Would You Walk Away From It All?
Every now and again… an opportunity crops up and you have to evaluate what you really want to do with yourself going forward. That opportunity has once again stumbled in front of me… and I have been approached to be a part of something that could be very big! I’m not talking about ANYTHING to do with the affiliate marketing world, but a local opportunity that would take advantage of my 15 years of skills on the web, programming, sales, business management, etc… to do… well… I don’t really want to talk about it! :-O
Part of the opportunity however requires that I hang-up ALL of my current affiliate site efforts…
Meaning:
- Close or Sell the Niche Store Builder site!
- Close or Sell ALL Affiliate sites!
- Close down my own Local Business!
Not for competition purposes… but to give the owner the confidence I will focus 100% of my efforts toward the business.
What Would It Take For YOU to Do It?
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I have been doing my part to "Build the Internet" since 1994, when I built my first website! Since then, I have built hundreds of niche websites for myself and many others, focused on design, applications, ecommerce, search optimization and internet marketing.
Argh! Don’t do it… well, I am sure you can find a way to keep them running and still hold down another full time role.
Since starting back at a full time job, I have 2 hours a day to spend on my sites, so it can be done. Little by little, slowly building content and backlinks works for me.
Then again, I bet you have plenty more sites than me!
Would I do it, yes if the right opportunity came up I would. But whatever IT was would have to have far more future, financial and lifestyle benefits in order for me to give everything up that I’d built up online. Having said that I did used to do this around a full time job, but then I didn’t have much of a life so wouldn’t really want to put myself back in that situation…
I say that you have to do whatever makes you the happiest, the best thing for you, your family and your own life.
I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide, Mark.
@Tao – I have been there and tried that before Tao – in the end, I spent more time on my affiliate efforts, than I did on the business, and both suffered because of it.
If I had less than 5-10 sites, I don’t think it would be an issue, but with scale comes a lot of maintenance and time I don’t think would be fair to the new venture.
M
That is one of those hard choices. Do you trade stability for freedom? If I were looking at it, I would have to evaluate the creative possibilities in the new position, as well as the opportunity for growth.
I wish you the best of luck.
Mark you have to evaluate how you value your freedom from a job that has set hours..i.e a regular “job”. Now you have been at this game for 15 years, I guess boredom is starting to set in, and you are looking for a change, a new direction..
Working for yourself takes a lot of effort..you always have to keep up with the constant change that is happening with internet marketing..tweaking this, tweaking that.. it is never ending..
It seems that your offer can lead to “something big”. Go for it.. Cast off the shackles… strike while the iron is hot..
Your knowledge will always be with you…you will never have to begin from scratch..
Just a note… you quote “the opportunity however requires that I hang-up ALL of my current affiliate site efforts…”
It seems that your site building, affiliate marketing, etc. has now become an effort and not a joy as it once was…
These are just some of my thoughts.. I am retired by the way.. so I can say anything..
David
@Ben Johnson – Thanks Ben – that’s actually where I am right now. The evaluation process! :-)
There is a LOT to be said for focusing your effort on driving one big truck, instead of pushing 50 smaller cars in 50 different directions!
M
@David – Thanks David. I have been in and out of several businesses in the past 15 years for sure, so running into a new venture with guns blazing won’t be too out of place for me.
The MAIN reason to stop on the affiliate building is the distraction.
Retirement… cannot wait! I’m still shooting for the retire by 50 target!
M
It would have to be a lot of money and benefits because I love this internet stuff and it’s kind of a hobby that I enjoy so for my employer to take away my hobby that I can do when I’m at home is a lot for me to give up. What about your wife’s coupon site? Will she have to get rid of it too? I am sure she asks you for help from time to time.
@Daniel – I hear ya for sure on that Daniel! Freedom is important…
As far as the coupon site – we actually sold it to a group of investors a few months ago! :-)
I started building a new one – but have not even launched it yet!
M
@Mark Hansen – I’ve worked it out Mark, you’re going to work for ePN aren’t you :D
@Ben Johnson – LOL – Hardly!
Its actually nowhere near the affiliate space at all… it’s with a local business that I have been involved with since 2001.
Mark
Well, whatever you decide, best wishes to you. I’m glad it’s not me making that decision. :) Good luck.
If it were me, I’d have to seriously sit down and weigh the pros and cons. I’ve been on the verge many times of getting into various “jobs” not because they would really be fulfilling for me but because “anyone else would be out of their mind not to take this opportunity”. Just because it could be a good fit for “anyone else” does not mean it would necessarily be good for me. One of my mantras lately has been “just because I can do something doesn’t mean I “should” or “have to” do that thing.
Figure out what truly matters most to you and ponder whether being 100% committed to this other opportunity would allow you to have the best life possible.
One other thing….what about Outsourcing the maintenance of your existing sites? And perhaps teaching him/her to do what you do and build up some of those sites you have sitting in the background?
That way you could still be mildly involved with your sites. If a great idea pops into your head you would have someone else to research and implement it for you.
Good luck with making your decision.
@Affiliate X – Thanks! Its a tough one for sure!
@Beth – That is actually what I am in the process of doing right now Beth. Weighing the pros and cons…
I have already been involved with the business for some time, so its not a new thing for sure.
As far the affiliate sites go – having a house load of kids and plenty of family around makes keeping a few of the better passive affiliate sites “in the family” pretty easy. The rest though… would have to go.
hey Mark,
you may not know me well but i follow your blog and comments on the NSB forum with great respect. I have heard you did the e commerce deal alot in the past and you said you were making some 2-3 times the amount you make with aff. marketing? (if i remember correctly). Knowing that… there is some reason that you stepped away and into A.M. was it the passion for A.M? something to think about….
on the other hand, you say this new adventure will take advantage of all of your skills that you have for the web, so you really would be doing the career you enjoy…
Choice is totally yours and it looks like you KNOW what you need to do in terms of weighing options, now it is simply executing. Good luck either way and you would totally be missed online here.
BTW, if you sell some sites, let me know :)
Best wishes
I don’t know, Mark. Did they ask you to cut bait or is this something that you decided on your own (either internally or something you offered to them)?
If they asked you, then I don’t see how it’s any of their business. But if it has been an internal struggle that you came to grips with, then I can see your point.
I suppose there’s no harm in just keeping them running as long as you can avoid the temptation of tinkering with them. But if THAT’S the issue AND they’re offering you something very valuable in return, then maybe it’s time for a change. :)
I’ve been contemplating the same thing, but not because of a proposition, but because my sites have been tanking in epc (and traffic) since 3/2 and it has been difficult trying to figure out what the issue is (have a meeting with my epn rep next week) and if it keeps up, I’ll need to supplement this affiliate marketing income. I generate tons of traffic for ebay, but lately it’s not working like the past and to convert to something else would be difficult (amazon). Especially since this isn’t a part time gig.
So, right now, it may not take much for me to make a switch. (Unless it was a lottery ticket.) But it’s difficult seeing myself working for someone else again.
If it was a well oiled machine, it would be hard to give up. You could always hire someone (friend, family) to manage what you have inorder to explore other opportunities.
I wish you luck and all the best in your venture. (whichever you decide.) Sometimes you gotta go with your gut instincts.
PS. Thanks for the help on those hostgator questions regarding transfering a site a bot earlier.
Wow Mark, this is big news!
On one hand I am happy to hear you have great opportunities knocking at your door… On the other hand I am a bit worried that one of my most valuable mentors may be leaving the biz!
I think that it all comes down to this… What would make you happy?
If leaving all of “this”, for your offline opportunity would truly make you and your family happy… Do it, without hesitation.
But if your online efforts are where your heart truly belongs… Giving it up will just be something you regret down the line.
That being said, I would love the opportunity to help you manage some of your sites ;-)
-I wish you all the best in making this decision my friend!
-Tyler
Is the new opportunity something that you always wanted to do? I guess not..Anyway, I am sure with your skills you can always come back and start from a clean slate..So, what I would advise you is to draw up a two year plan to see how much you can end up to earn from affiliate marketing if you continue with this and what’s the average money you will earn from your new efforts..Take a call based on that..
As long as you enjoy both these jobs the same way, it should not be a problem..
What would it take? I would have to be 99.9% sure that the alternative would bring me more than what I already have. The unknown sucks ’cause there’s no guarantee it will be better. I guess that’s why you have to weigh the pros and cons, but you only know the Potential pros & cons of the other choice. I’d say make your millions here first, it’s just around the corner, then move on & do whatever your heart desires with all the free time you’ll have.
Perhaps you should keep the sites on the burner in the background and then switch to this other job and see what happens. I know that one of my goals is to still work full time and have additional income from my sites as well, perhaps enough to retire on one day.
A change is as good as a rest – and if you could come back to your sites and carry on one day, that might be interesting to do something else for a while.
By the way, does this also mean you will stop updating this blog? :-o
I’m saddened to hear that you may soon leave us for greener pastures, but I completely understand, if you decide to do so.
What would it take for me to do that? Here are my thoughts:
– “It” would need to provide me with stability beyond what my current situation offers, both for now and the foreseeable future. This includes things such as monetary compensation and insurance coverage.
– “It” would need to require as much, if not less, from me than I am already giving. In other words, if I have to lose time with my husband and kids, beyond what I’m already losing, then I don’t think I’d do it.
– I would need to enjoy doing “It,” as it will take up a good amount of my time.
– I would want sufficient training to ensure that I do “It” to the best of my ability.
– I would want to have support, for times when I don’t know how to do various aspects of “It.”
– I would need to discuss “It” with my spouse, and make sure he is agreeable to whatever I am considering.
If all of the above were met, I would most likely do “It.”
Much luck to you as you consider this life-changing decision.
Rochelle
Mark… don’t do it! I made this mistake before and what looked like an easy existence working for someone else with a decent salary etc. turned me into a sad clock watcher… think long and hard! Affiliate marketing is a great way to make a living, it would take a hell of a lot to tear me away!
Since it’s with a local business that you have been involved with since 2001…..don’t you already know the answer? And if you don’t, what’s bothering you about it? And if it’s really bothering you, that should tell you something.
Al
I hope you find it easy to make a decision. If you are fighting doubts it can be quite dabilitating.
What would it take for me to go back to full-time work?
There is nothing that anyone could offer me that would entice me back to the workplace as an employee. Not money, not stability, not a future – I would not give up the freedom it took me 20 yrs and a shock redundancy to find. Redundancy from a 20 year professional career that I enjoyed, forced me to reassess. What a blessing that turned out to be, although very painful at the time.
If you feel as strongly about this opportunity – go for it!
Mark,
I think the only part of it that might not work for you is confining yourself to one creative endeavour.
Even though I don’t think it necessarily serves you the best, I think you thrive on being “all over the place” when it comes to stages of development and new tools for our business.
I honestly think you’ve already decided what you’re going to do and had done so within minutes of the offer being made. I think you’re just calming your inner voice so that it believes you’re practicing due diligence.
I too would hate to see you leave.
Like Tao, I would have to at least keep my hot stuff going and keeping an eye on new opportunities in our space.
Jeff
Why close your sites down, Mark? …..sell them!!
Best regards
Peter
You are a smart man and will figure it out..
IMHO given the state of the economy and the coming issues with commercial mortgages I would:
1) Insure the company you are moving to is insulated from further financial fall out if the economy tanks further.
2) Hopefully get ownership equity in the new business venture (you are after all giving up/selling the Internet empire you’ve been building over the past years..)
3) Hopefully when you visualize yourself in your new position, you are smiling in the picture…
Whatever you decide, thank you for your insights and knowledge you have shared with us over the past years.. Good luck with your venture..
Mark,
As long as you do what makes you happy. If this new opportunity allows you to have skin in the game (meaning you can reap the success either via stocks, an IPO, or some other compensation) and you can be happy too I say go for it. Just weigh it all out, pro’s versus cons.
New opportunities are fun but commitments like these definitely make you question your goals. What are your goals? I like the idea of retiring at 50! But how are you going to accomplish this?
No matter how good another opportunity is, there is no comparison to being a business owner. Its reminds of the Cash Flow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad author). Which quadrant to you want to be in?
Good luck and let us all know how things go!
Joe
@Polly – @polly
You took the words right off my keyboard. I’ve often thought about what it would take to get me back in the traditional working world, and every time I do, I get a tight feeling in my chest and a lump in my stomach.
That part of my life has come and gone and I’m sooooo happy doing what I’m doing now. My freedom and autonomy are priceless.
Mark, you gotta do what you’ve gotta do. But I, for one, would miss your insight, experience and good humor.
For me, there’s virtually no way it could happen. Not unless I had complete control over my own hours.
I have two boys at home who both play baseball at a pretty high level. That means traveling on weekends, afternoon games during the week etc.
I don’t want to miss any of it.
I missed too much of that with my 3 older (now married) daughters. I wish I could have those years back.
Now I can take my computer with me and work when we travel. I can go to afternoon games and make up the time by working in the evening.
I work as many hours now as I did when I had a job, although it’s been about 6 years since I’ve been in the workforce. But at least they are MY hours, whenever I want to work them, not when somebody tells me to work.
When employed I was a manager in charge of a team of about 25-30. Put in close to 60 hours a week for over 20 years. Decent pay, but in no way was it worth it.
Hi Mark,
Whatever you decide, I’d like to thank you along with Ben and a few others for your help in getting me started into this enjoyable business.
I just hope you make the right choice, we’ll miss you and you’re sound advice if you do go.
Mark
I wouldn’t do it. If this new person can’t take you at your word that you will be devoting all of your efforts in the new project then that’s not much of a relationship to build on.
Mutual trust is necessary for any partnership to flourish. It sounds like you need to establish a better relationship before beginning the venture.
Ask yourself why he/she simply will not take your word? Why are they distrusting you now and how is that going to get any better in the future?
We are all constantly bombarded with different offers every day offering the next best “you beaut” idea. Some of these ideas work and some don’t. The two dangers I see here are:
1. You will no longer be in control… he will be, which means he can get rid of you whenever he has no longer any use for you.
2. You are back to a job scenario trading time for money whereas he is getting his time back by getting you to do all the donkey work.
My suggestion: Find something you are passionate about and build that and then delegate all the boring mundane stuff to someone else or outsource it. If you are not passionate about what you are building online, it will quickly become just another job… get passionate :-)
Thanks again to EVERYONE for jumping in here and commenting on this! I want to add a few quick things…
If I do take on the new role – it would be with a partial ownership position in a business that does very well in ecommerce and eBay sales (+ $3mil on eBay alone in 09) It’s also a company I have been involved in for almost 10 years, so its not a blind faith leap.
The MAIN reason I would stop my own affiliate efforts is due to my own values and wanting to make sure I pour 100% effort into it. It’s far too easy to give up on something when you know you have a backup plan, and can just walk away at any time! Been there and done that in the past!
There are pros and cons on both sides for sure… :-)
Having kids in school and paying a mortgage sucks.
I can only tell you what happened with me. As you know Mark I was a builder until I feel and almost died. 3 major surgeries and the loss of everything is what propelled me into this. It was a choice taking pills and starring at the TV all day or learning the computer world. Most people in my situation become addicts or drunks. I used my disability check to buy cpu’s.
Building sites and such has given me freedom I never thought I would ever have. Its given me my life and more back.
For the last 2 years I have been able to ski almost everyday at Vail and Beaver Creek in CO and boat all summer at home. All the people who disappeared after I got hurt are all jealous as it gets. Hah!
Funny how life surprises us everyday.
Its really about quality of life you want. If you leave us I wish you luck and a true thank you for all you have done for me and others. If it wasn’t for people like you helping me I am convinced I would be living in the woods or dead.
Thanks Man!
Flip a coin.
Whenever I have a tough decision I flip a coin.
I’m not really going to run with the outcome… I’m just interested in what my reaction is. If I’m delighted or relieved with the outcome then that tells me something. If I’m not, or if I’m tempted to do a “best out of three”, then that tells me something too!
Whatever you decide, thanks for your fantastic articles and sharing your knowledge.
Good luck!
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