Am I Stupid?

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Demon said:
haha no it's cool, I just have a strong dislike of 9-5 jobs and doing pointless, annoying work for an employer when I could be making money my own way. You hit it on the head when you said this:

"But, some people just aren't wired as "entrepreneurs" whether its the stress, the structure, the whatever..."

I think that's exactly what it comes down to. If you don't like being totally dependant in terms of making money then a job is definitely a good choice, even if you are currently doing well.

To the OP, if all your campaigns went to shits tonight, would you consider that day job, or would you start something new straight away? I know I would pick the former, maybe its because I dont have mouths to feed, but the point is you've got to know yourself before making that decision. I cant stand working for someone else in an office environment even if it pays well, so it's a pretty easy decision for me. If you feel the same way, then give your own business all you've got and fuck that day job.

Having said that, IndomitableD did have a good point worth considering in his post in regards to experience and gaining knowledge for your own work.
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I would definitely get my campaigns going or start new ones if the current campaigns failed. I'm in this for the long run -- which is why this 9-5 is looking more like an obstacle then it is a safety blanket or learning experience.

aim said:
If you're new gig in IT, it means you'll probably means you'll have unrestricted access to a computer, right? What says you can't run your business from your new workplace?
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True. I also have a landing page designer and offshore virtual assistant standing by.





btw, thanks everyone for your input.
 


invisible777 said:
My biggest concern is what if the campaigns I'm running die tomorrow, and I have nothing. Although I do have enough to pay rent and have a good ol time for about 5 years.
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If they die tommorow and you can't get new ones going, you'll always have that degree to fall back on. It sounds like you're doing good in AM at the moment, so don't throw a wrench into your machine.

Stick with whats working for you now and only worry about "what ifs" when they happen. No sense in stressing over something that may never happen. For all you know, you could ride these campaigns out for a long, long time.

Speaking of which - Might as well take that risk NOW while you're still young rather than later. There is no reward without risk. ;) I quit my job to go fulltime online and it's the best decision I ever made. Period.
 
I'm in a really similar situation, just graduated from undergrad, have a great job starting in August that I've been committed to since November.

I started affiliate marketing in January/February and am now making similar figures as you and asking myself the exact same question.

I have a hard time backing out of prior commitments, even things like signing a letter of intent, etc, and not a contractual obligation. It's also hard to explain to others taking the risk of working for yourself at a young age when they already know and are excited about the job you're supposedly heading for.

So, I don't have the answers yet either and at the moment I'm leaning towards "do both for a while," but I am scared that it will hamper my AM growth and that maybe I'm being an idiot.
 
It's all about what makes you happy. Did your other jobs make you happy? Did you like the social environment? If you could work a full time job AND do what you're doing now, that could make retiring even earlier possible. If you absolutely hate working for someone else your life and your AM will suffer. However, if you enjoy having a regular job and a lot of structure, then it could actually be a good thing to keep you on a regular schedule and keep you motivated.

I don't think I could ever go back now after seeing all the potential of affiliate marketing. I couldn't put a price on my time and personal freedom, but that's just me.
 
I am going to drop my 2 cents in, since I am currently in a similar situation.

I also worked the 'real job' since I was 14, and everyone always told me that was the way it was going to be. About a year and a half ago, near the end of my college stretch (bachelors); I first realized that reporting to someone else wasn't in store for me. I believe its quite easy to say that, and about a 100x harder to actually make it a reality. Fast forward one year, and I am finally yielding a decent wage from 100% organic traffic (still haven't figured out AM yet) and was able to step down to part time at my job. My family thinks what I do isn't a reality, and that the degree will be the most important thing I will achieve before 25. To me, the degree, the certs, the training, it means nothing. My only true success will be the day I am finally done, and can decide what MY life has in store for me.

Even though what I have achieved is on a much smaller scale, and I do not have quite the opportunity you have; I know exactly how it feels to wonder why you are even going to work to make less money. It is easy to say "Everyone is different" and "do what makes you happy"; but do not forget what you have achieved is a true freedom most others would kill for. I truly hope you are not going to work for the money, as your AM yeilds enough to support any realistic lifestyle.

Don't goto work tomorrow, and instead buy a one way ticket to somewhere you always wanted to see and don't let others convince you a 9-5 is needed. My day is coming soon, and when it comes I will be sure to have one finger in the air as I board the plane to all those that doubted my dreams, my family included....
 
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OrganicOne said:
Don't goto work tomorrow, and instead buy a one way ticket to somewhere you always wanted to see and don't let others convince you a 9-5 is needed. My day is coming soon, and when it comes I will be sure to have one finger in the air as I board the plane to all those that doubted my dreams, my family included....
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Bravo, great stuff there, shame you had spelling mistakes, because I'm gonna fix it up and sig it.
 
trigatch4 said:
That's some dangerous advice you're dishing out. If you're a business person who isn't thinking about the "ifs" than you're probably not a good business person and won't be around for long.

Planning.... Risk/Potential Assessment... Opportunity Analysis... etc....
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I agree, but I think MyOwnDemon was trying to emphasise the fact that you shouldn't take a job just in case you're scared your own business will come to an end. If something is doing well, stick with it. Life changes, new opportunities arise, so in my opinion taking that risk and going with what works now is no more dangerous than taking a 9-5 job and being made redundant after a few years.
 
Honestly I don't think it comes down to anything more then what you "want" to do. If you love affiliate marketing, you're obviously a smart guy. You'll make it work and already have. However if your wanting to climb the corporate ladder and go that route then stick with the 9-5. The reality is the better you get at this business the more you'll increase you value in the marketplace. If you want to work in the affiliate/sales/marketing world.

But man follow your heart and you'll find success. That's the bottom-line.
 
Demon said:
I agree, but I think MyOwnDemon was trying to emphasise the fact that you shouldn't take a job just in case you're scared your own business will come to an end. If something is doing well, stick with it. Life changes, new opportunities arise, so in my opinion taking that risk and going with what works now is no more dangerous than taking a 9-5 job and being made redundant after a few years.
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Exactly. Well said.

Trigatch, I was talking more on a general level and you took that way out of context. You gotta take risks and can't sweat every little thing that comes along. Of course you should plan ahead, but you can't let the fear of failure destroy you (ie, all the little "what ifs" that pop up along the way). AM is not a game for the weak of heart. If you don't like taking risks, you are way off path.

If something is doing good, you ride it out until the end. Bottom line.
 
Hmmm...

Check your contract and see if they allow you to work on the side.
Here in Europe, you often have to contact your boss and check it with him or her.
My boss's boss actually just got me a gig on the side, doing SEO.

Other than that, I'd go and take a look.
A month won't kill you and at the WORST, it will make you some money to start more campaigns after you've quit.

I am working 9-5 and I actually like it. (Just to voice another opinion here)

But then, I am sitting pretty, being highly skilled, well paid and got nice projects here.
(International web - project, military and government funded) :D :D

And the atmosphere at this place is AMAZING. I have never laughed so often in my life, so yes, I am quite happy.

On the downside, it took me several years until I found a job this great. Always had nice pay, but atmosphere often sucked (Comes to a point at which I bail.)

::emp::
 
Why not just try it out for a month or two? There are nothing to lose (may be some time) but there must be sometime you could learn in a new environment.

I've always want to work in a big corporation, just to see how things work over there. That's some real life experience that you can't earn from your computer.
 
I say go to work tomorrow. Commit with the 9-5 for at least 2 months. That way you will realise how shit it is so that when you quit, you can full heartedly work on your campaigns without being curious about working for a "company" in the future.

By the way...one way in make your income more stable to diversify and add other campaigns. That way if one campaign goes to shit, you'll have the security of another.

Also don't spend all the income you are earning right now...invest them..save them...they could act as a buffer in the unlikely hood that ALL your campaigns in different niches goes to shit. That way, you will have time to build up profitable campaigns rather than falling back into a 9-5.
 
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