Jon

I figured posting this note on WickedFire would be the appropriate place. The place where I started the second part of my career, and now, the place where I'm going to be ending it.

I've decided to finally do what's in my best interest for my personal, social, and business life, and let everyone know that I am leaving the affiliate marketing industry.

This is something I've spent a long time mulling over. When times were good, I would stuff it away or shrug it off. When times were bad, it would resurface it's ugly face.

Most of all, I am just tired.
Tired of the drama.
Tired of the rumors.
Tired of the fake people.
Tired of the lies.
Tired of being the only one fighting.
Just tired of all the bullshit and bad stuff.

There is a quote from the movie "American History X" in which the main character was asked a simple yet life changing question during a time when he was feeling hurt and confused for the first time in his life about something he was taught and told was the right way to go. After focusing on it, he realized fairly quickly that the answer really was just that simple. And he changed his ways and everyone lived happily ever after... Well sorta. But without being overdramatic, that question is something I thought long and hard about, and the answer was right there in front of me.

"Has anything you've done, made your life better?" -- My answer is no.

Sure, its been one hell of an experience. I've learned SO much about people and politics over the last two years. I've seen friends come and go. I feel as if I've made both a positive and negative impact on an industry I have been involved with for fourteen long years now. But at the end of the day... has any of this truly made MY life better? Not at all. If anything, it made it more complicated. I'm now more paranoid and cautious than ever. I have more stress in my life than ever before. I stopped focusing on what I had spent years being so good at doing, and started to do this thing called "caring for others" in which as strange as it sounds, I'm not cut out for!

So with this letter to everyone. I bid you all farewell.

Its still likely that I will show up for these last two conferences (Denver and Boston) to sort of say my goodbyes. I'm forgiving everyone right now.

All I ask is that in return, that none of you question my decision, but respect it. No advice, no "what do you think of.." questions. No phone calls, IM's or emails of any sort.

I love WickedFire, and its people and what it stands for, so by leaving it in the hands of a very few bunch of trusted and loyal friends, I think it will truly be destined for the greatness it deserves. I hope that they continue to run it with the same goals and plans that I had evinisioned for it two years ago, and stayed true to it's cause.

And with that.. I say farewell my friends. Its been an honor and a pleasure to have spent this time meeting and getting to know all of you, and I will cherish it forever..

-- In true Jon spirit...
Have a great fucking time, and don't take shit from anyone!

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ChrisS

I totally respect your decision. But are you really sure you don't just need a good long vacation?

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"The courageous spirit of a single man can inspire to victory an army of thousands" – Chuang-tse

Jon

Yep. Its final.

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Dullspace

Domainers.

-Matt-

Sorry to hear that you're leaving the industry.

Does this mean that you're going to leave WF, too? I know you said you were going to leave WF in the hands of some trusted people, but are you going to post here anymore?

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nachoninja

lolz

and good luck with everything else!

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elime

I think you made a bigger, better impact than you give yourself credit for, Jon. Hell, look at this place! Thanks for everything. Do what's right for yourself and good luck.

turbolapp

Whatever you need to do, you gotta do.

So what are you going to be doing now?

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Bofu2U

Oh fuck.

Well.. Jon I hope you find what you're after man, even if it's just peace and quiet!

GL bro.

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m0rtal

All the best man, gotta do what you gotta do. Thanks for a great forum and everything else you've done for the industry.

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engaged

What happens to domains.org?

coglethorpe

I can't say I know you or anyone on this board very well, but I do appreciate this board a hell of a lot. Thanks for what you've done here and best wishes.

ConceptualMind

Does this mean someone bought WF for $16MM and you're stepping out?

nachoninja

I'm still waiting for someone to call out linkbait....

__________________
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Jizzlobber

Can I have your parking spot?

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Jon

I agreed to finish my consulting gig to a gov agency and a security contractor firm.

I'm absolutely fascinated by the power of psychology on a large scale. I'm even more drawn in by harnessing those powers and applying them through unchartered channels on the internet.

The overall result is that I want to apply my more radical theories of longterm and larger scale "thinking/idea branding" via the internet.

I'm staying with the internet because its what I know best and the stuff I'm working on for it has never been done by anyone before. The challenge of being able to accomplish something on such a broad spectrum before anyone else has been a real dream of mine since. It just took a while to realize WHAT I wanted to do with myself that would make ME happy.

This industry is a polar opposite of what I'd like to do in the next chapter of my career. All of the internet marketing that everyone here focuses on is too short lived. Its more "quick flip/short sale" friendly. There's far too much "footprinting and in-depth tracking" going on. Sometimes trying to track everything and keep score on every cent spent and earned will do more harm in the longrun than good. I'd like to be the one to prove that with my ideas and plans.

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Bofu2U

You do it man.

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Priority_Mail90

Didn't you already quit Affiliate Marketing early last year ?

Basically sounds like you want to build proper websites/services like Shoemoney rather than chase affiliate marketing scraps.

Jon

I took one of my younger brothers on as a partner and he's going to be running everything for me. For that domain, and for all of my portfolios that I'll be selling off at some point soon. He's a business school grad and does loads better in management and follow-thru than I ever could have. Plus I trust him.

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Demon

Best of luck Jon!

...

But I think you owe us all an eBook. Come on, when's it coming out?

coglethorpe

I smell a startup. If you crack that nut, you could make a ton of money and a huge impact on the internet.

productionhead

Good luck in whatever you do then

SUP3RNOVA

God speed my friend.

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am I allowed to link to my forum here?

RuDeDoGg

Good luck, do what makes you happy

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JamesH

Thanks for everything you've provided through this forum, I really appreciate it Jon. You'll be missed, have fun doing whatever you plan on doing.

Pr0xyhub

I've never met you, or ever talked to you, but thanks for everything.

Jon

Yeah.. quit being an affiliate. That should have been the warning sign to listen to my gut and quit everything, but I thought things would get a lot better if I just took a different approach from what I was used to. I didn't follow my own damn advice in the end, and learned a lot, the hard way. But hey, trial and error. I practice what I preach.

No. I'm not building or launching any of that stuff. I'm truly done with it.

WickedFire will still launch a few of the many projects I came up with. I won't leave my partners hanging, and will see to it that they are launched correctly. After that though, its all on them and WF to see it through.

The longer I stick around, the tougher it will be to leave for good.

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Jon

Hahaha! Yeah that sure would have been nice to have for a rainy day, but I don't regret making that decision. I'm still a strong believer that we all have to go through a lot of fucked up things as a result of our decisions in order to better ourselves and really learn the hard way in order to make us stronger.

That decision alone has made such an impact on me and some people here. Its something that has changed more people's lives for the better, than for me to have been selfish and greedy to accept it.

Lets put it to rest right now. Consider that if I had taken it, so early in the game, that group would have changed everything here. WF would have become just another forum of bias information in the vast sea of bullshit. You wouldn't have met any of your new pals from that day to now. None of the awesome information threads or drama, both amusing and serious would have happened. So yeah, I still think it was a good one and stand by it. But I also agree, maybe I should have taken it.

The lessons I learned from that are things all of you could learn from it now. Just because someone offers you lots of cash, doesn't mean its a good decision or in your best interest. Turning it down will not be the end of your life or the worst mistake you've ever made. Always be wary of taking the easy way out, as it can many times be the beginning of your demise. Having lots of cash lying around is a double edged sword, because it may make you happy or have a false sense of accomplishment for one thing, but ultimately can have a very negative effect on more important and less obvious areas of your life and development.

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Jon

I'd like to play against you in a high stakes poker cash game someday. You're 'reading' skills are horrible.

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jelf

congrats jon, you have really impacted me professionally and personally.

I wish you the best.

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Choller

Damn finally it happend. Been waiting for this for a long time.

j/k

__________________
"Against all odds"

VVE Beheer

dogfighter

Good for you man, a decision that is mature beyond your years. Quality of life and opportunity cost are just as real as a $16MM check, and sometimes more valuable.

You'll be missed, best of luck. I hope our paths have a reason to cross again... you know where I'll be

__________________
If you can't make money with these offers, SELL YOUR $&%@#*! COMPUTER!

I was a young man when I fought dogs in Mexico. There were many dog fighters but none as great in size or as quiet. Then I was unsure of my words. But the fighting was always a language I spoke well.
-Marc Bojanowski

BluuueJammm

Good luck man.

DomainRealty

Jon...good luck to you. Were I in your position, I would probably do the same thing. If something makes you sick, regardless of the money involved...fuck it, it's not gonna work.

The way I figure is that when I make my first million (eh, make it 5, inflation), fuck this shit, I'm done. Props to you for having the balls to bail out without just...disappearing. Good luck.

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dogfighter

A whole million?!?! Jeez, you could go halfs on a house with Paul in some no-name state for that!

__________________
If you can't make money with these offers, SELL YOUR $&%@#*! COMPUTER!

I was a young man when I fought dogs in Mexico. There were many dog fighters but none as great in size or as quiet. Then I was unsure of my words. But the fighting was always a language I spoke well.
-Marc Bojanowski

cheapestman

Good luck Jon, thanks for all your hard work.

RockDiesel

can I have all your TrustRank info that you talked about on your blog back in October and November last year?

acemenace

Thanks Jon. Hope to run into you at one of the conferences. Good Luck!

mediastar100

Jon

Just a quick one to say best of luck with your future plans. Ive learnt so much here and developed a proper fledgling business all with the help of WF. So as far as improving someones life - consider that box ticked.

All the best man

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ConceptualMind

Can we hug it out at ASE?

xmcp123

I'm not going to question your decision Jon. But the one thing I will say is you're not the only one fighting. You've got (and will have, should you decide to come back) a forum full of people that did actually have your back.

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bubbles

Since no one has done it yet. I'm laying claim to

1. Your Domain Portfolio
2. Your Adwords Account
3. Any servers in your name

PM me with the details so we can wrap this up quick.

Seriously though, best of luck. Your blog got me into AM and WF kept me going. I'd be a much poorer man if not for you. I have a lot of respect for you and wish you well in all you do. Keep your mind open, and your legs closed.

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I_like_cock

Hey all roads come to an end. Good luck! Just don't become this guy...

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engaged

I thought someone else owned domains.org???

quellhorst

" fascinated by the power of psychology on a large scale"

Are you going to become a professional troll?

chatmasta

Yeah I'm not sure what Jon is talking about...

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kimboslice

Good Luck and thx for WF dude.

lazar

wat?

PRandContent

Wow, very brave step, Jon. I wish I had the same amount of courage

You do it man! Best of luck to you.

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DanielQ

I'm sorry to see you go. I'm fairly new to WF, but just from being here I've learned a lot and I know you're a very well known and respected name in the business. I can't think of any better reason to quit this business, or any business, than yours. If it's not making you happy or making your life better, you need to find what does and pursue that. Best of luck.