My Online Journey
I received an email from one of the readers asking me how did I receive so much traffic and how did I reach this level. So I thought why not write down my own journey of internet success (if I can call it that) and how did I achieve it. So let me give you some insight on how did I start. I am sure its gonna be a big post, so bare with me. 
Year 1997
I belong to a very small village in a state called Rajasthan in India. I did my schooling in small city there only. In 1997, I was admitted to I.I.T. Bombay, one of the prestigious technology institutes of India for my engineering. This is when I first met with the computer. This is when I first learned FORTRAN, C and C++ (all official courses).
Year 1999
This is the year when I was appointed as the Computer Secretary of my hostel. This is when I got my first PC (Intel Pentium 133 Mhz with MMX) and got the internet connection. This was the time when there was a huge technology boom. This was also a time when all those “Get Paid to Surf” sites were making a lot of money by installing that small advertising bar at the bottom of your desktop. Myself with 3 other colleague started an un-official (means not registered) company to bring that get-paid-to-surf business into India by registering a site called earnindia.com and publixzone.com. These were our first sites. Venture failed, sites lost. Pockets burned.
Year 2001
Graduated from IIT Bombay and joined VERITAS Software (now its Symantec) in 2001 and worked there till 28th February 2004. In 2001, when I joined VERITAS, I had access to quite good (read as fast) internet connection. That is when I registered my first website hindilyrix.com (this site gets around 3 million page views right now). This was just my hobby site because there was no website online for hindi music lyrics. Site didn’t do well initially and there were hardly any resources to monetize it properly. But slowly the traffic started to grow and I started earning something out of it.
Year 2002 and 2003
This is the time when I was earning from my first site and I started investing it into building my other sites. At the end of 2003, I was having around 20+ sites making me around $500 per month. My daily job was also quite good by which I was able to save some good money. So I decided to quit my daily job and enter into internet marketing full fledged. Planning took a lot of time and it was not untill Feb 2004, when I quit.
Year 2004 - The Toughest Year of my life
This was the year when I quit my daily job (on 28th Feb, 2004). I started my company with one of my friends (who finally decided to remain on salary pay only). The company was officially launched on 1st April 2004. In this year, my wife was pregnant, we were expecting a baby in the month of May. Forming the company and initial investment drained a lot of money. I was almost out of money. I was trying to live with that $500 I was earning from my previous sites. Then baby came and money became more scarce. Many times I thought that I should ask my dad for some money, but could never do that.
So we started the company with only two people, myself and my friend. I had to give salary to my friend. Then after two months, we were able to start making website and earn some very small money, that is when we hired the third person, then in two more months, the 4th person, and then two more months, and the 5th person. In all these times, I was almost out of money with my banks showing nearly zero balances. It was till the end of year 2004, when we started getting good revenue from our new sites on which we all 5 were working day and night.
Year 2005
In year 2005, our company grew and we were able to make company revenue in oder of $10,000 which was enought to sustain the company. This is the time when I slowly started making the company independent of myself. There are employees in the company who knows what to work on and how to work on. There are people to manage it. I am there to mentor them. So I slowly started working on my own sites (the ones I used to work before starting the company). I kept all those sites outside the company. These are my personal sites and company has nothing to do with them.
Year 2006
Company grew, and so were its its. I grew with the company and so were my individual sites. I started outsourcing my personal work to our own company or some other companies and individual.
Year 2007
This is about to end year 2007. My company has grown quite a bit. It revenue has also grown quite a bit. The company has more than 300 websites to manage. With time I registered many more sites personally as well. I personally manage around 200 websites. From these personal websites I derive around $40K sort of earnings per month. Myself and my wife and the full stake holders in the company, so all the company earnings are our earnings as well.
So, it was not just one night business to start and running things. I had a lots of ups and downs in this business. There were times when I was almost out of money. There are (now) also the times when I have money which I keep thinking where to invest. So, its the hard work. When I started there was not many places (like digitalpoint) to help people find information on making money online. All things needs to be tried and tested.
Finally
But, finally I am happy that I took that toughest step to quit my day job and starting my own company. I think god for all my success.
What are my future goals?
I will slowly move more onto my company and will grow it to 300 employees end the end of 3 years from now. That is my next company goal.
Personal earnings goal? Million-a-Month. How far is that? Well, lets see. 
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Jim Karter on December 10th 2007 in Earning Money, General, Internet Marketing
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72 Responses to “My Online Journey”
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Kashif responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 10:24 am #
Wowww. well done..
keep it up good work and day will come soon when you earn million buks a month
Pushkar responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 10:34 am #
Very nice and well said that things can not be done overnight. It takes years and years to get that.
Fahad responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 11:05 am #
Wow, you really are a hard worker. You deserve to be where you are now.
Brent responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 11:10 am #
Thanks for sharing your story Jim. It’s botrh interesting and encouraging.
Nexis responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 11:16 am #
best of luck for the million part.
Vinay responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 1:50 pm #
Every budding Internet Entrepreneur should ready this post. I haven’t made or seen any drastic improvement in my life or career, but what I make is sufficient.
Do you pay tax of this earnings… do this come under IT? Just a query
!! Hope I can be part of the 300 employee… its like the movie 300…. strong bond huh 
Cheers!
Amit Bhawani responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 2:14 pm #
A Hard journey with great results because of the hard work, money making is not really easy
Good job Jimmy!
Naveen responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 2:46 pm #
Hi Jim:
I am reading your blog for the last few months. I got your blog’s address from NamePros where you have posted about free AdWords coupons. I got the coupon and for the first time, I used it to advertise my sites.
From your name I thought that your were from USA, but I never knew you are an Indian. Great to see.
Actually, I never comment on any blog, though I read few regularly. But after reading your story, I thought I would comment as I have learned a lot reading your blog.
Your story encourages me.
yudi responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 5:39 pm #
nice, everything won’t happen overnight, right?
Deepak responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 5:41 pm #
That inspires me
I am going to be a full time internet marketer!
sukosaki responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 6:48 pm #
Good job and good luck!
jimkarter responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 10:31 pm #
Thank you guys for all your comments and encouragements. I really really love reading your comments.
When I read comments on any blog posts, I get a feeling of satisfaction.
Thank you guys.
john responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 10:56 pm #
Helli Jim,
Jim i am new in internet marketing, mate can you tell me which niche will be best to make sites? i want to make lots of sites and want to earn like you because you are my ideal
Thanks
John
Abhishek responded on 10 Dec 2007 at 11:09 pm #
This will really motivate a lot of people stating not to stop at small failures and not to forget their ultimate Goal… Still there’s a long way to go KARAMVEER… I liked the way u presented your total Online Journey…
yuppieJuppie responded on 11 Dec 2007 at 3:15 am #
I was impressed with you a long ago, when I met you in SEO meet..
I must say this post was really motivating for me… Great work
…
Piyush
Neeraj responded on 11 Dec 2007 at 7:01 am #
Hi Jim,
Very inspiration story. I always got motivated when i read such type of success stories.
Seems that at 2 places you mentioned wrong dates.
“In 1999, I was admitted to I.I.T. Bombay”
I think you got admission in 1997.
“This was the year when I quit my daily job (on 28th Feb, 2007)”
I think thi should 2004
and you know what, a coincidence, I am from hanumangarh in rajasthan and now work in pune.
I pray to god that other coincidence also follow
jimkarter responded on 11 Dec 2007 at 7:27 am #
Thanx Neeraj for pointing out the errors. Yes, you are right, I have put wrong dates.
Just corrected them.
Raghav responded on 11 Dec 2007 at 7:28 am #
You are from IIT? No surprize you are earning that amount. I wish I would have studied little harder for my entrance exams.
Great going man! Best of luck.
Ratevin responded on 11 Dec 2007 at 8:27 pm #
congrats…….keep smiling…..
Ratevin responded on 11 Dec 2007 at 8:34 pm #
congrats…….keep smiling…..
u didnt mention about ur sites….only mentioned ur earnings…
from which sites ur geting earnings…?
u mentioned only hindilyrics site…
how u managing 200 sites ?
can u mention in ur blogs about ur sites…..
jimkarter responded on 11 Dec 2007 at 10:49 pm #
I am afraid but I cannot mention any of my sites here on the blog for some obvious reasons.
Cy responded on 12 Dec 2007 at 10:13 pm #
Jim:
Well done!
At the moment I am merely earning few hundreds per month but am very confident one day I will be where you are now, and better
.
seem that many readers are interested on your project management , why not post some tips on that? I am sure that would not be as confidential as your URL right?
thanks in advance !
Varun responded on 14 Dec 2007 at 12:37 am #
Jim,
Wonderfull post.
I too want to quit job and concentrate on my sites.
Day job im learning lots but not earning much.
Im sure you dont regret taking the decision in 2004.
Charan responded on 16 Dec 2007 at 11:28 pm #
Gr8 Jim….u proved again that IITians are innovative…..sure I will put my efforts to reach ur mark
jimkarter responded on 16 Dec 2007 at 11:55 pm #
Best of luck.:)
Avinash smith responded on 28 Dec 2007 at 3:18 am #
Very Nice and good thinking.
Joan Smith responded on 28 Dec 2007 at 3:23 am #
Very Inspiration Story and Very Good Work.
Ashish responded on 28 Dec 2007 at 4:13 am #
Very interesting story and give us in our life increase ur self
suresh responded on 06 Jan 2008 at 5:17 am #
Wonderful and inspiring.
Great job.
Congrats.
Anil Kumar Raju responded on 05 Feb 2008 at 4:17 am #
Vow,I am taking you as inspirational,I just created games site to become like you.
Arpit responded on 05 Feb 2008 at 3:13 pm #
Hello Karamveer.
Your success really inspires me.
I have completed my B.Tech from IIT Roorkee and have chosen the same path.
Things are tough for me right now but am confident that results will show up soon.
Keep Moving…
Atif responded on 06 Feb 2008 at 12:33 am #
Its always nice to read success stories
wish u more of successes
Fetch Boy responded on 06 Feb 2008 at 2:34 am #
Really interesting to read this - got here from DP forum, thanks for sharing your story
Nuke responded on 06 Feb 2008 at 3:00 pm #
I am really impressed with your story. Two things I get from your story. One in life you have to make tough choice, I am sure leaving your day job was not a easy one. Second how you kept moving inch by inch to reach current stage requires patience, hard work and courage.
Many of us will start on right path but will give up after some stiff résistance.
Hats of to you. Keep posting your experience, people will benefit from it.
thanks
Nuke
Armaan Bhati responded on 15 Feb 2008 at 12:27 pm #
Hey..Jim
Just wanted to know where u from
You said small village of rajasthan.
Can you give me that name..
I am from rajasthan too
Kevin responded on 17 Feb 2008 at 3:02 am #
Awesome… Your journey to success is really impressive… sometime i also think to quite my daily job and start something new exciting.. and your this information is inspiring me a lot to do so… anyway, wish you all the best for future success in life..!!
Hammad responded on 20 Feb 2008 at 11:34 am #
good luck m8 … im inspired… really…i hope u achieve that 1M milestone soon.
good luck again
Miguel responded on 20 Feb 2008 at 5:21 pm #
I know you probably will not (or dont want to) answer my following question but here it goes: you have 200 personal websites. That is a given… but in how many niches?
Example: you have 199 sites from lyrics and 1 from Myspace.
Thanks for sharing your goals … it makes me excited and willing to try to make more … more … more!
Miguel responded on 20 Feb 2008 at 5:23 pm #
PS: of course i dont want/expect you to tell what niches, or what websites, but just how many niches? an estimative …
(you can/should delete this comment after reading .
)
Faheem Bhati responded on 20 Feb 2008 at 10:54 pm #
you seem very hard worker, your story really encourage me. these sort of stories encourage those who read it.
thank you jim…
Dexter responded on 21 Feb 2008 at 5:34 am #
Hei Jim Karter, I just want to say that you really know what you are doing, in past few months i did read johnchow.com and shoemoney.com … once i found your blog i stop visiting them
I think you are really best blogger about making money online. Keep good work, Dexter.
Bujes responded on 24 Mar 2008 at 10:02 am #
Amazing post, man!! It gives me motivation to work harder. I’m still young and I have a lot of time to build my network. I have already start thinking I’m not able to earn lots of money from IM, but now I see it only takes time.
Ray responded on 25 Mar 2008 at 11:30 am #
Awesome stats! You’ve come a long way…..I look forward to posting similar stats soon.
Ray
raghav responded on 26 Mar 2008 at 12:47 am #
Are you Karmveer Singh?
And what’s up with the name Jim Karter? is it a pseudoname for online ventures?
blogger responded on 27 Mar 2008 at 5:53 am #
interesting. why did you quit your day job on 28th feb 2004? wasn’t it a leap year with 29 days? you could’ve earned one extra days salary if you waited 24 hrs more… lolllz
Shine Raj responded on 01 Apr 2008 at 4:02 am #
Hi Karamveer,
Saw u sitting next to me at the BlogCamp, did’nt knw u were the rich Jim Karter sitting next to me.
Good Luck! Have a great time
Cheers
SHiNE//
Ashwini responded on 15 Apr 2008 at 11:02 am #
Hello Jim ,
To be very honest your blog really inspired ma a lot and it also carry some energy which really effect other people like me. Thanks for sharing .
Also please check the following line
“Finally
But, finally I am happy that I took that toughest step to quit my day job and starting my own company. I think god for all my success.”
I think in place of “I ***think*** god for all my success” it should be something *thank*
Anyways thanks a lot.
Regards.
Ashwini
Ankit responded on 18 Apr 2008 at 12:17 am #
Jim
I have been following ur blog for quite some time now but never came to this post…
Today while reading your “About Me” page, I happened to came over here… and I must say it was a pleasant mistake, if I may say so…
Jim, it was a wonderful post to read… had a flow in it and must say u were candid enough to put it out so openely…
U r true inspiration and the fact which comes out strongly out of ur post is that ” Rome was not built in a day”. If u want to build an empire, a lot of hard work goes behind it…
but one question has always intrigued me and i always wanted to ask u…
Why did u keep ur blog’s name as “JimKarter.com” ??
I mean why not a blog on ur own name!!! I know ur real name but sometimes amazes me why didn’t u use the same name…
Harjot responded on 19 Apr 2008 at 8:54 pm #
Hi Karm Veer,
I just stumbled upon your site a week back and found a certain humbleness in your writings. Good work and informative too and doesnt cost us anything. I was reading about your first venture http://www.EarnIndia.Com Was quite surprised as i have that domain now. I want to start in Internet Marketing and as is dream of almost everybody, want to quit a regular job and be with my 2 1/2 year old and provide for her. Reading on your site is inspiring………Best of Luck and Wishes for growth of your company….
Parvez responded on 06 Jun 2008 at 8:55 am #
Hi,
i want to talk to you. I am also from IIT delhi and stepped into Internet marketing. I would appreciate if you give some time to your jounior
.I also have few sites which I want an affordable seo service, thanks.
Sanket responded on 06 Jun 2008 at 10:23 am #
its really motivational..
Hitesh responded on 08 Jun 2008 at 1:15 am #
In real i am in the first stage of your journey. Out of money, earning just 15 to 20$ from 3 sites though i am student and not investing anything other domain and hosting.
I have open a internet marketing company and looking to develop more site in a near future.
You have huge employees. I am too targeting such plan. Will it be good or bad, only future knows.
Well i am from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Carol responded on 09 Jun 2008 at 11:22 pm #
I have regularly visited your blog since January. But, just now I read this post and know more about your business journey…Well, I must say that your story is very motivating me to start the full time online business.
Jim Karter responded on 12 Jun 2008 at 9:09 pm #
Ya Carol, I know you are a regular reader. I keep reading your comments. Best of luck.
Abdul responded on 15 Jun 2008 at 5:34 am #
Really great job jimmy..
Rishabh responded on 16 Jun 2008 at 10:40 am #
Very Nice.. Well done
Really good job
Sharon Sutley responded on 31 Jul 2008 at 12:54 am #
A friend sent me this post to inspire me…
I am just getting started and I really enjoyed the read.
What you have accomplished seems so far off to me and if it wasn’t for a good friend who is helping me…I would still be sitting on my hands wondering what do I do next!
Thank you for the encouragement to do the next to impossible…
Sharon
~The Baby Boomer Queen~
Bhushan responded on 14 Aug 2008 at 4:18 am #
A humble begging is a great beginning. As we learn the value of money at this stage it self. Once we are born rich then there is no value of it we just ignore and spend it lavishly.
Tamas Das responded on 21 Aug 2008 at 2:27 am #
so you are an IITian
nice to hear that
I want to earn $1000/m by the year 2010!!!!
BTW I m a doctor not engineer so $1000 personal income is quite a good aim
My present earnings are like $200/m from 3 sites,and I am growing my network slowly
May be you could offer me some help,plz email me if you are free
Jim Karter responded on 21 Aug 2008 at 8:06 pm #
Tamas, as a doctor you can make quite good online.
You have an expertise which can be used to provide some good information to the people. Make use of it fully and you will not be far from your aim.
danny responded on 01 Sep 2008 at 7:16 am #
Jim…
I Live in Thailand, not too far from you infact….
And that is the nicest story i have read in a long time, really i’m so happy for you…
I am in the same position as you were too, i have quit my day job and am starting to think about a company except i am not a Thai national so communicating here will be so hard, actually maybe i should go to india.
well anyways… great story and i have read you blog for last 6 months without finding the about you page. haha
save the best til last
bk responded on 12 Sep 2008 at 9:51 pm #
nice story to make me being inspired that there’s always a way … God create….
Lowongan Kerja Terbaru responded on 04 Oct 2008 at 6:23 am #
very inspiring journey Jim, my online earning is so small right now, still got below 1K per month..
hope to reach 1K mark next year..
Saroj responded on 13 Oct 2008 at 11:58 pm #
I have also exactly same ideas before reading your company journey.My idea is matching with you……
But managing 200+ website not so easy for single webmaster.
Freedownloadsok.com responded on 14 Feb 2009 at 9:11 pm #
Hmm…your story is awesome..I’ve learnt something from that.
Walter responded on 21 Feb 2009 at 6:10 am #
hallo sir..
This is first comment in my life….thank u for your inspirational life story….it make me enough courage to earn money independently…thank u jim….
kolours responded on 13 Mar 2009 at 6:38 am #
hey Jim your whole story resemblances with one of the dearest person i know, and wish as u succeeded in your life, he will also write his success story too.
God is with you and with every person who believe in “hard work” all the very best..!!!!
God bless you!
Akeel responded on 24 Mar 2009 at 11:49 am #
Great to know all that Jim!
I’m going through same steps as you’re. Sites are making $600 per month and I’m about to quite my day job ($1500 per month), lets see what happens
mymytri responded on 17 Apr 2009 at 5:00 am #
Wow.It’s really inspiring story jim.Hardwork never fails.
AJINKYA responded on 25 Apr 2009 at 3:48 am #
wow , i m impresed !!
very inspiring dude !! hats off
Work at Home responded on 02 May 2009 at 8:13 pm #
Thanks a lot Jim. I am a true follower to your blog. I really achieved a lot of success after visiting to your blog. Have a look at my blog and comment on it. Thanks.
Nikhil responded on 15 Jun 2009 at 6:49 am #
Great Journey.
I also want to be an online entrepreneur.I am concentrating on affiliate marketing and creating my own digital products.
Thanks