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Hit the Road Jack – You're Fired!

To the company who feels it’s okay to treat your affiliates any way you please, consider this my final say on the matter – You’re Fired!

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Did I ever tell you why I became an Internet marketer? I know I told you the story on how I came to be online, but I don’t believe I told you why I made the decision to participate in affiliate marketing.
After yesterday’s event with a company telling me I wouldn’t get my commissions paid as promised, I was totally disgusted with Internet marketing and immediately posted on Facebook that I was this close (–) to quitting.
Here’s what I typed:

Ever have the urge to quit Internet marketing? I’ve had several of those feelings over the last few years, but today I’ve had enough.
I’m this close (–) to throwing in the towel.
Not because I am not making money. I am.
Not because I am not helping people. I am.
No because I don’t enjoy what I do. I do.
But… when you rely on OTHER companies to pay you the affiliate commissions they owe you and then they change their affiliate terms just so they DO NOT have to pay you – it rocks my world.
I’ve had enough!

Facebook fans rallied around my post and shared their compassion while one Texas girl pulled out her big boots and quickly kicked my ass for thinking such gloomy thoughts.
Before I get too far off the beaten path, let me back up a little to share a story.

What I Did Before Internet Marketing

Before the Internet, I worked as a print broker for offline businesses and simultaneously ran a computer network with over 500 nodes (PC connections) that stretched across the globe.
My day job as a print broker involved creating advertisements for clients, assist them in securing high-end, affordable printing and delivering marketing assistance by telephone or in person. This job put food on the table and paid my bills. The computer network was simply a hobby.
You're Fired!
I loved my work as a print broker until I had the displeasure of trusting a commercial printer who didn’t care if he met the assigned due date for delivery on my customer jobs.
This interfered with my ability to provide a great service to my customers, keep my word and deliver their paid products on time! After years in the business, I was tired of someone else tarnishing my reputation.
I ultimately fired the printer, gave the word to my clients I was getting out of the brokering business and came online with my worldwide network.
I started picking up newsgroup messages and carried them across the world and back again to the Internet, every night like clockwork. It was a great community, but I soon tired of not serving customers in the same capacity as I had before.
I absolutely thrive on helping people!
That’s when I started a static website for women entrepreneurs. Blogs were not available at that time, so I had to learn HTML to create Women Entrepreneurs Online Network (Weon.Com) – a community comprised of small businesses operated by women.
Eventually, I became an Internet marketer as a full time career; but, what does this have to do with the letter I wrote on Facebook?

Fast Forward to Yesterday

Naturally, after reading the email, the first thought that entered my mind was “Oh Lord, here we go again” because of what I experienced in the past with the commercial printer.
I am an affiliate for a company who has recently changed their terms of service, which now means I won’t get the money that I was expecting in two weeks.
I was told I need to make another sale (within three months) to receive payment, which includes the commissions I already accrued! Here we go again, another company who is affecting my ability to like my work!
I was thoroughly disgusted.
With that said, I now realize I gave too much power to this company by throwing up my arms in despair and entertaining the idea to quit Internet marketing.
Thankfully, my Facebook friends have shown me the light! I was paying too much attention on losing commissions when I should have celebrated the fact that I could FIRE this company and take my affiliate marketing elsewhere.
The truth is I adore the online marketing lifestyle! I have a community that assembles around me when the chips are down and applaud when I do something right; but, most of all, I cherish the fact that they are willing to kick me in the ass when I need it too.
I love you guys!
To the company who feels it’s okay to treat your affiliates any way you please, consider this my final say on the matter – You’re Fired!
Why did you become an Internet marketer? Leave a comment below and let me know!
Thanks for reading,
– Bonnie
P.S. Did you enjoy this message? If so, please share it with your friends so they can benefit from schmoozing. Then, if you want to get more messages like this one, connect with me via my social links below or hop aboard my notification list. I would like to keep in touch.

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About Bonnie Gean

Bonnie Gean is a full-time writer, marketer, and entrepreneur with over 33 years of experience. She shares the goods on building community and helps you overcome technical challenges associated with operating an online business.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becky

    September 5, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    Boy, it sounds like there are “issues” with lots of companies lately. I don’t know who you’re talking about, but I agree with a previous poster who said this reminded them of Squidoo.
    That’s what it reminded me of too, along with issues at Cafe Press and Zujava.
    I guess the road is bumpy wherever we look these days.

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      October 1, 2014 at 11:10 pm

      It just goes to prove, that unless you start a blog with a unique web address – your earnings are at the mercy of others.
      I would rather be at the front of my destiny and not rely on third-party websites to get known.
      If you work from your blog, situated on a hosting account, you aren’t at the mercy of others. That’s the best position to be in as an online entrepreneur, IMHO.

      Reply
  2. Alastair

    August 5, 2014 at 3:20 pm

    Geez, it’s a bit scary to hear about those sorts of stories, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. In my last job, we were forever chasing late debtors and settling on terms…and that was with a software company.
    Well done to you for sticking with it Bonnie.
    I am still at the point of dipping my toe in the water, but I can see it’s addictive stuff!

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      August 9, 2014 at 12:08 pm

      Making money IS addictive. 🙂 I don’t mind waking up and finding more sales in my PayPal account, and I absolutely LOVE serving others.
      I couldn’t comprehend how this company could do what they did, but I learned a lesson from it. There are other vendors out there that treat affiliates nicer and since that’s true — we’re not stuck sticking with a company who doesn’t appreciate the sales we bring to their doorstep.

      Reply
  3. Ann

    July 3, 2014 at 9:38 am

    Hi Bonnie. I am so glad I read this post. I had seen your post on FB about throwing in the towel and I was shocked to say the least! Unfortunately my browser was playing up and I couldn’t open up the rest of it – where it says “read more”.
    I hate it when people don’t pay on time. That used to happen to me when I gave private English classes – come the end of the month (they never paid a month in advance which I am now going to insist on should I ever do them again – they pay for the gym, school etc in advance, don’t they?) and nothing so I had to ask them when they were going to pay me. Hated it! Sounded like I was begging for my own money!! LOL
    So, glad you didn’t throw in towel. What would we all do without you??
    Best wishes,
    Ann (from Spain)

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 22, 2014 at 12:49 am

      Don’t you just hate it when you have to BEG for money you’ve already earned? It just leaves a bad taste in your mouth — like they never really intended to pay you at all for bringing them the business.
      I’m not sure what would happen if I left Internet marketing, but by the sounds of it, I would have TONS of people knocking at my door to convince me it was the wrong decision. 🙂
      I feel so loved! hehe

      Reply
  4. Ash

    July 3, 2014 at 7:19 am

    Wow that’s shocking, if that was in an offline context that would be illegal surely if it is not it should be, borderline theft really. Keep your head up, immoral people will do anything to drag you down!

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 22, 2014 at 12:46 am

      I won’t allow anyone to get to me like THAT anymore, Ash. Thanks for sticking by me. 🙂
      How are you doing since we last talked? Anything new to report?

      Reply
      • Ash

        July 22, 2014 at 1:11 pm

        Nothing new to report sadly, just plugging along until I come to a breakthrough but it will come soon! Good luck with your endevours also 🙂

        Reply
        • Bonnie Gean

          July 24, 2014 at 2:04 am

          Thanks Ash. What sort of breakthrough are you hoping to get?

          Reply
  5. Ron Killian

    July 2, 2014 at 8:24 am

    Very sorry to hear your not getting paid. I’ve been there, but very rare.
    Course every one is going to want to know who. I have a good guess.
    Glad you decided not to quit. I know I’ve been there many times over the years. Guess you have some great friends and fans 🙂

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 2, 2014 at 10:46 am

      It may be a rare occurrence, but that does not make it any easier to accept. 🙂
      I have wonderful friends and fans (you included) and so grateful for having them too!

      Reply
  6. Tamsin

    July 2, 2014 at 5:27 am

    Good for you for telling them where to go! Forge your own path!

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 2, 2014 at 10:47 am

      Forge my own path – I like that, Tamsin!
      Thanks for being a friend. It surely means a lot during times like this too!

      Reply
  7. Ana

    July 2, 2014 at 4:18 am

    Good you didn’t quit Bonnie. That would have been throwing the baby out with the bath water. I have had a lot of ups and downs with IM too and have almost come to expect them. But there is always something new to try.

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 2, 2014 at 10:48 am

      Isn’t it sad that we expect things to get turned upside down now and then? Why can’t life (or business) be simpler?
      I guess if everything ran smoothly we would soon get bored. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Jenn Alex Brockman

    July 1, 2014 at 10:13 pm

    So, is it difficult to make another sale? I understand the frustration of not getting paid when they said you would, and I understand the concept of keeping your word as a company owner.
    I’m just curious if the money was good enough to kick it to the curb completely?

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 2, 2014 at 10:43 am

      No Jenn, it would be easy to make another sale, but why make it for a company who doesn’t care when I can exert the same amount of effort with someone else AND get paid?
      It doesn’t matter how good the money is, if you’re not treated fairly. Staying with this company would be giving them my approval for how they treat their affiliates. I don’t approve.

      Reply
  9. salma

    July 1, 2014 at 9:37 pm

    Good for you Bonnie! And I really liked reading how you got started, it really gives others (me) hope of being successful working on my own and trying to make a success of it.

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 2, 2014 at 11:46 am

      You don’t need to be an authority on anything when you first start out, Salma. The experience you need comes from DOING rather than wishing. 🙂
      If I can do this Internet marketing thing, anybody can!

      Reply
  10. Cynthia Dixon

    July 1, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    Bonnie,
    I can understand your frustration, but what I like most about your post is that you have the ability to fire them. Meaning, you’re not reliant upon them. Your success and financial welfare isn’t based on what they pay you. I’m sure it’s a help, but you’ll still sleep tonight and eat tomorrow without them.
    I think one of the greatest pleasures in being an internet marketer is knowing, understanding, and realizing your worth. It’s not what someone else says or dictates for your, but what you allow for yourself.
    This kinda makes me think of Squidoo. Although I made some pretty good commissions from participating on their site, I finally decided to give them the boot.
    Speaking of the boot. Glad your online friends put foot in that bottom. Don’t give up on what you enjoy. Don’t give anyone that power over you.
    I’m quite sure what you’re missing out on with that company will be found in another that will have more respect for you and your efforts in helping their company.
    Stick around sweetie, cause we’d miss you if you didn’t. : D

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 22, 2014 at 12:45 am

      I <3 you too, Cynthia! 🙂
      I did the same thing with Squidoo. I fired them months ago when they made that last change and started canning pages at a whim. I’m not redoing my work to suit them. I know it wasn’t copyrighted material and I’m not bending over to allow some third party website to dictate my future. I quit them and never looked back.
      I’m so glad to hear you would miss me! I miss your blog posts too! Where have you been?

      Reply
  11. Lisa Mallis

    July 1, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    Great post Bonnie Gean!!!! YOU are in charge! I always believe when it comes to money, time, and relationships – it is all about choices. Stay in the driver’s seat!!!

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 22, 2014 at 12:42 am

      I so wanted to make “stock car racing sounds” when you said I was in the driver’s seat, but I didn’t know how to write them out. ROFL
      I am glad I have the choice to work with whatever company I choose and not locked in by the idea of that money is money. It isn’t really. Money is only good if you ENJOY making it. I hated the idea of working outside of the home so if I am sitting in the driver’s seat, it makes sense to drive down the path of least resistance and not the route a vendor thinks I should travel.

      Reply
  12. Joy Healey

    July 1, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    Horrors Bonnie – I shuddered at the thought of you leaving Internet Marketing. So glad you’re not!
    I started out in IM to supplement very inadequate pension provisions, and then got addicted to the stuff!
    At the moment my determination to make a success of it is being fueled by being driven crazy by various aspects of my offline freelance work.
    I guess I’m very lucky that when one side of my income is going badly the other can be going well, and vice versa.
    Joy

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 22, 2014 at 12:33 am

      Let’s face it Joy… with the way I comment, write blog posts and hit up social media — do you really think I could leave Internet marketing? IF I did, I don’t really think I could stay away from it for that long. 🙂
      It’s in my blood. ROFL
      Perhaps with the help of your mentor, you will start seeing multiple streams of income too! I’ll keep the fingers crossed for you dear!

      Reply
  13. Michelle DeBerge

    July 1, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    Glad your FB fans helped you remember that you are in charge. So glad you have the support and keep doing what you love.

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 22, 2014 at 12:32 am

      Thanks Michelle for stopping by and sharing your opinion. I have to admit I was pretty upset initially, but now, weeks later, I see it happened for a reason. I was meant to leave that company! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Jeanine Byers @ The Faerietale Coach

    July 1, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    Great post, Bonnie! I had a similar experience where a company I was an affiliate for decided to stop paying their affiliates altogether, except in store credit. As you might imagine, I was quite upset about it, but eventually, I realized that that change was exactly what I needed. I did “fire” them and struck out on my own. Thanks for sharing your own story!

    Reply
    • Bonnie Gean

      July 22, 2014 at 12:30 am

      Ah-hah! Your circumstance gave you the power to strike out on your own! That’s a great story too, Jeanine!
      The best decisions are the ones made that you NEVER regret because everything turns out better in the end. 🙂

      Reply

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