Quitting My Day Job

My dream from day one has always been to someday make a decent living off my site(s). For years that dream seemed impossible until Adsense came onto the scene. When I received that first check, as small as it was, it re-kindled a fire in me. Since then, my goal has been to reach a point where I could quit my day job and focus 100% of my time on my web publishing business.

To accomplish this goal, I needed to branch out and stabilize my business. I added new revenue streams through niche affiliate programs and PPC marketing. I built up my site as a community to grow my return visitors and balance my organic traffic (from search engines) and my type-in/bookmark traffic. I took on a part-time telecommute position that allowed me to work any number of hours (up to 20) per week. This gave me a non-web revenue stream to further stabilize my income.

On the home front, I started downsizing my living expenses, my house, any where I could shave costs off I did. Given the choice to be able to spend frivolously but work a 8-5 job, or budget more wisely and work my own hours from home... I choose the latter option.

My point in dwelling on all this is very important. Don't just up and quit your day job until you are ready. Plan for it. Diversify yourself and your revenue streams. Save for it. There will be slow times. Have at least 3-6 months living expenses socked away. Do your homework. How much EXACTLY is it going to cost you to be on your own each month. You'll have added expenses of paying for your own insurance. No sick pay. No vacation pay. No matching 401k contributions. Plan for all these expenses.

Once you are ready, the fun part begins. Leaving your day job. One alternative to consider is offering to stay onboard part-time for a little while, perhaps as a independent consultant. Preferably telecommuting. If you are a valuable asset to them, they may settle for this option rather than lose you completely. This accomplishes two things: 1. Maintains an additional revenue stream. 2. Doesn't burn any bridges. However if your job doesn't offer part-time or telecommute positions, you'll just want to leave in the most graceful way you can. You never know when you may need to go back to the corporate office world. A previous employer may be a future business partner or opportunity. Keep those options open!

In the end, it takes A LOT of guts to go out on your own. But the freedom of being your own boss is priceless.