Telling people what you do or want to do online.

I've been exactly where you are, Rick.
You're right, it doesn't really make sense before you're actually running a business and making money.

I would usually just give a brief explanation of how CPA works or how a basic affiliate program works, and then just say I'm self-employed on the internet using those systems.

On a side note - I just happened to read your blog post about the 9-5 job offer.
Here's my advice: take the job, and here's why. Being in that job every day and hating it will be your motivation. If you KNOW that you can't work the 9-5 the rest of your life, you wont' get comfortable, you'll get more uncomfortable, and use it as fuel to succeed online to escape it. Leverage yourself.
ALSO, take your paycheck and designate as much of it as you can into INVESTING in your online business. You will not succeed online unless you can invest (paid traffic, outsourcing, solo ads, mentoring, etc.). So use your 9-5 as financial fuel as well to get started.

maybe his is why you are not making money yet .

what do you do. that you use the internet to market and deliver ..

I think you need to explain it in a way that they'll understand without using specific phrases. "Internet", "Blog", "Facebook", these are things that will instantly make them think "pipe dream".

Try just telling them that you're in marketing.
When they ask what that is, say that you sell stuff to people.
When they ask what you sell, say "all sorts of things".
When they ask where you work, say that you work for yourself.
They'll probably give up after that.
If they don't, just apologize, and say that it's pretty complicated and a little hard to explain.

They won't get the answers that they want, but their impression will be that you successfully started your own company, and that you're doing something complicated. Based on that, you look like a pretty smart person who might go pretty far in life!

It may not be ideal, but it's certainly better than "pipe dream". ^_^

@OP I face/faced a lot of the same hesitations. It definitely gets easier as I have more money and freedom to show for it.

When I'm honest with myself about my intentions for telling other people, it's easier to explain my business without approval seeking or sounding like a douchebag.

As living legend Dan Kennedy says .... " the majority is wrong, when it comes to money". It's crucial is " go against the norm" to be successful. If you follow people in the 99% you will be in the 99%. The % 1 do things a lot different that 99% CAN do but refuse to.

Your on the right track, they don't understand. If they start affecting your mindset... I'm sorry to tell you Rick , but you may need some new friends buddy.

By the way, that " Internet scam" has produced millionaires after millionaires.

Part of the problem is the terminology, kind of like what cajtrixie in this thread pointed out - if you use the buzzwords then you get the automatic categorization. If you do specific services online for companies, then it is a lot easier to explain.

hi rrogers82 , same as me when pepole ask me what u doing online for long time read and read then read , i just say i want to to onilne marketing and cuz i never do it before , so every one laugth at me , they know how much it is hared to do any money on online , but one day u will find ur way like me , finialy found it

stay well
eman

There are so many doubters everywhere, in our personal lives; online. You can't get away from them. But look at the situation from the other person's point of view. Chances are, they have little experience with the online world, other than Facebook. And, the only thing they have heard about 'internet marketing' are news reports debunking marketing scams. So maybe they think they're doing you a big favor by offering discouraging words. But the truth is, they really don't know what they're talking about. You have to stick to your own ideals and beliefs and go with what you know is right for you. Don't let yourself feel down over what others say. If sharing these things with friends brings discouragement, then keep that info to yourself. Your friends will be very jealous once you are a success and driving the nice car, living in the fancy house with the great lifestyle; meanwhile they're stuck in their dead end 9-5 job.