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Here's how NOT to be embarassed by what you do

by J R Salem
49 replies
This is something I used to pay a lot of attention to, but noticed it more on the forums in the outside world recently.

People who want to pursue IM Full-Time have enough to worry about as far as info overload, making $$, learning methods, etc.

But there is unneeded stress brought on by the "what will people think" mentality.

People seem to think they will be frowned upon, or made fun of and not accepted by their peers if they do IM.

Well if you do this stuff right, you'll make more money than your peers. There is no need to be embarassed by what you do or worry what people will think.

These little bullet points are how to make sure you won't be embarassed by the business you run:

*Don't cheat people or anything else. Run a legitimate business.

*Don't lie about what you do. Don't make up a story for a salesletter for the heck of it.

*Focus on methods that will bring you long term revenue, success, and ultimately happiness.

And the most important is to make sure you know how to explain to people "what you do" when they ask.

If you create eCovers and Minisites: "I'm a Web Designer."

If you do SEO: "I help small businesses get to the top spot in google by understanding the equations used in search engines."

If you sell affiliate products: "I develop marketing strategies for companies selling their products and get paid based on the volume I bring to their bottom line."

If you write: "I freelance write for a number of different industries. This includes articles, eBooks, and anything in between."

You get the point. You don't have to say: "I make landing pages and try and sell weight loss products."

If you run your business the right way, there is NOTHING to be embarassed about...
#embarassed
  • Profile picture of the author Donald77
    Originally Posted by Jeremy S View Post

    But there is unneeded stress brought on by the "what will people think" mentality.

    People seem to think they will be frowned upon, or made fun of and not accepted by their peers if they do IM.
    I think this is something we shouldn't be concerned of at all.
    Doing IM is a legitimate work, of course it is a "new" kind of work so is not easy to explain..
    Probably fifthy years ago it wasn't easy to talk to your friends about your job as plastic surgeon when breast augmentation was invented, anyway it was a profitable and legitimate job !
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    How about just not giving a crap about what people think? Works for me! The only thing that matters to me is that my family is taken care of and that I love what I do.
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    • Profile picture of the author J R Salem
      Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

      How about just not giving a crap about what people think? Works for me! The only thing that matters to me is that my family is taken care of and that I love what I do.
      If only more people had this mindset.

      But my point is more that if you are proud of what you do, that mindset will become automatic.
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    • Profile picture of the author renhoek
      Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

      How about just not giving a crap about what people think? Works for me! The only thing that matters to me is that my family is taken care of and that I love what I do.

      I agree with this completely. My issue is that as I struggle to make the <$50 monthly and I don't have job it makes it hard when people ask what I do. I've been banging away it it for 2 years and only recently have I started to make any money as an affiliate. It will get better but my family thinks I ridiculous. So until I can either make it in IM or find a job I chip away at the mountain. Eventually it will click, I'm getting better cause I'm not where I was 2 years ago.
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    • Profile picture of the author ejb2059
      Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose View Post

      How about just not giving a crap about what people think? Works for me! The only thing that matters to me is that my family is taken care of and that I love what I do.
      Could not have said it better myself LOL

      There will always be "Debbie Downers" out there telling you what can't be done & usually, they are the biggest losers on the planet!

      Life is short .. follow, and sieze your dreams before someone else does!

      Rev
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  • Profile picture of the author J Bold
    Ya the last words for what you do that you should use are "internet marketer" because that's just too broad and I think it puts up red flags in people's minds.

    but like E. Brian Rose said, who cares? I don't think it really matters, too much. But you are right, as people we don't want to be looked at weird so there's got to be a good way to put what you do in the right words.

    I think I can just say I am a marketing consultant and that might work as well. Or, I'm a content writer for online companies. Or I am a book publisher because I publish a few books on kindle, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrick Batty
    Personally, I just make "do the right thing" my motto, and I stick to it.

    I write honest material, create honest videos... and don't overhype. I sell, but don't oversell.

    That way, I have nothing to be embarrassed about.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I've never been embarrassed by what I do. Why would I? I've never given a crap what people think to start with. I don't need their approval.
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  • Profile picture of the author jan roos
    I don't really give a crap either but found it easier to just say I build websites and leave it at that. Myvwife still sometimes try and tell people exactly what I do and it confuses the hell out of them.

    Cheers
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    • Profile picture of the author J R Salem
      Originally Posted by jan roos View Post

      I don't really give a crap either but found it easier to just say I build websites and leave it at that. Myvwife still sometimes try and tell people exactly what I do and it confuses the hell out of them.

      Cheers
      Jan, thanks for the feedback.

      I want to be clear that I'm not implying you should "give a crap," I'm just stating that people tend to be embarassed when the nature of their business is unscrupulous.

      I've noticed posts on the forum like "what do you tell people you do" and "how do you explain your business?"

      I think the Internet has given us so much ability and opportunity to expand our horizons. But in order to truly be proud of what you do, you should follow simple guidelines to run a legitimate practice.

      This way you are never in an uncomfortable position.

      This is also true in life. Never lie, cheat, steal, etc.

      For instance, you have a big following from your Amazon work. That is something to be proud of.

      But what if you were instead selling a "Push a red button and watch 20k fall from the sky!!!"

      Since your amazon stuff is legit, you can be proud to talk about your business, while someone else may not.

      In the end, I agree with everyone that says you "shouldn't give a crap." But I believe it takes honesty and integrity in your business to achieve that mindset.
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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Jeremy S View Post

        I want to be clear that I'm not implying you should "give a crap," I'm just stating that people tend to be embarassed when the nature of their business is unscrupulous.
        People should be embarrassed if their business in unscrupulous. Mine isn't.
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  • Profile picture of the author sfmmentor
    i simply say i work from home and i have about 4 holidays a year.......they love that one!!!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe Benjamin
    Some of you are "missing the point".

    You're speaking from the mindset of someone who is
    comfortable with what they do.

    ...maybe you made a little money (or a lot) over the
    years or last few months.

    ...maybe you've achieved a certain amount of succ-
    ess that would make your grandma proud.

    ...or maybe you've had NO financial success but be-
    lieve in what you do so strongly no one can tell you
    otherwise.

    This thread is directed at those who want a hand in
    knowing what to say in that situation UNTIL they get
    to the point where they "don't give a $hit".

    I find it hard to believe MOST of you claiming to NOT
    care felt this way when you FIRST started.

    In fact...

    I'm willing to bet each one of you who said, "I don't
    care WHAT they think" hardly felt this confident of
    yourself when you started.

    Try to take yourself BACK to how YOU answered the
    question as it came up at parties, mixers, and what
    worked for you UNTIL you stopped giving a damn.

    For ME...

    I often gave a long-winded response that dragged on
    for like 2 minutes trying to explain what I did...and it
    still didn't make sense to people.

    Rule #1: Keep it LESS than 30 words.

    Peoples attention span are VERY low. Most time when
    people ask that question it's out of COURTESY...

    not curiosity.

    Rule #2: I started using terms like "entrepreneur" and
    "sales and marketing" to describe what I do because
    those are words familiar with almost anyone...

    I would also throw in...

    "I market, sell, and promote information products to
    people online who want to learn how to play the piano,
    lose weight, make money, or even learn how to get a
    better golf swing...this is MY way of serving others &
    I'm paid VERY well to do it".

    That's pretty much what I say now and it ALWAYS
    works...for me.

    HOW you deliver it is based on YOUR confidence in what
    your saying.

    For example: Most people feel negatively about people
    who sell...but generally respect entrepreneurs who HELP
    others (not sell drugs or illegal stuff) to make money...

    in most cases, they'll ask you to "keep going..."

    It's not so much the words you say, but the person be-
    hind it who says it.

    So, that's what I do.
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    • Profile picture of the author renhoek
      I usually say I build websites and work with video - that still gets a blank "ohhhhh..."
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by WhoIsBenjamin View Post

      This thread is directed at those who want a hand in knowing what to say in that situation UNTIL they get
      to the point where they "don't give a ".

      I find it hard to believe MOST of you claiming to NOT
      care felt this way when you FIRST started.

      In fact...

      I'm willing to bet each one of you who said, "I don't
      care WHAT they think" hardly felt this confident of
      yourself when you started.
      Not true. I've never given a crap about what people think of anything that I do. I tell people I work for myself, I build websites, sell domains, do graphic design, etc. Nothing to be ashamed of there, but I have never lived my life looking for people's acceptance. Either they accept or they don't and that helps to separate the wheat from the chaff.
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Originally Posted by WhoIsBenjamin View Post

      I find it hard to believe MOST of you claiming to NOT
      care felt this way when you FIRST started.
      I find it hard to believe that anyone wanting to start a business even gives a passing thought to what they're going to tell folks at parties - much less get stressed about it. Seems to me that the only people who really care about job descriptions are those with, um, jobs.

      I'm willing to bet each one of you who said, "I don't
      care WHAT they think" hardly felt this confident of
      yourself when you started.
      I think you'd lose your bet. It's my experience that in the vast majority of cases, self confidence is a pre-requisite for success, rather than a by-product of it.


      Frank
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      • Profile picture of the author Joe Benjamin
        Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

        Not true. I've never given a crap about what people think of anything that I do. I tell people I work for myself, I build websites, sell domains, do graphic design, etc. Nothing to be ashamed of there, but I have never lived my life looking for people's acceptance. Either they accept or they don't and that helps to separate the wheat from the chaff.
        Fair Enough. That' why I stressed "most". As in...

        not "everyone".

        Perhaps you went through your entire entrepreneurial
        career "not giving a damn" what others said and never
        once feeling like you wanted to be accepted -- march
        -ing to the beat of your own drum.

        But for MOST people, there are some self-confidence
        problems they need to work through to eventually get
        into a space where they do NOT care.

        I like the fact you grew to be the person you are today
        without ONCE feeling like you wanted to be accepted...

        in "anything" or by "anybody" closest to you.

        A bold statement -- perhaps not far from the truth if
        you are telling the truth.

        Even some of the GREATS in business, music, or other
        fields of work looked for, at SOME point, acceptance in
        what they did before "eventually" not caring either way.

        But you...you figured it out from the day you were born.

        I would have loved to have known that secret starting
        out myself. That's neither here nor there.

        Because you say there's "no shame" in telling people what
        you do...

        for me, there is no shame admitting (for ME) that I was
        NOT the person I've become today and telling anyone who
        wants to know how to get through it for themselves to
        reach the point of "non-caring".

        Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

        I find it hard to believe that anyone wanting to start a business even gives a passing thought to what they're going to tell folks at parties - much less get stressed about it. Seems to me that the only people who really care about job descriptions are those with, um, jobs.

        I think you'd lose your bet. It's my experience that in the vast majority of cases, self confidence is a pre-requisite for success, rather than a by-product of it.


        Frank
        Frank, it's not that "hard to believe".

        It's not about being afraid on WHAT to say at social events
        it's also how to handle those who "challenge" you..

        from both friends and family. Even total strangers who look
        at you totally different because of the choices you make.

        And it may not have anything to do with what you do in and
        of itself...because to a LOT of people being an entrepreneur
        kicks ass and THEY wish THEY had the balls to do it, or...

        to pursue THEIR own dreams.

        So, they'll respond in ways that try to "tear you down" rather
        than encourage you. Like a "test" of your own strength to let
        it roll off your back...or be defeated.

        It really isn't about anticipating what to say BEFORE anything
        happens but what to say, how to respond, and how to handle
        challengers AS they happen. Makes sense?

        Sure, self-confidence is a pre-requisite to success and it's im
        -portant to get over it quickly if you want to get anywhere...

        but for MOST people there is a little bit of doubt that creeps
        in...even just a bit -- when you pursue this business for the
        first time.

        You say the vast majority of cases people who pursue this are
        self-confident, but if you look at a lot of the threads here it's
        usually the LACK of confidence in what they do that bothers
        them most.

        In fact, I've met a lot of entrepreneurs in my time and virtually
        all of them (if you ask them straight-forward) will tell you, " I
        didn't know WHAT I was doing, and sometimes I doubted rather
        or not this or that would work out for me...especially when my
        own wife/husband thought I was losing it..."

        Not ALL of them, but a lot OF them -- because not everyone
        were BORN and raised to be entrepreneurs. Some had a half-
        and-half background, some had 9 to 5 jobs for a majority of
        their lives.

        So...no debate here. Just difference experiences. And that's ok.
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    • Profile picture of the author BIG Mike
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      • Profile picture of the author thehypnoguy
        Its really a matter of developing a belief system within yourself. If you believe it others will too and that applies to anything you pursue.

        Martin
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      • Profile picture of the author sylviad
        Originally Posted by BIG Mike View Post

        ...
        I think a better question would be, why tolerate having people around you who know you and would still think of you that way? Why put up with people who, rather than be supportive of your goals, treat what you want to do negatively? You might need to re-evaluate some of these relationships
        This is true in all areas of your life. Snuff out the negative elements and attract only the positive ones. Negative people can only put you down and destroy your confidence. Who needs them?

        I was raised in a negative home - constantly being fed negative feedback. If you have negative people feeding you a constant menu of negative comments and put-downs, you will feel the brunt. Believe me.

        Conversely, you don't want people who will be your own personal "yes men (and women)". If someone asks me if I like their painting, new dress, or anything else, I'll tell them the truth (with a dab of sensitivity to their feelings, of course). They asked my opinion and I hope they'll want an honest answer, with positive suggestions on how it could be better or on the positive aspects of it.

        Being quizzed on my decisions, however, is not acceptable to me. It's my decision and I don't particularly like people trying to give me their idea of what they think is best for me. The only input I would want is if they see a problem that I had not foreseen that can have an impact on that decision.

        Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    I just tell people I'm a drug dealer. That seems to end all questions at that point.

    RoD
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    • Profile picture of the author ejb2059
      Originally Posted by Rod Cortez View Post

      I just tell people I'm a drug dealer. That seems to end all questions at that point.

      RoD
      Awesome Rod .... LOL

      Rev
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      • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
        Originally Posted by ejb2059 View Post

        Awesome Rod .... LOL

        Rev
        Telling people you're a hitman or an assassin works well too.

        RoD
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        • Profile picture of the author sylviad
          Hm. That IS interesting. Anyone I've told about what I do take an interest. They want to know more. Of course, the immediate segue is to answer their questions and how I can help them get started. It happened just yesterday, as a matter of fact. Someone was fretting over not getting child support and struggling to make ends meet, even though she gets paid quite well from her offline business. The problem is that it's not very profitable in winter.

          When I told her what I do, I added that it's something she can do to make money in winter. Suddenly, she was excited about the prospect of making money online as I explained it.

          So at least in my experience, being embarrassed or looked at funny is a non-issue.

          As MYOB says... whose business is it anyway? If you're that worried about what people think, then you must be suffering from some sort of self esteem issues. Personally, I gave up caring what people think 30 years ago and I've felt great because of it.

          Worrying about it is so pointless, especially when the only way to escape it is to quit what you're doing. Talk about peer pressure. No one should be that influenced by peer pressure that they give up their dreams.

          I can't begin to imagine how my life would have turned out had I paid attention to the weird looks I got when I decided to quit a perfectly good job to publish my own travel guide. It brought me SOOOO much fun and satisfaction!

          Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author limestone614
    My family thinks I am mad. Despite the fact that i've been Internet Marketing full time for 3 years. (and do OK)

    It is only because they cannot see how it all clicks together.

    Perhaps it's the time I get up in the afternoon, sorry, morning. lol ;-)
    Perhaps it's the lack of need to drive to work.
    Perhaps it's the ability to stop and have a drink or a walk whenever I choose...

    We internet marketers have it tough.

    I ask the boss in the mirror what I have to do today and all I ever hear is Google.
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    • Profile picture of the author SB274
      Yeah I hear ya... I swear I've explained to my family at least 10 times what I do, but it just never sinks in.:rolleyes:

      Originally Posted by limestone614 View Post

      My family thinks I am mad. Despite the fact that i've been Internet Marketing full time for 3 years. (and do OK)

      It is only because they cannot see how it all clicks together.

      Perhaps it's the time I get up in the afternoon, sorry, morning. lol ;-)
      Perhaps it's the lack of need to drive to work.
      Perhaps it's the ability to stop and have a drink or a walk whenever I choose...

      We internet marketers have it tough.

      I ask the boss in the mirror what I have to do today and all I ever hear is Google.
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  • Profile picture of the author Debra Barrow
    I'm not embarrassed by what I do. I usually tell people "I work online". Then when they ask me what that involves, my response is that I sell products from the websites I build. They tend to zero in on the websites and begin asking me if I can build one for them.

    I say I work online to simplify what it is, because explaining it can sometimes get too technical; unless you're talking to another IM.
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    • Profile picture of the author laurie390
      There was a discussion about this very thing in another group I'm in. I know we have all gotten the "blank stares" when someone asks us what we do. And sometimes I feel like people think I'm not really working:-) Boy do I work!

      I think sometimes we need to be more confident in what we do, and I love the examples you have given. I think it's a great idea to have an "elevator" speech ready when asked what we do. And we should try to do it in terms that others will be able to somewhat understand.
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    • Profile picture of the author doorkicker13
      OR you can get new friends that don't judge you based on your line of work. Most of my friends are pretty liberal and don't support the wars, but not a single one of them had a problem with me during my five years in the Army. That's why they are my friends - because they accept me how I am.
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  • Profile picture of the author J R Salem
    I think some people took the intent of my post the wrong way.

    This is meant for all the people who post on the forums asking questions about "explaining their occupation" or "does your wife get mad you do IM?"

    I AGREE........There is nothing to be embarassed about..........AS LONG AS YOU RUN A LEGIT BUSINESS.

    And the argument of "get new friends who dont judge you" doesnt fly in this scenario. If all your friends just nod and smile at everything you do, you may want to get some "no" people in your life.

    Family and friends are SUPPOSED to question you about things if it concerns them.

    So if I tell my best friend: "I do Internet Marketing" and he goes "Is that lucrative for you? Just seems maybe with your family situation a 9-5 with benefits might be a better fit."

    I don't say, "How dare you judge me?!? Excuse me while I go find new friends!"

    Instead I say..."Man I appreciate you always looking out for me, but check this stuff out."

    **Sits down at computer**

    "This is one of my websites. I actually over SEO Services to small businesses. What that means is they pay me a monthly retainer fee to help get them close to page 1 of google for certain search terms."

    Friend: "Hmm..wow, I didnt know companies paid for that stuff."

    You: "Yeah, and here's another site where I promote an eBook I wrote on Persuasive Writing for Copywriters."

    Friend: "wow man, I always thought internet marketing was sending out a bunch of random emails promoting weight loss products."

    You: "Yeah some people do that stuff, but I am building a business."

    **end of convo**

    Thats all I'm saying.

    So if you are comfortable with your business and your friends and family, THIS ISNT FOR YOU.

    This is for those who post or comment on threads looking for answers to this question.

    Thanks.
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    • Profile picture of the author doorkicker13
      Originally Posted by Jeremy S View Post

      Family and friends are SUPPOSED to question you about things if it concerns them.
      Negative. Friends are supposed to support you. Unless you are hurting yourself or others there is no reason for a friend to question you, period.
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      • Profile picture of the author J R Salem
        Originally Posted by doorkicker13 View Post

        Negative. Friends are supposed to support you. Unless you are hurting yourself or others there is no reason for a friend to question you, period.
        Incorrect. Friends are supposed to look out for your best interests.

        What is likely here, is that some people prefer friends that look out for them and their best interests, whereas some people just prefer friends period as long as they support anything they do and dont question them.

        Nothing wrong with either way I suppose, just a matter of preference.
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        • Profile picture of the author doorkicker13
          Originally Posted by Jeremy S View Post

          Incorrect. Friends are supposed to look out for your best interests.

          What is likely here, is that some people prefer friends that look out for them and their best interests, whereas some people just prefer friends period as long as they support anything they do and dont question them.

          Nothing wrong with either way I suppose, just a matter of preference.
          I understand exactly what you are saying and I don't completely disagree with you. I just feel as though a friend should be supportive no matter what you choose to do - unless of course you are hurting yourself or others in one way or another.

          Then again, I believe the best way to learn is through your mistakes. Even if a friend is doing something I don't agree with I will still be supportive as long as it's not going to hurt anyone or lead them to bankruptcy or something of that nature.
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  • Profile picture of the author tess47
    I have never been embarrassed to tell people what I do; in fact, I'm very proud of it. Why would I be embarrassed when I earn 3 or 4 times what my friends and acquaintances earn right from my home?

    I believe that anyone who is successful online should take tremendous pride in what they do, as there is a lot of work and a certain amount of "know-how" involved that the average person doesn't have a clue about.

    If you knew the truth, most people are drooling and thinking they would give their right arm to do what you do. Be proud!
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  • Profile picture of the author frontiergold
    I think E. Brian Rose has it right. Somewhere I remember a quote that sums it up nicely:

    "What you think of me in none of my business!"

    If you love what you do who cares what others think of you?

    The real issue is that most people never seem to understand what I do
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  • Profile picture of the author Bruce99
    I have done seo for the last few years, and also worked for a short time in a local webfirm. The reason I think that many of the IM people need to be embarrassed is that there is a lot of black hat methods and spam going on. Also I know a lot of the small seo companies lie about how many links they build and the quality of them - if they do any at all they usually farm the job out to third world countries to spam forums like this one.

    If all of the black hat automated techniques and dodgy practices like link rings were stamped out, if there was some governing body that policed this (besides google), then maybe this profession would get the respect that some of us deserve.
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  • Profile picture of the author BeeJay
    I went to a 'meeting' recently at the request of a friend.

    The first speaker comes out and says...

    "I'm a network marketer. Get over it."

    I have to admit, I did pay attention to what he said after that
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Thorsett
      Originally Posted by Ben Sayer View Post

      I went to a 'meeting' recently at the request of a friend.

      The first speaker comes out and says...

      "I'm a network marketer. Get over it."

      I have to admit, I did pay attention to what he said after that
      A fine distinction, but "network marketing" and "internet marketing" are two entirely different things.

      I get your point,though. We are who we are, and we do what we do.
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  • Profile picture of the author helpmePPC
    I don't think it's a matter of embarassment for me as much as it is working from home and the common perception of working from home that it's not considered work to most people.
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  • Profile picture of the author sirtom
    Originally Posted by Jeremy S View Post

    Don't cheat people or anything else. Run a legitimate business.
    Awesome post, man..

    And the bolded part from the quote deserves some attention I think:

    Run a legitimate business.

    I know so many people that aren't embarrassed for doing IM, but for doing IM for so long without any further advancement, progression, or increase in revenue.

    It's become a "oh, it will work out eventually" kind of deal.

    And I think the culprit in most scenarios is NOT treating it like a legitimate business and getting distracted by all the push-button riches hype.

    If they'd revert to the basics, learn the fundamentals, and treat their business like a BUSINESS, then there'd be nothing to be embarrassed about

    -Tom
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  • Profile picture of the author Clara H
    I am certainly not ashamed of what I do, it makes me happy and is a passion of mine.

    But I'm just starting out... and I guess it does feel awkward explaining it to people. When people ask me what I do or what I'm going to do (recently quit my job due to health reasons), I've noticed different reactions depending on what I say. 99% of people who ask me are not friends. They are people I've just met, hairdressers, etc.

    The answer is often sprung on me, and I sometimes say something about working at home and doing Internet Marketing. Awkward looks, quick changes of the subject, haha. But if I say I sell things on eBay (which is what my main Internet income stream use to be), people react completely different, as if that's somehow a more legimate business.

    Anyway, I like the suggestions on here. I create my own products and market them online, products that help people. In a world where asking about your job description is almost as common as asking "How are you?", it's good to have something in mind to say. I'm not at a point yet where I can say I'm very successful and get paid well, and while some people couldn't care less what they tell people, everyone is different and that doesn't make them right or wrong.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alfredo Carrion
    I feel if you try to put your best effort into everything and be honest (instead of another scam artist) then there's no need to be embarassed. It's just the same with a regular bricks and mortar business - you won't be embarassed unless you are honest, trustworthy, and reliable.
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    People seem to think they will be frowned upon, or made fun of and not accepted by their peers if they do IM.
    That's funny, because "super affiliates" and good IMers can pull in more in a single day than what average people make in a couple of months.

    Surely a reason to be "embarrassed".

    Go tell that "9-5 person" you are making $5000/day without moving your ***...i want to see WHO would then be embarrassed.... (because that average person needs to be out the house by 7am and then works FOR OTHER PEOPLE <---)

    In all honesty, it eludes me why you even came up with this thread and even remotely think IM is in any form embarrassing...
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    • Profile picture of the author J R Salem
      Originally Posted by GeorgR. View Post

      That's funny, because "super affiliates" and good IMers can pull in more in a single day than what average people make in a couple of months.

      Surely a reason to be "embarrassed".

      Go tell that "9-5 person" you are making $5000/day without moving your ***...i want to see WHO would then be embarrassed.... (because that average person needs to be out the house by 7am and then works FOR OTHER PEOPLE <---)

      In all honesty, it eludes me why you even came up with this thread and even remotely think IM is in any form embarrassing...
      Yes, unfortunately it also eludes me when people cannot comprehend the meaning of a thread. Perhaps you should stick to threads where you understanding what the topic is about.

      No hard feelings, just a misunderstanding it seems. Have a good day.
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      • Profile picture of the author myob
        I've had an easy solution for many years - MYOB = Mind Your Own Business
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  • Profile picture of the author mnoonan
    I really appreciate this thread! As someone who went from being a big muck-a-muck at at respectable business to unemployed, to taking a job way under my skills, and now working hard full time at IM- my family thinks I've "lost it"! My husband believes in me (especially now that there has been some money coming).

    The hardest thing has been the change in perspective for ME.

    It is hard to come to terms with drastic, desperate and unpredictable changes. My family's skepticism compounds that unsure perspective. I didn't know how to explain it, so I just told them I was starting a business online. I think I'm finally to that point where I'm broke enough and hungry enough to not care as much but I still cringe when I tell people what I do because I worry they think I'm scamming others. I'm developing the mentality that, like selling cars/houses/hotdogs, there are a LOT of great people in the industry that do great and honest work. That's what I'm aspiring to!
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Lazenby
    I always struggle with this, when I meet new people. I've yet to find the line to use which actually gets across what I do without making me sound like a massive geek.
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    YES IT IS STILL POSSIBLE    !
    Not Only That, It's Perfectly Legal & Whitehat!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rose Anderson
    For those who say friends and relatives should never question what you do...you don't know my mother. lol

    I think some people ask out of curiosity and even jealousy. They'd love to work at home and want to know how you do it. But human nature tends to make people see the negative. That way they don't feel as bad about their office job!

    Like Greg, I say "I'm a writer." And since I do have the great American novel started in a drawer somewhere they can think what they want.

    Rose
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  • Profile picture of the author Jake Gray
    If you treat your customers by the Golden Rule, they will
    reward you with gold. Sure there are dishonest businesses
    out there, but you honestly can't tell me you expect them
    to be in business for long. Word of mouth travels fast about
    how you operate things.
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