I feel your pain my friend, I know it can be pretty harsh out there but you are doing the right thing. Don't see this as a setback but only a time of regrouping to only come back stronger. I know you are not wanting to go blackhat but you should really try to incorporate it into your IM business because you're literally competing against people with no quams against using the dark seo arts and your pretty much General Custard without it. Just my 2 cents but good luck to you either way.
You're right, but I don't have to change who I am to compete. I let them be them and I'll do me.
Going back to work can't be all that bad; at least you have a job to go back too.
And I agree with 'xfactornos' you need to stop spending so much money.
It's amazing that people make assumptions about my spending habits when I never said how much money I spend, I simply made a point that making passively $4000 month would be enough to take care of my family without working for someone.
I am thankful for my job, its just that when you're mindset has changed it's hard to accept life as someone else's normal.
You mentioned you are applying from a programmer job. What I can suggest is to write programs that will automate your IM work or sale programs to people. Perhaps right now you may not have ideas for great apps, but in time they come. Anyway wish you good luck with the finances
Great point and I may actually do that, I just need to switch gears. I'm sure the ideas will come. Actually, I've never really had a shortage of ideas, just time and effort to execute.
The sad part is that you are a programmer. Ive often wondered - if a programmer cant make it online - who can?
In reality, I know a lot of VERY GOOD programmers who haven't made a cent online. Most programmers end up being moderately paid freelancers who build the applications that make others rich. Nothing wrong with that, it's just amazing how many of us just accept the idea of building someone else's future and freedom, but not our own.
I know - ive been there.
Thats what im hinting at - hoping the OP will look at what he NEEDS to polish up - rather than what he already "KNOWS HIS STUFF" on if you see what I mean.
Not quite sure if quoting "KNOWS HIS STUFF" is some under handed attempt at mocking me, but I only shared my true feelings about what was really going on with me at the time in the hopes that my emotional/mental transparency would help others.
You speak confidently as if you have never failed or felt the burden of life. If so, I wish you all the best, but be fully aware that hard times come on us all and don't expect much mercy when your time comes.
I feel your pain. For the last 6 months I have been trying to get a more steady flow of money from IM.
Although there are many methods shared here, most for me are good for a while then get saturated and its back to the drawing board.
I love getting up whenever I want, and not having to go to work and be treated like a slave.
I think that you should try to move out of Dallas and to a place where the cost of living is more affordable. Its harder with kids, but it can be done.
I like many of us, need to put together an
Online Buisness and not just a mix of various methods...
A real business that you can have people working under you and that can be sold when the time is right.
I hope I never have to go back to the Hell of work...
I hope that we all can make a living online and enjoy the peace that comes with getting out of the rat race....
Thanks for your thoughts. Truth is that is the goal: Get out of the rat race. Not pull over, make a pit stop and get back in the race! I'm tired of the race, but I understand that I just have to keep learning and growing. I know that many of the wealthiest men/women of the world took years to get there. I mean look at Sam Walton!
This is exactly why there is that saying: Those that can ... DO... Those that can't TEACH. Sometimes, when you are struggling and stuck in a rut with your IM, it's best to take a little breather from it for a bit. Gain some mental clarity. Look at taking the new job as a little vacation from your true calling.
Yeah, I'll use this time as an opportunity to refocus and get a better plan of action. Thanks for your comments.
Hey Crazyone dont worry man this is just a temporary thing. We left our job the last time 7 years ago but started IM 7 years before that. Firstly dude like everyone is saying DONT give up man infact why on earth would you because you sustained yourself and family a year on your talents. Take the job and refine what you are doing now as time permits. OK now I am going to get personal here man honestly on BHW I am more a lurker sad to say and I am not really that big on BH either but DANG this is hands down the best melting pot of informed IM guys I have ever seen. I want to share some things with you that helped me out a lot and maybe this will help some other guys reading this.
1. Work smarter NOT harder: automate redundant task as best you can and outsource some small stuff when possible.
2. Look at your models and revamp your pricing because sometimes part of it has NOTHING to do with you it is just that you are cutting yourself with pricing. I dont mean just raise the price heck you can sometimes cut products up and rather than selling 1 for $47 sell 3 pieces that make up that one product for $19.95 + dash in some attempts at an upsell.
3. STOP THE BLEEDING: OK here is a big big part of it man how I see it if you work for yourself expect some bumps. I know that sounds bad but I started IM 14 yrs ago been broke several times and divorced once in that time. That is the Honest ugly true side no one talks about. What helped me a lot was to stop the bleeding as an example when things are working good pay off bills and build your savings
a) take your cc and get rid of them by paying off the smallest one first and then compound the money you save and pay off the next and so on.
b) Mortgage is the worse: Again when things are good pay 40 - 60% more than your bill and watch a 30 year disappear in 8 - 12
c) compound while at work by reinvesting in your IM earnings and try to find more semi passive ventures that you understand to add in your portfolio.
4. The job will take some pressure off you right now and sometimes it is good to just get a gig go through the motions for a little while and gain focus. The 9 - 5 is not a bad thing man compared to how hard this really is it is a break and every human being needs one. So take the time to plan ( 1 hour of planning = 1 wk of work if done good ) and relax a bit with your family. I know how it is to get those 15 HR days in and not just on you but on the person who got to put up with you LOL. Relax man and be glad because everyday you work consistent you are closer to getting there but work on all aspects and keep balance in your life.
5. Set a goal of slowly getting 3 - 6 months of expenses saved: Not only is the life style about earnings oldtimers know it is about having assets that are 4 to 6 times your earnings to cushion the slumps. Anyone can have them it is no reflection on your talent just a part of the life style and it will pass if you hang in there.
I am sure rooting for you and I think you are closer than you might think to your dreams. Really often right after a slump for me sometimes something comes along and will just pop so it makes IM life like peaks and valleys and a lot of other guys say it is like that for them also but don't give up. The valley just makes things interesting and everyone you make it through will make you more savvy so as to avoid the next one trust me.
Thanks for sharing. I have to agree, some of the best marketing minds on the Internet go through this forum. Many of the things you have said I actually already practice, but nevertheless it doesn't hurt to hear it again every once and a while.
I appreciate you taking the time to share. Not only will your post help me, but many others that are reading this now and in the future.
You can get your day job and keep on improving your IM tactics while you are on it. Once your IM gets a little stability, you feel free to quit!
You got it! That's the plan and I can't wait. Thanks for commenting.
i totally understand, if i was single id be living large. been broke ever since the first of 2 kids! agree to suggest working 9-5 then do your im and build it back up. I have been working from home for the entire time the internet went public, so getting a corporate job is VERY hard for me. its even scarier when you dont have anything to fall back on. all i have is 13 years coding websites and ecommerce apps, and while my resume is full of good skills, corporate wont touch me. good luck!
Yeah, I think we all underestimate the cost of raising a family. When I was single and on my own, gave me a nice passive income. After getting married, buying a home, starting a family, etc., the cost of living keeps going up and what used to be excess turns into just enough.
That's when I knew I needed to make a change. Truth is, I'll do whatever it takes to take care of my family; even if that means sacrificing my "other" dreams. Because having a family to love and cherish means so much more.
I wish you the best, because I know how difficult that can be to get another job when you have a bunch of experience and no "credentials", but really, corporate isn't all that great anyway. Well that's unless you own your own corporation!
All the best to you.
