Are there any noob sites that might enlighten me to how everyone earns income here?

[MontyTheLab]

I know...very odd beginner question so let me elaborate.  I have always worked in the corporate grind. I quit and opened up a couple of small (fairly unsuccessful) businesses since 2007.  I enjoyed the SEO parts of building the business but just couldn't get them to stick. (local service businesses)  I have fallen into some lead gen business with my old customers and I am trying to build that now.

How are the majority of the SEO people earning income here? Are most selling their SEO services to other small businesses?  Are most earning ad type income here? (how does that work?)  I am quickly being forced back into the corporate grind again and would really prefer to learn and taylor my SEO efforts into staying self employed if possible.

Would anyone be able to direct me to sites that might explain how entrepreneurs are earning income around here?  A little 'Career Counseling' of sorts?  (haha)  I sincerely would appreciate some enlightenment.

[EGOL]

I don't have clients.  I work on my own websites.  Some are retail monetized by sales, some are informational monetized by ads.

The best place to start with ads is Google Adsense.  Their website has all of the information that you need and lots of sample websites to learn how itworks.  To make money that way you need to produce content of high enough quality that it attracts an audience or attracts a lot of traffic from search and social.

[MontyTheLab]

Thank you...I am honestly not looking for specifics...just a general idea of what most people concentrate on. Ad revenue, how it works, how to get started etc.

[GPainter]

Most SEOers are pretty protective of their incomes (having worked to get to where they are)  but if you hand around here you get an idea, you can also try the seo (and bigseo) threads on http://www.reddit.com/ which can be helpful. You can also keep an eye on seo forums.  Good luck on your hunt!