What Do You Tell You Do For A Living

[maverick8]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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..

[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.

[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

[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

[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.

[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

[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".

[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

[W.P. Allen]

I say I build and market product based websites. People seem to dig it.

[Tsnyder]

I tell them I'm a covert operative for the CIA and
can't really talk about what I do...

Tsnyder

[locpic63]

As I've stated before "I just tell them I'm an early retirement specialist."

Locpic63

[eidoan]

I say I'm an entrepreneur currently focusing on internet marketing.

[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.

[lisag]

My husband and I are marketing and advertising consultants.

[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.

[dv8]

Originally Posted by locpic63

As I've stated before "I just tell them I'm an early retirement specialist."

Locpic63

Haha!! That one is hilarious!

[milan]

Originally Posted by yommys01

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

[Jack Chua]

Sometimes it is really difficult to explain the things that we are doing for a living nowadays. The technology is so overwhelming that a mere explanation of the nature of our work would lead to further questions.

[Alexa Smith]

For me, "I have a little internet business" does the job. (People who ask more can probably understand more.)

[JasonKing]

You might say you're in the publishing/media industry.

[Tyler UK]

I tell people I'm a truck driver.....Because I am.

[sashas]

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.

[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

[Patrice Le Vexier]

Just tell them that you've inherited a fortune. Very few parents would ask more or complain about that...

[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.

[Chris_Willow]

If a girl asks I say that I run a bunch of adult sites
Wouldn't work with the parents thou...

[eurasia67]

Well, I think you should be proud for your job as an internet marketer. . . Goodluck . . .

[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.

[katiec]

I tell people I do Freelance and Marketing Consulting.

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

[Mukul Verma]

Originally Posted by 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.

Glad it all worked out!!!

[Hamish Jones]

Freelance Business & Marketing Entrepreneur.

[Jason James]

I find using the word 'consulting' in some form is pretty good. IE: small business consulting

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[SurviveUnemployment]

Internet Publisher is the title I prefer. Project Manager works for the site development side of our biz.

[aggajwz]

something on the internet ..

[TheRazor55]

a simple "I sell sh*t online" will do the trick :P

[Sarah Russell]

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...

[davidomni]

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

[allaboutbiz]

I basically just tell people that i'm a Internet marketer.....that always works for me

[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

[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!

[Rose Rushton]

Glad they didn't ask but if they do tell them you are the next Bill Gates!

[jgalty]

i tell people that i'm an international spy