and success.

Achievable: Set yourself goals and plan your approach to your business by allowing yourself time to learn what you do not know. You need to be able to enhance your skills and knowledge in order to achieve online success. Take the time to learn the basics of internet marketing which will make all goals easier to achieve.

Realistic: Have you worked out a budget, how long do you have to produce an income; what budget do you have to start up? Our motivated are you and do you realize that you need support from people around you.

Timely: Can you learn what you need, in time to launch your online business and start producing an income? Have you set yourself time sheets to accomplish certain steps?

Online marketing is an exciting prospect. Approach it correctly and you will succeed. If you jump in without any goals and with no planning you will join the many who abandon their online home business dreams.

Be a success: Research It, Develop It and Cultivate It.