I see so many adverts for 'Get Rich Quick' schemes, but most are simple scams. While some have managed to get rich quick, the success stories are few and far between. In recent times the phrase has been bandied around the web so often that it has almost become synonymous with 'Web Entrepreneurship'. Simply take a look at the range of 'context sensitive adverts' that are placed automatically on this site! I'm not interested in getting rich quick - of course if it happened I wouldn't complain, but what I'm more interested in is generating a sustainable online income. There are plenty of effective web business models that can be implemented to that end, the only trouble is they take dedicated effort. The top definition on dictionary.com for entrepreneur is;

"a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk."

So, how do you sniff out the 'Get Rich Quick' scams, from the worthwhile business ventures? My first rule of thumb would be that if someone says it is a 'Get Rich Quick' scheme, then it probably isn't worth your while!

Many scams revolve around 'Multi Level Marketing' - a pyramid selling scheme which is often either illegal or closely monitored. Multi Level Marketing involves you getting your friends to sell for you - and in turn they get their friends to sell for them, which you making a commission of each subsequent level. While in theory this is a magnificent distribution model, in practice it often results in a few people getting rich (those at the top of the pyramid), while the majority don't. The crazy thing about some MLM schemes (sorry Scams!) is that they don't even have any products to sell!!! If there is no product (or at least some value exchange), then there is no money coming in at the bottom, and if there is no money at the bottom, surely you don't need a degree in business to work out that its a scam?!

I'm not wanting to bash MLM schemes, as they aren't all 'dodgy' - they create an excellent innovative distribution channel, that employs a large and diverse sales force. For me I would prefer a MLM scheme with less levels. An MLM with only 1 level is effectively a referral program, or affiliate program. Referral and Affiliate programs offer an easy way for people to become web entrepreneurs, along with an easy way for a manufacturer to increase sales.

A dead give away for a get rich scam is if they ask for money up front. HAH! Would you take a job with someone who asked you to pay them before you could start? No chance!

To make some money online, first you need a product - even if that product is just information. That product could also be skills (web design / language skills). But, most importantly, you've got to enjoy what you are doing - find out what you are good at, and what you enjoy doing, and then find a way to turn it into a profitable business. If you like playing computer games - why not create a game review forum? If you like gardening, create a gardening tips site? You'll find it easier to generate quality content on topics which interest you - and if you can create quality content, you can generate traffic. Generating traffic is a big step towards generating revenue. It isn't easy - hard work is the way.