I get asked weekly for recommendations on who aspiring online entrepreneurs should seek out for internet marketing coaching.

Although 98% of the time I spend on our internet businesses is on the actual business of serving customers, I do from time-to-time take on coaching projects.

So what I am about to say may not make complete sense, but the fact is that most people who ask for internet marketing coaching do NOT really need internet marketing coaching and I tell them so.

Just today, I was asked by someone who wanted to connet with a big-name internet marketer if they would be willing to coach him toward a $200K/month income in internet marketing for a $10K fee?

Want to guess what my answer was?

First, You Need A Business

If you are really looking to build a $2.5M annual revenue stream (or anything serious for that matter over $50K/year) then what you need is BUSINESS coaching first, not just IM coaching.

Remember – IM is Internet “Marketing” – yes marketing is a very important part of any business but let’s not put the cart before the horse. Before all of this you need a business that…

1. Has a well defined target market
2. Has hungry buyers
3. Fits well with your own skills and interests
4. Where you can offer unique value to that marketplace

If you go and pay an IM coach $10K – they will come up with great systems and tips on marketing your business online – but wait….you don’t have BUSINESS yet.

Do you see what I mean?

What I would do is dig into developing a list of business ideas, then either individually (or via partnership) “test” one or more of those ideas until you hit on an idea/test that you feel is a hit…this could be a software product, a training course or information product, a virtual storefront idea, etc…THEN you can get some IM coaching on how to really take it to the next level.

The challenge with any of the guys listed in these threads is that they will not be able to help you fundamentally uncover the business idea that is right for you…that’s where you need to start.

That’s why we spend considerable effort inside Information Marketer’s Zone walking people through online business models, picking markets and developing value propositions because, after all, that is what a Business really is!

Once you have a high-demand, high-synergy business idea and product plan, then you can ramp up your internet marketing and see incredible results.