The Internet has transformed start up home business dramatically. Today you can find numerous jobs online and business opportunities that cost zero dollars to start up.

I personally know people who have used this method of starting up their Internet business and today have become successful and versatile business people.

So how did they start? And what kind of businesses did they start?

I assume you already have a computer so I don't calculate the costs of buying a computer. But if you don't have a computer, you'll have to rough it a little by using free public computers or one at your friend's house.

The idea I want to discuss today is called bum marketing. Bum marketing is as glamorous as it sounds. It's theory lies in the thought that even a bum on the streets can start up a multi-million dollar business with the use of a computer and some time. No start up money is involved.

A good friend of mine was in this situation. About 8 months ago he lost his job as a marketing executive and couldn't pay someone to hire him due to the recession. He knew nothing about bum marketing and was in a downward spin in his life.

I recommended that he use his skills on the Internet. Of course he complained that he didn't have any money. He was a 42-year-old marketing exec at the end of his career and felt he would never work again in a good company. He thought that his moneymaking days were over...he was so wrong.

I wrote out a quick guideline for him to follow to get a work flow going and told him to follow it exactly and not to get sidetracked. He did just that. In his first month he already made nearly $1500.00. That money came from thin air, it came from that tree that your parents always said that money doesn't grow on. It was free money.

By his second month he had almost doubled his earnings to $2800.00. I got a call from him at the end of the month and he told me how thankful he was that I turn him onto this. I told him, "Don't thank me yet, it's going to get better and give me a 10% commission...ha-ha."

Right now, he as just passed his 7th month of working online. He has pulled in a whopping $7200.00 give or take a few dollars. He has even passed my expectations because he actually didn't get sidetracked with all the junk that those loser gurus are selling to you.

What was his secret and what was he selling?

His secret was taking his successful project and repeating it...that's it. He did not get distracted with the junk that everyone is selling online. He didn't go for that "make a million dollars" in your first month lie.

As far as what he was selling...he started by simply writing articles to promote quality products online and taking a percentage of that. He did have an upper hand when it came to marketing since he has a background in it but he still had to work hard.

He worked about 16 hours a day in the beginning and now works about 6 hours a day. But he is doing what he loves and 6 hours is nothing...especially when you're making all that cash.

Now that he is making great money, he has started the second phase of my "how to" guidelines. In this phase, he is diversifying his portfolio.

Having a diverse income strategy is the smartest and most safe thing you can do to ensure your long-term success. I have recommended a few gurus and their moneymaking programs to him. These programs I have personally used and found to be useful for the beginner to intermediate.