I am finally done with my Super Affiliate Post
Wow! I must say that was a hard task, writing a Wealthy Affiliate Review, when for the past year and a half I have been only writing on my niche website.
One thing I must say, is that I have a tremendous sense of accomplishment that I was able to power through and finish my first review.
When Life Gives You Curve Balls, You Need to Re-adjust Your Expectations
When I was excepted into the Super Affilaite Challenge last month, I had no idea what I was in for. I have been a member here at Wealthy Affiliate for over a year and a half. I have met many wonderful members with whom I would like to give thanks too. Thank you!!
For this past year, I have been able to commit to my website hours at a time. But, a few weeks ago it became apparent to myself, as well as my husband, that it was time for me to look for a full time job.
For the past 17 years, I have been only working on the weekends, so I could stay home and raise my kids.
WIth one child in college and another on her way next semester, we need much more income (to say the least.)
I Am Still Up For The Challenge!
I am not going anywhere, that is for sure! It is just that it is taking me a little bit longer. Being a Super Affiliate is my goal and I am going to make my way through this hurdle.
One Question?
I am realitively new, in terms of picking an appropriate theme for my website. So much so, that I am using the same one from my niche website, due to the fact that I am familiar with it (Twenty Seventeen)
I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good theme to use to help promote Wealthy Affiliate. I do not want to copy anyone, so to speak. But how about your second choice?
One Last Thought
To preface, I am not making excuses when I say that it takes me a loooong time to write a post. Am I thinking too much into it? Probably, but that is just how I write. I am still having a hard time writing my thoughts out. It is as if, nothing is good enough. Can anyone else relate?
Back to Work!
Thank you for taking the time to read what I have been going through that past few weeks. And special thanks to all you you members that have taken the time to answer all of my questions!
Recent Comments
17
Hi Colleen,
It took you awhile to complete your review but you stuck with it and you were able to complete it, Great job! It will get easier as you go along. Initially, things are always difficult in the beginning stages.
As you have said, choose a theme that you are familiar with. Once it has a lot of white space, that will be good for you content.
Keep on keepin' on! Be committed and in time things will get easier.
Much success to you!
Kind regards,
Nichola
Thank you, Nichola! I have been playing around with a few, I just need to make a decision. It stresses me out, but I need to deal with it. :-)
Hi Colleen,
I'm in the Super Affiliate challenge too.
I spent most of the week working on my
About Me page.
I believe that when we write out our
direction of our website, it will go slow
at first.
But after these initial pages, our vision
for our website will become more clear.
It won't take as long to write out the
rest of your blog.
My plan is to use the Spacious Theme
by ThemeGrill.
The very same theme that I used for my
StarvingMIllionaire. com. it's a nice theme
for an affiliate marketing site. There is a
free version and a premium version.
Here are a few links to tutorials:
themegrill. com/blog/spacious-video-tutorials/
Go to YouTube and type "Josh Jackson
Spacious Theme" into the search bar.
Then look for "How to Make a BUSINESS
Website with WordPress - PROFESSIONAL!"
1:48:38.
And also type "Jameson Kung Spacious
Theme" into the YouTube Search Bar.
and then look for
"How to Make a Wordpress Website - 2015
(in less than 45 MINUTES!)" 1:11:46
Take a look at this theme and see if you might
like it.
I hope this will help.
I'm now following you.
Pete Weaver
I think for me, a simple theme is best. I might try the twentyfifteen theme because most readers start reading from top left to bottom right. This theme is simple and clean and has little glitches if any.
The sidebar should always remain on the left side including the images. A few years ago, when Wealthy Affiliate (Kyle), had a blog, that I've enjoyed reading. I've noticed that it was the twentyfifteen theme. I was amazed at how straight forward that this theme made content appear.
Graphics should always either be on the top or on the left side of your content, and it should be pointing to the content (at least that's what I was taught in graphics design). Images are basically eye candy.
The one thing I've learned about images if properly placed, will enhance your website as it will also help direct your readers eyes to the specific important content. Images is a powerful tool.
As I was reading the blog posts at Wealthy Affiliate (it was about Keyword Research), I felt that the images that Kyle used was placed there to help me understand the content better.
But having too many images and/or improperly placed images will distract your readers from your content. For instance, if your images are placed on the right side of your content, your readers will see the images first, skipping your content in its entirety.
You don't want to distract your readers from the content that you've worked so hard writing--and so, use your images to help your readers.
Here's a nice simple site using the twentyfifteen theme:
https://jules4heart.com/
It's simple, plain, non-distracting, and yet powerful. The good thing about this theme is that it will always stay updated because it was designed by WordPress.
Here's a nice tutorial for the twentyfifteen theme by Mike Simmons.
There's a free child theme that he let you download and gives a great video tutorial.
youtube. com/watch?v=RI8OuFXt4I4
This tutorial shows you how to place a logo on your twentyfifteen theme.
wphow2s. com/how-to-add-a-logo-to-the-twenty-fifteen-theme/
Pete Weaver
Nice post Colleen, I started a new site for the SAC myself and instantly found that it was taking me double the time to write a post than it does for my niche site.
for me it is the research - my other site I can write from the hip a lot more as it is that type of site. This one I am making sure I am researching everything that getting the facts right.
I am 7 posts in to my new site and they are getting easier and faster to write - but the research still takes time.
I am sorry but have no advice for the theme - I sat here for about 4 hours playing with everyone I liked till I found one that I liked for what I wanted. I didn;t want a blog roll on the first page so that was where I started though...
Keep up the good work
Paul
Good post, I had to change my theme from Acsent which is on all my websites as I like it to Hiero, as I could not load the Logo where I wanted it. Find it is OK.
Stuart
Thank you for the reply, Stuart. I will take a look at Hiero and go from there. My next step for tomorrow is to make a Logo.
Congrats on your WA review! When it came to the affiliate challenge I pretty much fell on my face. That being said I made major accomplishments in other areas.
Using a Theme you are familiar with is a good idea, you'll save time and even with a color change they will look different from another.
And finally, putting a blog post together can be difficult to think through. The only time I make any progress at all is early in the morning as I wake up. I think most clearly then. Powering through an entire post can be done in no time. But it has to be before breakfast and before looking at anything else such as emails and social media.
Keeping distractions away is a must! Try it.
Cheers,
Mike
I hear you on the distractions, Mike! My Grandson lives with me, so I am always distracted. :-)
Oh yes Colleen! That is exact how the process goes for me in terms of writing posts. My last post took almost a month. the topic I was writing on required so much research and vetting that it just took forever to gather and write on the content. And like you, much of this is because I also have a hard time putting the data through my mind, synthesize into my own words and put it onto the page. Sometimes I just want to give up but I am always able to pull through and get it completed.
I have several SEO knots I need to untie (sitemap, mobile issues ect....) so , I'm really thinking I may may need a more viable theme.
I also have part time employment but i will need to get back into the workforce full time soon so, I'll just have to wait and see where I go from there as far as carving out enough time to build grow and maintain my site.
So, to answer your question: Yes! I absolutely do relate as I am going through an almost identical pattern right now.
Thank for posting, It's good to correspond with those are are going through the same experience.
Blessings, Brad
It sure does feel good not to be alone. Thank you for taking the time to comment Brad. We can do it!
It is indeed harder, because we know our niche inside and out, but we are still learning about affiliate marketing and WA.
See more comments
Hi Colleen, super nice to hear you set up what you wanted to do and reached accomplishment.
There are times it takes me over a day to research the content, rephrase it and post it.
I like what Nichola has to say. Love the phrase she uses keep on keeping on.
Colleen, please do not get me wrong, my comments are worth two cents at the most.
The Twenty Seventeen theme is a great theme.
I encourage you to expand your horizons.
1) Before changing anything back up what you have done.
2) Find a theme that addresses your niche
3) Being a premium member you have a lot of themes
to choose from
4) Are you happy with your theme, when there are over a thousand free themes to choose from
Wishing you all the best,
Michael