You will be surprised how quickly you learn this stuff when you can use real examples. 

Whether that is to pay for gas to drive to the REIA, or pay for internet service to learn from BPers, or put out bandit signs or qualify for a mortgage or purchase a tax lien or get your real estate license.

There is no getting away from the fact that internet leads are different than traditional referrals.

The only benefit is they have courses that you can buy that will provide a lot about internet marketing that you can use to market your REI business.

Every time I go on the internet, I end up looking at zillow or realtor.com to look at properties.  

She is a Psychologist and helps special needs children.My research interest is a connection between Internet and Finance such as in Micro-finance websites Kiva.org, Zidisha.org or Motley Fool’s Internet Marketing.Please message me if you feel our interests are similar.

The exceptions include (a) buildings with four or fewer units where the landlord lives in one of the units, and (b) private owners who do not own more than three single family houses, do not use real estate brokers or agents, and do not use discriminatory advertisements.

In reading several articles and BP posts users say anywhere from 25 to 200+ buyers before locating properties.

I recognize a random person on the internet can't write me a whole guide, but surely there is some recommended reading?

Without knowing much about you I suggest you either conuslt a professional nearest you or do some research on the internet.