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 Lisa,
I’ve been making collectible teddy bears for over 13 years, 11 of those years were full time. None of my family or friends (except one) respected the fact that this was how I made money. They would always ask me to do things for them since I was just at home anyways…..including designing a Website for free for a friend of my now ex-husband. There is something about not going into an actual office that makes people think you are always available for them. Almost makes you want to rent office space…but then that kills the overhead costs…. LOL
Uh isn’t Facebook an online business?
LOL, I wasn’t referring to well-known branded businesses. I was referring to the smaller sites like mine and other bloggers/affiliate marketers where people don’t really understand what you do.
Often since brick and mortar businesses are in public spaces that people can see, the general public takes these types of entrepreneurial pursuits more seriously. Even the idea of executives working from home gets the eyeballs rolling for most since people think they’re really just being lazy.
Despite the growth of Internet based companies that are now major players like Facebook and Google many onlookers don’t think real money can be made from your spare bedroom.
My family and friends are supportive of my online efforts, but I think they look at it as something “on the side” in between my other business, which is real estate. The reality is is I want to have two businesses that drive residual income, and one is 100% online. I’m looking to turn a profit with my Internet business by the end of this year, just have to keep working at it.
I have two successful methods of showing the doubters. Having them sit behind me as I work or show them the money. Sometimes it is the actual check and other times it is simply picking up the check with the money I make “playing” online.
However, I tell them, if you are lazy or you need someone to crack the whip to get you to work, online is definitely not the field for them and they are better off being wage slaves with an {almost} guaranteed paycheck.
Great advice!
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??
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 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 🙂
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.
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
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 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 😛
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.”
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!
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. 🙂