I recently mentored my best friend’s aunt who has been trying to make money online for the past few months.
We were talking about how I created my online business and she told me something that caused me to write this post today.
Like many people, her daughter is quite the skeptic about what I do. Something wasn’t quite adding up to her.
After hearing my story, she asked her mom…
If Lisa is so successful with her sites, then why aren’t all her friends and family doing it too?
Huh?
I thought that was an odd statement to make. First of all, that was a bit presumptuous to assume that I haven’t tried to help others in my life.
Of course I have. In fact, since I’ve been doing this full time, I’ve spent quite a bit of time mentoring and consulting family and friends.
Second, I wonder if she would have said the same thing if I owned a successful brick and mortar business?
Probably not, because most people understand how difficult it is to start a business offline. They can wrap their brains around the work and costs involved in opening a store or restaurant.
You would never hear someone say, If her restaurant is so successful then why don’t her friends own a restaurant too?
What Gives?
So why are online businesses perceived differently? I think it’s because the start-up costs are low and the Internet is so accessible. Someone once told me, I’m on the Internet all day on Facebook anyway so an online business should be right up my alley.
However, if you’ve been on this journey, you already know that enjoying being on FaceBook and figuring out how to make money online are two drastically different things.
I find that this process is still misunderstood by a lot of people, especially those who haven’t tried or don’t know anyone who has become successful.
After all, it can’t be a real business because you aren’t driving into an office building to sit in a cubicle all day. I mean…. it’s just the Internet, right? 
Your Thoughts?
So I’d love to know what kinds of comments you’ve heard from friends and family about your venture? Do they understand and support it?
Did you somehow think this would be easier than an offline business because it is the Internet? Or perhaps this has been easier than other opportunities you’ve tried?
Why aren’t online businesses treated with the same respect and seriousness as brick and mortar businesses?
Share your thoughts…
Hi, my name is 
Im actually in the process of building my website with SBI and one person in fact said to me…since our office is having issues an people are getting fired left and right…that I need to stop focusing on my website an start looking for a new job because a website isnt going to pay my bills. Ouch! Then a guy I know that was going to make my design so I had a page that looked unique said…u cant just do a site on baby showers…you need to do it about weddings and birthdays and all parties. Someone that knows the techy stuff…doesnt always understand what pickibg a niche is…so I dropped him and used the template they gave me in SBI. Everyone thinks they know whats best when they dont even have the experience. So Im trying to block them out so I can prove them wrong. Once I am done…they will see.
People like that actually motivate me because I like to prove them wrong. It’s amazing that the Internet marketing field is still so misunderstood by people today. Keep pushing Venisha! I wish you all the best. You CAN do it!
Hi Lisa:
You say “it’s amazing that the internet marketing field is still so misunderstood…” It’s not really an “amazing” surprise if you think about it from an Onlooker’s point of view.
What would you think if a make money online product promised you an easy $850 in just 2 days? We were taught if it sounds too good to be true then it is. And that’s good advice.
However, they don’t know that it took you time and money to BUILD your business to where it’s at right now. The promise of quick cash does not emphasize that. Plus, physically working in a brick and mortar business is understood by everyone and they can relate to the work that’s involved.
Being behind a computer finding hungry crowds, buying keywords, warming up the visitors with good content, etc. cannot be comprehended by the “onlooker.”
The “first timers” to online marketing expect cash in a few days. And if they don’t make it, it doesn’t work.
The “first timers” starting a brick and mortar business knows it WILL be hard, thus not profiting the first year is expected, and thus, a real business.
Phewwww. I think that’s why onlookers don’t see Internet Marketing as legit.
-Charlie
PS @Venisha -live your dream! Die trying. And if you never quit, you cannot fail.
absolutely lovely post Lisa.
i get the same questions/reaction all the time, and many more that are tangents of the same underlying root cause, which is that 99.9% of people just don’t get it.
what’s interesting is that several online businesses are large public companies (facebook, groupon, zynga – what’s left of it at least)
for the equivalent of the brick mom and pop, which is you and I, there is very little love because there is very little understanding.
does my circle understand and support what i do? now they do because of what they see. had i told them initially? you can just guess the outcome. we are all in the same boat on this.
the answer to your question comes down to social conditioning. human beings are like sheep/cow and we think and move in herds. dare to be different and you sure will face adversity or straight ignorance/”disregardment” if that’s a word for what you do.
but as in your example, Gen Y is mostly on the internet today, and when Gen Y becomes the retiree someday, it will realize the transformation and revolution (many will see that along the way). in a way this is good because it puts folks like us at the forefront of what’s to come tomorrow.
i am not saying brick will be dead, but we sure are seeing what the likes of Amazon and even now Wallmart.com are doing to brick.
perhaps two decades from now our friends will perceive and treat web businesses like they perceive and treat brick today? maybe? maybe not? it’s simply social conditioning. we perceive, think and act according to social norms and conditioning.
Great points, Sunil. Yes, I didn’t say too much about what I was doing until I became successful. So I didn’t hear a lot of that naysaying early on. Then of course after I quit my day job then everyone was curious. lol
Something this is related to me and looked very personal. I am 18 years now and often when people know about me also asks these type of ques. Huh, I can’t answer all that. In my opinion blogging or creating websites is not an easy task what people think. They think that it is easy business which can be run from home. But its not that what they think . Is am right????
No business is easy. It takes work no matter if you’re offline or online. Very true.
To be perfectly honest, I haven’t heard many comments about my business from friends because I don’t really try to explain what I do beyond the generic “I help local businesses with their website”.
But I can see the problem that a content only website may have in boosting their cred. Most businesses that I deal with use websites and social platforms to boost an existing off line presence.
Great to see ya, Leo. Keeping it simple is definitely a great way to keep those questions to a minimum.
I think Lisa a big part is the fear of scam artists. Everytime I tell people what I do they say haha oh ye! what scam do YOU have going on? Drives me nuts.
This is so true! I think a lot of people think I’m one of those people who sends out junk email. LOL! Or they think I’m going to try to rope them into some MLM program program or pyramid scheme. Too funny.
Despite the success of the internet and businesses on it, or maybe because of, people sometimes still don’t look at it as the real world, particularly those who aren’t engaged with it on a daily basis.
It’s funny how the people who say things like that are often the same people who say they are totally computer illiterate and can barely surf the web. If they don’t know how to use the Internet, why do they assume everyone else does and has the skills to actually make money online? Kinda silly.
Hilarious, Laura. Just goes to show how many misconceptions still exist about the Internet and business today.
Lisa one of the reason people don’t take online business seriously is because they are being constantly warned that online business are scams or someone just want to steal your identity so that they can get into your accounts. There is still a lot of people that fear computers, they feel that they have to know and understand everything about them in order to use one. They won’t look at a computer as just a tool to help get the job done. Sadly a lot of people have been scamed with MLM or some get rich quick business idea and they are very skeptical. A lot of online marketers will draw you in with a freebie or low price item and then it like hundreds or thousands to get their seminar or the real item that they are selling.
Yes, I think a lot of people equate making money online to get rich quick schemes.
Thanks Lisa!
First of all this statement ” I think it’s because the start-up costs are low and the Internet is so accessible” is totally incorrect, the start up Knowledge has a huge barrier to entry. The different between a brick and mortar doctor office, and a dry cleaner is millions, but the knowledge is what is different. The start up knowledge to be successful online take the equivalent of a Doctor’s Degree in Web Marketing, Business Systems, Information Systems, Process Control, and Analytic and Statistics, plus at-least a few years as a Paid/low paid intern. But it’s hard for the average person to see it, like it was hard for the average person to understand a computer programmer until colleges started to create degree programs for Computer Science. Maybe in the future people real recognize what an Online Marketer is, but for now, let me happy they don’t, and we don’t have a ton of Degree idiot trying to enter our space “yet”.
But i doubt the problem is online business, some people think working a job is the only way to earn, and her daughter would have been a hater regardless of the business her mom was trying to learn.
tell her that hater can even be family, love her for a distance until she get’s successful.
Clarence, when I said the Internet is so accessible, I was referring to the ease of starting/building a website vs a brick and mortar business. Everyone has internet access these days and you can build a site in minutes thanks to CMS’ like WordPress, etc. That’s what I mean by accessible.
I was not by any means suggesting no knowledge is required to create an online business. Knowledge is a completely different point that I didn’t touch upon but I agree with you.
I think a lot of people don’t quite understand it. They get blogging but when I try to explain more than that they don’t quite understand.
Hi Lisa,
I am from Austria and we have the same opinions about it. I know them for a longer time, because I started with network marketing about 10 years ago. I made a lot of presentations in Germany and Austria. I think every second presentation people asked: If it is so great, like you told us, why does not everyone work as a network marketer?
I think they are stuck in the old thinking, that only manual work is real work.
Greetings from Vienna,
Andreas
True, some people will never get out the cubicle mindset and that’s understandable if that’s all you know and have associated with “real job.”
I think that many people just “don’t get it”. Therefore, they think that it is impossible – or at least impossible for them to do.
I have one friend who gave Internet marketing a go, and in days he was actually making some money in a profitable niche (something like $15 a sale, and multiple sales per week)… but then he gave up. No explanation.
I also recall a comment that someone made in a forum. I had been discussing the benefits of being part-time self-employed from the perspective of tax deductions (100% legal way to either pay less tax, or get some money back). One guy replied that “this wasn’t fair”!!! I mean, if it is legal, and put in place by the government, how can it ‘not be fair’ just because some people choose NOT to do it?
Personally, I try not to rationalise other people’s behaviour. It often seems illogical. While I’m not breaking any records in affiliate income, I’m happily subsidising my lifestyle and learning many new and interesting things.
Good for you, Graeme!
I think the naysaying applies to any kind of entrepreneurship. But with B&M businesses people understand the risks and the work involved so they think you’ll fail. With online businesses, they think you’re going after an easy get-rich-quick scheme so you’ll fail.
Isn’t it funny that people will lose their jobs and go looking for another job without batting an eyelid but they feel that if they ‘fail’ at their first business it’s the end of the world? Just about anyone who’s had success out here (or anywhere) has left a trail of failures in their wake. Persistence is key. The ability to stay in that plan-execute-review-refine cycle when 90% of people would give up is the primary skill that will lead to success. And that is why “EVERYBODY” isn’t doing it!
Your site provides an amazing set of tools and inspiration but no amount of coaching will help if a person does not have the right attitude. Keep it up though. This site has inspired me many times!
You can say that again. I have actually had more failed sites than successful ones, but a lot of people don’t know that. By the time most of you found me on this blog or YouTube I had already failed and had found success.
No one saw the reality TV forum, the soap opera website, the other internet marketing site, affiliate related site (shall I go on?) But as you said, persistence is key and if you don’t enjoy this or have the right attitude you will struggle.
Thanks so much for the kind words.
Us bloggers do have to keep in mind the fact that most people earn their living the traditional way, so therefore most people won’t understand what making money online is all about in detail. The Internet and blog monetization are still really, really new in the grand scheme of things.
That is true. Even though I feel like I’ve been doing this forever, it is new if you compare it to other methods.
You’re so right, Lisa. Those in our craft are often misunderstood. Just the fact alone that I work from home is. People assume I’m sitting in my PJs and watching TV all day. Um, no. I find I work harder at home than in the traditional “corporate” setting. Like most web heads, I work late into the night. And sometimes may work for a few days non-stop, then take a few days off (of course, that sort of changed once I got married and became a mother).
But the work is not EASY or QUICK as many assume. Okay, maybe it’s easy, but it takes a lot of hard work and time to do it well with results. “You’re still working on that same website?” “Yes, I am!” Templates are easy to install, but setting some up can be a bear. Then there’s content to write, graphics to design or re-size, plug-ins to install (and sometimes configure), social media to setup and incorporate, SEO, etc.
People betta recognize! LOL.
But to answer your best friend’s aunt’s daughter, the “hard work” may be why more people don’t do this line of work.
When I read her quote, I thought she was really trying to ask, “What’s stopping other people from being successful like Lisa?” I didn’t think she was questioning why you haven’t helped make your family & friends successful like you, but rather, “If it’s possible for Lisa, why aren’t a lot more people doing it?” Great question. But you know your friend’s aunt’s daughter better than me, so I’ll trust your interpretation and agree with what you said.
I also had to chuckle at Leo’s comment, because maybe he’s on to something. Maybe I shouldn’t even let people know I work at home in the first place, or that I have a web business. When people ask I can just say I work in marketing or information technology.
Sigh… the pros and cons of a webber
Hey June, I didn’t put the entire conversation in the post but she did go on to ask why I hadn’t helped my best friend get started. I should have included that to make it more clear.
But I can relate to the PJ story. Yes, I may be in my PJ’s all day but I’m working in them.
And don’t let me say “I’m tired!” Oh boy!! I’m not allowed to say that. ha ha ha I hear, “Tired? You slept until 11!” Yeah but I was up till 3 trying to finish some work.
Ahh, okay. Yeah, she’s trippin’
Speaking of PJs, I did a whole blog on winter pajamas… the onesie kind… for adults! See http://www.junesjournal.com/?p=1005
Lisa,
I could not agree with you more. I was just making a statement similar to this to my husband the other day. Where has all the money in the economy gone? Is it really gone or has it just shifted? I think the working generation now is caught in a shift and that’s part of the reason why so many people are struggling. As more business is being done online, the working generation who grew up in the era of traditional business and education is trying to catch up and maintain. Nothing against them, but I think as time goes one, the new working generation (those in school now) will be embracing online opportunities as well as traditional business opportunities.
Such an amazing point. The other thing I noticed is that with the news programs over the past 4-5 years are always having segments on how to earn money in a down economy.
Never do you see anyone talking about going online. There are thousands of people making money with affiliate marketing and other e-businesses. But because most people don’t know successful individuals, many are unaware of the opportunities available.
And so true about this generation and their career outlook.
The reason for this perception is the way that news stories come out about how started starts a website…something like Instagram…and makes a billion dollars in 2 years.
That’s not going to happen if you own a pizza shop.
But there is a perception that there is easy money on the internet.
And for a few people, who are well financed and come up with the next big idea (ie: FaceBook, Twitter, Pinterest) it can be.
But for most people online, who are looking to develop content sites using AdSense and affiliate marketing, it is just like a brick-and-mortars business, where you put in long hours and don’t get any traffic at the start.
Great points, Tony!
People misunderstand me, just because its digital doesn’t make it any less of a business. I find that this process is still misunderstood by a lot of people, especially those who haven’t tried it. I have developed and installed word-press and even laying out after the basic pages for them they still can’t manage to even put the basic contents in the website. They do not respect the business and seriousness of it all.I honestly believe most of these people are just uninformed about the Internet Marketing world. Trying to get the bank on side as a new developer is proving to be rather difficult. If anyone knows some reliable advice on getting started please let me know.
Hi Shaun
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Have you tried to make a presence in webmaster forums and offering free advice to some of the threads? Most forums will allow you to include a signature and you can subtly draw attention to your business through that. For the record, I’m not saying to go self promote because that is against the rules in most forums but that is how I got a lot of attention back in the day.
I would find discussions in forums I could contribute to and reply to help people. They would often send me a private PM and ask me questions about my site/business.
The Internet’s easily accessible nature is what makes starting an online business very difficult. The Internet is a perfectly competitive market in its purest form.
Anybody can create a website, which contributes zero value to the populace, contributes the the garbage that is littering Internet.
Even if an entrepreneur has a great business plan, he/she face a daunting task in trying to just leap frog the garbage that has been festering for years and is rewarded with a high SERP just because its domain name is of a mature age.
Good points, Rudy!
Hi Lisa,
I’m a total newbie here so, first I must tell you how helpful your site is to me! THANK YOU!!
Because of your communication style & relatability, I’ve gained more knowledge in ONE day than the entire week I’ve spent doing research.
As far as what other people think, I’m usually hesitant to tell certain people when I start something new anyways. Most people seem to be critical by nature, thats just a given fact as far as my thinking goes.
Most of us are conscientious people so, we actualy care about what other people think of us. Lisa, you wouldnt be as successful as you are if you weren’t concerned about how you are perceived by others….. I’m pretty darn sure your a nice person. Your desire to give helpful & relevent information in a comprehensive way really shows through in your work,… Yes,.. WORK!!
The “intangible” has alway been more vulnerable to criticism. Even before the internet (Anyone remember that)?, there was the “Entrepreneur” which, equaled “unemployed”,… Or the “Consultant”,… Which in So Cal back in the day, pretty much equaled,… “Dr_g dealer”!
Most people are just projecting their own insecurities when they criticize. Unfortunately, knowing this may not lessen the “sting” any but, may help in staying more objective.
I’m just saying that, the fact that the criticism bothers you in the first place,…. Is a good thing!! For me, the challenge lies in “taking the punches” while trying to stay open to “constructive criticism”.
No doubt, I’ve got a long bumpy road ahead so, there’s some people in my circle who’ll just have to wait a little longer to jump on the “Critical Bandwagon” because I’m
not going to tell them! (I’m totaly with you on the “proving them wrong” thing).
Thank you Lisa, mostly for being kick A_S SMART but, smart people are a dime a dozen. I wouldn’t be paying attention if you weren’t a nice person. I doubt anyone else would either.
Your new biggest fan,
Kelli Rustin
Floraloccasionsbykelli.com
Thanks Kelli! I’ve learned not to let those comments rattle me, but I thought I’d post it because I am sure that people here can relate. I definitely agree that people are critical by nature and that’s just life. And I believe that’s smart of you not to share what you’re doing. I did the same thing early on so that limited a lot of the naysaying when I was in my early days. Plus I was actually having fun online and still had a 9 to 5 job so I was able to play it off. Most people didn’t know what the HECK I was doing! lol
Very interesting statement. If Mark Zuckerberg is rich then All his friend should be rich.
Thank you for a great post. Lisa you planted a seed in my head about 5 years ago. At one time, I printed one of your e books and I read it from beginning to end in one night. You can not believe my excitement after reading each line. But before I found you, I had read so much crap that everything seemed illegitimate to me. There are so many affiliates pushing so many things in all kind marketing push over technique that the whole industry suffers.
Finding people like you is very refreshing but not common. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Alain! There is a lot of crap out here and it’s easy to get confused or sucked into companies and people pushing misleading information. Really happy you found me and glad my book was helpful. All the best.
Oh did this resonate with me. My husband and I, inspired by you, signed up for Site Build It around two years ago.
When his contract at work was terminated, we decided to go for it full time, much to the dismay of the family who all have “jobs”. We have also been small business people in audio and video production for years and then there was no dismay or difficulty in being taken seriously.
Now we are moving to country NSW where living costs are cheaper so we can concentrate on building our internet business with low overheads, etc.
Anyone who things an internet business is trivial or easy has some big lessons to learn. We learn lesson after lesson, but are having so much fun and it is growing.
An internet business like any other needs time to develop. It is not “instant” and believe me there is nothing “passive” in the initial stages.
Love your work Lisa.
Hi Wendy,
I wish you and your hubby all the best with your new venture.
Thanks for coming by.
Hi Lisa. The topic for this post is what I’ve personally been struggling with for years. I do get the sense that online business is looked down upon from family and friends, simply because to them it’s virtual (as opposed to a brick and mortar type business, as you mentioned). I think they see it as a quick & easy way to make a buck, and not actually something to be taken seriously. In many ways, and I’m pretty certain you’ll agree, online business is more difficult than owning/running a local store, restaurant, salon, etc. In fact, the freedom it offers has such a hefty price tag that I’d say a smaller percentage of aspiring entrepreneurs make it online. Nevertheless, people searching for something “more” continue to be driven towards the Net as means to solve to their ’9-to-5′ problem!
Hi Mario,
Yes, the “quick buck” mentality runs rampant online and misleads a lot of people, for sure.
Boy, does this sound familiar! People either just look at me blankly when I tell them what I’m doing, or they start telling me how ridiculous it is. If you’ve never done it, you really don’t understand it. I didn’t until I got into it.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been successful enough (yet, I hope I can say!)to tell them I make such and such a month and watch them look amazed. Someday I hope to be able to do that!
Keep working hard. Then those same people who looked at you like you have a 3rd eye will be asking you how to get started.
I’ve had the same problems myself, working freelance unfortunately people such as ex gf’s just havent understood the distinction between me practicing a hobby and working
P.s | Where are they wooden planks gone Lisa?? lol liking the new look of the site been a while since i last visited
LOL, the wooden planks burned up months ago. I really like to mess with people’s heads sometimes and say “I get paid to play” when they joke about my “profitable hobby.” LOL
One request is that you should post regular, i mean each day, i always visit your site daily but only in a week i find a update.
Between i recently launched my new blog!
I can understand your feeling!
I go through this everyday. As a freelancer, I earn a small income as I am busy with studies as well.
However, I had 2 months holidays and ended up with some $700. After that, when I discussed how I want to work full time as a freelancer and blogger with my parents, they rolled eyes and asked, “What about a real job?”
It is really hard when people think that I just sit all day on internet doing what every college student does(facebook)!
It is even harder when a loved one calls in middle of an important project and says that you can take a pause because it’s just internet.
I have given up all hopes on making people understand now.
For me, internet business has been as hard a brick and mortar business. Even harder as in real life, you don’t have that much distractions!
“It’s just the internet.” Yes, so true!! I’ve heard that too.
Hey Lisa,
This blog post is right up my alley. To be honest I don’t think most of my friends and family understand what I do. Occasionally they ask, but as soon as I start to explain, their eyes glaze over as if I’m talking about rocket science or something.
I don’t think my parents truly understand the concept of making money online, or that it can actually be done, even though they know I make money that way. Most of the older generation still has the idea of “go to school, get a good job, work for 40 years, and then retire” type of mindset because that’s all they’ve ever known.
I’ve had to break up with girlfriends in the past because they just didn’t “get it” and made me feel like all the work I was putting in was just me at a computer playing video games or something. I’m glad I never quit chasing my dreams.
Luckily my wife understands and she’s seen my ability to support us while she finishes up school. She doesn’t understand all the details or exactly how I do it, but at least she realizes it’s more than just me at a computer screen playing games.
Derek that’s great that your wife is onboard with your gig. Thumbs up!
Lisa, people are funny because sometimes I think they do not want you to succeed at the internet especially. My family rarely talked to me about my websites because they do not understand the process so they stay quiet because they do not want to sound stupid. I can not wait until the day I am successful because this will be the biggest I told you so. They have never understood what i did, I used to be a Federal correctional officer. They never asked me about prisons or contraband.
Fortunately I haven’t had to deal with people who I felt haven’t wanted me to succeed but I think those kinds of people are so insecure about their own lives, they don’t want to see other people doing well. Sad.
Recently i moved all of my business online. Everything – advertising, sales, wholesale, retail. I do occasionally some offline work since im a cosmetics producer, but the main stuff is on the net
Getting traffic has been my main problem (mostly because of my own inexperience on the issues)BUT, getting back to family & friends, it’s like pulling teeth, no one takes you seriously! Just the other day, I ask a grandchild if she liked so many sites, why didn’t she like gramma’s, she said…’I didn’t know you had one’…???
Yes, that is the question every famous blogger face. Their family & friends think if they are making money from this then its sure everyone can make money. Its very obvious on internet unlike offline businesses. They think, its only internet & some simple instructions which can make them money too.
Well I think e-commerce sites are not too much different than restaurants or any other shops around. You have an investment and you want to have customers, cash flow, return on capital, profit, traffic, conversion etc. Principal is the same only the platform is different. On the other hand, other income methods such as Adsense or affiliate marketing are too dependent on Google. Meaning that it is not brand based, rather it is dependent on ads or SEO. In conclusion, online businesses in the form of e-commerce should not have a perception problem but other methods might do.
Hey Lisa,
yep – same situation for me – my friends and family (and plenty of relative strangers too) don’t ‘get’ that I have an online business.
In my case I live in a small village in the countryside, in a very ‘low-tech’ area of the UK so it probably seems even more alien in this environment.
I deliberately said ‘same situation’ rather than ‘same problem’ though as I really don’t see it as a problem. I don’t particularly need friends and family to understand – they are not my clients and as long as my clients and potential clients understand, then that’s cool with me.
In time, more and more people will ‘get’ the internet – my son for example couldn’t believe that there was a time when Google didn’t exist or that when I was his age (11) the internet didn’t even exist!!
plus – even though you may get some people who don’t understand or perhaps even worse don’t like what you’re doing, there are plenty of other advantages that more than compensate for these things…
Great job Lisa,
The biggest difference subconsciously for these people is that at a brick and mortar store they can see money and goods trading.
On the internet, the average person can not see transactions happening. I have known a couple of store owners close their brick and mortars down after making more in sales online with their same products.
The profit is what made them do it.
It’s hard for people to see or believe the money that transfers online, because you have to be in it to see it.
mostly person can’t take online business but we must see some successive persons those are only made from online business….keep it up share these articles…
I believe sites”how to make money online” are owned by bloggers who want to make easy money online and that include your site Lisa.Teaching people how to earn money while your want to make money yourself isnt ok with me..I would rather respect a blog that teach me how to fix my phone or computer..anywhere that is my opinion
Great topic for a post. Yes my family members have negative opinions of tech workers too for some of the following reasons:
1) Lots of internet marketing emails going around about easy ways to make money online.
2) Many in my family were never taught how to code or anything about computers. They play games and enjoy aps but as far as truly knowing what is involved they don’t know and aren’t interested.
3) Our society places a low premium on “words”, pictures and content. It’s everywhere: magazines, newspapers, television, books. It appears to be too easy to acquire and often for free.
4) A lack of respect for what it takes to be a researcher and writer. I have family members who feel the same way about authors who write books. It seems like a “non profession” to them. Ah the author’s life: sitting around and writing in cafes. But they don’t see what is involved and again they don’t want to know.
5) There is something about jobs where you “sit” and appear to just be “typing”. Our society has always devalued what appears to be “just clerical”, when its not. But no one cares to find out.
6) A lack of interest in learning about tech because its just more fun to buy “cheap” aps and play with them.
7) The perception of the solo business as somehow being less than a corporation. Again a gap in understanding about entrepreneurship, especially solopreneurs.
8) In all honesty I have to admit when I first got into this web thing I too was ignorant.
I find that many of the tasks involved are tedious. After having used programs like excel, I keep looking for a magic “macro” that can do the jobs which take hours or days to do.
I guess in some respect the majority of the population contributes to the perception of an easy profession.
Look at all major campaigns about computers and you see young people mountain climbing carrying their “work” with them, playing foosball at the tech office. Then there is the image of those who work in their “Pajamas”. Those images certainly don’t conjure up “sacrifice” to many people.
People think of work as having to be “grueling”, taking you away from home, a daily tiring commute…
The question is: what does this mean for the field? especially since most folks are looking for what appears to be “easy money”.
Will the perceived value of ebooks and products decrease in value?
I have no answers. But it sure is thought provoking.
There’s all this talk about not having a “real job” and instead going online to make even more money than a “real job” can provide. However this gets me thinking that if I were to build a website online and make my income off of it, would I no longer need to go to university or college because they help get you a “real job”? I’d really like some input on that thanks
Hi Jennifer
I have a college degree and even though I probably would have been able to do all of this without it, I still think it’s important to get an education. Maybe I’m just old school but it’s important to have something to fall back on. I know some entrepreneurs disagree but I’m glad I finished my degree.
lisa you so right.
A lot of friends and family don’t understand the internet and don’t understand how the average person can make money online with a website or blog. They only know the big names.
I remember mentioning to one of my cuisine that would like to start a website. His first reaction was, what for! Way?
I don’t think he meant any bad by it. To him websites are started by these super smart kids. Not average people like us.
Sometimes you can feel alone because no one round you understands what you are doing.
It hard to get someone to believe in something they know nothing about.
I think that it’s still a developing idea and people still haven’t fully embraced it yet. I myself never took it seriously until recently when I had a detailed meeting with my blogger friend who convinced me to do it and I have to say, its been a great experience so far. I think that with the passage of time, people will become more aware.
Hi, Lisa,
I Agree with you that people will come to know slowly or by the example they will get from others.Then only they will believe the fact that on line money business is totally successful.Yes I am associated with a online business company ie,web designing company run by my son.And for that only I have a web hosting site also.The online marketing business is 100 % successful as I can say. thanks for good quality article projected by you.
Hello Lisa,
Firstly thanks for this blog. I am sure almost every person doing online business will agree with your post. Most of us at least me have come across family and friends who have often taken the power of online business for granted.
I just saw this post and had to respond. My friends and family used to think my goal to earn a living from the internet was a joke. They didn’t even realize how insulting it was when they would insinuate that I couldn’t possibly have an online business because A) It’s a scam, or B) If it was possible they’d be doing it. Really??
Now, years later, these are the same college educated people who are working jobs they hate, envious of the fact that I’ve spent the last 6 years at home raising my kids as a single mom earning a living on the net.
The irony is back when I was learning and willing to help people, no one took me seriously. Now that I’ve reached some visible success everyone wants me to help them “put up a website” or write a book. Gotta love that one.
Well, in my world it’s now called private consulting and THAT requires a fee. LOL
But seriously…I help whenever I can, but ironically, there isn’t the time now to help everyone who asks. Plus, at the end of the day this really isn’t something that just anyone can do.
A lot of people don’t really understand that just because everyone can surf the net, doesn’t mean everyone can carve a living out of it.
You couldn’t have said this better. I can relate to a lot of your story. I tried to get many people I know into this back in the day. They weren’t interested and said I was wasting my time. Then once I quit my 9 to 5 many of those same people started requesting help. I’ve spent a lot of time consulting people who think this should be easy because it’s “just the web” so they don’t take the advice seriously and don’t want to do the work. It’s been pretty draining. I love helping people who want to do the work, but it gets tiring trying to help people who think money is supposed to appear out of the sky. lol
it’s always a good thing to being Internet entrepreneurial leader when running an online business, although family may not potentially follow your lead. The reason why web businesses are not taken seriously by some onlookers is because of their lack of knowledge of the Internet, and feeling mentally in the dark about how to make money online. You can’t really not them for thinking that way, because their knowledge about earning revenue on the web is virtually 0%. All you can do is keep moving forward with your web business efforts, and just be yourself in the process
Internet business is a good method to earn money. Although it is not so easy to earn money online. Firstly we have to maintain good relationship with readers on various sources like Social Media and By Blogs. After a long effort we can get success in blogging business.
She acted like a 12-years old
) Even her aunt was more open-minded! In my case, opinions are divided: actually, at first nobody agreed with me. After the first few months, my parents began to support me. However, some of my relatives still think I should get “a real job”.
I decided to try my hand at making money online because it affords me privacy and security that I wouldn’t find with an offline business or a “regular” job. I am very shy and self-conscious and don’t like face-to-face work because I’m afraid people will say things behind my back.
At least if I have a website, I don’t have to show my face, and can simply put up a cartoon avatar or another picture instead.
My family has no idea I’ve started blogging, and I don’t have friends anyway so I don’t have to worry about that.
The only identity disclosure I’ll ever have to make is on the old 1040s. As much as I can’t stand Uncle $cam, thank goodness I don’t need to show my ugly mug on my tax forms… at least not yet.
For me, internet business has been as hard a brick and mortar business. Even harder as in real life, you don’t have that much distractions!
Excellent points Lisa – and so true!
As has been said, many people just don’t get online, aside from facebook, ebay and so on.
Like my dad once grumbled, “the internet? It’s never gonna take off!”
A mate actually asked me recently, “how’s your business?” That bought a smile to my face. He’s one of few that has a clue..
I keep it quiet a bit too, but people are often a bit curious. Reminds me of a Tom Waits song called “What’s He Building in There.”
Hello Lisa, Something like that happened to me the other day. I was telling a friend of mine about my website http://www.encuentreofertas.com wich is a classified ads site. I told her that I started my own bussines and when she asked what was it about and I responded it was a website she said “is that it?” Lol it took me like 15 minutes to explain her that doing a website is not that easy, I used the Facebook example so that she could understand faster
its the seeming ease of starting up on the internet that makes it look like its not really a business. but after a few weeks, you know its probably just like anyother, and sometimes its easy to keep on “simply surviving” because bills aren’t keeping you on the hot seat.
Hello people,
I know the trouble of explaining what I do, when I try to tell people about niche website marketing. But when people really understand what we do, prejudices are rare. A way I liked (past sense, I’m taking up blogging now) to describe it what that affiliate marketing is just like any form of marketing, like TV commercials or newspaper ads, but without the need for a structured corporation. I don’t lose money or get fired when I don’t make sales, but commissions keep me motivated. Just like any job, it’s part certainty (Not having to be afraid to get laid off) and part motivation (more sales, more commissions). When people realize it’s just a business without startup costs, and linear growth, I mostly get people interested in it too.
Cheers,
René
I started a brick and mortar business designing websites in 2010, I operated my shop for 12 months before realizing I could achieve the same results (if not better) working from my home office. You are spot on Lisa, people don’t see online business as being real, my family and friends still refer to it as “PLAYING”.
I work 16 hours a day, usually 7 days a week, so when you have a passion for something and have no-one around you understand or support what you’re doing, it can be very frustrating; especially when those criticizing are meant to be the most supportive.
I began my online business back in 2008, and when I opened my shopfront in 2010, I was suddenly a respectable member of the community. Immediately after closing my doors, I was asked and to this day get asked “How’s the JOB hunting going?” Because after all, if you’re staying home all day, you must be playing videos games (having said that, I know some very well off gamers too).
If only they knew.
Hi Lisa, I strongly believe that the steep learning curve of building a solid web business makes most people run away from the idea of creating a successful online appearance. As there is no one to guide us to work on a fixed action plan, it is this that makes us feel lazy and not taking online business seriously.
I find myself sitting for a long time fixing things getting right, when my family thinks that I keep sitting in front of computer uselessly. Many of us are called as computer nerds who are day dreaming on computers. Even I feel my pet also hate me as I’m
Chris,
I strongly agree with your argument about the steep learning curve being the reason for the slow start most webmasters have in this branche.
But I think the prejudices are mostly around this specific branche, the niche site and affiliate marketing branche. When you sell your own product online, nobody thinks you’re sitting in front of the computer uselessly, nor when you write articles for your website with paying advertisers. The fact that the business exists of riskless affiliations with various companies make it hard for people to fathom what you do. Since the sole claim “I’m starting an affiliate marketing business” translates to “I’m going to set up a business with the potential of making a hundred thousand dollars in the first year, without any risk”, prejudices are on it’s place and people need to know they can’t quit their job even if they make a hundred thousand in the first year. A business without risk is a business without certainty.
That doesn’t make it a bad investment of time, or any less fun!
René
Hi Lisa
I briefly read your blog and all the comments. I am just impressed that you had so much response. I started an online biz about 3 months ago and all of the above, my family think it is a scam, many of my friends say they will watch me first. It is frustrating because I am not someone who just jumps into something and my friends and family know that but still they do not trust enough that they would conceive I will do this successfully.
My biggest drama is not knowing how to get my business out there for all to see. I am very talented with video creation but to marry that up with a web page I am clueless. Anyone have ideas??