How to make money?
April 25, 2008 by Bob
When it comes to blogging, my niche is related to living in the Philippines. Even when I write on other subjects, the Living in the Philippines niche is still in play. For instance, when I write on this site, it is about making money. Primarily, though, it focuses in on how to make money while living in the Philippines. Because I live in the Philippines, that is just a big part of my life, and it interacts with just about any subject that I write about.
One thing that I get a lot of is e-mails from other people who want to live here in the Philippines. One of the most widely asked questions in those e-mails is - “how can I make money while I live there” or “what kind of job can I get in the Philippines.” Well, my answer to that second question is always the same - you can’t get a job here. In addition to legal hurdles for foreigners who live here getting employment (i.e. taking jobs from Filipinos) there is the simple fact that employers would rather hire a Filipino in most cases. And why not, after all, a Filipino can better understand the customer, can speak the same language, etc. If you do find an employer that will hire you, are you willing to work for a few dollars per day? I doubt it. I know that I would not. I mean, if you are the type that is willing to work for $3 per day in a full time job, you probably shouldn’t even be reading this blog!
So, how can you live here if you are not independently wealthy? Well, derive your income from some other method, some other source. That’s why I talk on this site about ways to make money online. Do things like write books, write websites, sell things online. There are lots of ways you can do it. But, the key is to be self employed, and take responsibility for your own well being.
Recently a friend of mine wrote about somebody that he knew who worked for a major corporation in the Philippines, and the company refused to even pay the salary. When you work for yourself, you don’t have to worry about those things. Yeah, you will have people who will try to weasel out of paying for things, but after you are in business for a while, you will figure out how to spot those people, and you will also figure out ways to do business where this can’t happen to you.
Basically, if you are looking for a way to get into your own business and earn your own money, take time to read this blog! Read other blogs on this topic (there are hundreds of them). Don’t expect the UPS truck or FedEX to pull up to your doorstep with a box of money the week after your start. It doesn’t work that way. Indeed, you must work, and the money will come. Give it time, though, and don’t give up! Instead of getting discouraged and working a little less day by day, work harder when it isn’t going the way that you want. It will pay off.
Believe me. I know, because I’m living the life.
Bob,
Would you recommend owning “like named” websites and having them automatically route to 1 site? Or would you make 2 or more separate sites with virtually the same info?
example: makemoneyonline.com and makingmoneyonline.com…
On a note related to your post, I believe one of the reasons why you have been successful is that you understand your niche. I believe one of the reasons why others are less successful is that they do not understand their niche (or do not even have a niche).
You cannot be all things to all people.
Hi Mike K. - Honestly, I am not one who buys up a bunch of extra domains like that. I know a lot of people do, but it just doesn’t interest me, and I don’t consider it an important thing to do. If I were to have multiple names that all related to the same type of site, it would be my inclination to simply point them all at a single site. To do multiple sites would mean a big job of creating content for more than one site, and many people have trouble even keeping up with a single site.
Hi Tom Nixon - Thanks for your comment. Yes, having a niche and understanding your niche is very important. Perhaps the most important key to being successful in the internet business!
Good Article. I am curious Bob,in regards to selling online do you need to have the merchandise keep in the warehouse or there is drop ship available in the Philippines or affiliate program?
Hope to hear from you.
Hi Angel - It really depends a lot on what products you are selling. For me, I do not stock an products at all, nor do I drop ship. Instead, I acquire the products after the customer has already placed an order.
Thank You Bob.
Hi Bob,
Have you encountered any problems in securing products for a customer after an order is placed? Has your supplier ever ran out of products on your confirmed orders? I had that happen to me through a local wholesaler. I once had 6 confirmed product orders, but my supplier ran out. Since I didn’t stock any merchandise beforehand, I had to buy at retail and lost all profits.
Hi Henry - This is not a problem I have really had. You see, I always buy most items that I sell at retail anyway, and generally have no problems in acquiring stocks. I simply mark up the retail prices enough that I make a good markup. Works for me.