Is making money online frowned upon?

1. 72

   David 470posted 14 years ago

   I have been on the "down low" on what I have been doing here. However, a member of my family did not seem to believe me. Basically, saying you can not go anywhere with this. Well, my moral is at an all time low now.
   
   Everyone here is great, but a lot of people prob would not believe me elsewhere, or think I can not succeed.
   
   I hate stereotypes...A lot of people think everything is a scam or a get-rich quick thing. My goal is not to get rich anyway...Was my time here truly wasted? I spent 100s if not 1000s of hours learning about keywords, writing, adsense, affiliate programs, and niches etc...
   
   How could I explain that to a family member. I would prob just make myself look bad trying to explain...

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   1. 72

      David 470posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      EDIT: I did not go into details about what I was doing just said affiliate writing online.

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      1. 69

         Maddie Ruudposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Their skepticism comes from ignorance.  They probably have a mental picture of all those affiliate scams and pyramid schemes that they see ads for all over the net.  Try explaining in greater detail what HubPages is all about -- writing what you know, and sharing in the revenue from the ads on each of your pages.  When they better understand, chances are they'll take it more seriously.

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      ediggityposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I thought that writing for adsense was a scam myself.  Someone told me about it, and I immediately thought it was fake.  After a discussion I bet them that if I wrote some random things that they wouldn't make any money.  I lost the bet.  I haven't written anything since, but you will make money if you continue with your hard work.  If you want to convince your friend/family about what you're doing make a bet with them.

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2. 68

   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   Is it frowned upon? No.
   
   But, many people are thoroughly convinced that making money online is next to impossible, unless you're an absolute professional.
   
   What many fail to understand or even realize is that when they are trying to make money online, they are actually in business for themselves and must get out of the mind-set of a hobby or job.
   
   Self employment is different than working for someone else or just playing with a hobby.
   
   Just a thought.

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3. 90

   wildernessposted 14 years ago

   David, most of my family members are the same way, believing it cannot happen.  I don't take it personally as I don't think they are aiming at me but at the concept.
   
   There are so many, many scams or near scams out there I totally understand their view.  My first payout has converted a couple of naysayers to "maybesayers" but that's about it.
   
   I think a few more months, with some larger payouts, and I'll have most of them converted though.  And I fully intend to announce to all and sundry "I told ya so!" until everyone is sick of it!
   
   Consider that you have studied and learned far more than they have and know more than they.  Let it go and ignore - just wait for a $500 payout and start up the "Told ya so" thing.

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      David 470posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, well I am going get my first check december. Well,I should, its over 100, and I believe the estimated earnings will be fairly accurate.
      
      Yeah, the concept is what is misunderstood I think. I mean there are scams out there. Then I think some people think others are trying to make six figure numbers over night lol

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      1. 83

         IzzyMposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         David,after the first payout the rest come a lot quicker, trust me on this. Don't get disheartened, keep on writing hubs and I bet you anything in six months time you will start to see some real returns for all the hard work you have put in so far! Let's see what they say then, eh?

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         1. 72

            David 470posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks for the support.

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4. 66

   vanchenposted 14 years ago

   Don't worry David.  My family was the same way... believing I was wasting my time, laughing at the dollars or cents I made that got me excited.
   
   It doesn't last though.  Once you show them that first payout from Google they'll be joining the party.

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   1. 72

      David 470posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The funny thing is, you only need to make double digit numbers to make good money. The main reason is because you can make money on the weekends.
      
      20 dollars= 600 dollars a month.
      
      Of course, everything varies so much, but there is still a daily average over a course of 30 days.

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5. 61

   Kidgasposted 14 years ago

   Ignore your family or anyone else who doesn't really understand what is going on.  That is one of the main reasons that people are critical.  The others would be jealousy or just plain old negativity.  Keep doing what you are doing.

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6. 66

   Mutiny92posted 14 years ago

   Tell that they are right - and you will never make any money here...Then they won't come bugging you for loans and it keeps the competition away.  Sounds like a win-win! 
   
   Of course, you can always laugh all the way to the bank.  ;-)

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   1. 72

      David 470posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      lol

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7. 76

   Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

   Can anyone tell me if there is a page on Adsense where you can see all your earnings for the year? I'm thinking I'll need to print it out for my income taxes.

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   1. 63

      Wendy Krickposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yep.
      
      Click on my account....
      
      Click on Payment History.

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8. 63

   Wendy Krickposted 14 years ago

   That is why I don't really tell anyone what I do. I just say I do some freelance writing.
   
   Just keep doing what you do. When you get a big check, they will see that consistent effort pays off.
   
   There are a lot of "dream stealer" out there and usually a dream stealler is someone who loves and wants the best for you. They just don't get it.

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9. 80

   PurpleOneposted 14 years ago

   I haven't told many people just how much time I've spent on HP trying to learn how it all works and also writing hubs. I think most people would think I'm crazy so I just don't bother! I have reached payout though so I've proven to myself that it's not just a scam. I want to consistently make at least $100 each month with adsense and Amazon combined before I start telling family members. I have a ways to go before that happens though!
   
   David, I agree with the others - don't get discouraged! And if you really are truly discouraged, you could try doing what I've done before: just walk away from here for a few weeks or few months to clear your head and don't check your stats everyday and obsess... then come back and you'll probably have renewed energy and just might find that you've earned more than you thought you would during that time and that is by far the biggest motivator.

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10. 92

    gracenotesposted 14 years ago

    David,
    I am right there with you.  My family members don't understand, and don't comprehend even modest goals that I've made for a monthly income on HubPages.  Even if I tell them I would like to make my earnings cover my house note each month (which is not a huge payment at all), they express doubt that it is possible.
    
    My sister was not only critical of the idea of HP, she was also critical of the type of hubs I write.  That was definitely my mistake, telling her about specific hubs I was researching.  That spooked me enough that I'm going to be careful how I talk about my subject areas in the future.
    
    It's really kind of stupid when you think about it.  People believe you can make money in stocks and bonds, but they also see that you can lose quite a bit too.  The only thing I will lose here at HubPages is my time.

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    jokeapptvposted 14 years ago

    you know with ipads,tabs, etc everything is mobile and web related. just do it and dont worry what others think. you know it can be a hobby and your not wasting alot money and your not killing animals or gambling. have fun and dont give up.

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