Laid off -- now what?

by Joe118
37 replies
Yep, at the very tail end (we hope!) of this great recession, the lay off monster claimed my job Luckily for me, I've been doing IM for 2 years now and mildly successful, so I can take a while to decide what to do next.

Working at (BIGCO name removed, ask me via PM if you must know) was not at all bad, it certainly had its plusses. But perhaps it's time to move on. Strangely I had already been planning my exit and the date at which my last day occurs coincides nearly to the day with the planned day of handing in my resignation. So I have some time now -- because they said "no need to come into the office anymore" -- to really think about my direction and what to do next:

Should I:
  1. Actively look for another day job?
  2. Go full time into internet marketing?
  3. Go watch the daisies push up?
Yep, I have options. And I'd love to get some suggestions! If I do #2, which is my current favorite, then I'll have a tall order replacing my job income. Just saying...

Most people that run into me on Skype say "I didn't even know you still had a day job" By the way, feel free to add me on Skype, it's fjsoftllc.


As I said -- all suggestions, ideas, replies, partnership offers, sugar daddy offers , ... welcome!

P.S. I should add that I'm not at all sorry to be laid off -- was hugely ready for a change, and this provides the needed kick in the pants. Still, of course, it's scary, but I'm mostly past the let-down feelings and ready to do battle!
#laid
  • Profile picture of the author gentryliving
    If i am on your shoe, i will try internet marketing but not full time and find a day job. Why? Internet marketing isn't a stable when it comes to earning money. It's business, in business there is no assurance of earning money all the time. There are ups and downs. Not like with the day job, you work and wait for the payday.
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  • Profile picture of the author colleenclark
    perhaps look for part-time work while you press hard with the IM
    Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe118
      Thanks, really value your inputs!

      AFAIK the job is no security either
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      • Profile picture of the author VanessaB
        Joe,
        Well, I would probably always have a 'job,' even if it was just a part time job. Even I didn't 'need' the income, I like the idea that I get socialization and structure from a job, and if nothing else, it's pocket money, for having fun or for reinvesting back into my business.

        Good luck Joe.

        -Dani
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  • Profile picture of the author Tony Grant
    Hey Joe,

    In many ways, if someone was a day job junkie by nature then the dependency upon a salary goes beyond the actual money and in that case, they should seek more of the same.

    From what I have learned of you however is that you are a skilled and effective marketer who already has solid connections and killer products and so I believe the constraints of the 9-5 would merely serve to stifle your own growth as a free spirit in the IM world.

    Reading between the lines, it seems that you maybe have around 3 months of paid gardening leave before you get the gun anywhere near your head and that is ample time to test your future path and prove to yourself that you can step it up into full-time income.

    Therefore, my advice for you (but not as general advice for all) is to go for it while you have the perfect opportunity.
    You are being handed the gold ticket so go enjoy the rewards.

    (PS: I guess I should put an earnings disclaimer on this message but I take no responsibility for any adverse outcomes as your actions are yours and not mine hehehe)

    Tony
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  • Profile picture of the author micromike
    think it's now time to move into phase two, Joe - you've proven you can create and market products, so you can cause "cash bursts". To me, the next step is to move towards passive income - affiliate marketing is the norm for that. Amazon, Clickbank, Commission Junction, even direct affiliate with various manufacturers (an underused trick, btw).
    Whatever you choose, you're going to be pretty damn good at it; you've proven that already.
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  • Profile picture of the author mello
    Hey Joe!

    You posted this under mindset and success so that says something!

    I'm thinking you know which way you're going. Either way the decision has to be based on what funds you have behind you and what commitments are before you. If you've got those covered then go for it!

    Cheers
    Mel
    Ps "nothing in this post should be taken as financial or legal advice and is for informational purposes only"
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  • Profile picture of the author EvanBeck
    Joe, I would say give going it alone a fair shot. I lost my last full-time gig in the late 1980s. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.

    ...although at the time it did not feel like it.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryant2k
    Hey Joe!

    I actually remember us having a conversation about your 'drop dead date' not even a month ago! I'm excited and happy for the things ahead for you.

    As always, good job on the positive attitude. You're one of the most generous people on the forum that I know when it comes to just about anything. Your willingness to help people, and generosity to others is amazing, and I think that's going to pay off handsomely for you.

    Good luck going forward. I'm curious to how your passive income plan is coming; I think it work well for you. Hit me up on Skype sometime today if you're not already super busy and overwhelmed as it is. Would love to catch up for a bit and see how you're doing with everything.

    Best wishes!

    ~ Ryan Thompson ~
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe118
      Yeah everyone pretty much read my mind -- going to give it a try till mid-June to see how much I can scale it up from where I am now. Then we'll see from there.

      My drop dead date was August 1st -- the resignation date. Now they're basically paying me till August 8th, so as y'all said, this is the time to take advantage of the golden ticket I've been handed.

      On the down side, I have health insurance to consider -- COBRA is insanely expensive, around $1800 all told, and that's a big obligation. However, I should move to the itemized expenses method, where I create income streams dedicated to paying for each obligation, and move up from there

      Dani touched on a huge important point for me -- the isolation of going it alone. I'm ultra active on Skype and that should help some, and I'm going to try SCORE and the local entrepreneur forums for companionship.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Joe - A strikingly similar thing happened to me back in the late 1990's. The company I worked for went out of business. I had a parttime business online. I had been thinking about going fulltime but hadn't made the decision to do so yet. Having kids makes you cautious. Anyway, I took that layoff as a sign to go fulltime.

    I've been fulltime self-employed with my online businesses since 1999. I haven't regretted that choice for even a minute.

    We're all different and so are our situations, so what was right for me may not be for you. Then again, it may. Only you can decide that...and that takes a little soul searching.

    For what it's worth, I thought you were fulltime IM already.

    Good luck in whatever you decide!
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  • Profile picture of the author James Foster
    You know enough people Joe... I see no reason you couldn't replace your income quickly.

    Have you tried the webinar circuit?
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe118
    Hey James & Dennis! Thanks both!

    James, curiously I was talking with someone today about starting to do webinars. I'm up for that for sure.
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  • Profile picture of the author ProAffiliate01
    Whatever decision you make when laid off depends if you qualify for unemployment or not. LOL I myself was laid off once and got a part-time job and then began to pursue my internet marketing dreams.
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  • Profile picture of the author sterling90
    Awesome that you were going to leave anyway..hopefully you got a severance you wouldnt have gotten otherwise.
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  • Profile picture of the author jzgirl
    My suggestion is to look for the day job anyway, until you're making enough thru IM to pay your bills w/o any fear.

    And good on you for having such an upbeat attitude! :-)

    Nancy
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  • Profile picture of the author spoiledkid01
    You got a dayjob ... I never know that seriously.
    I do your packets for someone. We can make a JV for quick money for you and me if you email all your BUYERS about my service. 50/50 per report
    PM ME FOR MORE DETAILS.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe118
    Yeah had a day job. For some reason many of my online skype friends thought I was full time.

    Now that I am full time you're really going to see productivity
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  • Profile picture of the author David Sneen
    IM is not to be depended on until it is consistently producing. That being said, with your skills maybe you can pull it off.

    If you are seriously deciding, flip a coin. ...Not really to determine your future, but to help you decide what to do. In the moments the coin is airborne, you will find yourself cheering for one outcome or another. Forget the coin.

    Go with the outcome you were cheering for, regardless of the outcome.
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    • Profile picture of the author gbsint
      You have a couple of months to "put the pedal to the metal" and go full time online.

      It sounds like they made the choice for you!

      Jerry
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe118
      Originally Posted by David Sneen View Post

      IM is not to be depended on until it is consistently producing. That being said, with your skills maybe you can pull it off.

      If you are seriously deciding, flip a coin. ...Not really to determine your future, but to help you decide what to do. In the moments the coin is airborne, you will find yourself cheering for one outcome or another. Forget the coin.

      Go with the outcome you were cheering for, regardless of the outcome.
      David, I love that method with the coin. You are a genius. I've chosen. End of story.
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  • Profile picture of the author BrandonMHowe
    Forget a 9 to 5...
    Go for your dreams, Joe!

    Personally,

    I got laid off from a crummy body shop
    job this past October.

    That cold, rainy day in late October
    was one of the best days of my young
    life thus far because I already had profits
    centers set up and doing well.

    When I heard the words "its your last
    day working here," I breathed the biggest
    sigh of relief... honestly, those few words
    freed me beyond explanation!

    Was it the same for you, Joe?

    I know I was smiling ear to ear as I rolled
    out from that place!

    Entrepreuneurship rocks! It ain't so scary
    when you already KNOW that you can
    produce income on your own.


    To Independence,

    B
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe118
      Thanks Brandon

      I think I'm quite a bit older than you, but yeah, after about 35 years of 9 to 5, I was ready to call it quits. I did feel a huge relief, but on the other hand I'm a bit worried since I have to replace my income.

      So it's a mixed bag for me, although I did do as you advise, and am trying my hand at full time IM

      Thanks for the kind words, and best luck to you! Send me a friend request here, or add me on skype -- fjsoftllc -- and let's compare notes

      --Joe

      Originally Posted by BrandonMHowe View Post

      Forget a 9 to 5...
      Go for your dreams, Joe!

      Personally,

      I got laid off from a crummy body shop
      job this past October.

      That cold, rainy day in late October
      was one of the best days of my young
      life thus far because I already had profits
      centers set up and doing well.

      When I heard the words "its your last
      day working here," I breathed the biggest
      sigh of relief... honestly, those few words
      freed me beyond explanation!

      Was it the same for you, Joe?

      I know I was smiling ear to ear as I rolled
      out from that place!

      Entrepreuneurship rocks! It ain't so scary
      when you already KNOW that you can
      produce income on your own.


      To Independence,

      B
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  • Profile picture of the author ElliotBerg
    I think, the best answer can be given by you. Are you comfortable working a 9-5 job along with IM. I have had faced exactly the same situation, you have faced, an year back. I was having some problems with work conditions and didn't like the stuffs, so my boss said you need to leave and I said I have a resignation letter ready. From that day I never looked back. Things have been great. Though sometimes boredom strikes because I am damn talkative person still it has been great working at my will and making regular income. This is the reason, I am saying you that you need to ask yourself, whether you are ready to work from home or you want socializing. I think cash or funds must not be a criteria because if you work hard then IM can give you more income than your regular job. Moreover since you have sacked, so you will be paid few months advance salary, which would easily help you to pull your family for a month or so and by that time you will start making money through IM. This can be a great deal but you are creator of your destiny, so wish you all the luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author OmarNegron
    Just finished reading your thread and must say that it is just amazing the power of being able to do Internet marketing on the side. Nothing seems to be stable and so anyone can lose their job at any given moment.

    Although I know you would love to take on Internet marketing full time why not get a part time job and focus more time on your business at least you will have some type of income coming in and not put too much pressure on yourself to make rushed decisions in the business because of need of income.

    Eventually of course you will be able to go full time online and forget about getting any kind of job EVER!! =-)

    Added you on skype as well.

    - Will
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  • Profile picture of the author MohulGhosh
    Despite being the founder of so many WSOs (I just downloaded a Free WSO from you), I am surprised that you are not considering entrepreneurship.. or rather, the Online Entrepreneur.. establish a freaking business, and employ other people.. Create a online business empire!!! This laying off drama is actually a symbol from the Almighty.. Do it Joe.. do it!!
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  • Profile picture of the author lisanoone12
    awesome share
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Solomon
    Congratulations!

    Welcome to the world of private enterprise. Since you have the time, I suggest you google for Weiss' Concise Trustee Handbook. You can definitely find it on the NACRS website. It won't tell you what to do, but it will show you how to operate properly in the private now that you're no longer an employee.

    As for the whole job thing... you were over it already, right?
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe118
      Originally Posted by Michael Solomon View Post

      Congratulations!

      Welcome to the world of private enterprise. Since you have the time, I suggest you google for Weiss' Concise Trustee Handbook. You can definitely find it on the NACRS website. It won't tell you what to do, but it will show you how to operate properly in the private now that you're no longer an employee.

      As for the whole job thing... you were over it already, right?
      Thanks Michael, thats a very very useful reference!

      And yes I was mostly already preparing to go it full time -- this layoff is just giving me a nice paid vacation
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Solomon
        Originally Posted by Joe118 View Post

        Thanks Michael, thats a very very useful reference!

        And yes I was mostly already preparing to go it full time -- this layoff is just giving me a nice paid vacation
        I've actually just found the right place to go for a complete understanding of private express trusts, if you're interested. GTEN.org is an amazing resource.
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  • Profile picture of the author hireava
    Same here, I think you should at least have a pat-time job while still looking or apply for a full-time job. Instead of just being a bum, you may try internet marketing as a part time.
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  • Profile picture of the author odohjc
    Your story appears to generate mixed feeling. You were already into IM and wishing to quit. Both your being laid off and your tendering your resignation coincided.

    The implication for wishing to quit is that you were preparing yourself either to go into another business or launching yourself into full time IM.

    One would assume that you are quite knowledgeable in IM business and would wish to go through the risks involved in going full time.

    The shock of being laid off is minimal and your decision on what to do henceforth will be the deciding factor. If I were you, I would have to take stock of my present skills and know whether or not it is ripe for me to go into IM full time or to take up another 9 to 5 job.

    Another deciding factor is your age now. Are you married with children or are you single or are your children already out of school?

    All in all, I will advise you to follow your passion and look before you leap.

    odohjc
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  • Profile picture of the author Anna7
    Hmm... I say you take a break first. Rest your body and mind. Then plan things out properly. Then go into full time on IM. I think business is something that would require your full attention until it grows. And then when it is stable enough, then you can find another day job if you want. But this is only I guess if you have the luxury to do so.
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  • Profile picture of the author robert88
    Appreciate it, truly price your current inputs!
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  • Profile picture of the author JeniferStarr
    I would say if you have some time to finanically work toward a full time IM career, do it (if that's what you want)! I recently left my full-time job to pursue this and while there are some scary days when I'm not quite sure if I can do it, things always do work out. I'm so much happier than I was working my old job.

    Good luck to you!
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  • Profile picture of the author tjaysen70
    Hey man I wonder how things have been going since this post. Yeah I know it feels weird when you suddenly lose your job and work at home and now have to rely on yourself for an income, insurance, the steady check.

    The hardest part for you, will be to change and adapt your mindset from that of an employee to that of an entrepreneur. Whereas before, you knew that check was coming in every 2 weeks, so you just put in the time and then get your check. Working for yourself is much different, and can be scary and a daunting undertaking. But listen, it is worth it in the end, having the lifestyle and the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want, is the most satisfying part of this whole game.
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    • Profile picture of the author heavysm
      Personally losing my job was the best thing that happened to me. It put me into survival mode which really helped me focus and get sh!t done online. I say go for a part time job, or full time, whatever you can manage. But use your spare time for creating your IM business. I spent many nights without sleeping trying to get IM to work out. And it did. Just be prepared for the resistance. Success is to going to test you to see what you're really made of now.
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