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Question About Misinformed Family

by 1000
17 replies
Hello,

I have recently graduated with a degree in Political Science from Dartmouth and instead of going out and looking for a job as my mother and father want me to do; I really would like to pursue internet marketing.

I am starting with AdSense, and made my first blog a few months ago and it is now making about $1.50 per day. I was really excited about this and when I informed my parents my father told me (I'm paraphrasing): "Cut the crap, that is not going to support jack s*** get a real job that will support you long-term."

Furthermore, my second blog is earning around $16 per day which is over $450 per month. My Dad said, "B.S. I don't believe people pay you anything at that site, just a page full of words." I then informed him, Google payed me, and he laughed and said, "That is an out and out lie, Google is the king of the internet, are you telling me your able to get visitors that Google can't get for themselves?"

I try to explain it but he doesn't get it. Also, my whole family thinks I'm doing something illegal online. I have no clue how they developed this notion.

Any tips on trying to explain this whole thing to people that don't know about the internet?

I'm stuck...
#family #misinformed #question
  • Profile picture of the author chetansoni
    Banned
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Unless you're the type that keeps beating your head against a wall because it feels so good when you stop, I wouldn't try to convince anyone whose mind is already made up.

      Unless you are ready and willing to make a break with your family, your best bet may be to go underground until you have enough coming in to make your case.

      About the Adsense explanation...

      I can see how someone in your father's position might arrive at the conclusion he did. If you want to be technical about it, yes, Google paid you.

      More accurately, though, the advertisers whose ads appeared on your site paid you through the Adsense revenue share. It isn't about Google not being able to get customers, it's about the advertisers reaching customers they may not have been able to reach for themselves.

      It's just like any other advertising medium from TV and radio to newspapers and magazines. Businesses buy ad space to present their case to readers/viewers. Google, in this case, is simply serving as the middleman, matching advertisers and publishers while taking a cut for themselves.
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      • Profile picture of the author Lonnie_Robinson
        Hey "1000".

        Congratulations and Great Job on taking the plunge into the world of internet marketing and owning your own business.

        While it is very disappointing when your family and friends don't support your decisions, don't let it get the best of you.

        Generally speaking, when people don't understand something, they are totally against it. There's nothing you can do to change their state of mind.

        My advice to you is to keep focusing on your goals. Spend time testing and tweaking your business. It is a good idea to connect with people that understand your business and all that you are trying to accomplish (i.e. here at the warrior forum) and as you begin to define your niche, business model, etc., I advise you to look for business coaches who can advise you on how to evolve your business.

        In time, the people who had doubts about your decisions, will come around and if not, that's okay too.

        I would not even discuss "the business" with them anymore. Just let your success and the money you make speak for you .

        Good luck and Godspeed on your journey.

        Lonnie Robinson
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  • Profile picture of the author pheonixrises
    First of all, congrats!

    I also took Poli Sci in school and came up against some strong resistance from my family about why I wasn't aggressively pursuing more education or a strong career. They had a variety of different reasons for why I was wasting my time, so like was suggested I chose to just continue on without making them think it was anything other than a fad hobby. They mostly left me alone when they didn't think I was making a "career" out of it.

    Here's the funny part: now that the economy has made my parents rethink some of their choices and they have seen some more of what I'm doing and the results I'm getting, they've started asking me how they can dabble in this stuff!

    Just do your own thing as much as possible and don't waste too much time trying to explain yourself to people who have already made up their minds - good luck!!
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  • Profile picture of the author greenowl123
    If somebody thinks they already know all the answers (your Dad for example) then the only thing that will convince them that what you are doing will earn money, is after they see you making more money than they are.

    Until then, keep working, do not share your plans or goals with people who do not support you or understand what you are doing, and never give up !

    Eventually they will eat their words.

    Good luck !
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  • Profile picture of the author WebPen
    Well to be honest, I agree with both you and your father

    IM can take a while to learn, so until you're making consistent money you probably should try to get a "normal" job

    If you don't and you rely on parents to take care of you, they will probably get more and more frustrated with you.

    At the same time- keep doing IM and building up that income. Chances are you will always have people who don't understand- my wife is still convinced that all IM stuff is shady and scammy!

    But yeah to be honest- if my kid graduated from college and was now sitting at home saying that he was making $1.50 per day drawing anime or something else I didn't understand, I'd get frustrated with them too...
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    • Profile picture of the author Buildingfutures
      Originally Posted by Justin Stowe View Post

      At the same time- keep doing IM and building up that income. Chances are you will always have people who don't understand- my wife is still convinced that all IM stuff is shady and scammy!

      But yeah to be honest- if my kid graduated from college and was now sitting at home saying that he was making $1.50 per day drawing anime or something else I didn't understand, I'd get frustrated with them too...
      YOU NEVER UNDERSTAND ME, DAD! *sob sob sob*
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      • Profile picture of the author WebPen
        Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

        YOU NEVER UNDERSTAND ME, DAD! *sob sob sob*
        Alright that's it Sean- I understand that you like these stupid beanie baby things, but you are NOT going to get rich by collecting them and selling them on "e clay" or whatever that site is called.

        Its time for you to get a real job where you chat on instant messager all day, watch Facebook, and play solitaire!
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        • Profile picture of the author Buildingfutures
          Originally Posted by Justin Stowe View Post

          Alright that's it Sean- I understand that you like these stupid beanie baby things, but you are NOT going to get rich by collecting them and selling them on "e clay" or whatever that site is called.

          Its time for you to get a real job where you chat on instant messager all day, watch Facebook, and play solitaire!

          YOU RUINED MY LIFE! Now I'll never get that Russian Bride that the internet says I deserve. I hope you're happy!
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        If you went to Dartmouth you either have a load of student debt or a family willing to invest in your future.

        Their skepticism is not abnormal and is founded in wanting you to have a good future. You can't argue with that. It doesn't have to be "either/or". You can build up an online business while you pursue other interests or work. It takes time to build to a self-supporting income and you need more than only adsense although that's a great place to start.

        Be patient and don't try to justify what you are doing as it won't help. Keep marketing efforts quiet and when you are earning a good, STABLE living online you're family will be OK with it. You can't argue people into believing you - but you can show them what you can do in the future.

        Another point to consider is it's likely your parents are still supporting you at this time. Maybe they are concerned they'll have to do that forever
        You could spend some time looking for a job in your field - chances are there's not much to find but it may calm parental anxiety if they feel you are trying.

        kay
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  • Profile picture of the author Buildingfutures
    I dealt with it for years man, YEARS, before my income was doing well and I was making money regularly. That's since faltered, but I'm working up my business again. College and moving when you've got a freelance/consultant deal as an income really puts a damper on things.

    I'm working on getting myself to a "passive" income of $2k a month.

    My father says he won't believe I've made it work till I can make a car payment every month with it. (Meaning, it's not income until you can make $400+ every month with it). So, in accordance to my father, you've already succeeded. Good job buddy.

    As for your folks, I'm inclined to agree with the guys here. You either need to take a break from them, or stop telling them about it until you're making a decent bit more. I know it sucks, but sometimes you just gotta stop talking to people about certain things.

    No one understood me for the longest time when I said I was making money online, and they still kinda don't. Saying I'm an internet marketer gets them looking at me funny, but saying I'm a consultant for businesses online makes them think "This guy's connected."

    I'm going on and on, I'll stop. Short story: Keep it up man, you're doing good. Congratulations. IF you need to take a break from family, friends, etc, to get this business of yours to the point you want it, I recommend doing so. You can always go back to them when you're done or you're tired of being quiet to them.

    Hope you have much more success, and your business grows like you want it.

    -Sean
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  • Profile picture of the author JennyBizz
    If you are still living at home, then my advice is to get some kind of part time job while you are working on your internet marketing. This would at least satisfy your parents. However, your dad calling out an outright liar sounds a little poisonous and if you aren't living with them, I would stay as far away from that kind of attitude as possible. Life is too short to be talked down to by anyone - much less your own family.
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  • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
    Just take the negative feedback and let it feed your drive to succeed. Like everyone else said, once you are making a solid income they will lay off.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eduard
    Your dad reminds me of my dad a couple of years back. The only thing that actually convinced him an online business can work, and can work for me, was to see the actual money I was making. But it took a while for me to get to that point where I was making a good income.

    The best advise I can give you right now is to stay as far away from your parents as you can and to follow your dream. You're living in two radically different realities right now, and you need to stay focused on yours without the hassle of having to explain yourself to your parents.

    Are you currently living with your parents? If so, move out.

    This article I write a while back on my blog may provide some additional inspiration for you:

    How to Deal With Toxic People*|*People Skills Decoded
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  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    I agree with your dad. There is no way on earth that you can make money with a bunch of words on a web page.

    You kids and your silly dreams of self employment are the reason that this world is in such peril. Go join a union or get a cushy government job like the rest of the respectable people in America. Anything else is intolerable.

    And stop cutting your hair so short, you greedy yuppie wannabe.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dapper Fellow
    You can go ahead a give up trying to convince your Dad of anything now. He is giving you permission to stop trying to prove to him you are intelligent enough to use the Internet to make money.

    Tell him he is right on the chili. After that, go out and rent yourself a room and work it out.

    Read Charles Bukowski when you have a few minutes between publishing pages "full of words."

    You will get where you need to go.

    Yeah! Knock off that short haircut stuff. Really!
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Personally, I agree with your parents to a degree, especially if they are supporting you. It's not wise to go into IM full time without any real reliable income coming in. $450 mnth isn't going to cut it. You should get a job and do IM in your spare time until you are making a full time wage from IM.

    It's not fair to your parents (who may or may not have spent a bunch of money on your education) to continue to be supported by them. You're a big boy now and should be able to take care of yourself.
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  • Profile picture of the author JennSpencerIM
    I'd suggest getting a job while pursuing IM. If they are still supporting you and paid for college, that would help the situation. If you live on your own and make your own decisions, just do what you think is best.

    I never had a real job and my parents thought I was nuts (especially after spending 6 figures on my college education) but they were okay with what I was doing because it was my life.
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