So, I have probably spent the equivalent of about 2-3 weeks full time on a few websites over the past year. I've not spent much time maintaining them after that as I've not had the time. They make a bit of money but not enough to really matter.
I've been looking for a new job for a while but the area of IT I work in and have qualifications in is completely saturated at the minute. I just don't seem to be getting anywhere and I don't know how much longer I can last as I hate my current job. I wake up every morning hoping I'm really ill so I don't have to go in! I'm doing a job that should pay about twice what I am getting and get zero support from anyone else in the company
So back to my question, how stupid would I be to quit now and try build up the income from my AM websites to an amount that would be enough to live off? I'm pretty sure it is a terrible idea, but knowing that I need to make it work to earn a living will be very motivating. I could probably survive for about 3 years at a real push on my savings.
I'm pretty sure if anyone does reply it will be to tell me it is a ridiculously stupid idea, but I wondered if anyone had ever done the same and if it is still possible now?
"I've not spent much time maintaining them after that as I've not had the time"
Is the biggest clue to me saying "you'd be stupid"
If you do not have the self-motivation to find time outside of work then you will not motivate yourself if you give up work. IMO.
Obviously that is my biggest concern. If I didn't have a job (even one I hated) I wouldn't have an income and after I had spent all my savings I would end up homeless eventually. That is a pretty big motivating factor though. At the minute I spend at least 11 hours a day at work 5 days a week, when I am not at work I am either tired or stressed or usually both, because of work. If I remove the cause of the problems I'd have a much clearer head and much more time to focus on AM projects, then at least I would be tired and stressed about something that was actually benefiting me.Originally Posted by Mogga
Are you contracted to work 11 hour days at your job? If not, force yourself to just do your standard hours and leave on time. This will a) help reduce the stress of your job as you wont be getting resentful at staying late but not being paid for it, and b) free up more of your evening / spare time to see what results a little more investment in your sites might bring you. You can then re evaluate after 6 months or so and be in a better position to see if being self employed will be feasible.
Mogga (20-06-11)
That definitely sounds like the sensible option.
I can't cut down the time I spend at my job really as stuff won't get done. I would imagine I'm already walking a pretty fine line, they have a habit of making people "redundant" and replacing them if they fall out of favour (I know that isn't legal but it happens a lot). My problem at work is because I was forced to take a promotion that has put me in a position that I have no skills or experience in, yet they don't give me any support and just get annoyed that the job isn't getting done. It isn't helped by the fact that I am on about 50% of the wage this job would have at a different company.
I had pretty much convinced myself that AM isn't the answer to my problems anyway. At least not in the short term. What I really need to do is invent a time machine, make some different choices after I finished college and choose a different degree and get a job in a different field! I'll start working on that
Lot's of homeless people will have had the same thought at some point. When you're not earning money and the slide starts then often it doesn't stop until you hit the bottom.
Don't give up your job on this basis - cut you hours or look for something more flexible that will at least pay the bills.
I've been looking for something more flexible (or anything that isn't my current job really) for over a year. I seem to have got myself into a brilliant position were I'm not really a good fit for any jobs. With there being high unemployment at the minute it seems that people recruiting can hold out until they find the perfect person. I apply for entry level jobs and get told I have too much experience and won't find it challenging enough (no amount of convincing will persuade them otherwise). I apply for more senior roles and I haven't got enough relevant experience. I've got plenty of qualifications but nobody seems interested in them. You know it is bad when you can't even get a job flipping burgers! Anyway I have drifted off AM and into a general moan! So I'll stop now!
The good thing is that you have savings, but affiliate marketing is a very tough career choice, and as far as I can tell only a very low percentage, say around 5%, have the skills necessary to do it full time. Bear that in mind before you decide to count on it, and I would say it's best to prove to yourself that you can consistently generate enough revenue before it actually becomes an option you can consider.
The other thing is, affiliate marketing is quite susceptible to trends and the general economy, so also consider the sustainability long term and make sure you aren't relying on one hot sector that will have its day.
Rgds
Maybe also depends on the skills you have. If you are good at web design, programming, copywriting, SEO, passionate about websites, internet, marketing and can focus and work hard on your own with no boss then surely you can put these 50+ hours to a better use. Internet is growing, expirience, skills in online marketing might get you a better job later on anyway if you'll need one.
It's clear from the replies that it would be unwise to quit your day job now, so you really need to sort that out first.
Forget about what you think you're worth money wise, and motivate yourself for your current job. 8 hours is a long time to be watching the clock. You don't have to love your job, but if you can get yourself into a position when you can do it everyday without breaking into too much of a sweat, then it leaves you fresher for your own evening work.
Why not have a chat with HR and see what they suggest?
Unfortunately I currently work at a small company that isn't really open to discussions. It's been years since I had any kind or review (performance review or pay review). Really I should have got out earlier as the longer I stay the further away I seem to get from finding a new job. It's difficult to concentrate on anything outside of work when you are worried what nightmares the following day will bring. I know this isn't the place for specifics about my job but when, as an IT person, you get told it is your responsibility to work out why the accounts in Poland are illegal and have them sorted within a month, or the company will be fined the equivalent of £200k and be banned from trading till it is sorted, you know you are in the wrong job! After over a year of looking for a new job you start to consider any alternative that doesn't involve driving off the bridge rather than over it on the morning commute!
Before I made the jump to full time affiliate, I was earning enough money from my sites to pay off all my debts, and get rid of the mortgage. We were paying child minding fees and I had to travel 34 miles a day with increasing petrol costs.
I sat down with the wife and we worked out the minimum I had to earn a day to be able to pack in work. Since then everything I have made extra has been invested into my retirement pot.
That was nearly 3 years ago and every morning before I start work, I reflect on how lucky I am and work really hard so I never have to work for anyone ever again!
Andrew Clapham - Fashion Blogger.
I'm in a similar boat at the moment, but chin up, you're an Englishman!
If you're considering going full time as an affiliate why not look for a job in Affiliate/performance/online Marketing instead? There are quite a few entry level / graduate jobs about - in fact my current contract is looking for them. Quite often the techy experience is seen as an advantage - I've been at jobs where heads of department couldn't even use basic office software.
You might take a pay cut, but it'd be an inroad into the industry, and you'd still have an income while you built your skills. People with the gift of the gab tend to climb up the ranks quite fast in this game - experience not always necessary. You'd probably find it easier to get a job in this area than I am at the moment - (it turns out 10+ years experience scares people away).
If you haven't had a review for this long why not initiate one yourself? You could highlight that your team seems to be under resourced at the moment, as demonstrated by the hours you are having to put in. Suggest that as a solution so you don't burn out, if they could hire a junior or intern to help with some of the more routine parts so you can get to grips worth the more challenging aspects? And / or say you want to do a training course to help build your skills in the areas of newer responsibilities that you have taken on with your promotion and would they be willing to fund 50% of it? This will show a positive development in your work, and will give you a reasonable excuse to leave work on time to attend the evening course. Doing the training may also bridge the gap you've found yourself in between your current role and more senior roles you've been applying for.Unfortunately I currently work at a small company that isn't really open to discussions. It's been years since I had any kind or review (performance review or pay review). Really I should have got out earlier as the longer I stay the further away I seem to get from finding a new job. It's difficult to concentrate on anything outside of work when you are worried what nightmares the following day will bring. I know this isn't the place for specifics about my job but when, as an IT person, you get told it is your responsibility to work out why the accounts in Poland are illegal and have them sorted within a month, or the company will be fined the equivalent of £200k and be banned from trading till it is sorted, you know you are in the wrong job! After over a year of looking for a new job you start to consider any alternative that doesn't involve driving off the bridge rather than over it on the morning commute!
If they are reluctant about the above ideas ask them what alternatives they would be happy with to ease the situation. This puts the ball in their court, and if after 3 months you have seen little change you can highlight this and put forward the original ideas once more as this time it will be harder for them to decline it based on the fact they have not been able to come up with an alternative by then...
Alternatively, if you are stuggling to secure a more senior role elsewhere, you could always work out what drop in slaray from what is advertised you would be happy to accept for that job pitch to them the idea that the difference could be put towards training you up on a relevant course to bridge any knowledge gaps and in fact benefit the department by bringing you right up to speed in any latest area to benefit the team. You could trade this with the offer of a pay review after one year. They may see your initiative and lower salary enough of an attraction to give it a try? If you research a suitable course in advance and let them know what it is, it will show that you are making a well considered and genuine proposal.
I appreciate the lengthy reply, that is a much more detailed response than I was expecting from anyone. I don't want to keep adding extra details as it probably isn't the right board for the discussion but I've given up on my current employer being any help. I've seen many people who have been made redundant because they rock the boat too much. They just want you to get on with the job, they really aren't interested in any reasons why you can't even if you tell them how to remedy it. I need to find something else. My line manager hasn't even been in this country in months as they hate coming to the office because too many people need answers from them.
I've been looking for a new job for a long time and mainly at more junior roles as I accept I aren't qualified to do what I am doing now. It just seems because of the massive competition at the minute nobody is wanting to give me a chance as I don't fit with exactly what they are looking for and there is someone who does.
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