What do I do? Preparing for a future online...

[WebProdigy]

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum, and relatively new to the 'professional' web arena. For the past year or so I've been working as a 'Web Marketing Manager'...or at least thats what I would call it. I now find myself wondering if I am in the right place, or if I should be headed down a different path.

My duties and responsibilities have included:

1. Managing the web development process with internal, external, and overseas developers- quotes, functional specs, basic UI stuff, and general project management. If site or update is not complete, I have to answer to my boss and the client. So I'm basically the middleman between the client and the programmers.

2. Maintenance work- i.e. getting calls from clients complaining about errors on page xx, relaying the message to programmers, testing, and then calling the client back.

3. Sales- going to client, pitching ideas/concepts for site, price negotiations, etc. Taking client ideas, and turning them into reality. For most of our clients, I'm the one calling to make sure they've signed and faxed our proposal.

4. Advertising/Analytics- Over the course of 1 year, I've introduced basic advertising concepts-banner, newsletter, adwords. In addition, I have encouraged and used standard site statistics to sell and support current and upcoming projects.


The catch: I took this job because I smelled weakness in the company. I was to start as an assistant, but quickly took the lead role of anything web. My company has some big clients (Hyundai, Nestle, Kia, etc.) but very little experience in the web industry. I have the MOST knowledge in the company, and do not consider myself an expert at all.

My Questions:

1. What is an appropriate title for what I do?

2. What is the next best logical step to continue my growth in this industry?

3. What is the typical salary for what I do?

4. Do I run risks of staying at a company that seems to have no one that can teach me anything about web development/marketing/advertising?

5. What types of companies are looking for somebody with my experience?

A little more:

I am highly entrepreneurial, have started a number of (unsuccessful) social networking sites/applications, and some successful businesses (eBay Consignment, Student Guide/Discount Magazine).

[stacy131]

What you need to do next??? Well...

It's simple. Just ask yourself, "If I were to quit this job and start on my own without having a guarantee of where it will go, will I be able to put food on the table during the next 6 months if things don't go my way?"

If your answer is no, try starting something on your own while still maintaining that job that you have. Be humble and only speak about it when you have proof that you have finally made it a success.

If your answer is yes, then what are you doing here? Go take care of that itch on your heart.

But other than that, I am completely unqualified to answer any of your questions.

[shoaeeb]

Originally Posted by stacy131

What you need to do next??? Well...

It's simple. Just ask yourself, "If I were to quit this job and start on my own without having a guarantee of where it will go, will I be able to put food on the table during the next 6 months if things don't go my way?"

If your answer is no, try starting something on your own while still maintaining that job that you have. Be humble and only speak about it when you have proof that you have finally made it a success.

If your answer is yes, then what are you doing here? Go take care of that itch on your heart.

But other than that, I am completely unqualified to answer any of your questions.

Agree with you here.