Please. get a real job

14 years ago

Definition of business by Wikipedia: The etymology of "business" relates to the state of being busy either as an individual or society as a whole, doing commercially viable and profitable work.

Of course affiliate marketing is a business.

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E. Brian Rose

14 years ago

An affiliate marketer is the equivalent of an independent sales rep in the offline world.

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JonWebContent

14 years ago

Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose

An affiliate marketer is the equivalent of an independent sales rep in the offline world.

The average person is not intelligent, though. Therefore, even if the OP mentioned this to whomever gives him a hard time for doing affiliate marketing, it wouldn't matter.

It's the same thing when I tell some people I play poker semi-professionally. Most are like "oh, cool, teach me how to play". But occasionally I will hear "that's not a job". Now, granted, I don't play as much poker as I did about a year ago, so I never say this anymore. But here's the thing, if I tell someone that I invest in stocks or I'm a business owner.......that's socially acceptable, right? But what if I told you poker is actually no different? Let's see here- there's always a risk of losing no matter who you are, but the skilled player has the edge in the long-run over a bad player.

If I run a business, I could lose money, right? It's a gamble, isn't it? Ditto for stocks. Poker is a game where the more skilled player has the edge. Business is a game where the more skilled person has the edge. Yet neither are guaranteed locks to make money for ANYONE because there are so many variables out of our control. Also, it requires money to play poker professionally and it requires money to run a business.

Now, the average person would think that playing poker for a living is a horrible idea and they still would even if I explained it to them as I did above.

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mrmanpower

14 years ago

Originally Posted by JonWebContent

The average person is not intelligent, though. Therefore, even if the OP mentioned this to whomever gives him a hard time for doing affiliate marketing, it wouldn't matter.

It's the same thing when I tell some people I play poker semi-professionally. Most are like "oh, cool, teach me how to play". But occasionally I will hear "that's not a job". Now, granted, I don't play as much poker as I did about a year ago, so I never say this anymore. But here's the thing, if I tell someone that I invest in stocks or I'm a business owner.......that's socially acceptable, right? But what if I told you poker is actually no different? Let's see here- there's always a risk of losing no matter who you are, but the skilled player has the edge in the long-run over a bad player.

If I run a business, I could lose money, right? It's a gamble, isn't it? Ditto for stocks. Poker is a game where the more skilled player has the edge. Business is a game where the more skilled person has the edge. Yet neither are guaranteed locks to make money for ANYONE because there are so many variables out of our control. Also, it requires money to play poker professionally and it requires money to run a business.

Now, the average person would think that playing poker for a living is a horrible idea and they still would even if I explained it to them as I did above.

Granted that you continually practice i guess. Same with business and OP you are right. It is DEFINITELY not a JOB.

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Meharis

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Bozigian

Can affiliate marketing be considered as having an online business?
Other things that I hear are 'affiliate marketing isnt even a real job'

I wonder if affiliates making $120K/year are concerned about it...
Meharis

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Marx Vergel Melencio

14 years ago

Being granted affiliate privileges by a corporation, company, business,
home business or individual Internet marketer is like getting franchising
privileges...

Everyone is a middle man. Each of us sit between a specific benefit and ourselves along with our loved ones...

Some of us act to get that benefit. Some develop a product or service to
provide others a particular benefit to get the benefit themselves. Some
offer products and services of others aiming to provide a particular
benefit, so those offering it would also get some sort of benefit...

The "act" of doing nothing also sits between that person and the benefit
of relaxation. That act provides the person that specific benefit...

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scraggz 14 years ago

Why the need to put a label on everything, what's in a name? The end result is all that matters. If someone makes $100,000 a year who cares what other people think about how they do it, providing they're not robbing banks or little old ladies. :rolleyes:
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J Bold

14 years ago

Just tell people you're in sales.

If they ask further just say online sales.

Simple.

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E. Brian Rose 14 years ago

Originally Posted by redicelander

Just tell people you're in sales.

I wonder if that works for prostitutes.
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- Marx Vergel Melencio 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose
  
  I wonder if that works for prostitutes.
  
  Not sales. Hospitality and service industry. Sales is commonly attached to
  a tangible product and the digital form of that tangible product if possible.
  The digital form of prostitution, if it stays digital, is equivalent to self
  service...
  
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TBInternetMarketing

14 years ago

Affiliate marketing is definitely a real job. Of course what makes this easier to prove and believe is making real money from it. If you're pulling in $10k a month each and every month, no one is going to tell you to get a real job. They will more likely be a little envious of you.
Keep a normal day job until you build up to that level. Think of your day job as a way for you to invest in your own IM business. Each month, instead of boozing and eating out too much, put aside $50-$100 and invest it in your IM business. This could be in a linking service, keyword tool etc

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Ian Varnava

14 years ago

I personally have never understood the need for "social acceptance" as an Internet Marketer. There's been a bunch of posts like this made on this and other forums time and time again. "What do you tell people you do for a living?", "What if people don't understand this is a real business?", etc etc etc.

Like OMG, who gives a hoot what people think? I've been making 6 figures online since I was 13 (not bragging, not lying either). My first encounter with the situation was when family friends were asking my parents to have me MAKE a "website" for them so they can make money also.... just like that, just "make" a free money making machine for them, and hand it to them on a silver platter. Because all they saw was "oh wow he's making so much money doing nothing on the Internet, he can hook us up too".

From that point on, besides completely losing respect for that particular group of people, I actually stopped telling people what I do. Very few close family & friends of mine have any idea what I actually do for a living. To everyone else, it's kind of mysterious... if it ever comes down to it, I say "Oh yeah I just make websites and stuff on the Internet".

I don't give a s***, if I meet someone new, I even make up random things, such as I work at a retail store... who cares? I'm the one making the money and living the life, I don't need anyone to "accept" it, nor do I feel the need for the whole world to know what I do for a living.

I just don't get it. Those who feel the need for social acceptance of this (or any) profession, I think you need to start by figuring out ways to boost your self-esteem, instead of trying to come up with new ways to "make people understand" what you do and "make people understand" that it's a "real" business.

If 'social acceptance' is that important to you... you can always give up Internet Marketing and get a job at the corner store for $10/hour so you will look cool in front of your family and friends, and just live the rest of your life that way.

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TBInternetMarketing

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Ian Varnava

I personally have never understood the need for "social acceptance" as an Internet Marketer. There's been a bunch of posts like this made on this and other forums time and time again. "What do you tell people you do for a living?", "What if people don't understand this is a real business?", etc etc etc.

Like OMG, who gives a hoot what people think? I've been making 6 figures online since I was 13 (not bragging, not lying either). My first encounter with the situation was when family friends were asking my parents to have me MAKE a "website" for them so they can make money also.... just like that, just "make" a free money making machine for them, and hand it to them on a silver platter. Because all they saw was "oh wow he's making so much money doing nothing on the Internet, he can hook us up too".

From that point on, besides completely losing respect for that particular group of people, I actually stopped telling people what I do. Very few close family & friends of mine have any idea what I actually do for a living. To everyone else, it's kind of mysterious... if it ever comes down to it, I say "Oh yeah I just make websites and stuff on the Internet".

I don't give a s***, if I meet someone new, I even make up random things, such as I work at a retail store... who cares? I'm the one making the money and living the life, I don't need anyone to "accept" it, nor do I feel the need for the whole world to know what I do for a living.

I just don't get it. Those who feel the need for social acceptance of this (or any) profession, I think you need to start by figuring out ways to boost your self-esteem, instead of trying to come up with new ways to "make people understand" what you do and "make people understand" that it's a "real" business.

If 'social acceptance' is that important to you... you can always give up Internet Marketing and get a job at the corner store for $10/hour so you will look cool in front of your family and friends, and just live the rest of your life that way.

Motivational post brother! 13! Wow. Like the attitude as well.

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Meharis

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Ian Varnava

I personally have never understood the need for "social acceptance" as an Internet Marketer. There's been a bunch of posts like this made on this and other forums time and time again. "What do you tell people you do for a living?", "What if people don't understand this is a real business?", etc etc etc.

Like OMG, who gives a hoot what people think? I've been making 6 figures online since I was 13 (not bragging, not lying either). My first encounter with the situation was when family friends were asking my parents to have me MAKE a "website" for them so they can make money also.... just like that, just "make" a free money making machine for them, and hand it to them on a silver platter. Because all they saw was "oh wow he's making so much money doing nothing on the Internet, he can hook us up too".

From that point on, besides completely losing respect for that particular group of people, I actually stopped telling people what I do. Very few close family & friends of mine have any idea what I actually do for a living. To everyone else, it's kind of mysterious... if it ever comes down to it, I say "Oh yeah I just make websites and stuff on the Internet".

I don't give a s***, if I meet someone new, I even make up random things, such as I work at a retail store... who cares? I'm the one making the money and living the life, I don't need anyone to "accept" it, nor do I feel the need for the whole world to know what I do for a living.

I just don't get it. Those who feel the need for social acceptance of this (or any) profession, I think you need to start by figuring out ways to boost your self-esteem, instead of trying to come up with new ways to "make people understand" what you do and "make people understand" that it's a "real" business.

If 'social acceptance' is that important to you... you can always give up Internet Marketing and get a job at the corner store for $10/hour so you will look cool in front of your family and friends, and just live the rest of your life that way.

Hi Ian Varnava,
This is the first thing I'm reading this morning.
I couldn't agree more with you. Thank You!!
Meharis

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aaryan

14 years ago

Any work you are doing online or offline if it is done with passion, committment and dicipline with your true business sense, you can earn handsomnly. But if your mindset for online jobs is as parttime then I am afraid that chances of failure is more than 100%, that's why some people says its not a real job.In my opinion a job is simply a job whether online or offline.

Preeti

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Sarah Bosen

14 years ago

If you make money, its a real job.
Even if you don't make money some things are jobs, like parenting

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johnny_h

14 years ago

Affiliate marketing is definitely a job - you're doing work and being compensated for it...

I definitely get where you're coming from though. It's like going to your parents who had a more conventional career and trying to explain - "what, you sit on your computer all day?"

I didn't like to have to tell that to people either, so I went ahead and formed an LLC (cost me $75 through the secretary of state's website), got a tax ID number for my business, put up a professional website and bought some business cards (cost me like $25, and they threw in free fridge magnets

).

Now when people ask me what I do, I have no problems telling them I have my own business. I hand them a card, or magnet if handy, and people are actually impressed. I even file taxes through the LLC so that I can show a legit place of employment later down the line if I decide to move from my home and buy somewhere else.

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Ray Erdmann 14 years ago

Ian Varnava - You took the words right out of my mouth man!

Like many others here, I've seen this topic come up on several occasions and I'm still flabbergasted by how many people go out of their way in order to properly indicate what it is they do 'online' to those close to them for the sheer acceptance they're hoping to obtain from it!

Like you, I don't give a sh** what people think of what I do or how I make my money!

I've told a few friends (just to shut them up) that I simply "sale other peoples stuff online and get paid to do it!"...and that's pretty much all they need to hear on the matter!

Though I did once hear "I create info products and sell them through various retail channels" as being quite creative and funny to use! I may have to throw that into the repertoire from time to time!
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CyberSorcerer

14 years ago

This question comes up a lot and I always give the same answer to it.

Everyone that knows me understands one thing. I make more money than they do period and undisputable. AND everyone that knows me also knows that I'm pretty arrogant, so those two things put together wouldn't put you in a good position to open your mouth and mention something, or compare, what you do to what I do.

For someone that wants to prove you're in the wrong career, business, or job, it's a good idea to at least be in a better position than you are, to begin with, or else their argument is standing on pretty weak ground.

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ahmiz 14 years ago

If your own conscience is clear (i.e. you're not scamming people, selling useless stuff, etc.), then don't bother about other people's opinions. Tell them to go educate themselves if they think affiliate marketing isn't a "proper job".

I liked Rosalind Gardner's answer to "what's your job". She just says she's a writer online, and if they ask for more info, she explains how she makes sales from it. That's assuming you actually do write to promote your affiliate products. Most people can understand that writing is work. =)
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- countonuspr 14 years ago
  
  Affiliate marketing is an online business. You are in the middle of transactions taking place online so that is ecommerce. So yes it is an online business.
  
  Now to be honest I wouldn't worry so much about what others think. No matter how hard I try to explain it to our group of friends here most of them don't quite understand it. All they know is that I travel on vacation with my family about 20 times per year. They know I speak at events around the country, and that is about all they think they can get about what I do. They know I am home all day with my wife and kids. Beyond that they really don't know too much about what I do.
  
  It used to bother me, but now i realize it really doesn't matter and what I do is so unique it is fun to tell people and see their faces when they try to think about what it is.
  
  Just keep making money and don't worry what others think!
  
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matt5409

14 years ago

i really hate saying this because it sounds arrogant but the comments i have had from friends which have been everything from "get a job" to "you just sit around in your pants" lead me to believe it is down to jealously.

because i get up around 7am most days, plan my time, look for clients, write, design, drink a load of coffee, goto networking events, talk on the phone... my job probably encompasses more in one day than most my friends do in a week.

i think "real job" is defined by employment because it's all that most people know.

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Vogin

14 years ago

Here's a question:
Why on Earth would you want a job anyway?

You know, working for someone else, have a fixed working schedule and granted, get a constant (yet limited) amount of money at the end of a period of time?

I'd say "Keep your jobs, guys. I'm off working on my enterprise."

Originally Posted by matt5409

i really hate saying this because it sounds arrogant but the comments i have had from friends which have been everything from "get a job" to "you just sit around in your pants" lead me to believe it is down to jealously.

because i get up around 7am most days, plan my time, look for clients, write, design, drink a load of coffee, goto networking events, talk on the phone... my job probably encompasses more in one day than most my friends do in a week.

i think "real job" is defined by employment because it's all that most people know.

Indeed, show me an employee willingly having an online conference at 1am or working 12 hours a day in order to pull things off...

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A P Geofrey

14 years ago

Originally Posted by matt5409

i really hate saying this because it sounds arrogant but the comments i have had from friends which have been everything from "get a job" to "you just sit around in your pants" lead me to believe it is down to jealously.

because i get up around 7am most days, plan my time, look for clients, write, design, drink a load of coffee, goto networking events, talk on the phone... my job probably encompasses more in one day than most my friends do in a week.

i think "real job" is defined by employment because it's all that most people know.

Well I have a real job and to me it really doesn't matter what other people say.

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amit333

14 years ago

Affiliate marketing is a business by itself. Look at this way, instead of working for others, you have the credo and ability to generate your own income and possibly employ others like virtual assistants to do work for you.

I am an affiliate marketer myself amongst other things and I am proud of it

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Takuya Hikichi

14 years ago

My 5 yr old son asked me just the other day...

Son: Dad, what ARE YOU?

Me: What?

Son: You know? You're not a doctor or lawyer (comparing me to his friend's dads...), what ARE YOU?

Me: I am a marketer

Son: What's a marketer?

Me: Marketer? You know these doctors offices and law firms need businesses and the marketer tells people about them so they can get people to come in! (I don't do offline marketing but just thought I should describe it this way)

Son: Oh, so you help businesses?

Me: Yep, I help businesses.

Son: That's cool.

Me: Yep, marketers help people, marketers are cool - you should be a marketer when you grow up too!

My wife:

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Please. get a real job

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