Forum Moderators: martinibuster
Adsense has helped me start a company and helped me grow my website network to a position where I can sustain myself and my family. So I would like to thank all you guys at Google who have made this possible. It would be great if adsense advisor can forward my thanks to Google - I'm guessing they have a company newsletter ;-)
Before people start telling me to diversify let me just say that I have - although my current ad earnings are still mainly dependant on Adsense but I have a few other sources and right now I am trying out chitika.
Main sources of income:
Adsense: 55%
Other direct advertising: 25%
Consulting: 20%
I am sure chitika will be helpful in adding a substantial affiliate income. Let's see how this goes.
Need all the best wishes I can get :-)
It's good to see people making it for themselves. don't make other people rich - do it for yourself..
I hope all goes well for you.
briggidere
Here, have some good wishes from me too you brave person!
Rgds
Damon
I went solo in 1997 and the thought of EVER working for someone else again makes me cringe.
Make sure that you have several active/potential streams of income, though. Putting all your eggs in the proverbial one basket is a recipe for disaster.
Now you'll be able to work 16 hour days and enjoy it :)
Don't forget to sock as much away as possible for the slow times and for 401K type stuff.
ap_Rhys
I am actually still taking up some consulting work so I am still not completely out of "working for someone" but yeah a consulting position gives me more freedom.
sailorjwd
I was just thinking that - :-) that now I may end up working much more - I am planning to shift to a different house and have a separate work room and hopefully I'll also be able to setup a neat work desk with a better computer and some gadgets ;-)
Yeah I am also trying to diversify - definitely don't want to be dependent on one source of income.
Thanks guys - comments appreciated.
I decided to go solo 26 years ago. It's a great feeling having no boss, other than the wife, or employees.
Be prepared for some sleepless nights :)
TJ
Thanks TJ and joeking
Appreciate your wishes. I know it's gonna be good fun working on various projects of my own now. I already have a list of about 20 items that need attention.
Something else that hit me [be prepared for a series of thoughts] - Wonder how it would be say 30 years from now - wonder how it would feel to read this thread then - kind of like taking a look at the first step. This could be called something like a Milestone thread for me. And I guess many here have gone through this same phase. Anyone still has the link to his or her Milestone threads?
Hey! Would brett consider creating a feature for milestone threads - since we are all webmasters and we all go through such phases - wouldn't that be a cool idea?
Apart from two years and some (very short lived) experiments, I've always been on my own.
This is more from my boyfriend's experience than mine, because when I'm busy with something nothing and no-one can get me away from it - but beware people ('family') mistaking your being at your computer for having free time.
I swear the guy has cost himself thousands by mowing his Mom and Dads lawn for 'free', being available for painting and decorating, moving heavy furniture whenever someone gets the urge etc.
I swear he will have to go get himself a j*b just so he can have a rest.
After 11 straight years of being in business for myself, most of them as a solo operator I'm actually thinking of renting office space, bringing in some other folks and setting up a "professional" web development service.
I think I'll take a nap, maybe the thought will go away with enough rest! :)
If you have enough space on your property it would be a snap to buy a large storage building, convert in into a real room with windows, etc and install your office there. I know someone who did and he loves it! He even has a pole roof set up extending out far enough to shelter both cars and truck. There he can go hide from wife v1.1 and take time to play some video games or strum his guitar in between work, all with the sign up, "working, do not disturb" :)
A heating cooling window unit completes the set up.
Now I changed to be a publishing company
70% AdSense
30% existing internet promotion clients
What a brave decision!
May all good luck and succes be with you
and may your courageous act inspire us all.
I look upon you with admiration!
Here's to you!
H.
regards
Just remember - "Keep arms, legs... and other appendages inside the ride at all times"
Happy soloing - I am living for the day I can tell my boss to go fly a kite. (not my boss specifically... she's very nice - but the whole concept of being a sheep in the corporate world)
I will never know that heady feeling of leaving a job and trusting the internet to take care of me...Already retired before I started.
I have owned 2 brick and mortar businesses (sold, not failed) so I can relate somewhat :)
You and the others who have done it are my hero.
I am 4 years shy of a pension forever, so as much as I would love to make the jump, I cannot yet.
My Advice
Expand beyond traditional webmaster resources. Join forums on owning a small business, create and frequently update a killer business plan, set goals, be disciplined and (to steal a line from Rich Dad, Poor Dad), pay yourself first.
Good luck!
