The Cons of Working Online

8 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on February 27, 2008 in Working Online  

So last week I blogged about The Benefits of Working Online. so i figured I better give a real picture that it isn’t all roses and glory… but there are cons to working online. (but I Wouldn’t trade it for a normal 9 to 5)

1. Work from anywhere there is an internet connection. (this is also a con cause you just can’t seem to get away from your work… Even the cellphone I got it so i can do work and access my stats etc..)

2. Set your own hours. Yes this is a con… because you can so easily be LAZY…. I mean common yesterday I made $$,$$$ i should sleep in,  ok sometimes i do… but if i got in that habit my earnings would tank over time.

3. You are Your own Boss. This is a con also because some people really need people breathing down their neck to be productive so you must be self motivating…

4. You work online so it’s is easy to get lost on Youtube searching for funny videos, myspace, facebook or reading stories that have nothing to do with your business growth.

5. Work in your Pajamas, shorts, or no clothes at all. This is a con only because it can drag on into RL (real life). I know many people that have made it online but if you were to meet them in person, they look like the slob down the street. Not saying you have to dress to the 9’s but you run a business somewhat dress like it.

6. Complaints or issues aren’t 8 to 5 they are 24/7. Your sites go down at 2am you lose money. Your ads stop running due to QS you are lossing money. Those PM’s about people spamming etc.. come 24/7.

7. Good, Dedicated, hard working designers and coders are hard to find. This is a major con online with sooo many freelancers… hence once i found good ones i held onto them.

8. No Google, MSN, YSM love can mean no or little money in your pocket.. The online business is very dependant on search engines… so when they don’t show you love your bottom line is effected.

9. A CPA offer gets pulled that was making you Big Money… Many cases there is nothing you can do but try to get another offer making money. Sometimes you get lucky and can work out a deal directly.

So there you have it some Cons to working online. As I stated before I would much rather do what i do online than go back to a normal 8 to 5.  Any additional Cons I forgot?

The Benefits of Working Online.

5 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on February 20, 2008 in Working Online  

I decided since Valentine’s Day is over things are getting back to more of a normal pace I would write a little bit on the benefits of working online.

1. Work from anywhere there is an internet connection. (it’s a rarity to go somewhere you can’t get internet)

2. The income doesn’t start and stop at 8 to 5. You can reach people 24/7

3. Set your own hours. I am not going to lie I put in more time than i ever did at my Engineering job, But I put in the time when and where i want to.

4. Startup costs are LOW!!! Compared to a B&M business it could cost you hundreds of thousands…. online, you don’t even have to buy a domain to make money online. (although i would reccomend buying a domain ($8) and hosting (under $10 month)).

5. It’s a Business Expense.  No I am not cheating the system etc.. but you would be surprised what all you can write off as a business expense (Consult a good CPA or Tax Lawyer)

6. Cost of Expansion is low. Want to startup a 2nd website or marketing site Watch out its another whole $8.00…. because you can us same hosting account from before.

7. Even just surfing the internet for fun can be classified as ”Research & Developement”

8. You are your Boss!

9. Work in your Pajamas, shorts, or no clothes at all.

10. You literally can earn as much or as little as you want, only dependant on the time and effort you put into research, development, and promotion of your site or product.

So those are a few of the benefits of working online. Did you think of some benefits that i didn’t list leave a comment.

How NOT to do a Media Kit for your Website

6 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on January 23, 2008 in Working Online  

I was surfing around the Internet looking at some website media kits that were local to my parents (Louisiana). I came across this media kit (http://www.redrivermoms.com/media/RedRiverMoms_Sales_Brochure.pdf ) and I got a large chuckle out of it.

First off it doesn’t give any real stats about the site. It just talks about women online in general and what they spend. While i think this is good information to have, it gives me no gauge if these type of women are on your site, nor how many visitors even come to your site. It could be a 100 a day or 100,000, I guess they want you to call them to find this out.

The best part comes when you check out the advertising rates on page 2.

adrates2

As a website owner you want to give advertisers a break for the longer they commit to advertise on your site… but look at these numbers.
Calendar Sponsorship  6x$450=$2700  12x$250=$3000 ( so for $300 more you get 6 months additional)
Photo gallery Sponsorship 6x$500=$3000  12x$350=$4200 (this is more like what i would expect to see, still seems cheap to me for 12 mo. Compared to 6 mo.)

But here is where it starts to make you wonder if a 6 year old did the rates.
Channel sponsorship 6x$400=$2400  12x$200=$2400   Hmmm should i take 6 months or 12 months….. They are the same price! I wonder if anyone has just bought a 6 month….
The dynamic tile and skyscraper spots are the same way whether you get 6 months or 12 months it is the same cost!
But here is the ultimate topper.
Run of Site Leader board 6x$125=$750 12x$50=$600  WHAT! Ummm i think i will take 1 year! Thats right 1 Year of advertising is less than 6 months.

bush scratchin

Pepperjam Launches an Affiliate Network

5 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on January 15, 2008 in Working Online, CPA Networks, Pepperjam Network  

I have had the privilege over the past few months to help beta test the Pepperjam Network. I have to say they are truely a company by affiliate marketers for affiliate marketters.  They are still building up their list of offers (new ones added daily), but for being a company out the gate they have plenty to keep you busy. They are catering to both the Lead affiliate and the Sale affiliate, so you will find a nice mix of both types of offers. 

The creation of Pepperjam Network represents over eight years of research and development and the combined ideas, feedback, and intelligence of hundreds of affiliate marketers and advertisers.

Here is a list of some Highlights of Pepperjam Network:
 
- Pepperjam Network addresses two of the most significant shortcomings found on other existing affiliate networks: (1) poor, unreliable communication tools and (2) lack of affiliate transparency.
- With Pepperjam Network, affiliates and advertisers can communicate in real-time via Pepperjam Chat™, thereby providing a reliable communication system to build stronger, more profitable partnerships.
- Pepperjam Network provides advertisers with an unprecedented measure of affiliate transparency, which helps to establish trust, protect brand integrity, and lays the groundwork for open, long-term, profitable relationships.
- Pepperjam Network uses Web 2.0 technology to provide affiliates and advertisers with an easy-to-use, clean interface.
- Pepperjam Network offers industry leading SID-level tracking and reporting (great for sophisticated search marketing affiliates)
- Pepperjam Network introduces pepperjamADS™, which is a first-ever affiliate marketing widget that affiliates can use to serve customized contextual ads from multiple Pepperjam Network advertisers at the same time.
- Pepperjam Network contains a knowledge vault, which is exclusive to Pepperjam affiliates.  The vault contains exclusive access to a list of tools and educational resources used by Super Affiliates.
- Pepperjam Network represents over eight years of research and development and the combined ideas, feedback, and intelligence of hundreds of affiliate marketers and advertisers.
- Pepperjam Network launched with over 100 merchants and growing quickly, including Blockbuster, Jelly Belly, AeroGrow, Oscar de la Renta, BabyPhat, Rocawear, Ben Sherman, FlyCell, SinglesNet, SEOmoz Premium, and many more.
- Pepperjam Network has its own affiliate program that pays out up to $7 per approved publisher application
- Check out the Pepperjam Network Blog for videos, commentary and updates on Pepperjam Network and the broader affiliate marketing community
- Pepperjam Network is FREE to join.

I suggest that every affiliate give Pepperjam Network a try, otherwise you could be leaving money on the table.

More Affiliate Information »