Glenford Smith | Three months and no profit at online job site

QUESTION: I read your article titled 'Making internet income in Jamaica'. I have heard of the websites mentioned in the article. However, I'm unable to see how to make a profit off these types of websites in any way or form. Being realistic, I only started three months ago on fiverr.com. Also, my schooling conflicts with the Internet Income Jamaica boot camps.

- Alex B.

SMITH: Thanks for reading the column, Alex. Your full email raised several issues, only two of which this article can address, as above.

Several people contacted me about the article. Some wondered whether they could sign up to the sites directly or had to attend the Internet Income Jamaica boot camps. You've stated that you're unable to attend any because of conflicts with your study schedule.

More fundamentally, however, you can't see how you can make money at sites such as fiverr.com, upwork.com and peopleperhour.com. Let's address these concerns.

If your schedule doesn't allow you to attend any of the trainings, that shouldn't stop you. Anyone can visit those sites and sign up directly. Any reasonably intelligent person can figure out how the sites function, perhaps with some help from a few how-to YouTube videos. You don't need to attend the bootcamps.

There's great value, however, in getting expert hands-on training. There's a famous Chinese proverb which says: "A single conversation across the table with a wise man is worth a month's study of books". This bit of wisdom underscores the importance of having mentors, teachers and trainers that one can interact with directly.

That's why, even though I'm an incurable bibliophile, I seek out live trainings to attend and personal mentors I can learn from. That explains why I attended the publishing bootcamp I mentioned in the January 31 article. So, don't make the simple matter of a scheduling conflict prevent you from taking advantage of live training.

An alternative to the bootcamps is to get a private trainer. By that, I mean someone who is actually

making money using the sites, who can tutor you. That option puts you in control of scheduling time for training.

Now, let's consider the bigger question of your inability to see how the online job sites can be

profitable.

Alex, people are making money using these sites. In fact, many people around the world are making their living at these sites. I personally know of Jamaicans who earn their income solely from sites such as the above mentioned. So, there are clearly ways to profit.

Perhaps you have not taken the time, diligence and discipline required to really study and understand how the sites work. Remember: anything new you undertake requires that you go through a learning curve. If you started on fiverr.com three months ago, you should've understood how it operates by now.

If making an internet income interests you, I recommend that you focus seriously on mastering the site, with an open mind. Or, if you're still mystified, get a personal coach. Otherwise, make the time to attend a training workshop where others can help to shorten your learning curve and support your learning. Best wishes.

Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and success strategist. He is the author of 'From Problems to Power' and co-author of 'Profile of Excellence'. EMAIL: glenfordsmith@yahoo.com