Two Voices Sending Me in Different Directions

I feel as though I have two different opinions sitting on my shoulder, whispering in each ear, sending me in different directions. 

On the one hand -- I read posts on forums.digitalpoint.com where it sounds like real people are making anywhere from $100 - $400 a day.  They aren't trying to sell me anything, so I think they are being honest.  Or John Chow reporting similar $$$ in his blog entries.   Granted John Chow's blog is not your average blog, but still... a tenth of his success wouldn't be all bad for just writing down my thoughts.

On the other hand, I listened yesterday to the video attached to Rich Schefren's blog entry, What They Won't Tell You where he talked about how too many people don't build a real business because they get sidetracked chasing all the overhyped "opportunities" to make money online. 

I know I am spread too thin, that I neglect substantial business ideas to try and make a quick buck here and there.  On the other hand, a modest second income stream, would really be useful. 

As you can see I'm still debating, still listening to both sides and trying to make up my mind. 

Comments

[Career-Change-Wanted]

One comment I'll make is having read your blog a bit and I popped over to your squidoo lens -- you write well. I'm not sure whether that means you try blogging for $$ or whether any of your "more substantial business ideas" involve writing. BUT.... I don't think you should be wasting time filling out online surveys, if that's what you are thinking of.

[Splork]

You've been tagged. Before you think it's spam please check out the link. :)

[Ryan Cole]

I hear you. All I've ever been after is a little extra scratch. I don't want to make my living with IM. In fact, I'm starting to hate it. I know I could probably make a full-time wage doing this, but I have things I'd rather do even if I make less money doing them... just because they're what I'd probably be doing even if I weren't getting paid for it. If that makes sense.

Basically, I think you should do what makes you happy. I'm chalking my Internet marketing experience up to education that may come in useful someday, but right now I've got things I enjoy doing that people are willing to pay me for... so F this IM stuff!

[ScamHunter]

Ryan,

You must have had a lot more success than I've had since you say you could probably make a full-time wage (I know I couldn't, I'm lucky to be in the black at all). But you are right that it does not sound like you are having much fun with it, at least not at the moment.

I do think there are skills and lessons to be learned from internet marketing. The crafting of a good headline, gaining trust or believability, generating traffic. All may come in handy.

And of course the lesson that while get-rich-quick-schemes (and dreams) are launched every minute, you really are NOT going to get rich QUICK! If you're lucky, no make that, if you are skilled, you get a bit of extra cash.

So go have some fun using that 'extra scratch' on something more meaningful to you.