Month Two, and Reality Sets In.
It was when I started noticing my ranking going down little by little every day that I knew something was up. Something was different! Reality was setting in and I needed to make a change. The question is, what was I, going to do about it?
The First Month
Just a few weeks ago I wrote a post called An Amazing First Month on WA. I shared about the various lessons I had learned and about how excited I was to be here. I'm assuming I'm not the only one who got caught up in all the new things there are to do here at WA. I am new to affiliate marketing, and the whole idea has really shifted the direction that I am going. I am having a blast meeting new people, learning new ideas, moving up the ranks. Somehow I even made it up to 466. Then it happened...about the time I was feeling pretty good, reality set in.
Month Two
I call it the moment where I heard crickets chirping in the background. In clearer words, it was the moment where everything seemed to stop. Literally! The following are some things I have experienced, in hopes that if you can relate to them, they can be helpful to you too! I am thankful that we can learn not only from our successes here on WA but also in areas where we struggle.
Meeting People- One of the first things that I noticed was that I was no longer getting several message on my profile page. In the first few weeks I was on WA I had dozens of people writing me to welcome me to WA. It was a lot of fun. Now there were none, or very few. I guess once you've been here a few weeks people probably feel awkward writing you and telling you welcome to WA!
What did I learn and what can I share? -At this point we need to do the work ourselves. Don't rely on others to contact you, contact them! Find people that click with you and write on their profile and get things rolling. Include a comment about their bio page and strike up some possible interaction. I realize that it's going to take more work but it will be worth it. Writing to people on WA will not make us rich, but it is teaching us how to interact with people so that when we are on the Internet and social media we hopefully draw them into visiting our websites where we can profit.
Time- Another obstacle I faced in month two was time. Let's face it, time is one of our greatest challenges. Becoming successful at affiliate marketing takes time! I can't say this from personal experience yet, but I can see it in posts from other people. WA is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It is a legit business that honors those who put in the Time and effort. Like many of you, I still have to work a full time job to help pay the bills. I hope that someday this will change and affiliate marketing can be my only job. But, until then, I have to manage my time. The past few months have been my slow time at work to the point where I even took some vacation days to work on WA. Now things are picking up and will likely keep me busy for the next several months. I am struggling to get my affiliate work done.
What did I learn and what can I share?- You obviously can't make time, but you can manage it! I created a chart of when I have to work and when I have time at home. I took time out family responsibilities and determined that the time I had left was to used for WA work. This can be hard when I'm tired from work and wanting to relax. You definitely need down time to do whatever it is that energizes you. But, you also need to set aside time to work your business or it isn't going to go anywhere. The people who are at the top of the ranks are putting in significant time into their business. If we make it a goal to do that, then we too can be successful.
Training- This is where I really failed. When I started my training in the first month I was able to pick a domain name, create a website, and write my first content, and then I got stuck. I began to second guess the direction of my website. It's almost like I took off without thinking of where I was going. If this is you, take a moment and figure out where you are going. What will your website look like? Don't just push through a few content pages to complete an assignment. Know your direction.
I also got intimidated by a number of comments going around about poor reviews on site comments. This was one of my next assignments. I get that people can be really frustrated when members do a sloppy job offering feedback. On the other hand, I hope people can offer grace considering that we are being asked to offer feedback when we have barely started the training. I hope that when I do it I can do it right. If anyone out there has good suggestions for making site comments please send them my way. It would be really helpful.
What did I learn and what can I share? The main thing is not to give up. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and simply shut down. They key is to keep moving forward even if it's not perfect. It's going to take time but each lesson brings new insight into how to do things.
Month Three I am now a little way into my third month and the thoughts mentioned above 
are certainly moving within my thinking. I know that wanting to succeed is a nice thought but it won't get me where I want to go unless I am doing something to make it happen. As I shift from a euphoric first month, to my shifting second month, to my hopeful third month, I hope that I can develop a rhythm that is doable and that I can begin moving forward once again.
**How was your second month at WA? Did you notice any differences from your first?
If you enjoyed this post please hit the "like" button and feel free to offer any comments below
Thanks so much!
-Bruce
Recent Comments
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I totally relate to what you have shared. I believe it a phase we need to cope with in our journey in affiliate marketing.
Hi Edgar, thanks for responding. You are so right. Although I've been here a short time I am sure that more ups and downs are coming. It's during the down times we just have to keep pushing through it. Even if the gains are small, we're still moving forward.
The past couple weeks were busy with my other job but I still tried to get on WA for at least a few minutes and see what I could do.. Now, I finally got around to making another post. Hopefully moving to another good phase.
Hope you are in a good phase too!
-Bruce
Well, I am well past my third month. Yet, I could relate to what you said. Excellent description.
Yes, after the first couple of months you no longer have people welcoming you just because you are new. You get comments on your profile because you took the time to engage with someone else somewhere else.
I love reading posts like yours because I am always dreaming that someone will come up with the magic solution to help me get more hours out of each day.
Well... in all seriousness, this business, this process is like a roller coaster. Some days we are up and excited. Other days, we are sliding down wondering when the decent will stop.
I hope that the rest of your week goes awesome.
Hi Sondra, thank you so much for your kind words! Thanks also for reading my post and responding. I'm impressed that you are still able to remember back to when you first started. I have trouble remembering what I had for breakfast :)
Then again, it's easy to remember when you first start something because It's exciting and challenging at the same time. It shapes where you eventually end up. You have obviously gone far in your time in WA. It is encouraging to someone like me who is just getting going to know that what I have experienced is not uncommon and is felt by everyone at some point.
Your analogy of a roller coaster is a good one, and one that Eric also mentioned on his comment below. It's up one moment and down the next. The important thing is not to stay in the low but keep working at moving up even if it goes slow.
I wish I could create more time, but I guess time management will have to do for now. I'd imagine you keep pretty busy with all your work on WA and with the animals on your ranch. I'm not sure if you still live in Colorado, but if you do I am jealous. I lived there for almost five years and really loved it!
Thanks again for your encouraging words. Writing this post was a good way to get back at it again.
Hope you have a great week too!
-Bruce
Yes, I'm still in Colorado. This is the time of year that I wish I was back in Texas. Winter doesn't want to end.
Well, my time management says that it is bedtime. Night.
Yes, the cold and snow can get a little old after a while. if you're on mountain time I can certainly see why you are ready for bed. Way to use good time management.
Well-written post. That skill will be very helpful to you.
Do you get lots of emails? Do you have your "send emails" button turned on? If so, you can meet a lot of new people that way, by commenting on their posts.
Be careful not to confuse site comments with feedback. Feedback is constructive criticism of the site. Comments are meant to be positive, as they will be on the person's site and seen by others. It is not the place for feedback. However, if you give good comments, that is most helpful. Google likes to see comments.
Seems like you are doing well. Keep up the good work.
Hi Fran it's wonderful to see your smiling face again! Thanks also for your kind words. That means a lot!
I am intrigued your recommendation to use the "send email button" I must admit that I don't know which button that is. Where is it located? Is this a different kind of response than what people do when they "comment" on the post?
I also appreciate your comments about the difference between Site Feedback and Site Comments. That makes sense. My struggle comes from seeing a post where a member offered Site Feedback only to get slammed by the owner of the site because he didn't like her opinion of his site. I don't think she was trying to be mean, just simply giving her perspective. As a result he rejected her feedback and wrote a post about how he didn't like her comments. It's made me nervous to do Site Feedback, and has held up my training because I'm not quite sure what's expected. I don't want to put the effort into reviewing someone's website only to get rejected. Do you have any suggestions of what you try to do and look for when you offer Site Feedback? About how much time do you spend on it? I know I just need to do it but any ideas are helpful. :)
Thanks Fran,
-Bruce
To get your email "buttons", click on your profile, then go to account settings, then scroll to the bottom and you will see two buttons that pertain to emails. Turn both of them on. Then you will have lots of new people to meet and talk to.
As for feedback, I had a wonderful list I got from someone. Kept it on my desk top. I recently cleaned up my space, and now I don't know where I put it. ...oop...just found it.
Okay, here are points to look for when giving feedback: You can give your opinions on any or all of these to the person requesting feedback.
Layout
Use of colors
Header
Logo
Images
Menus
Content
Links
Left Side Bar
Right Side Bar
Footer
Ads
These are all things you can remark on, especially if some are missing or not used effectively. Hope that helps.
Fran, you had me nervous when you talked about this great list you had... and then you couldn't find. I would have forever wondered what it was. :) Now I know. That is so incredibly helpful. My brain needs something to work off of. This is what I have needed. Thank you so much for sending it my way
I also checked my email settings and they are good to go! You have been a huge help. Thank you!
You are so welcome. It feels good when I can actually help someone. I ask so many questions that I want to be sure to give back.
Bruce, I am just getting started and I tell myself daily some of what you wrote here. I purchased my first domain today and it was scary. My first thought was to just keep moving thru the training and come back to that, but I reminded myself that following the steps to success is why I am here and this is how I can succeed. I have got to do the work and take the bad, that I am sure to have in the beginning, with the good that will eventually come in the future. If I do not take action, I will not achieve anything, and this is where I have failed in the past. Thank you for sharing your experience in your first two months as this shows me we will all struggle at one point and how we react will determine our success.
Dee
PS. This is also my first comment within the community so another big first for me today even though it may not seem big to most.
Dee, I am so proud of you for stepping out and making your first comment in the community! That is fantastic!!!! and YES it is a big deal! Like Eric mentioned in the comment below we have to take risks in order to succeed, and you did. Taking a risk is no small deal.
I am also beyond thrilled that it was on my post! Thanks for sharing that with me. It feels so good to be able to engage with people and to offer encouragement.
I remember when I bought my first domain and it was a big deal too. I wanted to make sure I got the name right and I had the right niche market. As you go along you may find you make adjustments, but that's okay. It's all part of the learning process.
Following the training is also a good plan! I must admit I have skipped around a little but would agree that sticking with the plan is the best method.
I appreciate you sharing your determination in getting this done. I noticed in your bio that you just finished an MBA. That is a HUGE accomplishment. I would imagine you had some challenges during that time too, but you did it! I believe the same is true here. Like you said, "If I do not take action, I will not achieve anything". Great insight!
Thanks for sharing Dee
I wish you the very best as you move forward!
-Bruce
PS- If you want some additional ideas that might be helpful just starting out, read my post "10 Lessons I've learned from an Amazing First Month on WA"
Most people I have met experience the roller coaster ride that is learning to do something new.
Adrenaline pumps, in the beginning, the desire to work hard is at the top, it's thrilling to keep pushing forward.
Once that dips you feel anxious, nervous and uncertain. You need to be capable of stepping back and have a way to revisit the reasons you got high for that start.
Inside of you is something wonderful, that is a mind that wants you to achieve. But it's also the one ally who misses the old you so it clings on to things that feel safe.
What I like to do when I notice that things may be slowing down, is to find a way to play a game of chicken with myself.
Time to take a risk and do something for the first time. Perhaps it's to publish a post that you didn't feel safe about releasing.
Maybe it's to share a story about your adversities so that you can receive that gift of having overcome something incredible.
It could even be to ask for feedback so you can get criticized constructively and test your discipline not to explode.
Coincidently, that is how each lesson in the training works. You take a blind risk to get through the next step just to have it happen again in the next lesson.
One last thing before I go, that it's not supposed to be easy. People will tell you that the easier something is to do, the less it typically matters in the end.
You should struggle to overcome every obstacle in your way but you also have the power already inside of you to not be stopped.
Time only matters when you don't know where you want to go. That is why you must be able to plan ahead for what you will be willing to do each and every day.
Eric
Wow Eric! Thanks for the wonderful comments.
It was very well thought out and encouraging. I like the idea you had of, "playing chicken with myself" and being willing to take a risk for the first time. I think you nailed it! I often have a hard time taking the first step because I like to take calculated risks. As you suggested, "take a blind risk" Sometimes you just need to jump in.
This thought came to mind. Getting into a cold swimming pool inch by inch can take a long time and can be pretty painful. But when you just jump in (cannonball style!) you can get it over all at once and then move on. Good words for me to hear. I really appreciate you sharing them with me. Great insights throughout!
Time to jump in!
-Bruce
See more comments
Great post!
You made a good description of what
a lot of new members are living.
Ingrid
Hi Ingrid, It's great to hear from you again! Thanks for the affirmation. Yes, for those of us still in full time jobs it's tough trying to spend time on WA. Nonetheless, I can't use that as an excuse.. I have to figure out how to use my time wisely and make it happen. I see lots of people on this site who are doing just that and they inspire me! You are one of them. Thank you!
-Bruce