How Long Did it Take You to Make a Living From IM?

[andyz]

Question to all that already make a full living from Internet Marketing:

How long did it take you from scratch to reach that point?

(also interesting if you can tell if you had internet or marketing skills before, or had a mentor and so)

Did you have to return to your day job (or additional work per hour or freelancing) at some time?

[mattb348]

Originally Posted by andyz

Question to all that already make a full living from Internet Marketing:

How long did it take you from scratch to reach that point?

(also interesting if you can tell if you had internet or marketing skills before, or had a mentor and so)

Did you have to return to your day job (or additional work per hour or freelancing) at some time?

I think it took me a couple months or so, back in like 2005. It took about 4 months before I quite my job. I haven't had another JOB since.

I had no mentor or anything.

[ColinSick]

My answer to this question comes with a caveat due to the fact that although I could live off my IM earnings I still make the majority of my income from securities trading.

I always advise people to have at least 6 months worth of living expenses (preferably more) accrued before leaving their "day job" to pursue internet ventures full time. It is important to have a safety net and it also helps prevent playing with "scared money" when it comes to PPC.

This industry is still very much in its infancy and there will be radical changes to the landscape in the coming years. However, those who are building businesses now are literally on the ground floor of what will become the biggest marketplace the world have ever known.

[Miles Baker]

When I started marketing online I didn't even have enough money to buy a computer. I would stay late at my Dad's office and do stuff on his PC, basically just research, learning, trying different things. I was really limited, 1. because I didn't have my own PC, 2. I had bad credit, couldn't get a credit card, couldn't even get a bank account. However, I was determined to overcome all those obstacles and make a living on the Internet.

I kept my expenses extremely low and I saved up $200 to get a secured credit card. I then realized I needed a bank account to receive any kind of commissions, so I researched online and found a rare online bank that didn't run a check through 'cheksystems' which was the reporting agency that told all the banks "stay away from this guy, don't even give him a basic checking account".

So with my checking account and credit card in hand I could buy ebooks, advertising, and cash my commission checks just as soon as I could get one. However, I was still very limited as I didn't have my own PC so I couldn't get online unless I was at my Dad's office, sometimes I would stay up as late as 2am at the office just working and learning and thinking of different ideas.

So I kept working for several months, probably 6 or more and saved up my money, I remember the day Dell delivered my PC, I KNEW my life would change forever. I KNEW without a doubt that if I could get a computer and an Internet connection I could figure out a way to make money online and work from home.

When I got my PC it was AWESOME! I was so excited. I tried several different things and I think within about 4 months I was making $80 to $100 a day profit.

I kept my job for about 3 or 4 months and finally quit to do Internet marketing full time, I've never had a regular job since, I never will.

I think if you're determined you can do anything you can conceive and believe.

[ColinSick]

Great post Miles..........very inspirational.

[PotPieQueen]

Miles -

I do believe that is the best post I have read in a forum in a long, long time.

THANK YOU!

~Jennifer

[melanied]

Miles, I loved your post!!!!

As for me, it took me about a year from the time I first had the thought, "Gee I bet I could make some money on the internet" to the time I quit my job. That time was split up as follows - the first four months were basically research and the last 8 months were taking action.

I tried a LOT of things that didn't go over, but I just kept trying new ideas and expanding on the ones that worked.

Actually, what really changed my mindset and got me motivated was finding the forums. It changed me from a mindset of, "Successful people are successful, that's THEM, I'm just ME, trying to scrape by." to "These are just regular people who happen to make a TON of money because they have good ideas and act on them...and, hell, I can do that, too!"

I explained this in the "Today is my last day at my job" thread, but I'll say it again here because it's so significant - I used this forum as a resource where I could get inside the minds and view the thought processes of highly successful people. Then I emulated them.

The real breakthrough for me came when I stopped seeing the line between "THEM" and "ME"

[andyz]

Thanks Melanie, that's ALSO an awesome post!!!

[JerryMarketing]

Great topic!

I haven't manage to make a living from IM, but im certainly trying..

Good luck to me and everyone trying..

[rocker rokstar]

Nice Post Miles. That really was a good story to hear. I am glad things worked out well for you.

How much has things changed since 2005? Is it tougher now days to make money in your opinion. Just curious.

In 2005 the Google Cash method probably worked well still. How did you start making money back then. Affiliate products from CB or something else.

[andyz]

Google Cash has returned...dunno much about the new Product from Chris Carepnter but I know that many people still make a killing with Adwords. Though it is not easy.

[Jimboot]

Inspirational stuff guys. Well done and thanks for the thread.

[th3on3]

good story

[Miles Baker]

Originally Posted by rocker rokstar

Nice Post Miles. That really was a good story to hear. I am glad things worked out well for you.

How much has things changed since 2005? Is it tougher now days to make money in your opinion. Just curious.

In 2005 the Google Cash method probably worked well still. How did you start making money back then. Affiliate products from CB or something else.

When I started I don't think Adwords was even around. I was doing everything from CB to Ebay, etc. I tried a lot of things and then some did better than others.

It was before 2005 when I started doing well, 2002 was the first year I filed taxes for my business, by 2003 I was doing REALLY well.

I don't think it's any harder now than it ever is to make money, it depends on you.

[melanied]

Originally Posted by andyz

Thanks Melanie, that's ALSO an awesome post!!!

awww....thanks!

[moneybully]

Miles that is amazing! great of you to post inspiration like that keep up the great work. I am like Colin Sick, I can live off my trading. I do remember when I started out, in 1999, there was really nothing back then (yeah I sound sooo old) I invested the first time, lost my shirt so I grumbled my way back to work, the second time I was a bit wiser and I invested again into a company in 2004 (my inheiritance & all) yet it worked well for me now but the meantime, always had to work. I now have the ability to not work yet I continue to just so I canfigure what internet route I want to go, it can be acheived!
Alison

[devincrump]

Originally Posted by Miles Baker

When I started marketing online I didn't even have enough money to buy a computer. I would stay late at my Dad's office and do stuff on his PC, basically just research, learning, trying different things. I was really limited, 1. because I didn't have my own PC, 2. I had bad credit, couldn't get a credit card, couldn't even get a bank account. However, I was determined to overcome all those obstacles and make a living on the Internet.

I kept my expenses extremely low and I saved up $200 to get a secured credit card. I then realized I needed a bank account to receive any kind of commissions, so I researched online and found a rare online bank that didn't run a check through 'cheksystems' which was the reporting agency that told all the banks "stay away from this guy, don't even give him a basic checking account".

So with my checking account and credit card in hand I could buy ebooks, advertising, and cash my commission checks just as soon as I could get one. However, I was still very limited as I didn't have my own PC so I couldn't get online unless I was at my Dad's office, sometimes I would stay up as late as 2am at the office just working and learning and thinking of different ideas.

So I kept working for several months, probably 6 or more and saved up my money, I remember the day Dell delivered my PC, I KNEW my life would change forever. I KNEW without a doubt that if I could get a computer and an Internet connection I could figure out a way to make money online and work from home.

When I got my PC it was AWESOME! I was so excited. I tried several different things and I think within about 4 months I was making $80 to $100 a day profit.

I kept my job for about 3 or 4 months and finally quit to do Internet marketing full time, I've never had a regular job since, I never will.

I think if you're determined you can do anything you can conceive and believe.

That's a really inspiring story. I'm determined but at the same time I find it hard to get myself into a set routine. There are so many exciting things on the internet that I want to try them all lol. However, I know this is not the way to make money.

[PotPieQueen]

There are so many exciting things on the internet that I want to try them all lol. However, I know this is not the way to make money.

Ya know, Miss Devin, that is not really a bad thing. As long as you aren't spending all your money on the "latest and greatest", taking a look into all avenues of opportunity that the internet offers is actually pretty smart. What's the point of having your own business if you don't like what you do? How else will you find out what you like about internet marketing without taking a peek at what it has to offer you?

Heck, in college you don't have to declare your major right away, right?

[devincrump]

Originally Posted by PotPieQueen

Ya know, Miss Devin, that is not really a bad thing. As long as you aren't spending all your money on the "latest and greatest", taking a look into all avenues of opportunity that the internet offers is actually pretty smart. What's the point of having your own business if you don't like what you do? How else will you find out what you like about internet marketing without taking a peek at what it has to offer you?

Heck, in college you don't have to declare your major right away, right?

Yes, you do have a have point. I just need to focus on one thing at first and that's what I am finding hard to do. I start off trying to focus on one thing but I get distracted. Unfortunately (or fortunately lol), its not like I have alot of money to spend chasing the latest opportunity. Hopefully though, that will change!

[PotPieQueen]

I start off trying to focus on one thing but I get distracted.

Yup - I know that SO well. I have it, too.

I call it: IM ADD (internet marketing attention deficit disorder)


-

[andyz]

Yeah, it's not easy to focus, especially in the world of internet marketing, where EVERYONE's trying to attract your attention and offers you "the exact thing you need" now for your success...
You need to learn how to handle that. Also advanced marketers can fall into that trap...it's only human. One really need to TAKE ACTION to prevent that!
Think up some things you can do, that make it HARDER for you to get distracted, or to FORCE you to stay focused!
You need to have a PLAN also, and then follow that plan. The you know what you have to do. Make sure you do it.

[Caden]

What a great story!! I'm only at the point where I'm actually making money online, so to finally be able to kiss my miserable day job goodbye would be absolute bliss. My B'Day is in October. Do you think if I put 10 times more effort into it, that I can quit my job? That guy with the dating website Plenty of Fish made One million in two months with Adsense(not saying that'll be me, but..) Do you think it's realistic I can make $200-$300 K in three months? Tell me what you think.