I have been asked a few times lately about my background – what did I do prior to this, how did I get started in PPC to affiliate marketing, how long did it take to be successful, how long before I quit my day job etc. Well here’s the full (long) story.
I got my degree in Biology, and worked in a university research lab for a while. I really liked it, but science is almost always funded by short term grants that expire so its hard to keep a steady job. I had always been interested in computers so I got a job as a typical tech support monkey for an ISP. It only took me a few months to realize phone support was a soul crushing pursuit, so I began studying to get some certifications. Back in the day, you could get a decent tech job with a good interview and a cert. So I studied my butt off, and got my A+, MCP, MCSE, and eventually CCNA. For about 7 year period I worked my way around various companies up the I.T. ladder. First as a systems
I started reading everything I could find about making money on the Internet. First I tried selling stuff on Ebay. I bought Dell laptops using coupon codes and resold them. This actually worked and I was clearing about $100 per laptop. I just couldn’t do enough volume to make it worthwhile and the shipping and inventory aspects sucked! Then came a big revelation. You can make money online without selling a physical product! I wrote a short guide on home networks security and tried selling that from a website – but that didn’t work. I started really reading up on the SEO stuff and started making crude sites with Adsense on them. That never really panned out. I tried building databases of stuff and building sites around it, that didn’t work. I build some directories. Those actually made some pretty good money. But not enough to quit my job. I tried a bunch of other sites than went nowhere for a few more months.
Then one day I read a post in some forum about these things called cost per action networks. I joined Azoogle and Commision junction and since I didn’t have any high traffic site, started reading up on PPC. Within a week I was running my first PPC campaign to a CPA offer. I tested like crazy working probably 18 hours a day between the 2 jobs for several months. Those months were filled with nothing but work, testing offers on CJ and Azoogle, and thinking outside the box. But only 4 months after my very first campaign I was hitting the top 10 list on Azoogle. 6 months later it was time to quit my job. My family, friends and co-workers all though I was completely crazy leaving a good job to work on my “online stuff. But walking out of my bosses office after giving my notice was one of the best feelings ever.
Monetary milestones are common measures of affiliate success. Your first $100 day, first $1k day, first $100,000k month or whatever. Those were all just icing on the cake though. Setting the goal to quit my job and actually doing it is still the biggest and best milestone of my career. Since quitting, things have accelerated and the business has expanded to a point I couldn’t even image the day I resigned from my job, and I have never looked back. Even though I work way more now than when I worked at a job, it is so much more rewarding building your own business.
So the point of all this is; if you are that guy in the cubicle reading this, just like I was 3 years ago there is hope. You can make a living online and quit your job. I know it might sound impossible but it’s very true. It won’t happen overnight, and its definitely not going to be easy, but it is possible. It just takes commitment, dedication, a ton of hard work, and a little luck never hurts.
It’s so scary how close your background is too mine… almost a mirror images with minor differences except you spent a much much longer time working than I ever did.
That is a great inspiring story. I also work in IT and can’t wait for the day where I can put in my two weeks’ notice. My goal is work for myself starting in 2009.
Very inspiring, and sounds just like I think it does. With all the recent changes in the affiliate industry, do you think it’s still possible for someone to replicate what you’ve done today? Been studying this and ppc for a couple months now before dipping my toes in. thanks for sharing your background, gives hope that others can do what you did!
It’s a lot tougher now than just 2 years ago, but yes I think its still possible for the right person with the right drive. Good luck!
I am that guy in the cubicle reading this. My job position has moved me from a outdoors position to this 8 x 8 prison cell. Some would call it advancement but the last few years have been very hard.
( The BS is killing me by a slow death)
I have been trying to get the PPC stuff working for me, but being on a low budget is hard. Your story here and this blog have really helped me. Thank you.
Great story Chad! It would be interesting to see which networks you are currently deriving your income from?
I still use Azoogle, Neverblue, and CX digital, but more than half of my campaigns are off of the cpa networks. I work a lot with individual companies and merchants.
Chad,
I’m glad you told this story, this is exactly my situation, I’m the guy in the cubicle at this very moment typing this comment! I know all about the corporate BS we have to put up with and what’s even scarier is that I work in IT also, I’m a sys admin now and I although I love working on my servers, I hardly ever do, I’m always filling out reports, submitting data calls, updating the ticket system with useless entries! Man it really sucks. It was at the beginning of this year that I made the decision to quit my job before 2009. I got my work cut out for me though, I’ve got a family to support, so everything I do, I do with limited time just like you did, so yeah I’m working long hours, but it’s those hours I put in for stuff I like to do that I enjoy the most.
I can’t wait,
Thanks for sharing bro.
the big key is taking the leap and willing to take the risk
its amazing how much opportunity we give up for security…
Great motivation! I’m feeling the same way you were. Even if my natural search traffic continues it’s growth, I can see leaving my job a year or so from now. If I can get my site to where I’m happier with it, I plan to try my hand at PPC.
One more thing I forgot to add to the original post. I have never bought an e-book or any gimmicky “system” to make money. All the info you need to do what I did can be found on blogs and forums for free. Just reading all the PPC tutorials in the help sections of your accounts will out you ahead of 95% of your competitors. Add a little common sense, business sense, and innovative thinking and you have a formula for success.
Nice story Chad… Related to this strategy of setting up a plan to quit your day job, I’d be very curious what you’d suggest in terms of budgeting, and specifically, what percentage of the profits to reinvest (and related things like when to finally pay yourself, etc.).
Perhaps something for a follow up post?
- Dave
that is a story that relates to mine. I am now in a cubie all day, reading two blogs and not doing work. Trying to learn this stuff and I hope to do what you did, but just a little quicker
I wish to quit my day job by the end of the year. You think its possible?
I’m glad, I’m on my way to building my online income. As an full-time web developer, I use to wonder why is it fair that people with no web developing skills are making 3x as a webmaster. I’m here working for a salary and making websites for someone else.
I started affiliate marketing a year ago. Like Chad and everyone else in this business things are tough. I tried many many things, even purely PPC which never worked for me. I do niche affiliate marketing using SEO, building content sites which provide value to user and making money like this is been much easier easier for me.
You just need find what works for you. If you’re just starting, there is much to be learned.
good luck!
Hey Chad, that is a great story. Also as shown in your videos, you can take a more flexible approach to your work day. You work hard, but if the sun is out, you can go for a bike read. If the snow is good, go hit the slopes. The quality of life is what has changed. Losing the fustrations of office life and working for someone else will probably do wonders for your health.
awesome story,
I was guessing your past was a roadie for pearl jam or phish or semi pro rock climber, wow was I wrong.
Great post . though i think it aint gonna be as easy as it was then now cos a lot of things have changed.but stil a great life changing write up .
Great story, and very inspiring. I’m in the same boat w/ the rest of the 45,398,485 people trying to do the same thing. Unfortunately, I just got laid off and am getting very desperate now. I’ve tried some PPC, but it’s probably costing me about $5 to make $1. I’m not a business major, but I don’t think that’ll pay off very well.
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