What Do You Tell You Do For A Living

50 replies
Hey guys,
I have been seeing this girl for a fair few months now. But i have not met her parents due to they live far away. But it is her birthday this week. And her parents are coming to celebrate. Obviously a little nervous to meet them (which is normal i think. Want to make a good impression). They are obviously going to ask what i do for a living?

So my question is what do you tell people that you do for a job?

Thanks guys. Your opinion are always much appreciated.
#living
  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Riley
    I just got a letter from my tax department. After all these years of expenses which they don't understand, they want me to define my business.

    Since I create and market information products, I tell them that I'm a publisher of business books who uses the Internet as his main marketing and distribution channel.
    Signature
    Kevin Riley, long-time Warrior living in Osaka, Japan

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  • Profile picture of the author Kappa
    I think I will eventually tell people that I own a small marketing firm. If they dig further, I will start blabbing about on site optimization and white hat backlink building until their eyes glaze over or they change the subject.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kezz
    Telling them you're in sales and marketing is probably a safe bet. That's a pretty "respectable" line of work in the eyes of most people.

    Something like, "I'm in sales and marketing with my main focus being internet based strategies."

    It's funny you know, if you say the words "referral commission" or "sales commission" non IM people seem to take you way more seriously than if you say "affiliate marketing" or "internet marketing".

    Just use offline lingo to describe what you do.

    Oh and good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Ho
    xD This is pretty funny if you think about it.. Well just say you're an Online Business Consultant.. haha.. and when they ask for more details tell them how much you make without having to leave the house.. that should do the trick..
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  • Profile picture of the author yommys01
    This is a big issue in Nigeria but thankfully my Finance did the talking for me when her parents asked but it is always an issue with other people. They call you an internet fr**dster onces you mention the internet.

    Just tell them you create and sell business books online. That will be OKAY with someone in the Western world but don't try it in Nigeria, it will never work.
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    • Profile picture of the author Brian Cook
      I usually tell people that I paint fire hydrants for the
      city government... but that probably won't work for the
      in-laws!

      Perhaps you could tell them you are a small business
      consultant?

      Brian
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      • Profile picture of the author mattd365
        Well I tell people that I own an online store. You would not believe how much interest they have about that. In fact I just got a new job with a company promoting there products online. I just happened to mention that I sell stuff online and it led into a hour or so of how I can help them with there internet marketing campaign I actually install fire protection systems in big buildings, It usaully pays around $ 25-30 a hour. I got more than that just for mentioning that internet stuff. people are intrigued by it.

        Matthew
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    • Profile picture of the author JakeDaly
      I'm still in college and won't be asked that question for two more years but I've already planned on calling myself an 'Internet Marketing consultant'. Because whenever you add the word consultant to the end of anything, most people's first instincts are to shrug and just chalk you up to someone who makes a decent amount of money telling people things in which they know absolutely nothing about. Which is kind of what a lot of us do, to be honest.
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    • Profile picture of the author milan
      Originally Posted by yommys01 View Post

      This is a big issue in Nigeria but thankfully my Finance did the talking for me..
      That's a kind of spelling mistake that Froyd would have something to tell about
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeLantz
    I usually tell people that I don't do anything and just spend all day hanging with the family.

    That is about as close to the truth that I can get without having to explain things people don't understand!

    Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author pheonix44
    You have to speak their language. I just tell people that I am a freelance writer and most of them understand. If you do affiliate marketing try telling them you are a "product sales representative".
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  • Profile picture of the author MR.MOE
    I'm a student trying to make money from cpa and if anyone asks I just say I'm a student looking for a job thats until I start making money with cpa
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    • Profile picture of the author W.P. Allen
      I say I build and market product based websites. People seem to dig it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    I tell them I'm a covert operative for the CIA and
    can't really talk about what I do...

    Tsnyder
    Signature
    If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...
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  • Profile picture of the author eidoan
    I say I'm an entrepreneur currently focusing on internet marketing.
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    -David J. Kosmider
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  • Profile picture of the author bozz723
    I simply just say "marketer" now. No need to explain anything as I could care less to make small talk with random strangers. The people that are close to me know what I do.
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  • Profile picture of the author lisag
    My husband and I are marketing and advertising consultants.
    Signature

    -- Lisa G

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  • Profile picture of the author tommen
    Most people have no idea what internet marketing is, so I would go for something like "I own a small marketing business" or something like that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tyler UK
    I tell people I'm a truck driver.....Because I am.
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  • Profile picture of the author bettersocial
    If you're making decent money, you should really incorporate. The tax benefits can be great, and the fee to incorporate very low.

    Get some office stationery printed and some visiting cards with a nice logo and your name (CEO, Company Name) underneath it. Hand it out to people when you meet them - they'll be mighty impressed.

    When they ask about employees, tell them that all your work is outsourced.

    I read a similar thread on another forum in which a 19 year old guy complained about not being taken seriously. I suggest that you incorporate; its a one way ticket to legitimacy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mukul Verma
    I tell people that I run businesses online. Kinda like a store, but online. If they ask more, I tell them you know eBay and Amazon. Something like that but a lot smaller.

    My wifes parents want her to get a job. They do not get us making money working from home without going anywhere.

    Mukul
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  • Profile picture of the author patfl
    Just tell them that you've inherited a fortune. Very few parents would ask more or complain about that...
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  • Profile picture of the author maverick8
    Thanks for opinions guys. You would not believe it they did not even ask. Maybe my girlfriend told them. But i thought it was odd they didn't ask. If i was in their situation i would ask. But thanks to people for their opinions.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris_Willow
    If a girl asks I say that I run a bunch of adult sites
    Wouldn't work with the parents thou...
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  • Profile picture of the author eurasia67
    Well, I think you should be proud for your job as an internet marketer. . . Goodluck . . .
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  • Profile picture of the author Amitywill
    Lol. These days I don't tell people what I do. Most of the time they
    don't understand anyway and I can't really be bothered to explain it
    anymore so I'll just divert the conversation.

    If I do really have to tell someone what I do I'll just say I'm a
    writer or something they may understand. But then that leads to the
    question...

    "Have you written anything I've read?" Lol.

    It's a never ending circle.

    Will

    PS: If you do decide to really tell people that you are an internet
    marketer then I've come to the conclusion that it's never a good
    idea to tell them how much money you make.
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  • Profile picture of the author katiec
    I tell people I do Freelance and Marketing Consulting.

    It impresses. It's the truth. It works for me!
    Signature

    Please read the sig file rules

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  • Profile picture of the author Hamish Jones
    Freelance Business & Marketing Entrepreneur.
    Signature
    Best Business Deals - The World's Most Customer Focused Telecommunications Company. Servicing Customers in Australia, Canada and the USA.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason James
    I find using the word 'consulting' in some form is pretty good. IE: small business consulting
    Signature
    I pity the fool who doesnt "Like" me on Facebook!

    http://www.facebook.com/JasonJamesExpert



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  • Profile picture of the author SMP
    Whenever I'm asked, I tell people I'm an Internet Marketer. I don't see why, in this day and age, we should be embarrassed to admit we make money by marketing and selling products online.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author 4yourwealth
    I find the truth always works-Entrepreneur who sells financial educations through internet marketing. Entrepreneurs are creative. Good thing they didn't ask. Problem solved.
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  • Profile picture of the author M2
    I tell people that I own a online marketing company. This leaves the conversation up in the air and they want to know more. And when they ask more, I tell them I help businesses make more money by attracting new leads to their business.
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  • Profile picture of the author jamawebinc
    It's usually a cross between publishing and marketing so sometimes I will say I am an information publishing or other times I will say I do information marketing.

    I think the "Information Publishing" gets the better reaction.
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  • Internet Publisher is the title I prefer. Project Manager works for the site development side of our biz.
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  • Profile picture of the author aggajwz
    something on the internet ..
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  • Profile picture of the author TheRazor55
    a simple "I sell sh*t online" will do the trick
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  • Profile picture of the author smisen
    Depending on the day, I've been any of the following:

    Freelance Writer
    Freelance Publisher
    Freelance Editor
    Freelance Copywriter
    Web Designer
    Web Business Specialist
    Web Business Strategist
    Web Marketing Consultant
    Marketing Process Consultant
    Search Engine Optimization Consultant
    Search Marketing Consultant
    E-Commerce Owner

    Depends on how I feel on any given day. Some people will get it and others won't. Eventually I had to stop trying to explain what I really do to my grandma...
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  • Profile picture of the author davidomni
    Banned
    I really like all the ones above!

    Also....

    Offline Business Consultant,
    I say I make money on the internet, by sellng mainly information based products.
    Or the most common term...

    Internet Marketing/Marketer
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  • Profile picture of the author allaboutbiz
    I basically just tell people that i'm a Internet marketer.....that always works for me
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  • Profile picture of the author RyanCoisson
    I simply just tell people that I am an online marketer. If they want to know more I tell them I market products online for some of the biggest businesses in the world.

    Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author deathraser
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author pmgguy
      I'd tell them it's none of their business and you're only hanging out with their daughter for the great sex, and you'll probably be moving on in a week or two.

      Then pick them up off the floor.

      Then tell them you are a web based entrepreneur, hoping to make enough money someday soon to provide the dream lifestyle a daughter as great as theirs deserves.

      You're in the graces forever....

      No charge!
      Signature
      Growing my business... by growing yours.


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  • Profile picture of the author Rose Rushton
    Glad they didn't ask but if they do tell them you are the next Bill Gates!
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  • Profile picture of the author jgalty
    i tell people that i'm an international spy
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  • Profile picture of the author Gclunis
    well I say that im in marketing. But that doesnt work very well because I'm 17 so people expect me to say that I work at mcdonalds or something. So that just inquires more questions and i'm stuck trying to explain everything lol.
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