Advice needed!

[Pip]

Just a quickie, I work full time and run my site on a part time basis. I have had several people ask me to design/run/build sites for them, but find I haven't the time! How many of you guys n gals do your sites full time?, how do you afford to give up your day jobs? Do you have any neccessary qualifications etc in web sites and design? I'm looking to do a CIW course, do you think that will help?

I would love to give up my crappy day job!

Thanks in advance

[ChemicalEyes]

Full time, gave up the day job totally in 99/00.. just didn't want anymore 8-9 days and with the new sales manager they gave me back then I'd probably be in prison now, lol

CIW course.. it's not if we think it will help you but if you think it will help you?

[JT]

Hi Pip

You know in my opinion you really cant make a go of webmastering full time untill you do it. When you give up your job and have those 9 hours a day to work, you will bne suprised what you can do and the money you can make.

I would never intentionally go back to work, I earn 5 times more than I ever could offline plus I enjoy it much more.

There is also the added advantage of actually having to make money when its your only income, which is a great insentive to work every day, unlike when you are doing it part time.


Im sure we could all help you as you go :drink:

[ChemicalEyes]

Im sure we could all help you as you go :drink:

That's one the reasons this place is here :drink:

[mellenig]

I suppose one simple way too look at would be, how much do you earn part time per hour then work that out to a full time basis based on how many hours you would be putting in. But in reality it doesnt work like that.

I gave up my full time job eight years ago to work on this full time but I would be much more hesitant in todays present climate.

As too design skills I wouldnt say it was something that was essential, in the UK I would say amateur designs sell the best and it you wanted something pro designed, designers are really cheap these days.

The main skill you need is being able to market your site to a level where it can support full time wage/taxes/business growth etc

[dvtimes]

Just a quickie, I work full time and run my site on a part time basis. I have had several people ask me to design/run/build sites for them, but find I haven't the time! How many of you guys n gals do your sites full time?, how do you afford to give up your day jobs? Do you have any neccessary qualifications etc in web sites and design? I'm looking to do a CIW course, do you think that will help?

I would love to give up my crappy day job!

Thanks in advance
It sounds very much that you have made your decision.

You do not need any qualifications, but of course more you know the better sites you can produce.

Of course being able to do flash and all the fancy stuff if great, but in truth many people want a basic nice looking site.

One chap quoted me £350 for a basic site, and he sent me a link to his sites he had done, and I thought he was joking, as they were worse than mine!!!!

What I would suggest is many going part time, but life's far too short to waste your life doing something you hate.

[Rosie]

I haven't worked for other people for a very long time and now I spend my days shooting, editting, and promoting naked ladies doing naughty things. I'm ably assisted by my part time tea-boy who also doubles up as my husband and a fem domme with attitude who is our production supervisor.

I can't image for a moment how we'd be able to run this business if at least one of us wasn't glued to the monitors all day. That said I'm taking the rest of the day off to laze about in the sunshine, because I'm the boss and I can :devil:

[stouch]

Pip, I went fulltime about 2 years ago and havent looked back although at the time it was considered a risk. But my income now is far nicer, not to mention my working environment.

And here is the kicker... whilst it undoubtedly does help to have a knowledge of things like HTML you dont need to be an expert or have a qualification in it. In fact, as ridiculous as it sounds, I only learnt how to use a proper ftp program about 8 months ago. I seriously have no ability at anything technical, but as long as you are prepared to put the work in, have a fair amount of common sense and know how to sell, then you wont go far wrong.

I would say go for it and see how it flies.

[stouch]

Forgot to say, if you can build relationships with people that are pretty trustworthy then that goes a long way to helping.

[Tim]

Agreed.
Welcome Pip :)

[Head Boy]

It sounds very much that you have made your decision.

You do not need any qualifications, but of course more you know the better sites you can produce.

Of course being able to do flash and all the fancy stuff if great, but in truth many people want a basic nice looking site.

One chap quoted me £350 for a basic site, and he sent me a link to his sites he had done, and I thought he was joking, as they were worse than mine!!!!

What I would suggest is many going part time, but life's far too short to waste your life doing something you hate.

Why would you want to use flash, flash is just an anooyance and I certainly wouldn't spend anytime on such a site.

[Shandy McAndy]

Does it loose the fun out of it if you go full time? :mad:

[Pip]

Thanks for all your wisdom guys n Rosie :drink: I think I'll need to work on my marketing etc before I can jack in the day job for good :mad: Any suggestions there would be helpful. It's good to know that it is possible to go full time one day. Well done to those of you who have taken the plunge and are doing great. Thanks, all advice gratefully received :p

[lizaanddel]

i left school at 16 with no qualifications, i've never held a job down longer than 2 weeks, and i claimed dole for a good few years. i got fed up of it, worked for minimum wage in factories, and at hours that didn't suit me, i didn't stick them either. eventually i clicked, now i make my living from websites, and reselling computers from ebay. i work hours that suit me, and my family, my wife seen the cash comming in, she does it too now. The only bit that you might not like is waiting your first month or two for the checks when you get started.

best of luck

del

[mOBSCENE]

Hi all,

My first post here - I am leaving my job in July to concentrate on my webmastering (based on how things have gone in my spare time, it would be crazy not to!) - although I will still be doing about 80 days a year consultancy for my old employer. It's a bit scary at times, but I'm sure the right decision. Fortunately I don't have any dependants, so I can see how it goes. Good luck to anyone else who's just starting out or thinking of quitting the day job :music:

Some great smileys on this board! Hope to contribute more soon.

[Gord]

Hi mOBSCENE. Nice to see you here! My first post too, Only just came accross this board! We had a chap contact us this afternoon, wants to develop our idea of the Teen Porn Soap (Sarahs Sexual Awakening). He has worked on many Pop videos in the 80's and has been a member for a while. Is willing to donate his services to TeenDreams as he feels it has "real potential in producing movies" He certainly has some nice ideas. How are your sites coming along?

[mOBSCENE]

Hi Gordon,

Wow, small world (or country, anyway!). The progress with the soap sounds promising!

Yeah, things are going great, but as with anything, there's always room for improvement!

[Gord]

Glad to hear it. If their is anything we can do to help you let us know. And thanks as always for your support on the boards. :)

[dvtimes]

Why would you want to use flash, flash is just an anooyance and I certainly wouldn't spend anytime on such a site.
http://www.virtualbartender.beer.com/VB2/

[mOBSCENE]

Glad to hear it. If their is anything we can do to help you let us know. And thanks as always for your support on the boards. :)

Thanks to you too - Teen Dreams got me started, afterall (both the first adult website, and the first affiliate program I ever signed up to!l :)

[JT]

Hi all,

My first post here - I am leaving my job in July to concentrate on my webmastering (based on how things have gone in my spare time, it would be crazy not to!) - although I will still be doing about 80 days a year consultancy for my old employer. It's a bit scary at times, but I'm sure the right decision. Fortunately I don't have any dependants, so I can see how it goes. Good luck to anyone else who's just starting out or thinking of quitting the day job :music:

Some great smileys on this board! Hope to contribute more soon.

Im sure you wont regret it :drink:

[Pip]

I'm sooo envious at you peeps that can jack in your day jobs so confidently :devil: Please pass on your secrets cause I'm at a loss here :mad:

[dvtimes]

I'm sooo envious at you peeps that can jack in your day jobs so confidently :devil: Please pass on your secrets cause I'm at a loss here :mad:


Hi

Your site looks good.


My advise is to set up a webdesign site and do a few samples to show people.

You may want to do one or two free for your friends, but make sure they have a link to your webdesign site.

But do not just stick to adult, look at non adult sites to design.

You may also think about modelling to give you extra income.

[Pip]

Hi Allan

Yeah, I've done the modelling mellarcky and to be truethful it didn't pay off Maybe my age etc is against me now lol :mad: I do have another domain that I have registered purely to advertise websites etc but I can't seem to get the ideas to create new sites :ninja: I have the ideas in my head just can't get it down on paper as it were :mad: pisses me off lol :devil: I'll try again with the design stuff and see where I go, any thoughts on the marketing/cash making for my site already there?

[JT]

Hi Allan

Yeah, I've done the modelling mellarcky and to be truethful it didn't pay off Maybe my age etc is against me now lol :mad: I do have another domain that I have registered purely to advertise websites etc but I can't seem to get the ideas to create new sites :ninja: I have the ideas in my head just can't get it down on paper as it were :mad: pisses me off lol :devil: I'll try again with the design stuff and see where I go, any thoughts on the marketing/cash making for my site already there?

In my opinion the people who make the content should be adding there sites to affiliate programs who market their content.... Your age isnt against you, I think you would be supprised what youd make if a program took your site over

[JT]

Pip i think we have met in Covent Garden :drink:

[stouch]

Hey Pip, if you have some galleries made up I will run them through my sites for you. It may not make anything but if you have them I will put them in. My main niche is milf/housewife so it will fit in.

[dvtimes]

Hi Allan

Yeah, I've done the modelling mellarcky and to be truethful it didn't pay off Maybe my age etc is against me now lol :mad: I do have another domain that I have registered purely to advertise websites etc but I can't seem to get the ideas to create new sites :ninja: I have the ideas in my head just can't get it down on paper as it were :mad: pisses me off lol :devil: I'll try again with the design stuff and see where I go, any thoughts on the marketing/cash making for my site already there?

Hi

As you use ccbill, why not set up an affiliate option.

You may want to stop the paypal as paypal do not do adult stuff, so you may find you get the account closed.

Also if you do set up as an affiliate you may just want to go 100% ccbill as webmasters who promote your site as ccbill will only want you to do ccbill.

http://www.pipsworld.com/home/join/join.htm

Also in your tour, you are giving away free nude pics of yourself. If people get your pics free they may not bother to join.

http://www.pipsworld.com/home/tour/newpics/flower.JPG

I think your site looks good, but there is far too much free for people.

If I was going to say anything negative, its simply its not clear what your site is about.

Yes there is info on your site, but its almost an essay.

You need to tell people instantly what they will get when they join.

I would simplify the menu page a lot. Most of that stuff should be on a 'about me' page. I would set up a page that tell people about you.

All you need to have on your main index page is something like:

Welcome to PipsWorld, I am the Welsh amateur. I set up this site to show you my adventures which I update weekly.

Inside you will see me.....................

Then as I say set up an about you page.

Then on the tour page do not show any nude shots. my advise is to set it up as a diary/blog page. You can add a pic of your latest shoot with the date. This will show that you update all the time.

But keep things simple. Its tempting to put up too much. Even the forum, may be too much free.

I would be tempted to remove the forum and chat bit, as this to me is a 'block' from getting people to join.

[Pip]

Hey Johny, tell me more about this programme,although I have to warn you that I hate anything that tries to tell me what I can and can't do lol :devil: I'm interested all the same. I think we may have met at a party in London, can't remember the guys name who was hosting it though! doh Was in a nightclub , bugger can't remember the name of that either :blush: I was there with Julia J! if that helps lol :drink:

Stouch hun, I have some stuff lined up so will mail you soon, I may need to set up some housewife stuff to suit though :p Thanks both XX

[Pip]

Sorry Allan, didn't mean to dis you hun, I think we were posting messages at the same time :kebab: I'll check over your suggestions and get back tomorrow after a kip if thats alright babe :drink: Thanks hun :blush:

[stouch]

Or if I can pinch a pic I will post it in my blog with a link to your site. Doesnt get as much traffic but hey you never know ;)

[mOBSCENE]

I'm sooo envious at you peeps that can jack in your day jobs so confidently :devil: Please pass on your secrets cause I'm at a loss here :mad:

The only secrets I have are hard work, persistence, patience and willingness to try new things. Oh, and did I say persistence?

[cock-a-leekie]

It's 10% design/content and 90% marketing.

If you can't sus the the promotional side, sign your site over to the traffic chasers. 50% of something is better than 100% of dick. You've already got ccbill - go for it, let them do all the donkey work for you.

Has to be said though, how much money can you expect to make from just 1 site these days? Unless you push serious numbers and promoting other affiliated sites, I don't think you should quit your day job.

The key is in the numbers. Sites AND hits.

Have you thought about concentrating your site, or building a new one around a specific niche or fetish?

[Pip]

Thanks guys, I will be in touch with you over the next few days :thumbsup: Advice appreciated :gold:

[Itchy]

full time 7 days a week close to 20 hours a day :)

I love this job :)

[chilihost]

Ok I am jumping in a bit late here but you said "I have had several people ask me to design/run/build sites for them" which sounds to me like you will already have a good base income if you quit your daytime job. Plus you will have more time to do your own stuff too and life is WAY better when you work for yourself.

Plus as was already mentioned and demonstrated, you will have a good support network here to help you too!

So why are you waiting???

cheers,
Luke

[AndyMN]

I think when you start to earn (or could earn) more from your part time job than your full time job its the time to switch, take the risk man, the UK has the best unemployement rate for like ever... so if it does not work out im sure you would not struggle to get another job, an alternative could be to work 2 part time jobs, or reduce your full-time job down to a part time role :)

Hope this helps