A 2nd income w/o a 2nd job

[sirkinm]

I have a 9 to 5 job, and though I have an ultimate goal of becoming fully self-employed, my job is currently a good fit for my lifestyle and current goals.

One thing I love about my job is that I got into the habit of writing for myself during breaks, my lunch hour, and during idle time. In fact, much of the income that I started to generate online came from writing I did while at work. I came to realize that most jobs allow for this, and I decided to make a blog about it.

I figured that many people are out there searching for financial solutions that DON'T involve taking on a second job or significantly downgrading their lifestyle.

Here's the blog: Earning a Second Income While at Work

I thought it might be of interest to some, and I'd love to get any feedback, though it's still in development and in need of many more entries.

[CoachOfir]

If I am right , the 2 programs he mentioned in his blog will pay you every time they'll sell your article to other people , and they will pay you a percentage of the price.

(This is how I understood it)
In order to succeed with it you need to have some writing skills,
and to write as much quality content as you can.

[dmauder]

Originally Posted by sirkinm

I have a 9 to 5 job, and though I have an ultimate goal of becoming fully self-employed, my job is currently a good fit for my lifestyle and current goals.

One thing I love about my job is that I got into the habit of writing for myself during breaks, my lunch hour, and during idle time. In fact, much of the income that I started to generate online came from writing I did while at work. I came to realize that most jobs allow for this, and I decided to make a blog about it.

I figured that many people are out there searching for financial solutions that DON'T involve taking on a second job or significantly downgrading their lifestyle.

Here's the blog: Earning a Second Income While at Work

I thought it might be of interest to some, and I'd love to get any feedback, though it's still in development and in need of many more entries.

There doesn't seem to be much on your blog, and definitely no explanation of really how you're making extra money. Any examples of income you're earning and exactly how?

Dave

[sirkinm]

Originally Posted by dmauder

There doesn't seem to be much on your blog, and definitely no explanation of really how you're making extra money. Any examples of income you're earning and exactly how?

Dave

I know -- I'm hurrying up and adding the content that will explain it all in detail! I probably posted that a bit prematurely, but then, I mentioned that I just started this (the blog, that is -- I've been developing other streams of income during free time at work for a while now). More to come in a jiff!

[dmauder]

Originally Posted by sirkinm

I know -- I'm hurrying up and adding the content that will explain it all in detail! I probably posted that a bit prematurely, but then, I mentioned that I just started this (the blog, that is -- I've been developing other streams of income during free time at work for a while now). More to come in a jiff!

Looks like you're making some decent progress...

So, based on what you've written on your blog so far, can I assume you primarily write for eHow and your own blog? Through my research, I've learned that it can take a REALLY long time to make any significant amount of money on eHow. And most never make more than a few cents (maybe dollars) each month.

I signed up for eHow recently, and was immediately turned off by the billion or so "friend requests" that came pouring in almost within the same hour I created my account. They continued to pour in over the next few days/weeks, and all were people I have never heard of before in my life. What's up with that? Did you experience the same thing?

I'm still debating over writing for eHow and/or some of the other revenue-sharing sites. I have a lot of knowledge accumulated over the years - both professionally and personally.

Dave

[Athena Arianna]

Might want to add a caveat to those considering using this idea of making a second income while on the clock for another employer -

Many employers will not tolerate this, and if they discover what you are doing, would fire you. In this economy it will be too easy for them to find a replacement willing to work the full 8 hours for the company in stead of wasting their resources for personal gain.

I would advise looking into the written company policy (most companies have written policies regarding non-work usage of their electronics & networks) before trying this idea.

Regards,
Thena

[dmauder]

Originally Posted by Athena Arianna

Might want to add a caveat to those considering using this idea of making a second income while on the clock for another employer -

Many employers will not tolerate this, and if they discover what you are doing, would fire you. In this economy it will be too easy for them to find a replacement willing to work the full 8 hours for the company in stead of wasting their resources for personal gain.

I would advise looking into the written company policy (most companies have written policies regarding non-work usage of their electronics & networks) before trying this idea.

I agree with Thena. Most employers wouldn't stand for this, and in the current economic times, you want to be pretty careful about throwing your job away unless you already have a 2nd income that pays the bills.

Having said that, based on this post from sirkinm, Earning a Second Income While at Work: Things I've had to Give Up at Work to Earn More Income, it sounds like he didn't do much work anyway! His employer is either incredibly cool, or completely stupid.

Dave

[sirkinm]

Hey Mauder -- a little quick to jump to conclusions, are we. I do a lot of work -- in fact, I'm pretty invaluable to the firm.

I haven't gotten around to posting more about how I go about producing content while AT my dayjob (but not on company time). Most people have the ability to work on their lunch, breaks, and during idle time. By work, it could mean jotting down an idea (an idea, by the way, that would persist and be distracting if not written down). I'm going to post more about the ways that I personally maximize both MY time and MY EMPLOYER'S time -- I definitely don't exploit my employer's time for myself.

I have a high rate of efficiency at work, but I've learned how to channel some ADD-like tendencies into that efficiency. I would never work for an employer who would object to me taking 2 sec. to write down an idea for myself, for example. But then, part of what I'm trying to accomplish is a more independent mindset and lifestyle on the part of the employee, so that he doesn't have to worry about, say, an accidental violation of the employee code of conduct make or breaking his life.

But right now, the blog is just a few measly post -- you may want to check back much later, when some of these things are spelled out more clearly.

[Strem2]

Originally Posted by sirkinm

I have a 9 to 5 job, and though I have an ultimate goal of becoming fully self-employed, my job is currently a good fit for my lifestyle and current goals.

One thing I love about my job is that I got into the habit of writing for myself during breaks, my lunch hour, and during idle time.....

Interesting site. It looks like fun for you. I was wondering what your job was since you seem to want to keep it....

[dmauder]

Originally Posted by sirkinm

Hey Mauder -- a little quick to jump to conclusions, are we. I do a lot of work -- in fact, I'm pretty invaluable to the firm.

I wasn't jumping to conclusions, I was merely reading your blog. All I'm saying is, if I was your employer, and found your blog, I'd be watching you like a hawk to make sure I was getting a full productive day out of you on a consistent basis.

The blog post I referenced above mentions A LOT more than just jotting down an idea or two from time to time. I don't have a problem with doing whatever on breaks and during lunch, but I guess it's all the "idle time" I'd have a problem with (as an employer).

In all seriousness, if you're that effective and productive with your time, and invaluable to your employer, maybe it's time to discuss cutting your work hours back so you can spend time on your other ventures outside the office. They'd still be getting the same amount of work out of you anyway, right?

Dave

[sirkinm]

Originally Posted by dmauder

In all seriousness, if you're that effective and productive with your time, and invaluable to your employer, maybe it's time to discuss cutting your work hours back so you can spend time on your other ventures outside the office. They'd still be getting the same amount of work out of you anyway, right?

Dave

I agree that they would actually do well to cut my hours -- I feel like I can be even more productive. Unfortunately, so many employers are rigid with the 8-hour workday paradigm, and my firm is no different. I think that if the workday were fewer hours, you'd see an increase in productivity -- who isn't ready to leave by 3 or 4, which is often the point of diminishing returns for many positions.

Of course, if your employer is dense and you tell them that you could do a full day's work in 5 hours, they'll respond with, "Well, then you should be able be go above 100% productivity with 8 hours."

But anyway, I'm fine with my current situation