Today I received my first payment for my new job. I’m optimizing websites and doing miscellaneous web development work for FullQuality. I enjoy this job a lot more than my old job sacking groceries because it utilizes my talents and helps me learn and grow as a web developer.
Online job gives flexibility but takes self-discipline to function
Unlike most full-time jobs, I can work pretty much whenever I want. I’m supposed to work specific hours, but I can always take breaks in between tasks or work late if I want.
The problem is that I’m less motivated to get up early and work all day as I would be if I had a non-telecommuting job (one that required me to relocate every day.) I often spend to much time doing what I love and not enough time working my job. My employer was ok with me working 14 hours last week instead of 40, but that won’t be acceptable much longer. I am still trying to force myself to work more frequently for longer periods of time.
Telecommuting allows polyphasic sleep
I’m trying to adopt the everyman sleep schedule, and it would be a lot harder if I had to work a rigid schedule. By working from home I can simply lie down and take a nap according to my schedule.
I’m an independent contractor, not an employee
Although I work 40 hours a week and am paid by the hour, both I and FullQuality consider me to be an independent contractor. That’s the way we both like it, because it allows their accounting operations to remain small (I’m responsible for reporting my own taxes) and because I prefer to say “I’m an independent contractor working for clients” more than “I’m an employee working for my employer.” The independent contractor/client relationship has a value-neutral ring to it; it treats both parties as equals.
Self-sufficiency is still my goal
Once I can make $2,000 a month from my own websites, I’ll stop working for FullQuality. It’s going to be difficult because I don’t think I’m going to show advertisements. I’m going to try to make an income solely off of voluntary payments by individuals who find my content useful.
Until I am making about two grand a month, I need this workâespecially since I’m planning on moving out in two weeks. I’ll write more about that later!
What happened to “I don’t think I’m going to show advertisements”?
I still don’t want to show advertisements. I think the most moral way to do it is to:
1) Only allow advertisements that I think will improve the quality of my readers’ lives. (which means working personally with each advertiser)
2) Give people a way to get rid of the ads completely by paying voluntarily on a micro level. (though I want to avoid payment fees…)
The issue is that if ads provide value to some readers and allow me to provide more value as well by freeing up my time, I should use them. At the same time, many readers (myself included) generally find no value from ads.
I am going to have to think about this for awhile, I tend to believe advertisments are the only ay to monitize a website. I used to make about 400 per month from Donations, then Forbes.com made my blog one of the top five travel blogs. I never got a penny after that from Donations. I have just put a donation link back on my site, maybe your idea of asking about specific expense ideas is good. I am not sure, however I am also doing some tree hugger, save the world project and do not mind asking for donations. Thanks from Andy of HoboTraveler.com Travel Blog and HoboHideOut.com Hotels