5 more working days and I no longer work for someone else!

[michellegreen]

Hi guys

I've been involved in internet marketing for a few years now and I have had some success, and even teach people how to make money online through article marketing.

My goal, like so many of you here, has been to make enough money through my online pursuits to replace my income so I can then concentrate on my internet marketing business full time. Like most internet marketers, I've been waiting a long time for things to finally "happen"!

So whilst I was able to make money by selling affiliate products and teaching others how to do the same, it certainly wasn't enough to allow me to finally 'retire' from the workforce.

That's until a month ago when I came across a thread here that talked about a Clickbank sale somebody had made after around 7 months of work.

Everyone was offering their congratulations, except one person who in not so many words stated that he could get a job in a third world country and get better pay. Ok, he was a little harsh, but he was 100% correct. He also went on to say that he had coached people to make up to $1000 a day within less time than it took this person to make $20. And he even offered to coach her for FREE!

I was of course intrigued, so sent him a PM to ask for more information. I wanted in, so asked him if I could pay him to coach me. My timing was absolutely spot on because he had only just turned his face to face coaching into an online program which was yet to be released, and so began my amazing journey!

So what was he teaching? He was teaching about strategic outsourcing. If you've been on here long enough you will come across posts where people are outsourcing their article writing etc to other people because they don't have the time or the inclination do them themselves.

And that's where I now come in. I am one of those people that gets paid to do what somebody else doesn't want to do. So for me, that means I will either write articles (in specific niches) or I will build blogs for internet marketers.

I win because I am making money through offering my services, and you win because you are then freed up to concentrate on the other aspects of your business.

As an article marketer I was already writing articles on a regular basis, but now I get paid to do it. And not only that, I am being taught how to do it in a more efficient way than most article writers out there - that's how I make so much money. One of my biggest advantages too, is that I am Australian with English as my first language. I most certainly didn't get straight A's in English, nor am I a literary genius, but I can write, as you can see by this post!

After a month, I have so many clients and am making so much money, that I no longer need my well-paying job. In fact, Friday is going to be my last day! I could not continue to juggle both my writing business AND my job, so obviously my job had to go!

For almost 20 years I have dreamed of being my own boss and it is finally about to become a reality!

@BarryWalls is a wonderful coach and mentor who is showing me the way - I really would not be here without his guidance.

So before you throw in the towel, thinking that making money online is too hard, it's not. You just need to find a program or strategy that works for you.

[Cali16]

Michelle, congratulations on reaching your goal! I'm sure you will enjoy no longer having to go to your J.O.B. It sounds like you are going in a great direction. I will keep you in mind if I need to outsource some article writing.

[peter gibson]

Absolutely love reading posts like this. Congratulations on the success and Halleluyah for leaving your job. The freedom you will feel is worth every single penny you won't make working someone else. It also sounds like your coach is a good bet.

I've been moderately successful online but I'm definitely looking for someone to give me a push over the top so that I can start to see 5 figure months on a regular basis - as opposed to once in a blue moon. Is your guy available at this time? I'd be interested in looking over his stuff.

At any rate, congratulations!!!

[michellegreen]

Thanks so much!

And yes, he's available. You can search for @BarryWalls on here (it's in his sig) or you can visit the article site in my sig and click on the links. He has limited space though, so best to get in while you can because I'm telling EVERYONE! lol

[peter gibson]

Originally Posted by michellegreen

Thanks so much!

And yes, he's available. You can search for @BarryWalls on here (it's in his sig) or you can visit the article site in my sig and click on the links. He has limited space though, so best to get in while you can because I'm telling EVERYONE! lol

lol! I hear ya. I just found him on twitter actually, and saw your tweet as well. I'm known as peterclik on ye old twitter and if I'm not mistaken I believe I'm already following you. Add me if you like.

Again, congrats!!

[Andrewpg]

Congratulations on kicking the JOB. I also like hearing success stories. It gives me more encouragement.

[sevenish]

Congrats Michelle! Nothing like a bit of good news and a success story.

Thanks for posting.

[darrin_cooper]

Congratulations Michelle. That's fantastic. I'm more interested in the details of your success however. Particularly, "how much" revenue is generated from your efforts on a monthly basis that allows you to quit a job (where you were receiving possibly benefits, etc).
Also, now that you plan on leaving your job, how much time does it take for you to achieve the results your are doing now? And how much time will you be planning on putting in now that you will be making this transition.

Also, how many clients do you have now that allows you to achieve this level of success?

[TLTheLiberator]

Big congrats!

There are so many ways to skin the cat.

Each of us needs to get busy and find ours.

All The Best!!

TL

[michellegreen]

It seems I was already following you too Peter!

Thanks for the congrats guys! It's a wonderful feeling! Well, it'll be wonderful on Friday afternoon at around 4pm at my farewell celebrations!

In answer to your questions Darrin, let me elaborate for you. Firstly, I get paid too much in my full time job to get benefits, and going by how this is going, will continue to get paid too much to get benefits of any type. Oh well, I'm sure I'll survive without them! lol

I need around $200USD per day for us to "get by" (assuming the Aussie dollar does't shoot up in value any time soon!). That is, we won't lose the house etc if I can generate that kind of income. Two Fridays ago I had made $100USD by lunch time.

I have around 13 clients so far, and a few of them are repeat clients. So what I make really depends on the number of articles they require. Many start with 5 or 10, but others want 20, 50 or even more. In total, I've brought in almost $1000USD in a month.

Keep in mind though, that I've not put 100% effort into growing this because of work, because the first month is especially difficult and very full-on. Although after next week, it will be a completely different story!

Initially I will need to put in up to 10 hours a day to achieve the results I am after (big goals!), although eventually I will only need to do around 5 hours a day. Or I could do 10 hours one day, none the next! The beauty of this is that you can be flexible and work your hours around your daily activities. I'm also more productive first thing in the morning and late at night, so may find I have to split my work day.

I hope that answers your questions!?

[J Elizabeth Dize]

Great going Michelle! Writing for businesses and marketers online was my path to quitting my job as well It's a great life!

[michellegreen]

I've already had a little taste Jenn, and I totally agree with you!

The next five days are going to take FOREVER to pass!!

[tranquility]

Wow, Michelle - Congrats!! That's awesome. I hope to be following in your footsteps in the not-too-distant future. As soon as school's out next week, I'm gonna be a writing maniac.

I've looked at Barry's coaching site before - if it's as good as you say I'm definitely going to sign up.

Again, congratulations. That has got to be the absolute BEST feeling in the world!

Debbie

[michellegreen]

Debbie, you have absolutely nothing to lose, seeing as you can give it a go for 30 days and if you're not happy you can get your money back.

If you're not afraid of working really really hard for a month or so, you will see the power of this strategy really quickly then go from there.

The USD is worth more than the AUD, but as you say, it's still pretty impressive!

[Vince_Craine]

Congrat's Michelle, You will love your new freedom, not answering to anyone but yourself which is sometimes worse. LOL Just remember, what you put into your own business will give you personal satisfaction for life. The rewards are tenfold

[ktpasco]

I absolutely love reading this kind of thing. Success stories are the best kind of stories!

Internet marketing has made so many peoples dreams come true and I'm glad it has made yours come true as well.

Good luck!

[AndyBlackSEO]

Well done Michelle! It's your time, enjoy it :-)

[Don Schenk]

Excellent Michelle. Welcome to the world of the self-employed. You will find it to be a grand experience. It has its ups and it has its downs, but there are way more ups than downs.

And you will find yourself liking your boss a whole lot and always being in agreement with her.

:-Don

[michellegreen]

Thanks everyone!

Yeah, my boss can be a bit of a cow at times, but I am sure with time I'll get to like her!

[ivana]

Hi Michelle,

That really is great. You know...People get stuck on promoting products for other people, and miss out on so many other opportunities. YOU just have to find what works for you! Find your own niche and work it! If writing is the one, why not! We know we all need help with writing

If SEO is one...Go for it...If list building is your niche...GREAT! Sell links, sell graphics...sell web design...it all will work!

By the way... I checked your site for article writing, and I kind of did not get your pricing. Sorry can you explain

[michellegreen]

Oops! The website is very new, so I was still updating the pricing on the Writing Services page as well as some other bits and pieces.

It's all fixed now, so if you go and take a look you will probably find that it's much easier to understand.

Thanks for reminding me!

I also totally agree with you about finding your own thing that works. What I am doing most definitely won't suit many people, and that's perfectly ok, otherwise I wouldn't be getting any work!

[oleskool]

Way to go. Being your own Boss is a goal many set but never really set an action plan that works and will get them to that goal.

[kempos]

Congratulations. I love this success stories.

I hope I will be able to write a similar post in the future.

All the best

[Garch]

Congrats Michelle. Don summed it up well.

[tofumonkey]

congratulations!
Like what they say about a JOB. Just Over Broke.

So glad you've overcome the first major barrier.
Here's wishing you iron clad discipline in your time management skills,
now that you have tons of it.

Once again, congratulations!

cheerios!

[Nick Brighton]

Hi Michelle,

First of all congrats on your new freelancing career
- it's a great lifestyle for sure.

However, I'm not trying to burst your bubble or
anything, but essentially you're not quitting your
"J.O.B" at all...

...you're merely transferring your day job to another
area of expertise, with different benefits.

Unless I've mistaken your message, you're quitting
your day job to become a full time freelancer online.

Whilst that's great (and how many of us live and get
ahead) I still don't think this should be construed as
"quitting your day job".

It's just changing it for something more liberating,
flexible and often better paid.

Do you kinda see my point?

Now, if you had said that YOU were hiring staff to
write articles for you, or you were running a business
where you earn profits for other people's efforts,
then that's a different story.

When you mentioned this guy's coaching program to
earn $1000 PER DAY from strategic outsourcing, that's
exactly what I thought you were going to describe -
a way to outsource your work to make money via
leverage (and not the sort of leverage where you
exchange your own time for money).

Again, I'm not knocking your accomplishments at all,
it's just that I think the message is a bit misaligned
here.

P.S - I'm sure your coach is great too, but the point
about saying to someone who spent 7 months making
a sale is effectively wasting their time is totally off.

Why? Because it took me about that long too, but now
I earn a lot of money online and it doesn't take me 7
months at a time...

...the fact is that we all take time to learn, but those
of us who go onto a successful and profitable business
as a result of that learning curve (albeit 7 months or more)
are the ones who actually take the principle of what we've
learned and apply it as much as possible, over an over.

In other words, it might take 7 months for someone to
finally make a sale, but it only takes 7 minutes to duplicate
what they now know about how to make a sale...

...see the difference?

P.S - Freelancing IS a great way to live life on your own
terms (to some extent). I hope you enjoy the excitement of it
and my advice is keep getting yourself out there and finding
clients who mix in big circles...most of my freelance work (such
as my copywriting) is based on client referals.

Not only are they essentially free leads, but they are the best
kind of leads because they come on the highest recommendation
from the client's trusted sources (their friends and colleagues!).

Of course, referals come from over delivering in quality and
developing a solid relationship with your best clients.

For some folks, freelancing is a risky and insecure way to pay
bills, but for others, the challenge and the lifestyle is just
irresistible.

Good luck, and welcome to a new world of freedom.

[mkuba]

Big congrats to you. I like hearing stories like this, makes me want to try harder to achieve the same thing. But then again it makes me realise how much farther I still have to go!

[Irene Houston]

Hi Michelle, it's good to hear your story and that you have finally made the leap into the wonderful world of being your own boss.

I wonder though if you have underestimated your talents by just charging a few dollars to each article, perhaps it would be a good idea to deliver a one-to-many service by teleclass for example, where you coach others how to write good articles.

This way you would be leveraging your time and making a lot more money.

Many new internet marketers, coaching, consultants etc, just don't get the 'article writing' bit and tend to think of writing school compositions when they think of article writing.

I think you would be a great teacher and could easily guide them through a coaching program explaining an easy, creative way for them to produce their own articles.

Just a thought... it's always another income stream for you.

Good luck!

[Barry Walls]

I suppose I should chime in here. Just saw this thread. I didn't direct Michelle to do this. She is an enthusiastic student...though I understand completely the thought processes behind the suspicion that she's done this on my behalf. She hasn't. This is off her own back.

What I have isn't a magic bullet. It's bloody hard work as Michelle will tell you. I tell people its hard work. I make sure they know it is. Im not selling a sugar coated "push this button to make a gazillion dollars a week". I prefer to not work with people who believe in such fairy tales.

But, $1000 from part time work is her result to date in @4 weeks. Full time I think you could double this pretty comfortably in the first month...and it keeps getting better.

Also Nick Brightons point is well made and fair. Right now, Michelle still has a job, a swap of time for money...self employed if you like...but there is also an equity component which is silently building in the background which almost all freelancer miss and rarely monetise...the business element. The time for money swap is a short term thing...but fundamentally necessary before building equity and passive income.

Now, if you had said that YOU were hiring staff to
write articles for you, or you were running a business
where you earn profits for other people's efforts,
then that's a different story.

It is a different story indeed.

Yes, its a monthly membership course...so information is delivered monthly.

Michelle had income in a week, confidence to quit a high paying job after 4 weeks of part time effort...that's not too bad as far as "make money online" courses go IMHO.

All the best

Barry

[michellegreen]

Hi guys and thanks for your comments.

Nik, in response to your comments, I suppose a "job" is based on perception IMO. I classify my full time, working for someone else gig as a "job", but my writing, I classify as my "business". For me, that's a HUGE difference!

Yes, I am initially trading my time for money, but that is only because I am in the initial stages of setting up my business. It won't always be that way.

Also, I am yet to meet anybody who can set up a 100% passive business that makes money from day 1 anyway, but by no means would I classify their work as a job. As an internet marketer of many years, yes, I can make money while I sleep, but there's been a lot of hard work done first for that to happen! But again, I do not classify my work as my job.

I understand what you are saying about the learning you can undergo over 7 months, before making your first sale, but if you've been on the WF and really taken notice of what people are saying, there are plenty of strategies posted on here that will make you money within days - I know because I tried one as an experiment, using a huge niche, to see if it would work. I made my first sale, starting from scratch in 11 days. I then tweaked it, added more to it, and now I teach others how to do the same (or better). I've been a bum marketer and while people say the usual "rinse and repeat" over and over again, I know from experience it's just not that simple - in most cases.

Irene, thank you so much for your post. I tend to write how I speak but through the course I've learned to structure my articles a lot better. Barry - you might want to take note of what Irene has said, although I think for me, the content in the course was sufficient to get me to where I am! At this stage I am going to see where this takes me, however it could be a good project for down the track.

John, yes there is a fair bit of faith in there, but that is because after receiving Module 2 I can see its potential and I am already seeing the results of using the strategies in this module. I have no reason but to have faith because so far the course has delivered 100% on what was promised, so who am I to doubt it? (Each module comes one month after you received the last one by the way, not on the 1st of the month (unless of course, that's when you purchased it!)).

I've been involved in IM for years and have done a LOT of courses, NOT ONE of them delivered within ONE day. Barry doesn't make that promise, but that's what happened for me. And THAT is one of the main reasons I am so excited about this. And not only did it deliver on day one, but it kept delivering each day after that!

And it's not only me that's excited by this. I have a friend on FB who started last week. He sent me a message last night telling me he was thinking of turning work away because he had too much. A good friend of mine is also experiencing similar results - but these people aren't members of the WF, which is most likely why you haven't heard from them.

And no, I'm not working with Barry (I'd drive him nuts!!). The first time I had even heard of him was when I read one of his posts on that "I made $20 after 7 months of work" post. I PM'd him from there and asked him to coach me. Since then my life has changed and I feel that by telling the world, then many more lives can change too. If people are suspicious of that, then that's their perception.

As Barry said though, it is REALLY hard work at first. I was juggling a full time job, two children and a husband. I was up at 5am, went to work all day, came home, fed the kids, put them to bed, then worked again until sometimes midnight, then the next morning I would do it all again. And then there were the weekends... I even took a week off work to catch up on my backlog!

If you're not prepared to put the hours in initially, then you won't see the same results. So as Barry said, this isn't a magic bullet and you won't make a gazillion dollars straight away! But it is an avenue for anyone who can write to profit from that activity in a strategic way.

I have a long way to go but at least I can go there in my tracky pants and slippers!

Oh, and as I've been typing, I have just had someone invite me to bid on a writing job because they "liked what (they) read about (me)..."!

[michellegreen]

John, there was absolutely no offence taken, so please don't apologise!

[peter gibson]

Originally Posted by John McEachern

Hey Michelle, I shouldn't have expressed the cynicism I did. I did my best to state what I did hypothetically, but even then I should have just kept it to myself. So, sorry for that.

Don't wish to interrupt John, but it should be said that posts like yours are the very reason these threads help people. Cynicism - warranted and without malice - is the best way to get to the bottom of almost anything.

Anyway, you really don't need to apologize from my point of view.

[michellegreen]

You're right Peter. I think we should all be skeptical to some extent considering the loads of courses, strategies and whatever else there is out there, being plugged to us on a daily basis, because most of them don't work for most people.

The WF is all about helping people (it has certainly helped me more than once!) and that is through open discussions such as this one, so expressing some doubt or concern is definitely not something to apologise for.

[Kevin Marshall]

I really hate my J.O.B. and how it keeps me from having my evenings free to work on my IM business. I can't wait to post a thread like this soon!

[ina696]

Congratulations, Michelle. It's just about everyone's dream to do their own thing and not be tied down to a J-O-B but very few take the actions necessary (and see it through to the end. I raise my glass (of cola!) to you. You will be my inspiration as I continue my quest for freedom from generating income online.

Years ago, I had someone else put up a website with content I'd written and graphics I created. It was a niche site and (without even knowing what I was doing), I managed to JV with a newsletter publishing in the same niche. My product sold to hundreds of the newsletter subscribers. I was hooked!

The web guru went into another line of work and I was terrified of anything technical so I didn't venture back online. I'm just now getting the nerve to start up again.

Sorry for the long post but what I'm trying to say is ...

Congratulations! Without you even knowing, you've inspired me to keep on keeping on!

[michellegreen]

Originally Posted by John McEachern

Thanks, Michelle.

Do you mind if I ask one more thing? What made you want to change direction from the article marketing and mentoring thing? That is what you doing primarily before this, right? Was it because you just couldn't stand doing that stuff anymore? Or the money you were making wasn't what you had hoped for in relation to the effort you were putting in? Or that this system of Barry's just opened your eyes to possibilities you may not have seen before? Or maybe something else I haven't thought of?

John, my main reason for changing direction was firstly because I wasn't getting the results I wanted. I was doing ok, but it wasn't enough to allow me to work from home and lot lose the home at the same time!

I am still mentoring, but right now my current clients are keeping me busy enough and I wasn't sure if I would continue it long term.

As for the article (bum) marketing, there seemed to be a whole lot of effort for little return in comparison as most bum marketers know! It's great for generating little bits of additional income, but I couldn't live on it!

And like you said, I didn't even think of doing things from the "other side" like Barry teaches! I was writing articles anyway, so this really wasn't a huge shift out of the comfort zone for me at all, and I was making more money - almost instantly - so the decision to continue down this road was an easy one.

I hope that answers your questions!?

[MavisAA]

Excellent Michelle - A very well done! Keep at it and there are no limits or boundaries to what you can become and do!

I'm proud of you!

[michellegreen]

John, I never thought about it that way, but yes, I think you are 100% right.

With this strategy too, there is a big element of customer service. I am very conscious of that and communicate with my clients on a regular basis to let them know where I'm at, and to clarify their needs.

If I don't do that, then chances are my results may not be as good. So I definitely have the control - and I like that!

In essence, I am offering a service and I control what is delivered and how much I get paid for it.

With CB, like you, I've often wondered at times whether my sales were actually coming through because I know I'm getting opt ins to my newsletters on my various sites (and I still am, with no effort), but I wonder if some of those sales aren't correctly being applied to my account. I have no idea, nor do I have any way of finding out that I know of. I can see if they clicked on the link, but unless a sale shows up, then I have no way of knowing if they actually bought - unless they bought under my affiliate link and it was applied correctly.

Thanks for your thoughts John!

[Pam M]

Congratulations, Michelle! I understand your excitement about
leaving the JOB very well. It's a truly liberating feeling, isn't it?
I'm very happy for you.

If you don't mind, I'd like to chime in about Barry's course, too.
Michelle, we don't know each other but I think we must have
contacted Barry around the same time - around the time of the
"I made $20 after 7 months" post. Like you, I was intrigued by
Barry's post, so I pm'd him with a few questions. Long story short,
I enrolled in his program and it's been crazy! Crazy good, though.

I understand the skepticism/cynicism some may have. That's
a perfectly natural response - and why it's always a good
idea to ask questions. You can't make an informed decision
until you have all the facts.

But, I agree with everything Michelle said about the program 100%.
Yes, it is a LOT of work at first. For the first week I was burning
the midnight oil everyday because I had commitments to other
clients and could only work on Barry's strategies part time.
Even then I got work immediately and within a few weeks I had
booked close to $3000 work. That was booking into 3-4
weeks, but still, that's pretty good for part time, right? I got
"lucky" right out of the gate and found someone who needed
MANY articles and was willing to pay for them. And I didn't start
out charging $5 an article, either.

I'll go ahead and admit I'm going to be working like a crazed
maniac for awhile. But that's okay because I've recently learned a few
ingenious shortcuts from Barry. Thank goodness, because I couldn't
keep this kind of schedule up if I had continued on with the way
I usually market, write, and deliver articles.

My plan is to gradually build this into a full-time business. Like
Michelle, I have faith this is a smart business model. Even if
I don't learn a thing in the next 49 modules (which is silly, of course)
what I've learned so far has generated some good income.

I will still continue in IM, I'll keep a few of my favorite clients, but
I'm confident in a year's time, the way I work will be dramatically
different.

Pam

[charlesburke]

Well Michelle, I've been coming back and re-reading this thread all week and now, by my calculations, you're out of a job (though I doubt you're out of work by any means).

Care to give us an update on how the last week went on the job and how your ex-coworkers have responded to your madness?

Cheers from warm and smiling Thailand,
Charles

[michellegreen]

Pam, congratulations on your success so far! I knew I wasn't alone, and you're yet another success story - and to think we haven't even finished module 2!

Like you, my first weeks were absolutely crazy too! Module 2 has made things so much easier though, and I am really beginning to see just how much one can do to generate more income.

Now that I am doing this full time (my last day of working in a JOB was yesterday!), I will probably work my butt off over the next few weeks, just to get a routine happening!

Overnight I picked up three new clients and I have another two lined up for next week too, so life's looking GREAT!

Charles, I LOVE Thailand - it's been over a year since my last visit but I hope to get there later this year.

You can see above how my progress has gone, and my coworkers were intrigued, envious but not inclined to ask me how I found myself doing this. When they're ready I will tell them though -most are just not in the "work for yourself" mindset and that's fine.

[misty2000]

Wonderful, Michelle!

Good luck with your leaving the JOB.

I can see you have done the preparatory work; now go get 'em!

Bob

[michellegreen]

Thanks Bob!

Just so everyone knows, it all started with a goal I wrote down a few months ago.

My goal was to be working from home making more than I was in my job by June 30...!

[nizhama2]

Happy to read another success IM story. I wish you will be more happy in your life. I read the same thread you mentioned and like others I didn't agree with the guy. Anyway everyone have their opinion, and your story give me some spirit.

Congrat again

[Will Edwards]

Hey Michelle

Well done girl!

Will

PS When you get a moment, please drop me a PM with your rates. I couldn't see them on your Blog. I don't have any work for you at present, but I may have in the future.

[michellegreen]

Thanks Will. To say I am one very happy person right now, is the understatement of the century!

[Pam M]

Thanks, Michelle! And congrats on your newest clients. Looks
like you may soon have a capacity problem on your hands.
(A good problem to have sometimes.)

Best,
Pam

[michellegreen]

I'm getting there Pam as I am sure you are, based on your experience so far!

[Mitch Miller]

Congratulations on leaving the Yob.

I am not sure writing articles all day is that much better though is it? I hope there is more to the plan you are on than just writing articles for others. To enjoy true dependence you must learn to leverage your time. Unless I have missed something along the thread, you are still just trading time for dollars.

I wish you the best though.

[michellegreen]

Of course Mitch. There is no way I would be able to write all day, every day long term and of course leverage is the key.

Already I have been taught the power of leverage and there's apparently more to come in future modules, so I can't wait! :-)

So for now, it's a lot of hard work and long hours but I know that it won't be this way long term.