[Azam]

Just wondering if people plan to be working on their websites/PPC campaigns until the Angel of Death calls upon them or if they have plans to leave the arena at some stage in the near or distant future.

For what it's worth, I was adamant I was going to leave this job by 1 January, 2000. Pretty embarrassing as I told every one. Daren't tell anyone my target date now as it keeps getting delayed and never quite seem to be earning enough money to fund serious time away from PC (still have bagfuls of faith; "by this time next year Rodney we'll be millionaires" http://www.a4uforum.co.uk/images_a4u/smilies/smile.gif )

The plan is to sell some the sites and automate the rest of the operation so it runs by autopilot or minimal maintenence. Then can work part-time on websites so I can do other things I find more enjoyable. Only problem is can't sell websites because the vast majority of domain names/sites for sale on the other webmaster forums I hang around on go for $30 and it kinda devalues our ventures... ah well, must get around to contacting some business brokers sometime this week.

When do you plan to leave the internet? And what will you do with your websites?

[Geno Prussakov]

...And what will you do with your websites?

Get 'em as valuable as possible and - when you have something better to do - sell 'em.

Tho', having said this, it hit me that I will really miss 'em... :(

However, I guess, I'll have other things to worry about when I'm 90. :)

Geno

[womanht]

What exit strategy?

I love this biz and intend to pass my business on to my kids eventually.

[UncleScooter]

Why retire from something that makes money every day and can run for long periods of time on auto-pilot?

[Adam Ward]

I know a guy who was an attorney for 30 years in the Bay Area.
He retired to do affiliate marketing.
Lives in a new house that phetamine built.

[Geno Prussakov]

Why retire from something that makes money every day and can run for long periods of time on auto-pilot?

Now this is the right philosophy for an affiliate! It's slightly different for merchants tho'...

Geno

[Herb Ô¿Ô¬]

exit strategy?

from AM: possibly lose interest about the time I'm shot in the street by an irate husband, probably when I'm 115.

[Geno Prussakov]

from AM: possibly lose interest about the time I'm shot in the street by an irate husband, probably when I'm 115.

Always wanted to ask: Herb Ô¿Ô¬, what do the Ô¿Ô¬ in your nickname stand for?

Geno

[Chocolate_Chicken]

I'm not going anywhere.

Initially I entered the internet world as a vendor, but stumbled upon the affiliate angle and it clicked. If the affiliate stuff ever withers, I'll go back to the vendor route.

[Chocolate_Chicken]

ô¿ô¬

It's a nose and eyeglasses, sans moustache. ;)

[MichaelColey]

For me, I'm putting the maximum possible into my SEP IRA (20% of earnings up to a maximum contribution of $40,000 or so per year). That's a big part of my exit strategy.

I'm also open to offers to buy my business, although it's been years since I've had a serious offer. I would be looking for a minimum of 10x annual earnings. I would accept up to half of that in stock if it's a reputable public company, but would prefer cash. I would be open to up to a two year employment arrangement with some restrictions. I would want a salary at least equivalent to my current annual earnings. I would want to work remotely, but would be willing to travel one week out of the month.

Those are some pretty aggressive requirements (although nothing like what some big companies sell for), and I don't expect many offers. I'm very happy doing what I do, and will continue to do it until the right offer comes along. In the meantime, I have probably 10 years worth of ideas for other sites, and will continue to grow my sites, build new sites, and put away money for the future through my SEP IRA and other investments.

[Neil]

I have only started 1 year ago !!! .
and now you want me to tell you what i am going to do at the end....
HANG ON !!

[elbowcreek]

For the right price, I'd sell. But I have a few sites that are going to require six digit figures before I bother ( so I guess I'll be here for a while, hehe ) .

[Rhea]

Death *IS* my exit strategy.

[Geno Prussakov]

Death *IS* my exit strategy.

I like this!

Geno

[Jorge - JRami]

None!

Have you seen the gas prices and the traffic?

After 20 years offline in the computer field, from fixing, to consulting to selling computers, heck, I was even one of the TOP sales agents at Tiger Direct, yes tigerdirect.com, (one of the best companies I worked for and left only to start my own computer support business), as far as know IT is what I like and my calling.

So, I think I'll now spend the next 20 (or more) years online and on ABW as I agree with UncleScooter and womanht too.

:thumbup2:

[7-days]

When I saw our gas prices jump 54 cents in less than two weeks, I realized this is the beginning of the end. The US waited too long to prepare for this and economoically we will all see a trickle down effect to every thing we purchase, even our phone, cable and utilities.

BUT!!! On the bright side, the American people are going to realize they have to change the ways they do things or go without a lot of things. My hope is that one of the things they realize is that shopping online would be cheaper than running to the store.

My hope is that we will all see a rise in internet marketing and that this is the best time to be in affiliate marketing.

So to answer your questions...I have no exit plan. Just a plan to keep ahead of inflation and try to add a bit above that.

[elbowcreek]

Just adding a footnote, I have a very simple mission statement:

Wealth Beyond Avarice

Once I reach that point, I will be more than happy to retire.

[White Wolf]

As in, why exit? When I think about all the lousy jobs I've had along with lousy pay, nothing beats affiliate marketing. Compared to practically every job I've had, aff marketing is a piece of cake! Seriously, it's like not having to work after some of the jobs I've had.

The general plan is to work all out for the next few years and really build up the income, while in the meantime, living frugally (not hard to do-as stated before lotsa jobs with lousy pay, so am used to it). Learn investing skills and invest some.

Then just kick back and maintain the sites - hopefully one of my three daughters might eventually take over but if not, no biggie. Just want to reach a point where I have at least 2x annual earnings for operating expenses and then cruise on autopilot (with occasional adjustments as necessary).

[Leader]

Exit strategy?
Simple :)

Get rich enough that I don't have to do anything productive again.
Then, DON'T.

[Mr. Sal]

When do you plan to leave the internet? And what will you do with your websites?
If someting is going to http://abestweb.com/smilies/hitting the fan.gif for real on 2012, then it must be by 2012. http://abestweb.com/smilies/wizard.gif

Otherwise, only when and if, Al Gore takes his internet back.

Also, if someone paid $7 Millions for Business.com before, I have some plans for the future too.

http://abestweb.com/smilies/escape.gif

http://abestweb.com/smilies/smile.gif

[Vinny O'Hare]

I Like Leader's plan thats a good one.

Mike good idea on the SEP ira more affiliates should set that up. Actually I have been teaching the family what I do. I am sure that I will pay 99 years of web hosting when I get older and have it on autopilot at some point.

[stephfoster]

Exit? No interest in planning an exit at this time, I'm having a blast and too busy making plans for when my husband can start working with me. Then there's teaching the kids, so if I lose interest or want to retire, there will be someone who will appreciate the sites... unless they're outearning me by then. :p

[7-days]

If I left, who would lead the Save Linkshare Foundation????

[my2cents]

Death *IS* my exit strategy.

me too....

I'm having tooo much fun to give this up....

Joe