Like in every business, be it international trading, publishing or retail business, you need contacts in order to be successful. Internet business is not an exception.

I remember the good old days when I was starting out as a webmaster and how difficult it was to put my business up and running. All the difficulties with hosting, domains, databases, marketing that seemed impossible to manage. Many of my project those days turned unsuccessful. Why?

Because of too long development and maintenance times, too high costs and a pathetic return. I had to find a way to make profit and cut my costs.

At this time I realised that I had to find new ways. To move into another direction than all the others webmasters did. To go beyond, to dig deeper. Innovation meant new ways to cut my costs and gain more clients. But how do you move into another direction if all the online services are meant for the main-stream? How do you get a domain name for 2$ if no company on the web goes below 4$?

The answer is simple: contacts. With time, I have managed to build contacts, which is far more easier in the internet than in reality. Contacts in designers, webhosting, marketing and search engines worlds. Contacts, that open doors. Contacts that brought me offers that seemed insane. That saved me over 80% of money simultaneously driving my profits to levels I have never dreamt of.

It is very easy to build contacts on the web. Far more easier than in normal life. There are plenty of webmaster communities out there (sitepoint.com, webmaster-talk.com, webmaster-forums.net, just to name few), where you can find good partners, who can turn into friends with time, who will be willing to help you with everything. Who will help you to reach your goal.

Still not convinced? Let me name few examples:

How many of you did know that through Foendnds you can get a domain for 1,45$?

How many of you did know that you can get 5GB hosting with 120GB transfer for an absurdly pathetic price of 3$/month on dreamhost.com with a promo code "goldenegg", which beats all levels of insanity? How many of you got an adwords tryout of 1 week without spending a dime?

Just think for yourself. If you have 100 good contacts and each makes a little favour for you, what boost it would be for your project? You would save time and money. Contacts are important. There is no anther way. You need contacts to be successful in any business.

This was the most important realisation I ever had and I hope this essay will help you on your way to the top.

Thanks for reading,

John Grisham - Jonny.Grisham@gmail.com