Some of you get offended when I speak ill of the young. I blow hard about the wisdom that comes with age. More than once I’ve written about the correlation between youth and folly in business.
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"We all dream of living the good life but us old codgers know that the definition of good changes with experience." |
Hey I like the kids. I marvel at their enthusiasm and fearlessness. The ideas and innovations of the young pups will guide us forward. It takes a young mind to accept new thought. Without the input of the younger generation we’d be a pretty stagnant bunch. I’m not knocking anybody. There are plenty of people my age and older who are about as mature as twelve-year-olds. When I write about experience and wisdom I’m not directing my comments to just those under thirty.
Let me ask you something. Before you got into the adult Internet, what was your job history? Were you previously a business owner? Were you a nine-to-five schmo? How long is your experience in the working world? Would you be considered one of those people who works well with others? Did you steal paper clips from the supply closet? Were you the one the boss trusted with the keys? Have you even had another job?
The reason I come down on younger adult webmasters is because I know something they probably don’t. I know what I’m capable of. I know what I’m incapable of as well. I was introduced to the work force in 1973. I’ve worked for many different employers and I’ve worked for myself. I’ve been in situations, which informed me of my character. I know just how much responsibility I can handle. I know the sacrifices I’m willing to make. I know what I am and am not willing to do to make money. I know this because I have had years of experience I know myself because I am not young.
I am self-employed. I write exclusively for Cozy but I am a contractual employee. I make my living by working for someone else and I am happy with the arrangement. I pay my own taxes. I work with my own small sites at my leisure and discretion. I don’t want members, affiliate webmasters or employees.
I am not in the mood to deal with payment processors, security issues or server maintenance. No, I don’t get paid the big bucks and no I don’t have a Rolex. I’m happy to live without such things because I know what they truly cost. I’m not willing to be on call 24/7. I’m not willing to handle member complaints or dissatisfied buyers. I don’t want to be responsible for the livelihoods of a couple hundred-affiliate webmasters. I’m just a happy little word monkey with one very cool job. I have a gig that fits my abilities (and limits) to a tee.
I see a lot of trial by fire when I look at the goings on in the adult Internet. Instance after instance I lurk in empathy while some poor sponsor or host or service provider is raked over the coals on a webmaster forum. I see them scramble with explanation when checks bounce or stats go down. I shrivel in pain when I place myself in their positions. I’ve seen what it’s like to own a business.
I’ve seen how the truly successful ones give up their time, their freedom and sometimes their families. I’ve watched as they took on responsibilities I could never fulfill. I’ve observed them reply professionally and humbly to the most insulting snide comments. I look. I watch. I read and I thank my stars because I don’t walk in their shoes.
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I also see folks who can’t handle the pressure. I watch them crash and burn because they took on too much. I see them react childishly and maliciously to their detractors. I hear tales of their avoidance. I read ICQ logs posted of conversations so puerile in content I am sickened. I see a whole bunch of little whippersnappers who think they can win the crown through sheer genius, ethics be damned. Likewise I witness the downfall of they who bite off more than can be chewed. They find out the hard way they were too small for their dreams. They flew too high and were burned by the sun.
I blame the young because I see that many of these webmaster horror stories involve people who are well under 30. There are just some things that must be learned and no amount of cleverness will teach you. One of the things that you will learn is your limitations.
We all dream of living the good life but us old codgers know that the definition of good changes with experience. Bling Bling is nice but will it get you through the inevitable rough patches? You could be the most brilliant one at your game but what happens when someone outdoes you? Will you be able to fall back on your honorable reputation? When it’s time for the young pups to take over, will you be around to fight like an old dog?
Relax. This isn’t even really about age. There are a lot of us who got into this with no business plan other than "to make a buttload of money". Or worse there are those of us who knew our limitations before hand and still fucked up. An over-thirty adult webmaster -who resorts to unethical behavior- can’t blame their fault on youth. The old guy that yells at clients, hides from debtors or scams affiliates can only have had years of practice.
I titled this piece "Assess Yourself" to get you to look at who you really are. Are you someone who is willing to sacrifice your free time and money in order to fulfill your responsibilities? You may have a dream and a bright idea but how far will you push yourself to achieve? When things get hairy (they will) are you going to stick it out or will you bail? Before you go and open the paysite of the millenium or implement that wicked new service, think. Everything you do will be exposed and discussed by thousands of cynical adult webmasters.
After assessing yourself, how will they assess you?