Forum Moderators: skibum
But I have five contractors that I regularly outsource work to.
We also regularly partner with other affiliates/companies for projects where we can work together. I think one of the biggest mistakes people make is not joining forces with others because they want all the profite themselves. I would rather have half of $10 than 100% of $3 and often partnerships can produce better results with combined resources
I got 50 domains and I do it all myself. It's much cheaper that way.
What does that mean? Would it be cheaper for microsoft to have one employee? Oddest statement I have seen in some time.
DaveN
Contractors are the key to keeping costs down and avoiding labour relation problems.
LOL ,that sounds more like a distraction than motivation :)
<edited>
typo
[edited by: gopi at 11:00 pm (utc) on May 20, 2004]
Why odd? A lot of affiliates have sites that are just a few pages or feed sites, or set it and forget it sites. So if you can handle that on your own, why would you have employee. Not odd at all.
why would you have employee
To build more or better sites and actually make significant revenue? No offense, but this is coming from a guy who boasts about $16k a year with amazon :)
some do it on their own and make millions a year
err...without any contract help, programmers, web designers, accountants, lawyers or anything at all - not even a partner, I doubt there are folks in the millions (plural) per year.
having employees or working with somebody else sounds too much like a job.
I'm on the other end. I can't possibly imagine doing my own web design, content, programming, server admin, accounting, link development, html, ad campaigns, etc. Owning your own business is a job unless it is a system.
A good read is E-Myth (not about the web) by Michael Gerber. He covers six rules on how to shift from working 'in' your business to working 'on' it.
[edited by: mfishy at 1:04 am (utc) on May 21, 2004]
Seriously though, mfishy said he'd rather have a partner and make 50% of $10 than 100% of $3.
I'd rather not. I rather make just the $3 and forfeit the other $2 in favour of learning a new skill myself. Or improving a less practiced one.
And I like being able to do whatever I like with my time without having to justify it to a partner.
I'm going back to school in September to do an MA - how would I go about explaining that to a partner if they didn't get it? They wouldn't be able to change my mind, so it would just end up being more stress for both of us.
I'd rather earn less and forego the hassle. Freedom is worth more to me than the benefits of partnership.
Owning your own business is a job
...except when it's a hobby. >;->
dude, if we are talking hobby sites it really is a different discussion :)
Having others do all the work is what gives me the freedom to travel months out of the year, work 3-5 hours per day when I don't golf and buy fun toys. I don't have nay desire to do the work of a near minimum wage employee when opthers will do so for me.
<added>
I decided a couple months ago to spend some time tryig to post a bit in this forum. I figured there was so much BS here and I could help a few newbies make some cash without having to be glued to a computer for 20 hourse per day. Turns out that most really don't have any desire to learn at all. Oh well, hope you all have great success. peace
It's a matter of control too. Some of us don't hire out jobs because we need/want to know how everything is done. We don't want to feel like we're not in control.
However, there's something to be said about metting out tasks that someone else can do, thus freeing up your time to do what you do best...building an empire of money-making affiliate sites ;)
Dave.
When I started out in affiliate marketing I was doing everything myself and working 12-14 hour days. Now the time put in is MUCH less and the quality of life is extremely good. I spend a lot of time with my family, as well as a bunch of time doing things I want to do, not things I have to do.
Another Excellent read is "How to Make Your Business Run Without You " by Susan Carter
having employees or working with somebody else sounds too much like a job
I've got to go with mfishy on this one... why on earth would I want to spend my time doing work that I can pay someone to do at wages that I would NEVER accept?
I simply say "here is the task, do you want it?" They say yes, do the task, provide me with a completed product, and I write them a check.
That's not a job, that's heaven.
You would subject others to that which you would not suffer to be subjected to. Where's the consistency in that?
I was intrigued by mfishy's comments. I too work 3-5 hours a day, travel months out of the year and, whilst I don't play golf, often go out with friends.
I don't think it takes a lot of money to do that - a little, to be sure, but not a lot - it just requires the freedom to do what you want with your own time.
wellzy
Dave.
revolting
?
Labyrinth is merely describing the basis for all employment.
However, unlike you, I accept that my way may work for me, but it needn't be the only solution to the problem.
I have no staff, as you know from my previous posts. I work less than an hour a day and make a very good living.
However, I also accept that staff can multiply one's productivity, and if you're happier that way, good for you. My own experience of staff came from running a team of over 40 in my travel business (now closed) and I have to say that I'd agree with a friend's comment on them "Staff are the best and worst thing in any business". Amen to that!
You would subject others to that which you would not suffer to be subjected to.
Yes. And I'm sure you'll equally as horrified to learn that I pay people to pump my sump, sizzle my quarter pounder, arrange a bouquet of flowers, pull my cracked tooth, clean my house, and suss out my payments to the IRS.
I am a wicked, wicked woman.
