When It's Time to Go Full Time

by John Calder

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.

About the Author

John Calder is the owner/editor of The Ezine Dot Net. Subscribe Today and get real information YOU can use to help build your online business today! http://www.TheEzine.Net

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