How to Supplement Your Income Online Without Being Scammed

Sept. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- In this economy, many under- or unemployed people have turned to the Internet to earn an income. After all, who doesn't have an Internet connection and hasn't dreamed at some point of working from home? For some, it's the desire to stay home with their children or a physical disability that has them thinking about a career change.

The problem is, learning Internet marketing on your own is time-consuming, confusing, and can make one susceptible to the many scams out there.

"I wasted too much time trying to absorb conflicting information," said a man named Mark. He was so "scarred" by the experience that he quit altogether.

Another Internet marketer named Penn said, "I have been scammed many times. It is so disheartening."

And a woman named Trina admitted, "The financial needs of my family have changed recently and I find myself looking online for opportunities that would allow me to stay at home and yet supplement our income in a way that I feel safe about. My research so far has left me confused and not trusting anyone."

One scam that has victimized many is the "Google scam," which has taken many forms. Disguised as news sites, these promise big money for "posting links on Google." They even have testimonials supposedly from people in your town or nearby who are making big money doing this. Total sham.

Of course, this is just one of thousands of scams. The best advice: Use common sense, don't believe anything that sounds too good to be true, and do your homework.

But even if newbies didn't have to worry about scamas, they're still confused. What's the best and fastest way to get started? Whose advice is best? What works and what's a waste of time? Many aren't sure they have the necessary skills.

"I've helped many beginners get started in affiliate marketing," says Laura Burke from SkipTheScams.com (Affiliate Marketing for Brand Spankin' Newbies). "It's rewarding to be able to give them information that allays their fears and builds their confidence that they really can do this."

Affiliate marketers earn commissions by sending buyers from their site to online merchants such as Amazon, eBay, and a myriad others. Thousands of affiliate marketers make a good living building web sites about topics they enjoy.

Ms. Burke has released the second edition of her affiliate marketing course, the Affiliate Marketing Schoolbook. The 2009 edition covered everything a newbie needs to know, including thorough, step-by-step instructions on how to build an affiliate site. The second edition, updated for 2012, has added information on changes in the field, as well as videos, screenshots, and worksheets.

"This is truly a beginner course," she says. "Many courses out there assume knowledge that most newbies don't have. Plus the students have access to a support forum as well as my personal email to get specific questions answered. It is hands-down the best way to get into affiliate marketing."

For more information, see http://skipthescams.com