Here’s a list of 27 things that I think people who will be successful online in 2008 will be doing.
Here’s to hoping that you’re one of these people!
1. Desire: This is as obvious as can be but the people who will succeed this year will be the ones who want it the most. They’ll be the ones who stay up late at night and wake up early in the morning. They’ll be the ones who’s goals pester them through out the day no matter what else they’re doing. They’ll be the ones who will burn the bridges and give themselves no other option but to succeed. Call it too motivationaly or not, that’s how the year will unfold, just like every other year since the beginning of time 
2. Focus: It’s been said many a time but I’ll say it again. The people who succeed online in 2008 will be those who focus their efforts on a small number of ventures. They will be the stonecutters who continually strike blows into their big rock of a goal, making what will often seem like no progress until one day, they break through and conquer what was thought to be impossible.
3. They will say NO alot. People who succeed online in 08 will be those that say NO to alot of product launches; NO to alot of possibilities of changing their focus; and NO to anyone who says they can’t do what it is they want.
4. They will enter profitable niches. If you’ve ever read anything of mine you’ll know I’m all for finding tiny untapped niches but whether they’re targetting those or not, these people will remember the vital advice to “Sell what people are BUYING!” There is small and untapped markets, but markets can often be that way for a reason. A big market isn’t necessarily a bad market, you just need to find a smaller niche/angle to attack it from 
5. They will diversify their traffic generation methods. The people who make alot of money online in 08 will realise that all forms of traffic have their place and that they are all to be tested for their effectiveness relative to YOUR niche. They will understand that relying on one source of traffic, WHATEVER it is, will see you fail in the end.
6. They will realize that spending money (wisely) helps you make money. Sure, free traffic is great, and if it’s free and targetted then even better. But at the same time, if you have the money to spend, you’re missing out on quality traffic and sales if you’re not investing it wisely into your business. Whether it’s hiring a content writer, buying advertisements on other people’s sites or what, successful people of 08 will realize that they’re running a business and that spending money (wisely) helps you to make money.
7. They will focus on quality content. John Reese said it in his rebirth report; In the future of the internet, he who has the greatest quality content will reign victorious. Even if you’re making review sites, if you have the best most unbiased, detailed and informative reviews, your site will eventually surface as the best, all else being equal.
8. In the same way, they will provide the greatest value. They will remember the immutable law that whoever provides the greatest amount of value to the lives of the greatest number of people will be the most wealthy. How many people will your site provide value to today? And how much value will it provide?
9. They will define their core skills and focus their efforts there. They will work out what they’re good at in their business and spend most of their time on activities of that nature. All the while…
10. They will outsource the rest. They will also define what they AREN’T good at and they will find cheap and skillful people to take over those tasks, freeing up their time and increasing the quality of their output. This will of course lead to greater profits.
11. They will plan. Setting a goal is great but without a detailed, actionable plan for it’s attainment, it will remain a dream. They will set small, time specific, achieveable tasks whose continual accomplishment will lead to the achievement of something enormous.
12. They will create systems. People who succeed in 08 will be those who create and follow systems. Once they have achieved a result once, they will work to create from it a system; a sequence of actions that if followed repeatedly will allow them to produce that same result over and over again without continual guess and check.
13. They will develop relationships with people in their niche. Otherwise known as networking. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a niche so weird that you’d rather not repeat it, making friends with people in your niche will be a benefit in the longrun. You can exchange content, links, introduce each other to outsource staff who can help you, meet other webmasters through them, learn their tricks of the trade and so much more. Relationship building is important.
14. They will connect with people who are achieving the results they want to achieve and learn all they can from them. Rather than recreating the wheel, they will take the steps of someone who has already trodden the path, already beaten the demons, already traversed the obstacles. They will save time and avoid hardship by following proven methods.
15. In the same way, they will spend time around like minded people. Even if it’s not someone who’s accomplished their goals, they will keep the company of their fellow travellers, they will exchange stories of their vistories and defeats for their mutual benefit, rather then dwelling with the naysayers and those who will detract from their mission.
16. They will utilize niche specific social networks. And I don’t mean spending the year trying to create that elusive post that creates the ‘digg effect’. I mean they will realize that their website and web business, as impersonal as it often seems, is based on real PEOPLE. They will remember that great quality content and word of mouth marketing can lead to a stream of traffic greater than any SEO or PPC campaign could hope to garnish.
17. They will learn from credible sources. This doesn’t mean investing in every product launch that comes along, but it means following the information of a select group of well informed and experienced individuals of the skill sets you desire. They will save time and money by learning from a small group of people who are truly ‘in the know’ with regard to online marketing.
18. They will understand human psychology. They will focus on learning more about why people do what they do, what motivates human behaviour. These skills will make them better at converting prospects into visitors, and better at converting visitors into buyers.
19. And in particular they will understand the psychology of the people in their niche. What makes people in your market tick? What, why, how and when do they buy? What needs are they seeking to fulfil? What OTHER interests do they have? How do they live their lives, what’s important to them etc etc
20. They won’t get scared when they run into a task they can’t accomplish. They will realize that the beauty of being an entrepreneur is that you don’t HAVE to know how to do everything, and that there is ALWAYS someone who can help if you know how and where to look.
21. They will have a greater purpose for wanting to make more money. They will know WHY they are doing what they’re doing at all times. Whether it’s to put money away for their childrens education, to build a nest egg to live a more comfortable in retirement, to become financially free, to buy a home and invest for the future or what. They will rarely be wanting to make money for it’s own sake.
22. They will value the importance of their non work time. They will understand that working more productively means achieving a good balance between your work and personal life. It’s great to want a passive income business, but when there’s nothing else good in your life to spend all your extra time on, you’ll be finding ways to get back into a time consuming job as quickly as you can. Making money has to be a part of your life, not the whole thing
23. They will watch less TV. Nuff said
24. They will accept delayed gratification. They will realize that a fast profit is not always the best profit and that sacrificing such profit in the beginning to realize greater profit in the end if the way of a master.
25. They will keep abreast of trends. The internet is the most unique market place in the world because it is SO frequently changing. Things that worked yesterday don’t always work today and every day (well, almost) sees the arrival of new technologies, and techniques that can help us make our web businesses more profitable. They won’t get caught up in the changes but the successful people will be aware of their existence, ready to swoop on something new if it’s feasible.
26. In the same way, they will be ADAPTABLE. Their businesses will take into account the fast past change that is the internet and will be flexible enough to allow new marketing methods and new technologies to be implemented easily if desired.
27. They will have fun. They will remember that they’re supposed to enjoy the journey rather than waiting for the accomplishment of the goal to feel satisfied. They will be grateful that they’re able to live their life in pursuit of their dreams, and excited that the day, or days they dream about are, in the cosmic scheme of things not more than a moment away.
Once again, wishing you all a successful and happy 2008.
Andrew
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Fantastic presentation Andrew. I have put you onmy Blog roll and will share this post with the Members of Beginners Marketing Class
and our Podcast Focus Society of Overachievers
Hi Andrew
That’s an absolutely brilliant post full of very valuable content too.
It’s refeshing to see an other marketer spelling out exactly what it will take to build a real business online, rather than just pushing the latest ‘push button’ solution.
Great post.
Lee McIntyre
Andrew:
This is a great to do list to help us stay on point and focused. You’re one of the good guys and I look forward to your newsletter.
Bless You & Yours’
TL
Good post and I like the new look. Especially the header with that really nice RSS button in it and the HUGE subscribe box. Clever.
Pure gold – very well done.
This is a great post, Andrew. Will print it up and paste on my wall in A3 Size!!
By the way – will you add any of the cool plug-ins you are using/recommending to the negmembers.com site?
Best
Martin
Hi Andrew,
Great post – I have it bookmarked. Loving the new look!
Hamida
I agree with most things you told.
Another point: worth considering:
28. They will create systems other people can use easily, and they will take a small part of the benefit.
Nice post Andrew.
I think the emphasis on “quality” of content deserves more analysis, because in an important sense, there is a conflict between “giving people what they want” and “giving people quality content.” As I’m sure you know, when you look at Youtube to determine what people want (or TV for that matter) you cannot conclude that it is “quality content” – at least not as I understand that term.
In fact you might conclude that the most successful content providers (at least in the short term) have learned how to create the kind of garbage the majority of people are looking for to amuse themselves until their attention moves on to something else. How else can you explain this generation’s infatuation with celebrities, entertainment “news”, etc., etc.
Clearly there is a relationship between “quality” and giving people what they want. But that relationship may not be what we think it is.
First – in response to your question -I love the design
Second- there’s so much good advice in this post, well it’s way better than plently of products I’ve paid for! My favourite is number 3.
Hmmm you couldn’t turn this post into a wallchart? It would be very welcome near my desk!
Alex
Hey Guys,
A friend of mine posted this article at sphinn.com (social network for marketers) – if you found this post valuable it’d be a great experiment for you to show your approval by “sphinning” it at this link:
http://sphinn.com/story/19099
That’s not some tactic for like forced virality or something, only if you enjoy the article and think other people would too
Andrew
LOve the blog design Andrew
The list is also great information
Hamant
http://www.MillionDollarWebsiteTraffic.com
Hey Andrew
Great roadmap for 08
My favorit is 23 – less TV
TV is one of the wosrt things we waste
time on.
To Our Success In 08
Ed McQuate
Hi Andrew,
I love the new website design. Awesome. So nice and clean. I love the layout. The points listed above is something that I will use as my daily ‘bible’. I love this website Andrew. Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration.
Hey Andrew,
Thanks for such a detailed and insightful write-up.
There are so many product launches and if people keep following them or buying, they will be headless chickens who keep running around without and focus and success.
Nowadays I seldom “follow” product launches, and you are the one who taught me to be focused, although I have never met you before.
You are one of the few marketers that I actively learn from. Thanks man!
Love the new blog design!!
Totally love the article.. it’s so true. I have just “lost” one of my main sites to a hacker.. and you know what.. I’M CELEBRATING. It wasn’t my “cup of tea” and I had gotten into that niche because WHY NOT.. and it just wasn’t my passion.
I have since found my passion and am starting a new site TOTALLY about that passion.. So #15 and #27 both directly co-relate to this new avenue of approach to me.
BRAVO ON #23.. It’s one of the things I couldn’t ever get through to my downlines when I was doing the whole MLM thing.. won’t go back there again.. but you understand.. “I don’t have time to build this business”.. WELL YOU HAVE TIME TO WATCH AMERICAN IDOL EVERY WEEK!!
Enough said.
FF Tonya
Hi Andrew! Great list! #23 is a good one that needs to be worked on – less TV! The new layout is great!
Hi there to you too. Would you believe that it is STILL raining in South Africa seeing that you asked. But we must not grumble, as we may then have more draught which is worse.
Love your site. It looks clean. Also picking up good advise. Thanks so much
Toni
Hi Andrew,
Like the clean/crisp blog design.
Agree with #23, and also for someone new such as myself #13 as relationships (networking) is a two way street and can create great mates who help each other, to provide quality in what people want.
I have also bookmarked this page.
All the best, John
Really a great looking blog, I hope mine will look as good. I always enjoy reading anything that you write. You always make so much sense. I am going to put your list up and use it as my guide for 2008. Thank you. Have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Hi Andrew,
The blog design is clean and impactful. I really like it.
The article was insightful and impactful, full of nuggets of wisdom we must not miss in our marketing efforts in 2008 (or any year). I loved the commenter’s suggestion of a wall poster!
I felt this was so beneficial for others, too, that I “sphunn” it! (or “sphinned” – Nah!)
Hi Andrew,
Great post – for me the real clincher is just to “take action” or as Nike said, “Just Do It!”.
Great improvement to the look of the site, but sure doesn’t look like a Gold Coast beach to me?
John Scott
I’m blown away right now from this post. Amazing clarity and truth in every word. Great job and thanks to you, many more people will be using these successful habits in 2008.
All the best.
Nice post. you may want to consider to also put the MyBlogLog Avatars on the comments =)
Great post and analysis here. Now, here is something to consider about come 2008.
Hey Guys,
Thanks alot for the comments – glad everyone’s gotten something out of this
RickH,
I think it just comes down to different markets – indeed so many people are after entertainment but there are also people who are after solutions to problems.
To target these two different markets requires vastly different strategies, and one isn’t necessarily harder or easier, they are just different beasts.
The quality of content is relative to the the searcher. The quality of the content comes down to how well what you’re providing, article, video or otherwise, fits what their looking for. That’s one factor anyway. Other factors to determine quality are uniqueness (how rare that quality is on the internet – more rare anything means more valuable), presentation on your site (ease of use, interactivity, things like that) and much more.
Phew long winded but I hope that helps.
John,
Hehe, not a Gold Coast beach, I believe its in the British Virgin Islands in fact.
Seems like No TV hit the nail on the head huh?
It’s easy to give up but it’s harder not to replace it with another meaningless distraction when you’re online – ie YOUTUBE!
Take care guys!
Andrew
Hey Andrew
I had made a post about people wasting
to much time on TV, well you can do the same
online also – Goofy youtube videos,reading
email, and buying useless products or reports. People spend all day just doing
these things, so there are online distractions
to. You must try to stay away from both online
and offline garbage in order to use your time
wisely.
The best advise we can give to the online
marketers for 2008 is to pick only a couple
of things to achive and focus on them, and
most importantly TAKE ACTION.
Ed McQuate
Thanks for your post.
I just wrote a blog, “How Resolutions Will Save AND MAKE You Money,” that features related money making ideas. It’s a great idea and I hope people take advantage (and, seriously, stop losing hours to the TV–well said!).
Best of luck in the new year!
Shauna
http://shauna26.wordpress.com/
Hey Andrew
I Keep comming back to this list, and think
you are right on with the top three subjects.
Desire,Focus, and not woried about what
everyone else is doing.
This will keep you on the road to success
Ed McQuate
This is a really great list, and it convinced me to subscribe to your feed to see what other gems you come up with. I was inspired to blog because of #1, and I wholeheartedly understand what you mean about goals that keep pestering you all day!! As a newbie to the blog world, I’m really appreciative of all the rest of the tips too.. I would hate to have to learn all this the “old-fashioned-way” — by learning from my mistakes!
It’s an awesome post Andrew. This is the kind of post that add bottom line to my business, I like this.
Keep them coming.