"I Quit" 1 Year anniversary • Hacker News Board

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#11

Post by eibrahim » Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 3:27 PM UTC

floozyspeak wrote: post #9

Living on the cheap is one thing, going into huge credit card debt will follow you forever. :( Sounds like a gleeful story of doing it "your way" but a massive cost. I think the blog post is a bit in denial because you haven't really said anything about any future out comes you see happening next. What is the credit card debt? How much do you think you'll make on the book after publisher fees/whatever other costs. Th…

Will I do it all over again? Absolutely :)

I am not sure I can discuss the book fees but it is not substantial. Probably enough for 2 or 3 months of living expenses.

Credit card debt is huge. Think of a number. Then double it :)

Yonkly is already profitable. It covers its operating cost and more.

Thanks.

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#12

Post by eibrahim » Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 3:29 PM UTC

coglethorpe wrote: post #6

I think Yonkly is a really cute (as in clever) idea and could get some traction. Have I wonder if the author has looked getting investors on board. Maybe if people had revenue sharing or just the ability to monetize their, um, "yonks" they could have enough incentive to make the service take off.

Yes, site owners can run their own ads to monetize their networks. Technically speaking, they can paste and javascript code into their network header and sidebar, so they can add widgets, tracking code, ads or whatever they want.

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#13

Post by eibrahim » Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 3:30 PM UTC

coglethorpe wrote: post #8

coglethorpe wrote: post #6

I think Yonkly is a really cute (as in clever) idea and could get some traction. Have I wonder if the author has looked getting investors on board. Maybe if people had revenue sharing or just the ability to monetize their, um, "yonks" they could have enough incentive to make the service take off.

Oh, from the site: "Monetize through Ads" I like the ability to show a thumbnail in the posts.

One of our clients is http://photographersjournal.yonkly.com/home and they have a ton of cool photos. Check them out.

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#14

Post by wannabetechgeek » Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 3:50 PM UTC

I just quit a lucrative job in Vietnam and will be moving back to the Bay to seek a marketing position with a tech company. Obviously not a good time, I know. But like you, I've found a path I'm excited about pursuing and need to move on and make it happen. It's only been 2 weeks since I quit - and have some plans to travel and live in Vietnam while I begin the job search. Not a bad place to be while you're jobless and seeking! It also works because I'm single and have no debt. I hope my 1 Year post won't include me being broke, i.e., I hope I find a job, but sounds like there may be some more payoff coming to you with Yonkly and the book. Thanks for sharing such a personal story. Good luck!

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#15

Post by fraXis » Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 4:04 PM UTC

Thanks for sharing this. Very inspirational.

Where are you hosting your site? Are you hosting at Dreamhost (whois data)? I don't see anything on their site about ASP.Net apps. If not, where are you hosting it or are you doing it yourself in a data center?

Thanks.

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#16

Post by bprater » Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 4:10 PM UTC

eibrahim wrote: post #10

jreposa wrote: post #4

It's been 1 year and you're broke. Where do you plan on spending your time, on Yonkly and the book? Do you have any other next steps? Great story and congrats on your engagement!

I am doing small consulting jobs here and there that barely pay the bills but I am mostly focused on Yonkly (the book is almost done). I am also in the process of talking to investors and if things work out then it will be 110% Yonkly.

How much time are you spending on the marketing aspect of Yonkly? If you aren't and started spending an hour or two a day -- seriously attacking it, you might be able to get ramen profitable quickly.

For instance, the site doesn't quickly drive home why I need your service. It kind of muddles around. If you tightened things up, starting an affiliate program, did some AdWords, etc. you might be able to focus on the project 100% once it pays the mortgage.

Google 'yonkly' -- it's strange what it comes up with. That type of thing needs to be fixed. Just a couple ideas, hope this helps -- I launched my web service last month and we are already ramen profitable.

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#17

Post by timr » Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 4:47 PM UTC

eibrahim wrote: post #11

floozyspeak wrote: post #9

Living on the cheap is one thing, going into huge credit card debt will follow you forever. :( Sounds like a gleeful story of doing it "your way" but a massive cost. I think the blog post is a bit in denial because you haven't really said anything about any future out comes you see happening next. What is the credit card debt? How much do you think you'll make on the book after publisher fees/whatever other costs. Th…

Will I do it all over again? Absolutely :) I am not sure I can discuss the book fees but it is not substantial. Probably enough for 2 or 3 months of living expenses. Credit card debt is huge. Think of a number. Then double it :) Yonkly is already profitable. It covers its operating cost and more. Thanks.

I think his point is that you're not profitable until you can pay your living expenses with your income. You aren't "ramen profitable" when you're living off of credit cards to make ends meet.

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#18

Post by floozyspeak » Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 5:14 PM UTC

Well its still a good inspiration story and it may fly in the face of rising unemployment and horrific economic playground happening out there right now.

Major props for laying the story down, not enough people do that.

Overall I still feel you need 1 or 2 more bankable deals under the table to help you pay off the debt and getting back into the green of things.

Luckily you got into the ad model biz when you did because that is a dying model of profit. Covering operating costs and groceries is good but you should probably try to weave it into a sale or use it as a spring board to get a consultancy gig. Meanwhile the book keeps you a bit above water but well.. you're outa ammo.. start working on book 2 asap and get some additional green in that door or the stress of debt will eat the love of your life.

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#19

Post by veteran » Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 5:21 PM UTC

i know it is for all of you to downvote - but no fixed income, 2 houses, credit card debts, looking for investment , ppl find it inspirational...

i just don't feel like filing taxes this year

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#20

Post by apgwoz » Mon, Mar 09, 2009, 5:22 PM UTC

fraXis wrote: post #15

Thanks for sharing this. Very inspirational. Where are you hosting your site? Are you hosting at Dreamhost (whois data)? I don't see anything on their site about ASP.Net apps. If not, where are you hosting it or are you doing it yourself in a data center? Thanks.

Dreamhost doesn't support ASP.NET that I know of, but you can create CNAME records to point elsewhere.