When it comes to making lots of money, all that really matters is marketing. This is easily proven by the fact that you don't need a better product or a lower price to make more money than your competition. The truth is that you can literally make millions selling mediocre products - if you know how to market them effectively. Of course, you should always strive to deliver quality products and great value to your customers - but the point is that marketing is all that really matters. Doing paperwork, building web sites, answering email, and processing orders doesn't help grow your business - only advertising does.
Advertising is the lifeblood of any business.
If you do not learn how to advertise your products and services both efficiently and effectively, you won't be in business long. While the Internet has lessened or eliminated many of the costs normally associated with starting and running a small business, and it's now easier than ever, you'll never realize significant profits if you don't grow your business through effective marketing. There are really just two kinds of advertising - that which you pay for and that which you get for free. And both should have their place in your overall marketing strategy. The problem arises when one does not understand how or when to use each.