If You Died Tonight....

36 replies
On one of my latest blog posts, I pose the question:

If you passed away tonight, who would know how to run your internet business?

I pose 10 things to help you save your business... but it is a real question...


If you died tonight....
  • Would your internet business run itself?
  • Would your relatives and/or heirs have the logins to your registrar for your domain renewals?
  • Would your whole business crumble and die around YOU? Have you branded your business correctly to continue in the case of your death?
  • Could your business be sold or would a potential buyer shy away because your site Died with YOU?
Thoughts?
#business protection #died #died tonight #internet #tonight
  • Profile picture of the author Janet Sawyer
    [quote] Brandon Johnson

    If you died tonight....
    • Would your internet business run itself?
    • Would your relatives and/or heirs have the logins to your registrar for your domain renewals?
    • Would your whole business crumble and die around YOU? Have you branded your business correctly to continue in the case of your death?
    • Could your business be sold or would a potential buyer shy away because your site Died with YOU?
    Thoughts?

    My Internet business would run itself until notifications for renewal came through.

    If the beneficiaries didn't realise in time which sites were profitable and which weren't then.... thier loss in real time

    I'd leave logins and instructions - if they didn't follow them - well they'll just have to grieve all over again.

    Would I care?, I'd be dead and therefore whatever is Que Cera! What will be will be. So don't beat yourself up over it whilst living, because if you've gone to the higher place, you won't know anyway.

    Last point - Could your business be sold - NOPE - basically because if you haven't left the right instructions as to its worth - who is going to know the value of it.

    As a marketer on the internet you are only a sole proprietor unless you market your model as Cory did..... then Long may you continue on.

    Just my thoughts.

    Kindest regards,

    Janet
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Lockwood
    Nobody would know how to run it, but it wouldn't matter since nobody would be relying on the income from it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Janet Sawyer
      Originally Posted by Chris Lockwood View Post

      Nobody would know how to run it, but it wouldn't matter since nobody would be relying on the income from it.

      So what's the point in doing it then?

      Just for fun?

      You saying your internet business and time is not an investment for the future for someone other than yourself?

      It might not matter to you Chirs, but to the rest of us it is a thought worth considering.
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    • Profile picture of the author Janet Sawyer
      Originally Posted by Chris Lockwood View Post

      Nobody would know how to run it, but it wouldn't matter since nobody would be relying on the income from it.
      But, what if they were?

      What are your thoughts now Chris?
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      • Profile picture of the author Brandon Johnson
        You are right! Derek Gehl never missed a step. Corey definitely had his business set up correctly.

        I think an internet business is just as good as an offline business. If I own a Dry Cleaners offline, then someone should be able to run it if I left.

        Guess I have a family, so my income is definitely a consideration for next generation.
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  • Profile picture of the author Janet Sawyer
    Actually I'm going to post this as an after thought to Mr Chris Lockwoods comment.

    Corry Rudel - left someone else in charge so his business could continue on to benefit not just Derek Ghall ( I hope I spelt that right ) but his loving wife and his new born son also.

    Did he do it wrong? no, I think not. He did it right, he left instructions, detailed accounts and a good strong right hand man.

    He valued his worth, not just in the present or the past, but in the future too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben_Curtis
    I never thought about someone being able to pick up my little business and continue it, but I do have a notebook of logins and passwords. LOL--They're to keep ME straight! That way, I don't have to commit everything to memory.
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  • Profile picture of the author ArTsYwRiTeR
    I think I will get a successor so that even though I am no longer existing the business still remain
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    • Profile picture of the author Brandon Johnson
      Originally Posted by ArTsYwRiTeR View Post

      I think I will get a successor so that even though I am no longer existing the business still remain
      Good deal! I am doing the same!
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    • Profile picture of the author Ivancho
      Originally Posted by ArTsYwRiTeR View Post

      I think I will get a successor so that even though I am no longer existing the business still remain
      will do the same think
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  • Profile picture of the author valerieSONORA
    If I died tonight I wouldn't care a thing about any online business

    No one knows my passwords or usernames or how to do anything so it would be the end of it. Not that I have a big empire or anything. Maybe I should write instructions and put them in an envelope that says "open in the event of my death"

    But if they can't log in to wordpress like me it won't do much good
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    • Profile picture of the author Kamran
      I guess leaving instructions is the right way to go, better than sharing everything with someone while u r alive
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  • Profile picture of the author budfox
    I have a partner. he does the programing and I do the websites. My "In Case of Death" folder has instructions to send him the domain and hosting account login details so he can take over, and he has the same instructions in place to send me the source codes.
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    Romans 10:13

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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Corey Rudl owned an empire and he had already worked with Gehl for some time.

      So what's the point in doing it then?
      To earn a living! Many of us prefer working online to offline jobs - but we aren't all interested in creating a business in perpetuity. Passing on an online business depends on having either a partner or family member committed to continuing that business and trained to do it.

      I have a notebook where all my info - urls, logins and passwords, paypal and adsense, hosting accounts, affiliate info, recurring payments and memberships, etc are listed.

      I keep that to make it easy for my sons to shut down my business if I'm gone. They have great careers and no interest in working online - so I'll leave all info needed to sell off sites and close down what I've done.

      If you support others with your internet activities - you should have life insurance just as you woudl have if you worked an offline job or profession.

      kay
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  • Profile picture of the author mudmat
    I have not thought of it yet..

    But I do want my business to run on automation and the income to be residual. I would let my girlfriend to run it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina M. Rideout
      The little thumbprint that I have made in my cyberworld will slowly dissolve into the world of the unknown as will I.

      As Kay stated, my daughters both have good careers, and have no interest in my little hobby and my husband has never understood why I do it.

      Tina
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      • Profile picture of the author VegasVince
        To be honest, if I don't die broke....I didn't do too good a job of living.

        My goal in this lifetime isn't just to die broke....it's to die broke and in debt. Cuz I'm going all out at the end of Vinnie's rainbow here. Believe it. No apologies either. Cuz this might be the only trip I have...might as well max it.

        Speaking of "maxing out."

        A little advance warning to American Express and Master Card..... should I find out anytime soon I've got some life threatening disease with 6 months to live...you *******s are in trouble!

        Cuz Vegas Vince is maxin' out every card in every casino and strip club I can hit before crossing over. Believe it. So send the collection letters to where ever the hell you think I might get them.

        I have no kids...none that I'm aware of anyway....and last time I checked...we can't take the money with us. Capiche. So I have no problem makin' it and blowin' it.

        Because my life isn't the cliches they teach in Ben Franklin books....

        Save save save for rainy day...a penny saved is a penny earned etc....which means when you're too damn old to give a shit how "rich you are"...you might decide to buy some new shuffle board equipment or a time share or some friggin' boring ass vacation to some hot tourist location where old people congregate to tell lies and bore each other to death. That's what you wasted a life time saving for????

        Not me. Not ever. That aint living. That's a waste of life.

        I assume once I "shoot snake eyes".....running my business from beyond the grave probably aint gonna be a high priority either.

        Nor is spending a lifetime worried about what others do with what I leave behind. No one left me anything but wisdom when they died...and that was all I needed. I didn't need their money.....I used the knowledge to make my own.

        All you can do for your loved ones is to lead by example... leave them with the premise that their lives are their own. It's their script. Direct the movie accordingly.

        Because that's a hell of a lot more valuable...then the trust fund you leave behind.

        And I aint leavin' one behind anyway. I'll sickle through that too. Funny, when people around you know you aint leavin' them jack....you find the people around you are there because they are real. Not leeches. Not phony *******s, or yes men or gold diggers either. You end up with a circle of people who are there because of mutual respect.

        I see too many people who waste a lifetime worryin' about what they will leave behind to some deadbeat, ******* kid who will blow through their hard earned savings faster then a country boy on prom night. Sad.

        They clip coupons so the loser kid can buy a home after they croak. Sadder. But it very true.

        The kid end up blowing the money on some get rich scheme or some whore in Toledo. Either way...he never buys the house. True. And the parents..god rest their souls....wasted a life on the dead beat. And for what?

        Good kids aint no different. Leave them something or don't. But don't sacrifice your life for the day when you're dead. That's just stupid.

        Give them the tools....in terms of creating their own wealth.

        And then go to the race track and blow some money. It's your life. Live it. You owe NO ONE a thing but your best effort...and your honor. That's it. After that...they're on their own. Life is individual...not a co-op.

        My life is my own. My knowledge is specialized...stuff I picked up from my own hard school of knocks..and various other experiences dealt my way over the years. I'm not sure it can be taught anyway..much less duplicated. So I'm not gonna bother.

        But I can leave behind my philosophy which is rather simple yet powerfull: Life is too short. Life is too long.

        Enjoy the ride. On your own terms. The people you leave behind....should be able to fend for themselves. If not...your turnkey business aint gonna help them much....especially if it's some dumb ass IM business selling $7 ebooks.


        xxx Vegas Vince

        Legend.
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        • Profile picture of the author marcanthony
          I'm with Vegas Vince...

          I'm going out leaving very little behind.

          I have kids but I'm not leaving them one red cent. I will teach them everything that they need to know to succeed in life.

          They don't need me handicapping them by leaving them a money handout.

          There are plenty of charities to donate money to that would benefit from my money than my kids.

          Call it being selfish but everything we do in life is selfish.
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          • Profile picture of the author Brandon Johnson
            Originally Posted by marcanthony View Post

            I have kids but I'm not leaving them one red cent. I will teach them everything that they need to know to succeed in life.

            They don't need me handicapping them by leaving them a money handout.

            There are plenty of charities to donate money to that would benefit from my money than my kids.
            That is not selfish... but without insulting you I reserve what it REALLY is.

            I can see Vegas Vince's points.

            But for you to not give a "HAND UP" to your own Children (instead of a hand out) is a little crazy. Or even if you even have cash to give them, strategically Will it to them in timely chunks?

            PS... I know plenty of mismanaged charities, churches, etc.... Good luck finding a charity besides your kids
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            • Profile picture of the author marcanthony
              Originally Posted by Brandon Johnson View Post

              That is not selfish... but without insulting you I reserve what it REALLY is.

              I can see Vegas Vince's points.

              But for you to not give a "HAND UP" to your own Children (instead of a hand out) is a little crazy. Or even if you even have cash to give them, strategically Will it to them in timely chunks?

              PS... I know plenty of mismanaged charities, churches, etc.... Good luck finding a charity besides your kids
              If I do my job right... they won't need a handout.

              Besides, I place a completely different value on money than you. That may be why you think that such an action is crazy.

              My kids are going to have to learn how to prevent financial disasters. They also need to learn how to be self made in business.

              There aren't any free lunches in life - and I don't want them growing accustomed to hand out's or hand ups.

              Obviously, you would handle your kids differently than me. And, I certainly would not think your methods where crazy. Even if I don't understand them.

              Both of my sons are perpetually showered with love and knowledge from me and my wife. I believe that's much more important than any monetary gain that they receive from me.

              Again, we clearly have a different value system. Money is just metal and paper... humans give it value.

              When my kids get older - I will leave it to them to decide what it's really worth.

              p.s. for the record... I do feel insulted by your opinion
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              • Profile picture of the author Brandon Johnson
                Originally Posted by marcanthony View Post


                Again, we clearly have a different value system. Money is just metal and paper... humans give it value.
                I am sure we are more alike than we are different, as it sounds like you are a great father and husband. Forgive the "connotation" of crazy... but in a decision of leaving that metal and paper to a charity or my seeds, there is no choice for me.

                I too have to teach my kids hard work ethics, but don't think I misalign their efforts by leaving them with a seed to a better place in life. I love your teach them how to fish attitude. I can appreciate that. All I am saying is leave them the fishing pole ... at least. Then the decision of where they fish, what bait they use, how they save fish for bad days, how they teach others to fish will be their best consideration. That, my friend, is neither a handout, nor a hand up.

                Will Smith, Mr. Millionaire himself, makes his kids backup the reason why they need $20 a day. Can he afford to give them $2000 a day? Yes.. But he can TEACH them simultaneous lessons and STILL leave them with enough capitol one day to make the right decisions.

                After all, if we bring our kids up correctly, they should be able to make the right decisions with a Quarter or a Quarter of a Million.

                As for what we value that metal and paper... perhaps that is a difference in our opinions. But in a capitalistic society, where food, shelter, education, and yes, one's outpouring of love can depend on those little pieces of paper... it is an inevitable consideration. You can consider this, without making it your SOLE purpose in life.

                In the Science of Getting Rich by Wattles, he makes a very understandable hypothesis of WHY money and the "Science" of getting it should be one in which we perfect. Perhaps I subscribe a little heavily to his notions... however, he is correct in that money CAN assist us all in better education, better health, better amenities in life.

                Ask a homeless and hungry person how "valuable" that metal is... I have NO doubt that some of the homeless and hungry have been taught by their parents what they should and shouldn't do with money.
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                • Profile picture of the author marcanthony
                  Originally Posted by Brandon Johnson View Post

                  I am sure we are more alike than we are different, as it sounds like you are a great father and husband. Forgive the "connotation" of crazy... but in a decision of leaving that metal and paper to a charity or my seeds, there is no choice for me.

                  I too have to teach my kids hard work ethics, but don't think I misalign their efforts by leaving them with a seed to a better place in life. I love your teach them how to fish attitude. I can appreciate that. All I am saying is leave them the fishing pole ... at least. Then the decision of where they fish, what bait they use, how they save fish for bad days, how they teach others to fish will be their best consideration. That, my friend, is neither a handout, nor a hand up.

                  Will Smith, Mr. Millionaire himself, makes his kids backup the reason why they need $20 a day. Can he afford to give them $2000 a day? Yes.. But he can TEACH them simultaneous lessons and STILL leave them with enough capitol one day to make the right decisions.

                  After all, if we bring our kids up correctly, they should be able to make the right decisions with a Quarter or a Quarter of a Million.

                  As for what we value that metal and paper... perhaps that is a difference in our opinions. But in a capitalistic society, where food, shelter, education, and yes, one's outpouring of love can depend on those little pieces of paper... it is an inevitable consideration. You can consider this, without making it your SOLE purpose in life.

                  In the Science of Getting Rich by Wattles, he makes a very understandable hypothesis of WHY money and the "Science" of getting it should be one in which we perfect. Perhaps I subscribe a little heavily to his notions... however, he is correct in that money CAN assist us all in better education, better health, better amenities in life.

                  Ask a homeless and hungry person how "valuable" that metal is... I have NO doubt that some of the homeless and hungry have been taught by their parents what they should and shouldn't do with money.
                  I hear you...

                  I respect and understand why you and many others would handle this situation differently than myself.

                  See... it's because we live in a capitalistic environment that I choose to be so tough on my kids when it comes to my money and what I leave behind.

                  Of course I will do what I can to help them while I am here. However, I believe that I can offer them enough while I am here so that they don't need or want anything from me that's non-sentimental when I'm gone.

                  I also believe that there will be plenty of reputable charities that support less fortunate people than what I believe my kids will ever be.

                  In fact, I am in the process of building an organization to help single moms that are struggling to take care of their kids alone.

                  As far as homeless people... I think that their situation is unfortunate. I also believe that many of them are just lazy and unwilling to do for themselves. Sure... there are a number of reasons why they are homeless. And I believe that they deserve help.

                  However, I talk to homeless people all the time and many of them are content with begging for handouts for the rest of their lives.

                  Many of them accept their situation whether they lack hope or not. What I've learned is that many of them don't place much value on money either. They are usually more concerned with their health.

                  In my life experiences - I can honestly say that I have seen handouts/hand ups hurt the recipients more than help them.

                  And if the only reason I have to leave my money to my kids is because they are my kids. Well... that's not a good enough reason for me.

                  If I wanted them to walk on crutches - I would break their legs now (this is just silly hyperbole)

                  But hey... now that you and I have shared a moment. I must say that it has been a pleasure meeting and chatting with you in the forum.

                  And, if I happened to die tonight I can always say that I met a cool dude.

                  Take care
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                  • Profile picture of the author Brandon Johnson
                    Good stuff Marc. Likewise, the forum is a great place to share and appreciate others.

                    PS... if you break those legs, the calcification at the point of the break ossifies and can make the bone stronger than before :-) (just a silly LOL moment)

                    Thanks bro,
                    B
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                    • Profile picture of the author KenJ
                      I have booked my place in the orchestra/band in heaven. Keyboards would be my first choice - but guitar is fine too

                      Its no problem and I am ready..

                      But being here on earth is so much fun
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Hunter
    I have a family and I plan to do the best that I can to provide them with the means, both financially and morally, to be able to continue living abundantly long after I'm gone.

    To me, it's about leaving a legacy. Perhaps if I wasn't a married man with 3 beautiful children, I'd view it all a bit differently, but I don't. I enjoy the fact that I'm not a single guy and that I'm constantly surrounded by people that love me and people that I love.

    To me, it's not about going out with the most toys or having done the most things. When my life ends, I want my name to be as good in death as it has been in life. I want my family to be proud to have had me in their lives. I want there to be great memories shared by all of my loved ones when I'm gone.

    I've actually been giving this issue some thought during the last several months. I'm not actually partnered with anyone with all of my online activities and haven't yet taken the time (or made the time) to update my wife about everything. I have a lot of people and places online that would need to know about my death, should that occur.

    Good food for thought!
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  • Profile picture of the author DougBarger
    If I died tonight, my six year old daughter Jaleigh is who I'd want to have
    any assets and to own the company.

    She is my reason why and if you ever saw her laugh, you'd know why it's
    just because.
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    => Stay tuned...

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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Brock
    I may be young but you scared me with this post.

    I haven't yet given anyone else (not even family) any business login or account details because I never even considered this.

    I've now just made sure to write everything down on a piece of paper, photocopied it, and handed it to all of my family members.
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    AWOL

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  • Profile picture of the author David Hooper
    I know a few people who have made videos of common tasks, just in case something happens to them.

    Personally, I'm single, so I don't worry about it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brandon Johnson
    Good thread guys. I guess we Beat This "Dead" horse! LOL
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  • Profile picture of the author Bob Monie
    I think my family would see a slowly decreasing income over the first 12 months until domain and hosting rego ran out. No way any of my family would be able to keep my biz running, to complex.

    Its not like im going to be pissed off about it since im dead but maybe il leave them instructions in my will to come to warrior forum and see the light.
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  • Profile picture of the author dsmpublishing
    my husband runs it with me so its not to be for me. but if we both died nobody else would have a clue what to do or understand the concepts of IM. its tough enough going out for dinner with people and explaining what you do without geting into the full details with them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Charann Miller
    Wow, food for thought. I guess my articles would keep generating traffic to my affiliate pages but if a vendor went belly up that income would dry up. No my family wouldn't have the first clue about renewing web domains. I have been trying to teach them but all I get is the deer stuck in the headlights expression.
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  • Profile picture of the author Graham Maddison
    Hopefully I won't but I feel like I might.....I have man flue and feeling like I do at the moment.......i don't care less what would happen lol

    Graham
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  • Profile picture of the author Kelvin Brown
    I may have missed it but the one thing I see missing here is the thought of customers who depend us. And if one of our businesses failed, what happens to that customer.


    Typically, they will send emails, trouble tickets, calls, etc. All going unanswered. Do we, should we consider them?

    If you offer hosting, and suddenly you are no longer around. Your clients hosting will like go down with-in 30 to 90 days. The customer only knows they are still sending their monthly payments. Suddenly, they can't reach their site. They don't have a current backup, or worse no backup at all, especially mysql database. Now, their business fails or hits a major speed bump, even though they did every thing right.

    FACT: We touch the lives of others when we provide services, no matter how small we may think that service is. It may be major to our clients.

    OPINION: We (I) should give more thought at the very least of how to communicate to the customer, whom to contact. As an example, I have person, that just happens to know internet marketing and could at the very least flip a few sites, contact my major providers, such as whom, I lease servers from, letting them know to contact my clients so they can obsurb them. Or put a note in admin or force a link on homepages to let them know something.


    Again, it's just my opinion, but just maybe, instead of writing it off because of death, we do have a responsibility to the lives we touch.


    As a side note: Doing business online, is still business, and should be treated as such.

    Kelvin
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    Kelvin Brown

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    • Profile picture of the author Brandon Johnson
      I think this is a great point. Many people seem content that their ebook business would die with them. However, you work hard to build a list and I believe, if you are any good in business that people come to rely on your blog opinion or service!

      Great point KB. I think many people demerit and devalue an online business.

      Originally Posted by Kelvin Brown View Post

      I may have missed it but the one thing I see missing here is the thought of customers who depend us. And if one of our businesses failed, what happens to that customer.

      .......

      As a side note: Doing business online, is still business, and should be treated as such.

      Kelvin
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  • Profile picture of the author Muhammad Jalloh
    If I die tonight, my business is gone with me. My parents are more comfortable working with "real" people than their "virtual" renderings.

    My siblings all have clear-cut careers of their own that they are very passionate about, so they may probably not be as passionate with running my IM business as I am.

    But If I am to die some years from now...

    I would have already built my business to a multi-million dollar one worthy of my family's gracious attention.

    I would have written detailed information of the most intricate details of running my business from A-Z.

    And I would have dragged my siblings into it one way or the other even if it is just for the sake of them knowing when, where and how the cash rolls in and how to outsource the operation to keep the cash register crackling.

    Or maybe just maybe...the wind of the day will blow on the business.

    Just maybe...

    ~Muhammad
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