How Do You Explain What You Do?

[LadyL08]

Friends ask me what I do and it's not enough to say Internet Marketing or Affiliate Marketing because most people have no clue.

Then I try to explain that I drive people to websites and get a commission on products sold or ads clicked on. That usually rings a bell, but then people ask how do I do it.

That's where it really gets hairy as I try to simply explain SERPS and SEO and article marketing.

How do you explain what you do in laymans terms?

[1960Texan]

I don't. I just start explaining as if I were talking to a fellow warrior and watch as the person who asked the question starts to fidget as their eyes glaze over.
They never ask twice.

[Heimir Finnson]

I also have a dayjob along with IM.
Most of my friends don't even know about my online earnings so they never ask.

But to those that know, I just tell them I have few sites that earn money from ads.

[ikrieger]

Hello Ladyl08,

I see your dilemma. My partner and I have a consulting firm that helps people who are having a hard time getting their messages out in business, or in life.

Here's a suggestion: Work Backwards from the Sale.

Imagine... You're talking to somebody and they ask what you do.

What you can say might sound like this.


"Let's say I suggest a product to you and you decide to buy it on the internet? To complete the sale you'd have to click the purchase button with your mouse. Right? Well, I have a business where I get a small payment for each of those completed sales."


Now this may seem simplistic at first, but the response you receive from your listener will let you know if he or she is wants further details, and what those details will be.

I hope this helps.

Practice this line until it's comfortable and natural. Let me know what happens.

Ike Krieger

[KatyaSenina]

Originally Posted by ikrieger

Hello Ladyl08,

I see your dilemma. My partner and I have a consulting firm that helps people who are having a hard time getting their messages out in business, or in life.

Here's a suggestion: Work Backwards from the Sale.

Imagine... You're talking to somebody and they ask what you do.

What you can say might sound like this.


"Let's say I suggest a product to you and you decide to buy it on the internet? To complete the sale you'd have to click the purchase button with your mouse. Right? Well, I have a business where I get a small payment for each of those completed sales."


Now this may seem simplistic at first, but the response you receive from your listener will let you know if he or she is wants further details, and what those details will be.

I hope this helps.

Practice this line until it's comfortable and natural. Let me know what happens.

Ike Krieger

This is a great way of explaining it.

Anyway most people are so clueless. I had people ask me if I've become a webcam girl. How narrow minded.

[Keith Boisvert]

Originally Posted by LadyL08

Friends ask me what I do and it's not enough to say Internet Marketing or Affiliate Marketing because most people have no clue.

Then I try to explain that I drive people to websites and get a commission on products sold or ads clicked on. That usually rings a bell, but then people ask how do I do it.

That's where it really gets hairy as I try to simply explain SERPS and SEO and article marketing.

How do you explain what you do in laymans terms?

I have replied to this many times before, and my answer is always:

"I sell animal porn to the elderly"

They never ask twice.

keith

[steve-wilkins]

I have given up telling my friends and family what I do. It's just too painful answering the same old questions over and over again then watching their eyes glaze over as they pretend they understand.

Instead I just show them my paypal and clickbank balance and say ''What I do online is bloody awsome''! Thanks for asking!

[KatyaSenina]

Originally Posted by steve-wilkins

I have given up telling my friends and family what I do. It's just too painful answering the same old questions over and over again then watching their eyes glaze over as they pretend they understand.

Instead I just show them my paypal and clickbank balance and say ''What I do online is bloody awsome''! Thanks for asking!

hahaha this is a great one... you have got to see those faces

[JAIDEEP2959]

I tell my friends and relatives that I make money online by selling ebooks online.

Most of them do understand as they are aware of ebooks.

[tommen]

My family and friends think I am unemployed because I sit at home all the time

[LadyL08]

Originally Posted by ikrieger

Hello Ladyl08,

Here's a suggestion: Work Backwards from the Sale.

Imagine... You're talking to somebody and they ask what you do.

What you can say might sound like this.

"Let's say I suggest a product to you and you decide to buy it on the internet? To complete the sale you'd have to click the purchase button with your mouse. Right? Well, I have a business where I get a small payment for each of those completed sales."

Now this may seem simplistic at first, but the response you receive from your listener will let you know if he or she is wants further details, and what those details will be.

Ike Krieger

Thanks, I like this.

And then if someone asks how do you suggest products, I can say, I can talk to you in person, by email or most of the time if you do a search on it, a website I have or an article I have written about the subject will show up.

[Anoopchawla]

I tell everybody that i am a freelancer i do software promotion and marketing for a company named clickbank. Some understand, but those who dont dont show any interest. Anyways if you are earning good enough that does'nt matter

[David Walker]

Sometimes I say: "Try my best to stay out of a job".

Other times I use "internet marketer" which usually needs a laymans explanation of "promote stuff online to make money" or simply a "business coach" which is easier for people to comprehend.

David

[Riz]

I don't think there is a requirement to explain to anybody (other than your direct family) what you do.

Most people ask this when you first meet them. Over and above my IM activities i also provide training seminars and IM services to local businesses. I simply say 'I have a Internet Marketing Training Company' - no more explanation needed.

For those who want to know exactly what you do and how you do - none of their business - just glaze over the question.

Riz

[FaJeeb]

I say I'm a bookie for one of the local gangs.

[LadyL08]

I run into this a lot from well meaning friends and acquaintances. I left town and returned three years later with a new career. When I tell people that I changed careers they are curious - especially when that career is not a typical 9 to 5.

[Victor.L]

Originally Posted by LadyL08

Friends ask me what I do and it's not enough to say Internet Marketing or Affiliate Marketing because most people have no clue.

Then I try to explain that I drive people to websites and get a commission on products sold or ads clicked on. That usually rings a bell, but then people ask how do I do it.

That's where it really gets hairy as I try to simply explain SERPS and SEO and article marketing.

How do you explain what you do in laymans terms?

It really depends. IF they ask how I can make money from a website for example, I say: ''It's like TV. Corporations purchase Ads on Television because people watch it and their is a wide audience. My site is the same concept except it's not a TV channel and it's on the internet. People buy ads to advertise their products.

[halibuth]

I once told someone I do online marketing and she responded, "Oh! You're like a geek!"

I'm not sure if it follows, but I like being branded as a geek.

[FriendlyRob]

I begin with something people can understand such as Amazon or Ebay, even though I'm not affiliates for either. I just tell people that I build websites to sell other peoples products, such as Amazon or Ebay. When I make a sale, I get paid.

The truth is nothing like that at all since I have a sizeable list, squeeze page, and my own products, but at least it answers the question quickly and painlessly.

[Ken_Caudill]

Marketing Consultant works pretty well for me. Has a nice corporate ring.

[sweetfranky]

Had the same problem, just tell people companies pay you market their product online. If they ask how, just tell them. It's complex.

[FriendlyRob]

Originally Posted by sweetfranky

Had the same problem, just tell people companies pay you market their product online. If they ask how, just tell them. It's complex.

I'm happy to more fully explain it to people who actually want to know, some are quite fascinated.

[YoYoPro]

I just started Golfing back in May for the first time ever in my life.

I always used to skim over these threads as I never really used to be asked these types of questions.. but that's changed.

Because I normally go Golfing by myself, I generally catch up to people and they offer for me to join them for the remainder of the round, and there has not been one instance where they have not asked me what I do within the first 5 minutes of our interaction.

I currently still work a day job so it's easy to just tell them that, but i'm gonna need to come up with something to tell them once i'm full-time.

It's kind of a stupid thing in my opinion. I know it's out of curiosity and all but I can almost guarantee it's like a way of judging someone by what they do. I know I shouldn't care what people think but it's easier just to satisfy them with a socially acceptable answer then having to be badgered about whatever you do for an occupation.

[johnben1444]

Well mine is quite simple. Whenever they ask i tell them "i help people who have limited resources find unlimited clients over the internet".

[Mukul Verma]

Man this is one that I am dont like either.

I was on the plane coming back and the guy next to me is like one month is a long time to be away, when are you going back to work.....I dont like questions like that. I told him, self employed, so always working