Have you ever played Monopoly? This classic board game is based on the acquisition of wealth through buying, renting, and trading real estate property using play money.

Have a go at it, and you'll be surprised how much it can teach you about running a successful business online. I discovered eight helpful pointers for you to start with.

Let's get started...GO!

Everybody begins on a level plain. You get the choice of token to mark your place on the board. Usually I pick either the wheelbarrow, terrier, or ship. Not a surprise if you know that I enjoy gardening, dogs, and the sea.

Whether it's based on aesthetic appeal or affinity for what is being represented, your personal choice is one initial triumph; an essential 1st step into the game!

Lesson #1 Start With Something You Like

This simple technique creates a winning combination for your business. You have firsthand knowledge and experience in a niche that fascinates you, and you impart this with so much excitement that you're audience can't help feeling the same!

Interesting people are people who are interested, as the saying goes. Furthermore, your passion for the subject will drive and motivate you through the daily routine of running and growing your business.

With the roll of the dice, the race begins! Whether or not you have an idea on how to proceed, your biggest challenge will involve skill and a bit of luck.

Lesson #2 A Little Luck Never Hurt Anyone

With the dice, many say it's in the wrist. But whichever way you put it, everybody could use a bit of it every now and then. Some are luckier than others, landing on squares of opportunity and free cash. Others land on rent after bill.

It's not altogether different in internet marketing. I've landed on losing squares because I didn't use my head. And sometimes I happen to sign up for a newsletter just when they launch a pre-release discount for a product I just happened to need at the time.

Lesson #3 Lay Out Your Game Plan

You can tackle this game in many different ways, but you need to establish a game plan. If you're the independent type, you might want to learn from scratch by playing around with ideas. All systematically, of course.

Focus on the small groups and move up from there, luck with the dice notwithstanding. Or make a beeline for prime properties and keep building houses and hotels for long-term profit.

You can choose any number of combinations with which to proceed and have a go with it, but be prepared to play many times over! It is the only way you'll know what works for sure.

And sometimes, the smarter way to go is by asking someone who has played the game and always come out on top. You will still have to play it yourself, of course, to make little improvements until it works right for you.

No matter how you develop your game plan, be sure to follow it through. Persistently. Consistently. Systematically. Don't get easily distracted if something new happens to land on your lap. If it's consistent with your plan, you've struck on luck!

The same goes for running your business. You can save yourself plenty of time and heartache by adapting proven methods from those already successful before you. They've been around the block enough times to know what works and what doesn't. All the same, blend in your own personal twist until it works for you.

Lesson #4 You Gotta Spend Money to Make Money

What do you do once you land on an opportunity square...pass? I would be hard-pressed to name anyone who hops around the board without buying a single property!

Maybe the first few rounds won't be as rough since the game has just begun. Nobody has yet put up houses or expensive hotels on their properties. Rents are not yet so high. Maybe you'll get lucky on the Community Chest or Chance cards. And you'll even make it to GO. That's another $4000 in the bag. With time, however, you'll find your wallet empty as you hop from house to hotel.

At this point, you might begin to regret all the passed opportunities you let slip through your fingers. Monopoly is about investment and return! Lest you forget, your wallet will remain empty.

In online business, a free ride is alright. Many people have started out this way. But bear in mind that your business will need prime web real estate and a marker (www.yourbusiness.com) to go with it, if you're at all to be taken seriously. Else your credibility, image, or reputation will suffer before you have the chance to even build it.

You don't have to spend on everything right away. Just the essential tools that your market sees: website, autoresponder messages, list management, etc.

Lesson #5 Jail Time Does Not Pay

Other players get ahead and beat you to the prime squares. You'll waste what little resources you have, trying to get out.

The internet is no different. While nothing compares to learning your lessons the hard way, you'd be much better off learning from other people's mistakes. At such a critical stage when you're just starting out, your reputation cannot easily be repaired once shattered, whether by SPAM or other unethical business practice. Establish a code of ethics and faithfully stand by it!

Lesson #6 Give Back to the Community

The Community Chest card usually collects donations, taxes, and other related fees to keep the monopoly community (a.k.a. the Bank) intact and progressive.

The internet community requires no different. While you do have bills to pay -- we all need to make a living! -- the mechanics of buying and selling exists as a well-oiled machine because of the interaction and exchange of information without constant thought for personal profit.

Go pro bono once in a while. Help for the sake of helping. Answer questions and offer practical advice in the forums and discussion groups. Write articles offering valuable information from your own knowledge and experience. How about some free products?

Lesson #7 There's Always a Chance to Start Over: Pass GO, and Collect $$$

GO is a place of refuge. Passing it always comes with a sigh of relief! An excellent time to examine property cards and glance at the status on the board. Assess your progress. Make necessary adjustments in your plan: acquire properties to prevent others' monopoly or add to yours?

Going back to square one is also ideal in internet marketing. It is an opportunity for you to re-group. Assess your progress, based on your plan. Are you keeping your time-schedule? Are you accomplishing the tasks you've set out to do?

Where does your business stand at this point in time? Step back for a moment and look at the big picture. You can then make the necessary improvements. You can also modify your game plan for better results.

Lesson #8 Your Attitude Makes Your Game

How do you deal with bad luck on the dice, when you're constantly landing on properties that demand staggering prices for rent? Do you resign before you even try to get back up? Or do you give yourself that little pep-talk and play on?

What is your business attitude? It's important to make a stand. How you choose to deal with the demands of your business and its problems, determines your chances for success.

Even in its varying degrees, success ultimately lies with you. It is in your hands. If that is what you want, you have little choice but to develop the attitude for running a successful business.

Identify your capabilities and compensate for your weaknesses by improving on your strengths. And always, always always...adapt accordingly!

The stakes are high. And your only opponent in the end, is yourself. What's your game plan?

Go ahead. Roll the dice. Opportunities await. And GO is never far from sight.

Often lucky with the dice, Margaux Alhanen doesn't mind giving discounted rent. Off the board, she gathers tools and compiles notes for internet marketing beginners at http://www.imnotebook.com Download your free eNotebook entitled "Starting Ahead: How to Develop a Winning Attitude in Business" today!