You know that saying about the Chinese character for "crisis" also standing for "opportunity"? Well, actually that isn't true (sorry!) but there is definitely some merit to the idea behind this urban myth. When the economy is in turmoil, it can open up some new opportunities and in fact, it often forces people who have been laid off to look for new opportunities. One way that many people are choosing to insulate themselves from the vagaries of the economy is to carve opportunities out of a crisis and start their own businesses.

The internet has been nothing less than a game changer in nearly every economic sector; it has enabled nearly anyone with a computer and an internet connection to become part of a global marketplace which is always open for business. This has opened new worlds not only to consumers but to businesses as well, since buyers and sellers can now easily do business with each other no matter how distant they may be. This revolution in global commerce has also allowed people to start their own internet based businesses with relative ease. Internet marketing (especially affiliate marketing) is one industry which has attracted an especially large number of people looking to generate a second income or to go into business for themselves.

Since many internet marketing opportunities are easy to get started with and involve only minimal start-up costs, it's no surprise that it's attracted so many people looking for opportunity in a time of crisis. The only costs are those associated with starting a website. While of course you can use pay per click advertising to promote your internet marketing business, it’s perfectly possible to have a successful business in this field using only cost-free marketing strategies. This is a lower bar to entry than in any other industry; and there is a lot of money to be made in internet marketing; it's a multi-billion dollar industry and growing by leaps and bounds each year.

Naturally, you get out of your business what you put into it – so your newly minted internet marketing venture is only going to be successful to the extent that you’re willing to put some time and effort into it. However, you can get started with a relatively small investment of time and gradually grow your business into something which generates more income than that day job you're worrying about being laid off from more with every passing day.

As long as you plan your business wisely and treat it as the real business that it is, you can be successful as an online entrepreneur. Steer clear of the get-rich-quick scams and any business "opportunity" which makes outlandish promises (especially if they're asking a fee up front" and you can make your business something which can thrive, no matter what the state of the larger economy may be. There is a silver lining to every cloud; and yours could be a profitable new business venture.