Episode 17 of the Late Night Internet Marketing podcast was recorded on the road, partly from a car heading to the airport and partly from hotel rooms during business travel. The audio quality suffered, but the topic, how to deal with your employer when you are building a side business, was one that resonated with listeners more than almost anything else I had discussed up to that point.
The Part-Time Entrepreneur's Dilemma
Most of my listeners have day jobs. That is the whole premise of Late Night Internet Marketing: you build your business at night, on weekends, in the margins of your life. But having an employer while building a side business creates a tension that needs to be managed carefully.
The central question is simple: does your employer need to know? My answer is nuanced and depends on several factors.
When You Should Tell Them
- Your employment agreement requires disclosure of outside business activities
- There is any overlap between your side business and your employer's business
- You are using public-facing content (blog, podcast, social media) under your real name
- Your side business could be perceived as a conflict of interest
When It May Not Be Necessary
- Your side business is in a completely unrelated niche
- You never use company time or resources
- Your employment agreement has no moonlighting restrictions
- Your performance at work is strong
The Golden Rule: Performance First
Regardless of whether you disclose, your day job performance must remain excellent. The moment your work quality slips, any side business becomes a convenient explanation in your employer's mind. Be the person who delivers results first, and the side hustle question becomes much less charged.
Mobile Internet Business
That episode also featured a clip I had recorded on the streets of Seoul, South Korea during a previous work trip. The point was to demonstrate the freedom that internet business provides. With a laptop and a wifi connection, you can run your business from anywhere: write content, manage ads, answer customer emails, even record a podcast.
In 2026, remote work has normalized this concept entirely. But in 2012, it still felt novel and exciting. The tools have improved enormously since then, but the fundamental insight remains: an internet business is location-independent by nature, and that is one of its most powerful advantages.
Cliff Ravenscraft Interview: Part Two
The episode featured part two of my interview with Cliff Ravenscraft, the Podcast Answer Man. Cliff shared his journey from insurance agent to full-time podcaster, emphasizing that he built his podcasting business on the side for years before making the leap. He and his wife became debt-free before he left his insurance career.
Cliff's approach embodies what I have always believed about side hustles: build methodically, do not take reckless financial risks, and make the transition when the numbers and the calling both line up. His story has inspired thousands of people to start podcasting, and his advice on building a business with integrity remains some of the best I have ever heard.
Excellent podcast Mark! Kind of funny – since I have been over-analyzing what type of equipment to start with for like a year, I wondered what it might be like to start a podcast with nothing other than a phone. The quality was not bad at all – and your content was awesome – I prefer the free-thinking talking over a canned podcast anyday, not that I’ve ever thought your shows were canned.
@KentFaver Thanks Kent. If you want to start on the cheap, I can certainly recommend Audacity (FREE) and the SnowBall USB mic (cheap). For interviews, you can use Skype and Skype recording software. With that setup (less than $100) you’ll sound better the 90% of the podcasters out there. Thanks for the feedback.
Good stuff and solid tips on managing a “day job” along with internet marketing on the side. I hadn’t really ever thought of comparing internet marketing to a hobby, but it’s a good comparison!
Also, you’re doing great keeping with your weekly podcast commitment…keep it up!
@ShaneEubanks Thanks Shane. Appreciate the feedback. How are things going over at Genuine IM? Would be cool to get you on the show sometime if you are up for it ShaneEubanks
@masonworld Well, we just had our 2nd child and there’s no motivator quite like an extra family member! haha Everything is going well, though, both at work (enterprise-level SEO and internet marketing) and on the side (content marketing). I’d love to be on the show sometime! As I listen to your podcasts, sometimes I feel like you’re the only person that understands what I go through balancing work, family, & internet marketing on the side. ha I may be an anomaly from many people though as I actually love my day-job…very blessed to be able to do what I love both at work and home!
@ShaneEubanks That would be awesome. Would you be willing to talk about SEO some? I have not had a SEO professional on the show. I think people would love that.
@masonworld Sure thing! I love SEO and could easily talk about it. I go back and forth between large enterprise and smaller websites, so I can definitely provide some insights on both…cause both are similar, but carry different risks. It may be interesting to some to hear my backstory, the motivation I had, and the success of selling a website which allowed us to fulfill a major goal…all with SEO.