Thread: Time to turn up the heat :)

Hey guys,

I just responded to a thread about being self-employed and it got me thinking about how people are making their livings online.

When I first got started online, I was doing some freelance coding for other webmasters. The work was ok...nothing exciting and the pay reflected that.Not a lot of money and no regularity.

I started creating content based websites for myself and generating a more reliable income from contextual advertising but it still wasn't something to get hyped about.Through one reason or another, income tailed off to the point where it was no longer viable to pursue the same path because the numbers just didn't stack up.

Now I find myself at a crossroads ready to get stuck into a new venture. Will it be contextual but in a higher paying niche? Affiliate based? Subscription based? Maybe something else entirely that I haven't thought of yet???

So I'll put it to the forum... how are you folks generating your income? Sticking to one revenue type? Perhaps you use combinations of different monetization models?

I'm not asking for your trade secrets ... just inspiration!

I make my $$ from a mix, mainly my own actual stores where I sell products, secondly affiliate income, from there a mix of adsense, directories and other smaller revenue options to pick up the slack

I knew I should have added an "All of the above" option on the poll

Glad to hear a diverse mix is working out for you Grim

I'm mixed too. I think mix is a good idea, giv options for months when one doesn't make as much money you have a backup LOL Main money comes from subscriptions to a membership site. Also some from affiliate sales,adsense, and advertising.
Just read an amusing article check it out Easy Money that Isn't Easy

Thanks for your input Kaos

I think subscription models are probably the holy grail when it comes to online income. I can't think of anything better. Recurring income that I expect to be more reliable than contextual advertising and no middle-men. Plus it's a great sign that you are running a quality website. Having people that are willing to pay you time after time is something special.

I'll be honest... I am jealous

That article has cheered me up though... at last, half-naked laziness is the route to success!

Originally Posted by Mark

Thanks for your input Kaos
at last, half-naked laziness is the route to success!

It better be! Thats the real reason I joined this gig

Mix em up and you will see an amazing result...

This is what i believe...but the better money is in Affiliate Marketing...

Advertising definitely. I know a lot of people who work from home and own their own websites and make money off of only advertising.

For me, diversification is the key. Having my hands in muliple pots (whether they're my own business, or investments in others) means that even if one business did fail, the others can hopefully pick up the slack. That's not to say that in each business they don't get 100% of the effort, they do, but payment from multiple avenues is always nice.

I work in affiliate marketing