I worked through the weekend, putting in more than 30 hours if you include Friday night (I do). Of course, there are other times that I work a total of 5-10 hours in an entire week, so "it all comes out in the wash" as they say.
I wasnt at all unhappy about working the weekend. I really do love the work that I do, and enjoy the opportunity to sit and focus on projects that I'm really into - and I have several right now.
I did have some catch-up work and mundane tasks to tend to this weekend too though: transcribing audio, updating web pages, etc (not near as fun as "projects"). Still looking at my outsourcing solutions and part of my work this weekend was in making notes for the recommended Training Manual.
It's rare to get so much quiet time on a weekend lately, so it was kind of fun - reminded me of the start-up days 🙂 . BUT, I was faced with an interesting comment from a local friend on Sunday evening that gave me pause...
He said to me (and I'm paraphrasing here):
What is it that you do exactly anyway? I read your blog, and I've looked you up on Google, and I still have absolutely no clue. Its like some secret esoteric cult so far removed from the real world that I cant even wrap my mind around it...
My reply? It went something like this:
Its just like I told you - I run an online business. I teach other people to do what I do - so basically I write tutorials, reviews, answer questions and...
Him:
I get that. You teach other people to be successful at what you do. But what is it you DO, and you said before that you dont take clients - so how do you get paid?
Me:
Hmm...
At this point I was trying to figure out how to explain it without going into the whole spiel of developing affiliate sites in various niches, getting paid commission for sales on products (and all kinds of products - from ebooks to patio furniture) through search engine marketing, using contextual advertising models and other revenue streams to monetize the writing I do, etc etc etc, and then how I earn money "answering questions" for free.
And really, that just kinda feels like the tip of the iceberg 😆
So instead I replied with:
I do sales and consulting. I just do it online... Esoteric, huh? Its not all that secret though - there are hundreds of thousands of people who do what I do.
Him:
Which is still a mystery to "the rest of the world"...
You have to admit, it's interesting to get an outside perspective on Internet Marketing or an online business. Especially when you're involved so deep that you eat, sleep and breathe geek stuff for so long that perhaps the virtual world becomes more real to you than the offline world...
And maybe I'm a little bit quirky. I dont mind to admit that (my friend agreed). I'm not anti-social by any means, but I am one of those rare breeds that truly enjoys being at home and it takes something like Prince Charming or Sushi to lure me out of the house.
Somehow over the years I have turned into one of those people that uses a headset to have coffee with friends, orders furniture over the internet, reads books on a computer screen instead of in a chaise lounge, answers email but not the door or the phone...
Do I not have a life?! Why yes, of course I do. I'm just choosy about where I go and what I do - and how I spend my time. Its a choice thing. I'd rather hang out at the house and watch a chick flick with my daughter than "go out". That's the whole reason that I work from home, of course.
And then one more question from my friend...
It seems to me like you work a lot of hours. Or you're not very available for social get-togethers at least. But on your blog I read about how your lifestyle is laid back and flexible - and that you dont have to work full-time hours anymore...
A great point, of course. And if anyone has followed me lately you might have noticed timestamps with both early-bird hours and night-owl hours. For the last month or so I have been burning the candle at both ends, and really pouring myself into my work. There's a reason for that, which I shared with him also...
I have my seasons. During the summer months I might work 5-10 hours a week. In the fall, things pick back up and I stay busy through the end of the year with the holiday sales season. Too, sometimes I am just in maintenance mode - maintaining my business, which takes minimal work. Other times I am in development mode, and really get into the projects at hand.
The cool thing about it is that I have those options. I can work more if I want to, or go down to 10 hours a week if I want to. I can outsource my whole life (business tasks, lawncare, housekeeping, you name it) and travel or just lounge around - and I have. Or I can work an entire weekend through and pull all-nighters for 3 nights straight.
And yes, sometimes I really love to just dig in and work. I love what I do (weird as some people might think it is -haha) and really have a passion for the niches I chose. Its actually FUN to get up and check stats, test new marketing strategies, tweak advertising campaigns and watch the numbers follow.
I get into it, what can I say.
Of course, besides work there are other things that keep me busy: dart league, cheerleading practice, ballgames, grocery shopping, household chores, errands and everything else that makes up general life management when you are raising two kids on your own.
I am guessing that the majority of the people reading this are Internet Marketers - or know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm curious what kind of response you get to being involved in this "cult" (lol) and also how it has changed your life, if at all? I'm sure my friend will be interested to read your answers as well 😉
Best,
About Lynn Terry
I, by no means, consider myself a successful online businesswoman 🙂 But, I do make some money that pays for mundane expenses. Anyway, to this day my friends think I do MLM or ger rich schemes and don't consider my excuse of "I am working on my site right now" to be a good one for skipping coffee. I do find it hard to explain what I do, so I really don't try. The best way to show them you are actually working is to show them a Google AdSense check; works magic 😉
Wow Lynn...You would think that more people would be aware of Internet Marketing.
Most people offline don't get what I do either. I try to explain and they still don't get it. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not good at explaining or if they simply don't want to expand their mind to figure it all out.
I was home schooled and experienced simular things all the time. People would ask questions, I'd answer, and they'd still act as though they didn't understand what I had just told them.
Anyway, what you've said makes perfect sense about your seasons, too. I'm the same way. Sometimes I'm just maintaining my success and sometimes I'm adding projects which takes more work.
You mentioned you were transcribing this weekend. You shouldn't have to spend time doing that! There is an afforable transcribing you should look into. Her name is Tishia Lee. She has worked for Kelly and myself doing this type of work.
http://www.tishiasavestime.com --- incase you'd like to get rid of that task on your plate. 🙂
Excellent! Thank you so much for the link 🙂 I actually had the original audio transcribed, but the formatting and accuracy was lacking. So I actually spent my time 'cleaning it up' after paying to have it done 😉
Next time I'll call on Tishia!
Lynn, Thanks for sharing your experience.
Being an Internet marketer myself, I too face the same query by outsider who know nothing in the World of Internet marketing. Despite spending tons of effort explaining to them. They still don't get it.
In the end, I gave up trying to explaining to them. I will just say..."Check out my website. If you want to know how I make money online, engage my service"
Its interesting, isnt it? It makes me think back to the day that I stumbled into this whole thing and try to remember what MY perception was of it from "the outside"...
Great post Lynn. Most people don't "get" what I do either. I found it's a lot easier to just say I'm a marketing consultant, LOL... they still dont' get that but at least it sounds more tangible than affiliate marketing 😉
My schedule also varies greatly and I have times when I work non stop and other times I rarely work... it's all down to the kids too and how much they'll let me do!
As for the house thing, I'm a home body. I do get out but I enjoy being at home. I also like my own company and am quite happy to spend time reading or working on my own... online business suits me just fine.
I'm glad I'm not alone in that 🙂
I'm curious whether a home business turns us into a "home body", or if us homebodies just happen to be a perfect fit for this career.
One of the things that invariably happens when someone does "get it"... is that they think its EASY. Of course it does look easy if you show them a successful smooth-operating business in action. But what they dont see is the years you put into it, or the time and energy that was invested.
Its not always easy to convey that this is a business that requires a start-up investment (of much time, if not money - and usually both) the same as an offline business venture. I think many people get the impression that its "there for the taking" like a gold rush...
Thank you all for shedding some light into the "mystery tunnel of success" that is Internet Marketing.
P.S. I am the "local friend" Lynn paraphrased.
Brad
Thanks for sharing everyone. I am just beginning an internet marketing business, I don't have my web site quite yet. I currently have a full time job that I am trying to replace.
However, I can totally relate to what you guys are talking about. I am so ready to give up the traditional work force. I love spending time with myself and those I choose to speak with via on line or in person. At work I have to talk to everyone even if they are jerks and then I have to be nice to them too. No thanks, I'll take you guys 1,000 times over those people any day. You guys rock!
Anyway, I know absolutely nothing about internet marketing and have spent hours researching and reading online as well as in the lounge chair. LOL! Last weekend I read an entire 250 page book on the computer for free! Love that. Wish me luck you guys...
Definitely wishing you luck, Michelle! 😉
If you have any questions, feel free to join us at my forum (its free): http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/forum/
We even have a "getting started" section where 'newbie questions' are most welcome!
Lynn,
Thanks, I will join. I've been getting your newsletters by email and saving them to read later. I just happened to have a moment to read this one.
See you guys in the forum.
Michelle
I told someone the other night what I do that I sell books on Anazon and explained it. She's a university lecturer so I assumed she got it.
She acknowledged what I said, then a couple of minutes later said. "And what do you REALLY do?"
She can't understand I make a living this way
LOL 😆 Good one, Ed!
I can so relate to this post Lynn. I had some of my kids and their families over for dinner recently and the subject of my business came up. My youngest daughter practically fell off her chair laughing about my pretend business. Unfortunately, I couldn't show her a cheque to back me up.
But that day is coming!
Getting family support is tough. This may not apply to your particular situation, but I wrote an entry about that very topic back in June:
http://www.clicknewz.com/857/working-at-home-with-kids/
All the best,
~ Lynn
I love this post Lynn 🙂
It is so true. Nobody really understands what we do online, and like most I've given up explaining.
I love working at home and for me it started out of necessity due to the needs of my kids. I have to be home for them all the time anyway. It more started as just a hobby, or something to keep my mind busy but is now growing into more.
I've always been a homebod, my friends infact have referred to me as a hermit many times. The thing is if I wanted to be "out", I would be. I love everything about the home atmosphere, and being able to love what you do is so huge, IMHO.
I'm like you Lynn in that if I choose to go out I do, but most days I'm just as happy to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy being at home. In fact - I really even better enjoy when friends come here to visit rather than going to some coffee shop 🙂
Its nice to know I'm not alone in that 🙂
Perhaps someday you and I can get together and have a cup of coffee, Heather. If we can decide who has to leave the house, that is *grin*.
Really enjoyed this post. Here's some funny feedback I've received:
1. If you're not one of those "internet millionaires" you're a failure.
2. Do you make money from porn or gambling sites? I heard that's the only way you can make money on the web.
I explain affiliate marketing in using offline terms: basically, people see something they like on my site, click to the vendor's site and if they buy something, I earn a sales commission. Everybody understands sales commissions.
What is also hard for people to understand is that I don't even consider my "work" as a job, even when I do those all-nighters. I bet a lot of people here feel this way. I enjoy what I'm doing (even when I'm not 🙂 and it's difficult for people to understand how anyone can put in a 16 hour day and not feel like it's a long day!
I can relate to that 😉
By the way, I was at a ballgame tonight and talking to a friend. She said "Oh, you're a web designer, right?"
It was SO tempting to just say "yup!" (how easy is that! lol)... except then I'd worry my phone would ring off the hook with people she referred for that type of work 😛
There arent that many designers here locally. I'd hate to be accidentally mistaken for one 😀
You guys are cracking me up!
Hi Lynn! I am nowhere near your level of success YET!), but I can definitely relate to this entry.
It can be very frustrating to try and answer the questions posed, when the majority of folks assume I am doing MLM's and get rich quick schemes, or worse - "get paid to" programs.
Some have outright called me a liar...until I showed them the checks (not where I want them to be yet but getting there steadily), web position, size of my mailing list, etc...even then, they were still skeptical (as they should be).
It used to anger me to see the mass confusion from those who maintain such a narrow view of earning money from home, but now I just remind folks that "whatever they believe, will be" as I quietly cash the commission checks they have helped to fund every month. (wink)
Smiles, Polly
Wow! You go Polly!
Maybe the niche"internet marketing " isn't as crowded as we are led to believe. At least if the various reactions to the question What do you do? are typical.
I agree, Robert 😉