Family Asked me What I do...(It was Awkward)
- Thread starter Traska
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"I own an (insert one) <online advertising/internet marketing company"
"But what exactly do you do?"
"We are a full-service marketing agency focusing on the internet and handle every aspect of ad design, branding strategy, long-term campaign vision, etc for various clients accross various industries entirely online on a pay for performance model- that is our clients pay us when they're paid."
You'll get few questions, and if you're not talking to grandma but instead say an investment banker they will also get it and take you much more seriously than "I build some websites and then I do neat tricks on google with them to...."
"But what exactly do you do?"
"We are a full-service marketing agency focusing on the internet and handle every aspect of ad design, branding strategy, long-term campaign vision, etc for various clients accross various industries entirely online on a pay for performance model- that is our clients pay us when they're paid."
You'll get few questions, and if you're not talking to grandma but instead say an investment banker they will also get it and take you much more seriously than "I build some websites and then I do neat tricks on google with them to...."
Heh. Think how I feel. I'm a woman. That stays at home. With a baby. I get the feeling whenever the subject of my "business" comes up people are just humoring me. Then they get all concerned and want to know about my husbands job (works for AIG). Nevermind that I make 3 times the amount he does at his real job. Whatever. It's a mixed blessing. If they get too interested then they all want to know how they can make teh moniez.
Oh I could only imagine how often people think that way. I must admit if I heard the story about the stay at home mom with an internet business I would assume she is making next to nothing selling baskets she weaves online or something while the husband brings home the real money.
You certainly have a good view of it though. Much better to just play that role then make people jealous and want to learn what you do while at the same time it would shame your husband quite a bit for friends and family to know the full situation. Everyone knowing he makes 1/3 of what his stay at home wife makes while working full time at AIG would probably not be great for him.
Marry me...er wait I'm married and so are you, that won't work.... :ugone2far:
You going to ase?
I think the best way to tackle this is to just say as little as possible. I now just say 'advertising' or 'marketing', when questioned further I keep it very brief and vague, or sometimes I just say nothing. Might seem a bit strange but it actually works, because then they won't have anything to make up their mind about you and it will make you look more serious about your business. Your lifestyle/possessions/demeanour is what is going to give off the real impression, not your feeble attempts at trying to explain what you do.
Tell them that. And when they ask how, repeat whatever patronizing remarks or misconceptions they've already made about you. And then keep quiet.
Yeah, he feels shamed all the way to the bank.
In all fairness, he's at least half my operation. (does the scripts...liaisons with our programmer...ect) So maybe that, plus his "real" job, he actually makes more than me.
My stock answer to the question is "I sell stuff on eBay."
They have absolutely no need to know what the hell I do to make money. Nor would I EVER even think to begin taking the time to explain the many different ways I make money online.
My family & friends still think that I only sell "Expensive & Rare Tour Issued Golf Clubs" on eBay. They have no business knowing "my" business/businesses.
Hell, I even only put "Opportunity Wrangler" under my avatar for the people "HERE" who are in the businesses that I'm in and would understand.
Well, enough of this. It's time to get back to
and this
Sincerely,
MT
They have absolutely no need to know what the hell I do to make money. Nor would I EVER even think to begin taking the time to explain the many different ways I make money online.
My family & friends still think that I only sell "Expensive & Rare Tour Issued Golf Clubs" on eBay. They have no business knowing "my" business/businesses.
Hell, I even only put "Opportunity Wrangler" under my avatar for the people "HERE" who are in the businesses that I'm in and would understand.
Well, enough of this. It's time to get back to
Sincerely,
MT
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