© 2004, John Calder http://www.TheEzine.net
Almost every Internet marketer who works at a regular job full
time, and builds an Internet marketing business part time,
dreams of the day when they can say goodbye to their day job and
become a full time marketer. The carrot of working to your own
schedule, having no boss to answer to, not having to commute
through stop and go traffic, is always dangling in front of
them, spurring them to work long hours building their online
business. Indeed, that lifestyle is a big reason many people
become Internet marketers in the first place. After reaching a
certain degree of sustained success, the day will come when our
marketer is ready to make the big leap to full time self
employment.
Before doing that, you should make very cautious, comprehensive
plans, based on your family circumstances, financial condition,
goals, your target market, the economy, and life's
uncertainties. This is the time to face the toughest, harshest,
coldest reality you can muster. Forget the pie in the sky
dreams, and look at bottom line numbers. Your profits, real and
projected, will need to replace your income, so you want to make
sure you thoroughly understand and trust what the numbers are
telling you.
In particular, you will want a strong financial cushion before
leaving your day job. You'll need to replace health and life
insurance, vacations, and other benefits you may lose, and
you'll need money to cover living expenses while continuing to
build your business to a higher income level. Fortunately,
starting an Internet business doesn't have to be expensive, and
since you started part-time, most of the expense outlays have
probably already been made.
Those with a spouse or partner who works outside the home, and
who is willing to continue in their job in order to provide cash
flow and benefits, have a decided advantage in this area. Even
so, they should review their financial circumstances thoroughly
before making this big decision.
Is your family, including a significant other, supportive of
your decision? Do they believe in you and your ability as
strongly as you do? Things will be a lot easier for you that
way. You will need a good support system, and that is best
provided by your family if possible. Have you worked out care
arrangements for any young children in your home? Will you be
able to spend the quality time with them that they need? You
don't want your business to take over your life, and even
Internet based ventures can do that.
Don't forget a social outlet. If you worked at a regular job,
chances are you were able to socialize at least a little with
coworkers. If you are working at home, you may spend hour upon
hour cooped up in your home office. Of course, there's email,
visiting forums, perhaps some phone calls, that will help with
some of this, but make sure you'll still be able to get the
amount of social contact that's right for you.
Take a look at your work conditions at home. Do you have a
comfortable, quiet place to work? While you built your business
part time, the kitchen table may have been fine. But now you'll
be spending longer hours sitting at the computer, so you may
need to upgrade desk, chairs, and office equipment. Be sure to
budget for that.
Finally, don't neglect both your physical and mental health. If
you work at home at a desk all day, you will likely not get as
much exercise as even walking into your old office provided.
Watch your eating habits and exercise regularly. Be sure to take
time away for yourself, your family, and your community.
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