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How do I tell my parents that I wanna be an IMer?

by Karan Goel
51 replies
Hey all

I am not going to have a long
introduction of me here. Rather,
I am going to brief it out.

I am a 16 year old school-going
boy from India. I have been
online from past 1.5 years but
it's been just 6 months in IM.
I spend about 2 hours a day
online in "search" of something to
help me make money. I have, indeed,
made about $500 till now. - For
those $500 bucks, I told my parents
that I "won" them in an online writing
competition.

Whenever my father asks me what I
do sitting in front of the monitor for
hours, I just say that I was playing
games.

The IM world really fascinates me
and I have 4 sites running. They
do not generate any money, but get
decent traffic (200-300 UV/day).

The premier goal of my life has always
been to become an engineer. And, my
parents have great hopes from me for that
matter. They want to see me as an
engineer.

But now, I see that IM'ming is 'cool'.
I want to be an IMer. Whenever I
try to approach my parents to discuss
this, I am not able to tell him. I am
always afraid. Noone from my family
has made a single cent from internet
(except me).

I am in 10th standard and in India 10th
is the most important and the decisive
class of any student. So, before my final
exams, I want to tell this thing.

Please help me. How do I tell me parents
me new ambition?

Please help me!

Thanks
K
#imer #parents #wanna
  • Profile picture of the author prashie91
    if you're so concerned by what mum and dad will
    think, then you can become an engineer and a part
    time IMer. Get the darn engineering degree to please
    them. But if by then IM gives good money, then you don't
    have to actually get a job eh.

    Alternatively, you can simply tell them how you made the
    $500. For all you know, they'd be impressed and encourage
    you even more.

    But with your exams looming, you better balance the your
    studies with your work smartly. That's what I did the whole
    year. Over here in Singapore, we have the A level examinations
    which is the most important exam we take (year 12 basically).

    I pushed IM down to second on my list of priorities. But now that
    my exams are done, I'm pretty much free!
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    • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
      Well..Thanks for the reply, firstly.

      I am not of such a nature that
      I can balance two jobs together.

      But, yes I balance studies evenly.
      My recent Term II exams have ended
      and I got an amazing 81%.

      Please suggest me how do I tell them
      about the IM thing.

      Thanks

      Originally Posted by prashie91 View Post

      if you're so concerned by what mum and dad will
      think, then you can become an engineer and a part
      time IMer. Get the darn engineering degree to please
      them. But if by then IM gives good money, then you don't
      have to actually get a job eh.

      Alternatively, you can simply tell them how you made the
      $500. For all you know, they'd be impressed and encourage
      you even more.

      But with your exams looming, you better balance the your
      studies with your work smartly. That's what I did the whole
      year. Over here in Singapore, we have the A level examinations
      which is the most important exam we take (year 12 basically).

      I pushed IM down to second on my list of priorities. But now that
      my exams are done, I'm pretty much free!
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    • Profile picture of the author ZachWaldman
      Originally Posted by prashie91 View Post

      Get the darn engineering degree to please
      them.
      I'm sorry, but that's insanity. You shouldn't live your life to please other people.

      Besides, you say Internet marketer like it's a bad thing. I wish more kids that wanted to be lawyers felt as ashamed as you.

      Live your life the way that makes you happy. Ultimately, if you're going to be successful in any endeavor, you'll have to learn to think for yourself.

      I'm a professional comedian and magician. IM is just something I like to do and I've used the skills I've acquired to book more shows than most of the guys in Los Angeles.

      You're worried about telling your parents you want to be an Internet marketer? Try telling them you want to do card tricks for a living.

      Actually, I'm lucky in that my parents actually encouraged me to do whatever I wanted. Still, you get my point.

      I don't mean to be harsh, just mean to help!

      Zach
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      • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
        I know that my parents will regret
        my decision initially but then they
        will understand.

        But, the only thing is that I am not
        able to collect enough courage to
        tell them.

        Originally Posted by ZachWaldman View Post

        I'm sorry, but that's insanity. You shouldn't live your life to please other people.

        Besides, you say Internet marketer like it's a bad thing. I wish more kids that wanted to be lawyers felt as ashamed as you.

        Live your life the way that makes you happy. Ultimately, if you're going to be successful in any endeavor, you'll have to learn to think for yourself.

        I'm a professional comedian and magician. IM is just something I like to do and I've used the skills I've acquired to book more shows than most of the guys in Los Angeles.

        You're worried about telling your parents you want to be an Internet marketer? Try telling them you want to do card tricks for a living.

        Actually, I'm lucky in that my parents actually encouraged me to do whatever I wanted. Still, you get my point.

        I don't mean to be harsh, just mean to help!

        Zach
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  • Profile picture of the author avandrunen
    Hey K,

    First things first, finish up well in school...you never want to close off opoortunities by not having a decent high school education.

    Secondly, nothing anyone says here is going to give you the courage to discuss with your parents your goal of wanting to IM for a living.

    Good luck in your future K,
    Adrian
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    • Profile picture of the author Life Quaker
      What exactly about internet marketing draws you to it? Figure that out first, and you may be able to explain it better to them.

      I understand to an extent how it is. The majority of my friends in the past were desi. (and I was considered an honorary desi ) You either be an engineer or a doctor. That's the parents desire. Fact is though - it's your life. Ultimately, those routes are favored because they are "proven successes."

      I was planning to go into medicine. I completed my premed year, and could have gone into medicine. But I decided otherwise. I realized - even when I was going to go and become a doctor...I didn't actually want to be a doctor. I wanted the label by my name, since I have a great interest in health and had ideas to start a health business and believed the accreditation would help. I decided the 6+ years of my life were not worth that, though.

      So, why are you interested in internet marketing? And is it specifically internet marketing that you are interested in? I haven't entirely told my family what I plan to do. (fact is, I'm still not entirely sure...I know it will be in business though) However, for my whole life I have been very interested in psychology. (but would never become a psychologist, or god forbid...a psychiatrist - I couldn't stand people telling the sad stories they cling onto to me!) Marketing is what interests me - not necessairily internet marketing. Marketing brought the psychology I was interested in to greater life.

      Thus, I have hinted to my family about my interest in marketing. Marketing is a well paid area (whether it is accepted though, depends on your family...a good few people have negative associations with it!) If I were you, I would ease into it and mention an aspect of IM that interests you first. IM is not generally known about - and considered a scam by those who do. (Despite the fact that almost everyone actually participates in said marketing almost daily!) It really depends on your family though.

      After a bit of analysis, I'm sure you can find specific aspects of it that you really enjoy. Most people aren't attracted to 'IM' - they are attracted to what IM represents...and perhaps one or two aspects of it. The rest they delegate to others.
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    • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
      @ avandrunen : Thanks for the tips.

      @Dennis Gaskill, Life Quaker: That's the best thing
      I have read anywhere. This is the real
      gold. I do not want to leave education -
      at least till I do not pass a college.

      But, what fascinates me about IM is
      the success stories of some of the
      young teens like me..In a way, I
      feel jealous that if they are doing it,
      why am I left behind? Also, they
      only motivate me.

      I am a lot confused on what to become.
      I have choices/interests of- Software
      engineering, Network engineering,
      and IM.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Here's another way to look at it...you can ALWAYS go into IM at any point in your life. Once a person is out of school for a year or more, few go back. You could be passing up a golden opportunity to get an education. It will never be easier than it is now.

    If your parents are supporting you while you go to college that's a real blessing. You should not expect them to support you if you go into IM against their wishes.

    It's a cold, hard world when you're broke. You said you're not making any money at IM. Some people have never made any money at it, not in years of trying. What will you do if that happens to you? How will you live? While your peers are striking out on their own and discovering the joys of independence and the freedom of self-determination, will you still be counting on your parents to support you because you're not making enough to earn a living in IM? Do you think that is that the right thing to do?

    It's easy for others to sit back and say you should live for yourself and do what makes you happy (no offense intended, Zack), but you have to be practical. Doing what you want doesn't mean ONLY doing what you want, sometimes it means doing what is practical now so you can do more what you want later.

    Life is seldom black and white, it's gray and full of compromises, both with yourself and for your own sake, and with and for others and their sake. Maybe you could compromise with your parents and go to school for marketing. What you learn will help you with IM and you'll have something you can count on until an IM career takes off.

    Life isn't always about doing what we want, it's about doing what's best. Prisons are full of people who did what they wanted. I don't know what it's like i your country, but on average in the US a college graduate makes a million dollars more in their lifetime than someone who doesn't get a degree. You're very young, there's time enough for everything. A college degree is much more of a sure thing than a career in IM. There's no reason you can't do both. Think long and hard about it.
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    • Profile picture of the author markfoo76
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Life isn't always about doing what we want, it's about doing what's best. Prisons are full of people who did what they wanted.
      I'd have to disagree. In life, you always strive to do what you want, legally, morally, and ethically. People end up in prison doing what they want because they did it illegally. But that doesn't warrant why anyone shouldn't do what they want to do. Just do it legally, morally, and ethically.

      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      I don't know what it's like i your country, but on average in the US a college graduate makes a million dollars more in their lifetime than someone who doesn't get a degree.
      That may be true. But there are also people who don't have a college degree making millions more than those who have a college degree. Just look at Bill gates, Michael Dell and Steve Jobs. In life, look at what's possible, not what's the average results people get. If you look at what's the average results, that's precisely what you are going to get - AVERAGE RESULTS.

      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      You're very young, there's time enough for everything. A college degree is much more of a sure thing than a career in IM.
      A college degree is only a more sure thing to get you a job, but it's never a more sure thing to success. Is a job all that you want in life?

      In any developed country, I believe everyone has an equal chance of success, whether you have a college degree or not. Just that maybe some people have to work harder than the others to succeed.

      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      There's no reason you can't do both. Think long and hard about it.
      I agree there's no reason why you can't do both. You don't have to give up college to pursue IM. Or nobody needs to give up his/her job to pursue IM. IM can be done part-time, although it does take a lot more effort and determination doing it part-time.

      K, I'd suggest you just let your parents know you're only exploring IM at this point in time and you promise them you're not going to let it affect your school work. Prove to them you can handle it well by getting good results in your assignments, tests and exams. I think they'd probably just let you do what you want if they see that your school work's not affected. Also, tell them the truth about how you got the $500. I agree with prashie91 that they might just be impressed and encourage you to keep to it!

      Cheers~

      Mark
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    • Profile picture of the author KC-Coop
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post


      Life isn't always about doing what we want, it's about doing what's best. Prisons are full of people who did what they wanted. I don't know what it's like i your country, but on average in the US a college graduate makes a million dollars more in their lifetime than someone who doesn't get a degree. You're very young, there's time enough for everything. A college degree is much more of a sure thing than a career in IM. There's no reason you can't do both. Think long and hard about it.
      I'd have to wholeheartedly disagree with you here. Life should be about doing what you want, you only have so many years to live and you should spend them doing what YOU want to do.

      I was in the game development degree program at Full Sail University for almost a year, and I didn't want to do it anymore. I had put $20,000+ into it but I wasn't as passionate about it as I thought.

      I really don't see how you can say that having a college degree is safer than a career in internet marketing. I sit here and watch daily on Facebook at all of my friends that can't find a job, even those with college degrees. However I sit at home and work for myself, and have no fear in losing my job because there's nobody to fire me.

      Follow your dreams, and the rest will follow.
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  • Profile picture of the author TSc
    If you don'T want to split your focus why do you combine your interests?

    Study some kind of economy and focus this to online marketing.

    So you can study IM!

    Inform you about the study careers existing on your university. We have some kind of "buissenes computer sience".
    That would be the right for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author cg101
    Just curious as to why they would give you grief about being an IM'er ? I know for me my parents still don't understand the scope of what I do online but that doesn't really matter to me. What should you do is make sure that you have you regular job just as the second person that responded to your post said and do this part time until you are able to survive full time from it. The reality is that no one is going to understand the scope of what you do until you're able to live off of your passion.

    Originally Posted by K Goel View Post

    Hey all

    I am not going to have a long
    introduction of me here. Rather,
    I am going to brief it out.

    I am a 16 year old school-going
    boy from India. I have been
    online from past 1.5 years but
    it's been just 6 months in IM.
    I spend about 2 hours a day
    online in "search" of something to
    help me make money. I have, indeed,
    made about $500 till now. - For
    those $500 bucks, I told my parents
    that I "won" them in an online writing
    competition.

    Whenever my father asks me what I
    do sitting in front of the monitor for
    hours, I just say that I was playing
    games.

    The IM world really fascinates me
    and I have 4 sites running. They
    do not generate any money, but get
    decent traffic (200-300 UV/day).

    The premier goal of my life has always
    been to become an engineer. And, my
    parents have great hopes from me for that
    matter. They want to see me as an
    engineer.

    But now, I see that IM'ming is 'cool'.
    I want to be an IMer. Whenever I
    try to approach my parents to discuss
    this, I am not able to tell him. I am
    always afraid. Noone from my family
    has made a single cent from internet
    (except me).

    I am in 10th standard and in India 10th
    is the most important and the decisive
    class of any student. So, before my final
    exams, I want to tell this thing.

    Please help me. How do I tell me parents
    me new ambition?

    Please help me!

    Thanks
    K
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  • Profile picture of the author Lett
    Haha, it's cool because i have the same problem
    My parents and friends think that i play computer games, but actually i am running my own business. Don't tell them about your plans in future before you make some real cash - it will be a nightmare, trust me. Once i told that i am going to make money on internet. Of course they didn't believe me, they said that it is bs and i only waste my money and time. They made me do disbelieve that i can make money on internet, so i told them that i don't do that anymore but actually i still do.

    Never tell anyone that your are IMer before you make some nice cash. Trust me, don't do it, they can ruin all your life if you will tell them.

    About future - sh*t happens, i suggest you to learn some profession, so if will fail as IMer (i hope not), you have to have plan b. Learn a profession where you can find job easy, and if you fail as IMer, you can find job fast and try again.
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    • Profile picture of the author midasAu
      Never miss the opportunity to be educated - do you realize how many people there are in this world without that option.

      Sure IM is exciting and can be very lucrative but that is something you could do in conjunction with your degree. You are a young man, you will have plenty of time to pursue IM, it will be always be there.

      I can understand that your parents want a formal education for you, in their eyes that is a definite 'fast track' to success while IM may or may not offer you the same security in your future life. Think what your life could be with a degree AND the ability to make money on line...you couldn't help but win.

      When you are young you do not know what the future holds but one thing is for sure, you will have more opportunities with education than without. Of course you will make your own decision but think long and hard before you reject one of the greatest opportunities that you will ever have
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      • Profile picture of the author ASM Marketing
        Originally Posted by midasAu View Post

        Never miss the opportunity to be educated - do you realize how many people there are in this world without that option.

        Sure IM is exciting and can be very lucrative but that is something you could do in conjunction with your degree. You are a young man, you will have plenty of time to pursue IM, it will be always be there.

        I can understand that your parents want a formal education for you, in their eyes that is a definite 'fast track' to success while IM may or may not offer you the same security in your future life. Think what your life could be with a degree AND the ability to make money on line...you couldn't help but win.

        When you are young you do not know what the future holds but one thing is for sure, you will have more opportunities with education than without. Of course you will make your own decision but think long and hard before you reject one of the greatest opportunities that you will ever have
        What this guy said!
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  • Profile picture of the author bigsales06
    I myself am a degree holder in construction management but my passionate is in internet marketing since my 2nd semester in the university. After 2 years working in construction field, I think now is the time to move on to the next level of my internet marketing path.

    I'm going to quit my job. I talked about this with my wife and she's disagree at first because we're going to get a child soon. But I asked her to give me 6 months to prove her that I'm going to make some money for at least the same amount of my 1 year salary.

    What I want to tell is, show your parents some money 1st and let them see that internet marketing is a lucrative business and the best thing is they still can have you around them. I don't see why they would disagree with you.

    Hafeez
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  • Profile picture of the author rjrv10
    Explain them what is IM and how does it work. Then they'll support you im sure. But if i were you, I'll make IM as a part time job.
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  • Profile picture of the author keerthana
    Hey karan, Why not you can do expand to great extent after your exams this time

    Because 10th std public is very important know
    ?

    Holidays can help you better.
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  • Profile picture of the author Maddi
    Right. You said before your final class you want to tell them about it. Why?

    First of all you are 16 and I must say Congratulations. You are already formulating your future plans and considering both your education and your parents will. You have also managed to earn $500 which most people struggle to earn even after years and years of IMing, so there you go you've got one more acheivement in the bag.

    The thing is Karan, telling your parents won't be such a good idea for now.
    A. Because you are young and they may underestimate your potential and overlook your prospects and doubt your judgement. ( Typical with desi parents at times )

    B. Because explaining someone, anyone (parents or not) that your are or you want to do Internet Marketing is not such a good idea.

    We IMers share a different kind of philosophy and a different kind of mental attitude.

    People have posted some really good ideas above on this thread but I am sure they will agree how many times that have managed to tell/explain Non IMers what they do for a living? and how many times do people (earning decent income from the internet)
    have been told by friends/family that 'Get a Real Job??'

    We are prisoners of our own device, the things that we see/feel/do as an IMer we cant really explain other (Non IMers) people that what a squeeze page is and can't shout out to mates that 'Hey I'm getting 12% conversions on my landing page' without getting strange looks in return.

    What you may consider doing is just continue growing your IM business along side and during your studies (without compromising education) and keep hinting them from time to time what basically you are doing online. If you see any objections try bluffing you are only doing it for fun and will continue to persue engineering. Also telling them about the money you may eventually start making on a regular basis.

    Persue your goals. In a fashion that they wouldn't object. Create rapport and awareness about Internet Marketing in your parents from time to time keep up with your grades at school to keep them happy.

    Hope it helps.

    All the Best
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    • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
      Thanks for a reply Maddi.

      Actually, I have been thinking
      about my career from a long
      time. Whenever I got to a party
      of my dad's friend, I think "Will
      I be able to maintain such good
      relationships with people?"

      Just last month, I attended a
      marriage of my father's client's
      boss' (who is a multi-millionaire) daughter.
      My father had never met the "boss"
      yet, he personally came to invite us.
      I thought, "Will I be invited like
      this by someone? Rather, will I have
      someone like this in my life?".

      So, that is what the confusion is!!
      I am able to gather around the 2 sides
      of IM, but, I am not able to choose the
      right one for me!

      Originally Posted by Maddi View Post

      Right. You said before your final class you want to tell them about it. Why?

      First of all you are 16 and I must say Congratulations. You are already formulating your future plans and considering both your education and your parents will. You have also managed to earn $500 which most people struggle to earn even after years and years of IMing, so there you go you've got one more acheivement in the bag.

      The thing is Karan, telling your parents won't be such a good idea for now.
      A. Because you are young and they may underestimate your potential and overlook your prospects and doubt your judgement. ( Typical with desi parents at times )

      B. Because explaining someone, anyone (parents or not) that your are or you want to do Internet Marketing is not such a good idea.

      We IMers share a different kind of philosophy and a different kind of mental attitude.

      People have posted some really good ideas above on this thread but I am sure they will agree how many times that have managed to tell/explain Non IMers what they do for a living? and how many times do people (earning decent income from the internet)
      have been told by friends/family that 'Get a Real Job??'

      We are prisoners of our own device, the things that we see/feel/do as an IMer we cant really explain other (Non IMers) people that what a squeeze page is and can't shout out to mates that 'Hey I'm getting 12% conversions on my landing page' without getting strange looks in return.

      What you may consider doing is just continue growing your IM business along side and during your studies (without compromising education) and keep hinting them from time to time what basically you are doing online. If you see any objections try bluffing you are only doing it for fun and will continue to persue engineering. Also telling them about the money you may eventually start making on a regular basis.

      Persue your goals. In a fashion that they wouldn't object. Create rapport and awareness about Internet Marketing in your parents from time to time keep up with your grades at school to keep them happy.

      Hope it helps.

      All the Best
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  • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
    Hey all.

    Now I want to approach
    my dad and say it to him
    that I want to be an IMer.

    But, the problem is how do
    I say that? I mean, my dad
    or mom know nothing about
    computers, keep apart internet
    and online money. So, how do I
    explain them?

    Please help!
    Thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
      @avenuegirl : See, to even plan
      to establish an online business, I
      need some solid support - that too
      of my parents. I think you have
      mistakenly misread or misunderstood
      my posts. To build a business, I need
      to talk to my parents first.

      I have had a thought to leave education
      after my 10th exams were over - but now
      they(thoughts) are over.

      I can do IM as a part time, but for that too
      again, I need to talk to my parents. And, I
      do not know how do I do that. And, the
      main question is this:

      Now I want to approach
      my dad and say it to him
      that I want to be an IMer.

      But, the problem is how do
      I say that? I mean, my dad
      or mom know nothing about
      computers, keep apart internet
      and online money. So, how do I
      explain them?
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  • Profile picture of the author xbokcom
    If you do what you love the money will follow... In any business whether you are a engineer or IM if you help people they will help you.

    That is what business is you help people and they help you and both earn a income.

    My approach will be: Pray and ask God that created you to open the door for you to speak to your Dad.

    He will cause He is your God.

    My 2cents
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    • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
      Ok. Thanks

      But the "praying" thing is
      very dramatical!!

      I mean, I have tried it a
      lot of times but with no
      great result!

      Originally Posted by xbokcom View Post

      If you do what you love the money will follow... In any business whether you are a engineer or IM if you help people they will help you.

      That is what business is you help people and they help you and both earn a income.

      My approach will be: Pray and ask God that created you to open the door for you to speak to your Dad.

      He will cause He is your God.

      My 2cents
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      • Profile picture of the author xbokcom
        With all the respect there is so much power in prayer.

        I love Jesus and I see him heal the sick and see business in debt get restore.

        I just tell you what I see. Here is my reason.

        You can never make a horse drink that is a farmer way saying

        It means if you force him he will kick you. Try it with a horse and see.

        The same you can never change somebody mind if he believe that is the right way.

        Ony God can do it and He do it by change the heart of that person.

        So pray that God will change your dad heart. And prepare the way for you to lay the words. So it fall on the right ground and spring up and bring life.

        God never let me down. That is why I can speak with Bold about Him on the forum.
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        • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
          Well, my dad isn't strict about
          anyone's career. My elder bro
          wanted to do B.COM (Hons) but
          my mom wanted him to be a CA.
          Still my dad didn;t force him.

          Originally Posted by xbokcom View Post

          So pray that God will change your dad heart. And prepare the way for you to lay the words. So it fall on the right ground and spring up and bring life.
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      • Profile picture of the author sainik
        This is my first posting in this forum although I have been a member since long time.

        I had the same situation when I had a chance to do a pharmacy degree after having a diploma in pharmacy.
        During that period, I was more interested in starting a business rather than spend 4 more years of my life, hence start earning money earlier!

        We did not have internet that time, but I thought what is the point of studying if the final outcome of all this is going to be make a living and decided against taking further studies.

        So I think you should really think obout this N. O. W. before it is too late and regret it for the rest of your life!

        Extra education and qualification in your arsenal would always come in handy.

        All the best.
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  • Profile picture of the author xbokcom
    sainik is right .... Education is so important. So wheather you want to be a IM or Engineer you need to learn and study to improve your skill.

    My suggestion is study and work part time. When you see your IM overtake the income as engineer you leave it. Cause then people can see why you do it

    All the best with your adventure.
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    • Profile picture of the author TSc
      Originally Posted by xbokcom View Post

      My suggestion is study and work part time. When you see your IM overtake the income as engineer you leave it. Cause then people can see why you do it
      That should be wise.

      And ive you could manage it to study a IM related buissenes both could be improve the other.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
        Show them a big fat check, or nice balance accumulated from your online marketing efforts.

        Money talks.

        Look, my folks had specific wishes for me as well, and I'm sure they just wanted the best for me.

        You can't live your life based on what other people want you to do. Well, you can - but you will be miserable.

        Right now it seems IM is a fairly new thing for you. If I were you I'd treat it like a favorite hobby until you do get to a point where you feel confident enough to create a solid business plan with how you'd like to go with it all.

        Once you've had enough time to develop a real business model to follow, you will be much more confident in making the jump and knowing if it really is the direction you want to go in.

        Let's say you were to be an Engineer the rest of your life, working for someone else. Where do you see that taking you when you are 60 or 70 years old?

        Now picture your life as an entreprenuer and you are 60 or 70 - what looks different? What have you accomplished? What is the one thing you are known for with your business that made you your money?

        Take some time for yourself to really do some brainstorming and think or the possiblilities and what you really want.

        But don't make any crazy choices until you have some kind of plan on where you are actually going with things.
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  • Profile picture of the author deannatroupe
    This is my take on this. Go on and finish school. Be building your IM business on the side while you go to school. It may take longer for you to achieve the level of success you want in your IM business, but you can never go wrong when you give yourself options. I'd wait until I had made a substantial amount of money and had some steady clients before I told my parents about becoming an IMer. It will make it easier for them to handle the news when they see that you're actually earning a living at it. Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author freefor15.com
    Just say hey mom and dad I like Internet Marketing it makes money and is fun. This is whats I am going to do. You are a free person with free will never let anyone have an influence that could hinder what you want to do.

    its your life not theres do what you want with it
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  • Profile picture of the author Mutuo
    Hey, you live once. And do not be so afraid of your parents that you cannot tell them what your heart really desires. What if you pass up this chance and live to regret it everyday? Youre suffering from fear - fear is being scared of something that may not happen. You are channeling a lot of energy into thinking about something that may not happen.

    On the other hand, its great to see that you have so much respect for your parents. Explain it to them, and if they say an outright no, you can wait to be older and the pursue your dream. Meantime, finish your degree - that you may never get another chance to do.

    And congratulations by the way, not many 16 year olds are as focussed as you!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kezz
    I've always found with family that the best way is rather than telling them what you are going to do, tell them what you have already done.

    There have been many things that I knew I could achieve, but my family were very skeptical in their responses to me. All this does is dampen your enthusiasm and drive.

    It's a completely different story down the track when you say hey, I just made X amount of money from the internet. Once your family sees proof in the form of $$ you will get their support. After all, they just want to know you will be prosperous.

    I would definitely agree that you should stick at the degree - think of it as something that can be part of your IM career. A huge part of IM is being able to show that you have authority on a subject, and an engineering degree will enable you to sell a whole lot of things you otherwise wouldn't be able to. People will trust you more because of your qualification.

    Even as you study, you will be able to use the fact that you are an engineering student to drive your IM initiatives. Find products that you can promote where your understanding of engineering will help you in ways that other people have no access to.

    If and when you graduate, you'll be able to produce expert information products, and your qualification will have a huge effect on helping you make sales.

    Even before you graduate, your excellent grades mean that perhaps you can already be producing information products for other engineering students, helping them with tips and strategy for effective study.

    The other reason you shouldn't quit your education right away, is that finding your feet in internet marketing can and almost always does take time. Almost everybody tries several different approaches before they find what works well for them.

    Additionally, a big part of IM is being able to have a number of things on the go, so that some can prosper while others don't. There's no reason your engineering degree can't be one of those things.

    If you think about your study not as being separate to your IM career, but as something that can underpin and propel it, then you have the best of both worlds. I would predict that by the end of your degree, you'll be a well educated young man with an IM business that is already thriving, and a high level qualification that will give you an edge over other marketers.

    At that time your parents will have already seen how well you have done with IM, and you will be in a much better position to discuss with them where you should go from there. If you have a couple of hours a day online, that's all you need to get going, even without talking to your parents first.

    I think you can have both, and that your engineering and your IM can combine to make you much more successful than you might be doing either one alone
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  • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
    @Kezz: Thanks for the long reply.

    At that time your parents will have already seen how well you have done with IM, and you will be in a much better position to discuss with them where you should go from there. If you have a couple of hours a day online, that's all you need to get going, even without talking to your parents first.
    That is what I want to clear.
    If I want to be successful in IM,
    I need to provide some information
    (about payments and all) like bank
    account info, credit card etc. And that
    all is with my dad. So, I just can't make
    money till I do not ask for his permission.

    Again, I have no plans to leave education,
    but run IM as a side-job. But, again, I have
    to have the permission of my dad
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    • Profile picture of the author Kezz
      Originally Posted by K Goel View Post

      That is what I want to clear.
      If I want to be successful in IM,
      I need to provide some information
      (about payments and all) like bank
      account info, credit card etc. And that
      all is with my dad. So, I just can't make
      money till I do not ask for his permission.

      Again, I have no plans to leave education,
      but run IM as a side-job. But, again, I have
      to have the permission of my dad
      Ahhh right, now I understand. In that case I have a suggestion for you. No matter what program you use to promote, it will take some time before you amass enough commissions and income to be able to withdraw it into a bank account. Take Clickbank for example. By the time you meet the requirements you withdraw your earnings, you will probably have made at least a few hundred dollars. Or Adsense as another example - you would need to make around $100 - $150 depending on your local requirements. Amazon is also around the same mark.

      Before you reach the payment threshold with these programs you won't need to provide any account details. Why don't you work privately to get your earnings up to the threshold first?

      Then you can say, "Hey Dad, I have been testing some marketing strategies as a commission based salesman via the internet. I thought it would be a good part time job for me while I study, and my marketing strategies have worked! I have earned $500 in payment, and now all I need to do is provide details for where the check can be sent, and which account my commission payments can be deposited into. Would you help me to receive my commission payments for my sales work so far please?"

      When you explain to him what you have been doing, leave out all the online lingo. Use terms from everyday life that he will understand and respect. A person may not understand or respect the title "Affiliate marketer", but they may have a very different feeling about "Commission salesman". Top level commission salespeople are amongst the best paid people in all industry.

      I'm sure your Dad would be aware of that, and if you can explain to him that this is what you do (along with the always helpful cash proof) I think it might help him to see the benefit it can bring you. If he understands that you have commissions owing to you, just as any face to face salesman would receive, it may also help to alleviate any fear he has that you are being caught up in some MLM or pyramid type scam.

      No matter how you approach it, dollars speak to anybody, especially parents. It's all theory until you can show them cold hard cash, and then almost always they will change their tune.

      So that's my suggestion. Get yourself a Clickbank, Amazon and Adsense account and work until you have reached the payout requirements on all three. That should be around $400 - $500, which should certainly help grease the wheels with getting your Dad's help & permission on accounts and checks.

      Make sure to report back and let us know what happens for you!
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      • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
        The $500 I talked about
        in the first post, I earned that
        privately and then told my dad
        to give me the payment details.
        But, soon after I got the "green" in
        the bank, he called me up to say
        "Congrats" and never asked me to
        earn more from the internet.

        I always wanted to use Adsense on my
        blogs, but I wondered that they require
        all the tax and payment info before-hand.

        Thanks for the motivation,.

        Originally Posted by Kezz View Post

        Then you can say, "Hey Dad, I have been testing some marketing strategies as a commission based salesman via the internet. I thought it would be a good part time job for me while I study, and my marketing strategies have worked! I have earned $500 in payment, and now all I need to do is provide details for where the check can be sent, and which account my commission payments can be deposited into. Would you help me to receive my commission payments for my sales work so far please?"
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          Adsense requires you to be 18 yrs of age and if caught breaking the rules you will lose your ability to use adsense.

          The limit is there to protect the provider as someone under 18 can not legally create a contract in the US. I think 18 is the age of majority in India, too, isn't it?

          Only you can talk to your parents. You began by being less than honest with them about money you made online so that isn't a good start. If you can work online and also finish your education they may be more supportive than you expect.

          But now, I see that IM'ming is 'cool'.
          I want to be an IMer.
          That is not a good reason to choose a career in my opinion. You could start part-time in IM and by the time you have completed your schooling you could have a choice of careers and be old enough to make decisions for yourself.

          kay
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    Banned
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  • Profile picture of the author J Bold
    Sounds like you are asking how to tell your parents you want to have a sex change or something, ha ha. Please note, I am just joking, so please take that in a very light manner.

    But, anyway, dude, it's all about results. If you can start consistently making $1000/month, $2000/month, $3000/month and onwards and upwards, then you can prove to your parents that this is a good thing to do. I would tell them about it, but say that it's something you really feel strongly about, and tell them about the money you already made. However, you need to make a concession to them. You need to say that you will finish high school. Then, tell them if you are not making $2000/month or $5000/month or whatever amount you decided, by the time you finish high school, you will go to engineering school.

    Also, this is just my personal advice, but I think you should get a college degree at the same time while doing IM. Now, some would disagree and I can see their points, but it's a good accomplishment to have. Now, it may not be worth as much if you are making $1 million a year with IM and it would seem a waste of time and money to go to college, but it's always good to have options and skills in abundance. Also, I just think the experience of going to college is something everyone should go through. It's your last chance to be young and experience a social atmosphere that will never really find again. Can't say enough about going to college, but it's just my personal preference.
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  • Profile picture of the author Emily Meeks
    I am not much older than you, but I do envy you.

    For starters, you have the road paved for a great education. Engineering opens up a lot of opportunities for you - and if you get really good with computer stuff, that may tremendously enhance IM abilities (i.e. webmastering, graphics or if you get into programming, really good scripts sell for a lot of money). I was always told that "school is important", but I never had any kind of stable education (switching from public school to homeschool, not having a structured homeschool environment, etc.) nor any real guidance about college. Even though I know exactly what I want to study, I'm still figuring out everything by myself.

    Secondly, you have the chance to not only advance a formal career, but there is NO pressure (i.e. even if you don't make a Clickbank check, you still get to eat). So long as you keep up your grades, nobody will question you if you say you spend time on forums (and you won't exactly be lying, either >). The less stress, the better - you won't feel frazzled if you see ($0.00) in your account or give up easily after the first day you try something.

    I'm not sure about the laws in India, but here in the US you have to be 18 to have a credit card. This is actually a good thing for you, because you won't be able to buy into all the shiny sales copy that's littered in the IM market (and chances are, you won't think twice about 98% of it). You can get started learning from free WSOs, and implementing free methods (Youtube, Facebook, etc.)

    I think you need to figure out a balance. Figure out a business model that is either free or very low-cost, work out a blueprint and stick to it. Don't spend any more than 2-3 hours a day on it - school must come first. Your education will help you out later on in future, even if it doesn't seem like it. Later, when you are really successful, you can replace engineering with full-time IM - and will have done it in the most stress-free way possible.
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  • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
    ^^Oh my God! I have to wait
    for another 2 years. So, sad.
    I will probably get Adsense out
    of my list!
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Byrde
    Like this ...

    Mum, Dad: You have no idea what this means and if I try to explain it, you will only become more confused, but I have decided to become an Internet Marketer.

    My first website will be www . yoursite . com and you can go there right away and sign-up for a free explanation of what Internet Marketing is about. After you sign-up, you will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to make gazillions of loot by purchasing a downloadable ebook.
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  • Profile picture of the author theemperor
    I don't see the shame in earning money on the internet, but we all know what parents can be like in imposing their opinions and insecurities onto their children.

    The advice I like best here is to go and do what you want, as long as it is legal, however it is wise to have a backup plan such as a degree if you can, and then as you do IM keep a CV or Resume up to date so if you need to get a job you know you have a good set of sellable skills.

    Then you can have IM success, but a JOB to fall back on if things get tough.
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  • Profile picture of the author mrshades
    I may not have much say as of yet but i had the same problem.... i think you should see where IMing takes you. i started at 16 failed for years while in school and working... then in my mind finally made it... i lost more then i made early on so your way ahead of me at that age.... but my parents supported me most the time....... i would have to agree with everyone here though i went to college and got my degree... just in case... but it was never needed... i was told i would fail by many but just work hard and you can do it .
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  • Profile picture of the author Karan Goel
    ^^Thanks for the link..I will try it
    out just now!
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