The Holidays Are Here, What Exactly Is My Job Again?
December 12th, 2007 by Jeremy Enke
Ahhh yes, kids running around everywhere, getting to deep fry turkeys, seeing family members, brandy slushes, football……………………..and oh shit, you know the dreaded question is only weeks away.
Random Relative: How’s it going Jeremy?
Jeremy: Not bad, I hate this weather, but other than that everything is great.
Random Relative: How’s Work?
Jeremy: Going real well, been quite busy.
Random Relative: What is it exactly that you do again?
Inevitably, whether you’re a poker affiliate or a general internet marketer, this question is going to come up. And the deeper you get into the conversation and explanation, the more difficult it becomes. I remember when I first started in the business, I was so excited to tell everyone what I did.
I would go on and on about affiliate programs and how I actually got checks sent to me every month. After a few years however, I finally realized that trying to explain the business of poker affiliate programs was a futile effort. Half my family members still use AOL and dial-up, and even this is only once a week.
Anymore I have a blanket statement I use, “I do internet marketing for online poker websites.” And I leave it at that. If they try to ask any further questions I usually just make it sound pretty boring and keep it simple. For example, “I just assist them in marketing on various websites, it’s pretty boring actually, hey how about those Bears!”
The problem with trying to explain affiliate marketing is that it is a difficult concept for most people whom are not internet savvy to grasp. Then you throw in online poker, and how you earn either a CPA, or a % of the rake…….now you have just crossed the line and entered into the impossible explanation. And it gets even worse when the following happens. That one annoying aunt or uncle keeps pressing that gambling on the interweb is illegal because he saw a story about it in 2006.
So if this is your first year really having your feet in the affiliate business, do yourself a favor and take my advice. Keep any explanation of what you do to a third grade comprehension level. You’ll save yourself lots of headaches between now and 2008. Besides, it’s funner when they speculate and gossip about what it is you do when you’re not around anyways.
Speaking of the holidays, here’s the Griswold Family Portrait. My wife thought it would be a great idea to bring the whole family in the back yard with no coats in 20 degree weather. <—–Good times, not really. Those may look like smiles, but they are really “F*** it’s freezing out here faces”.



I suppose an “About Me” page is where you would expect to read a third person professional write up on myself. Hmmm…. well that’s not really my style, so I’ll just go ahead and tell you “about me” in my own words.












December 12th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
I agree Jeremy, it’s hard to explain what is means to work on the internet. You, like me, are fairly diversified so rather than list everything like blogger, affiliate, etc., etc. it’s best to use KISS and just use a simple thing like “I work in online advertising” or something.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
I am not looking forward to this question either, lol. I think it’s just easier to tell them I work for Google but from home ;).
December 12th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Just commenting that you have a beautiful family
I love family shots
December 13th, 2007 at 12:22 am
I hate explaining it. I always tell them I sell advertising to online poker sites. My Dad actually gets it, and he has people ask what I’ve been up to, and he tries to explain it. So pretty much my entire extended family thinks I am some pyramid scheme hype master because they can’t grasp the concept.
December 13th, 2007 at 4:30 am
ugh I hate the dreaded “so what are you up to these days?” questions. Its especially worse being from a smaller city where I tend to know and run into a lot of people when I’m out. So its one of the biggest reasons why I hate going home to visit the family.
But yeah, trying to explain it is nearly impossible and saying to much allows them to probe more. It seems like when someone hears that its possible to make money on the internet there eyes light up and want to know how.
December 13th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I know the feeling… I usually just say, I have a poker website and I advertise other sites on it.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:43 am
LOL. Yeah, it is very hard to explain. Since I have a “normal” job they usually just ask about that, or about something they saw on the new or something.. It is much easier just to keep it short and sweet!
December 14th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
yeah, that discussion is real fun with family members who know that I quit what they regarded as a “great job” in order to do this stuff full time.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
I am contemplating the same thing ResIpsa.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Couldn’t resist…. you have been Elf’d:
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1402468605
December 15th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
LOL…Graham, Elf YOU, Man! That was funny!
December 16th, 2007 at 2:54 am
That was absolutely hilarious. Nice work Graham.
JE
December 17th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Lol Xpertadvice, go Elf yourself too
Merry Xmas!