Is Affiliate Marketing The Right Approach To Earn Online For Beginners In 2021?
Hi, Everyone...
Just a short post on this very important and salient subject in these stressful times...Musing a bit but I do believe that my take on this subject may help some Wealthy Affiliate members, so here goes!
Working From Home In 2021 - Does Affiliate Marketing Make Sense for Beginners?
These days, with the pandemic and economic turmoil, so many people are desperate to find a means to replace the income that they have lost due to restrictions and layoffs.
Affiliate marketing is great for the mid to long-term goal of earning online, but they need money now, so they can buy food, pay the rent, and provide for the kids...
We all know that it takes time to get a solid affiliate program in place. The niche, the planning for the approach, the website creation, the content creation, the marketing required, etc.
Let's face it, many people are going to be disappointed when they see that it is not a quick-fix that they may have hoped for or needed once they get started with affiliate marketing.
So what is the solution (or one possible solution)?
Newbies NEED Quick Wins Online!
I believe that we must consider helping people start earning right now (as in as soon as possible) as they get started with their affiliate marketing approach.
As newbies, they often have no idea on the direction to take, nor are they familiar with all the terminology and the actions required to have much success...
While they are navigating through all of this, either using the Wealthy Affiliate or other platforms, they can be doing other activities that WILL provide income fast.
The key to keeping their interest (indeed perhaps also allowing them to keep their house, their car, and food on the table) is to show them how to earn - fast.
What Kind Of Wins Can Newbies Have Online Where Little New Knowledge Is Required?
I can think of at least 10 online activities that can be set up quickly that will all dovetail to one degree or another with their efforts at affiliate marketing.
These include but are not limited to:
(1) Kindle Direct Printing (KDP) - It is not hard to create an account and start creating low-content books and they sell like hotcakes. There is a myriad of niches and free and paid courses on how to get started available across the internet.
(2) TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) - If you can get qualified (i.e. pass the test) and have the other qualifications, you can get started earning quickly teaching others how to speak English.
(3) Freelancing - What skills does a person have? Most people know SOMETHING that others could benefit from. There are platforms out there that allow you to market these skills and get paid - almost immediately - for your work. Fiverr, freelancer dot com, Upwork, etc, come to mind.
(4) Teaching - It is said that those that cannot do teach.. I do not agree with that statement, as based on what I have seen, some of the best teachers out there are the ones that have walked the walk, and can talk the talk. There are a number of ways to get started, and again, money is paid quickly to the teacher...
(5) Drop-shipping - The pandemic has pushed the move to shop online for almost everyone, and people that were already shopping online are doing so now more than ever. Amazon is the big dog, but guess what? There are many thousands of other smaller stores that are making a decent amount of sales too. Again, fast cash...
(6) Coaching - If you do have some professional skills and experience, it is likely that there are people that could use your wisdom and support to further their goals/business. This is once again something that you can charge and get paid for upfront (and fast)...
(7) Crafting - This involves taking a hobby and turning it into a business. Is there a market for what you love to do? If so, I suggest that you explore the options out there and leverage your passion into some quick cash while you build your affiliate business.
(8) Membership Sites - A niche is a group of people that have a common interest, and most niches have a set of problems, tools, resources, and ideas. If you can package your interests and the interests of others into a membership site you can earn quickly by charging entrance...
(9) Podcast/YouTube/Patreon - I grouped these together as just as with affiliate marketing, often you can use some of the same tools to do more than one thing online concurrently. These three can work together to help you start earning fast.
(10) Creating & Selling Digital Products - Endless opportunity here, it really can be a combination of your skill-set, your experiences, your interests, and what direction you want to take them. People pay to save themselves time (they may be able to put together what you provide, but do not want to spend the time doing so)...
There are many more ways to earn quickly online, but these are some that will work depending on the person. The key is to think outside the box, or present to the newbies the potential that is there, and let them run with it (while providing support, etc.)...
Is A Multi-focus Approach "Too Much" For Newbies To Online Marketing?
Some will say that this approach is a bad one. People cannot do more than one thing at a time online. While it IS true that it can quickly get out of hand, it does not have to.
Think about these people who are now or were juggling 2-3 jobs at a time to pay the bills or have a lifestyle that they want to maintain. They may be frazzled and it is certainly less than ideal, but...
When it comes to learning how to earn online, and actually doing so...
My contention is that there are far more people that will walk away from online business when they try focusing solely on affiliate marketing and experience little or no success over 2, 3, or even 6 months.
Compare that to the ones that will be overwhelmed as they try to take on too much, and I would wager that with the right mentoring, the numbers walking away would be fewer. Why would that be?
Because they are earning money!
That's right. Give them a path to paying the bills, to providing for the family, and long-term, to build a business that they can operate from home, even in these stark conditions as we are living with today, and they will become believers (and stick around)...
Conclusion
This is something that I think bears some thought. How can we promote to people who may be in need of creating new and immediate streams of income the idea that there IS a way to make money quickly online?
If they are truly open to learning new things, stepping outside of their comfort zone, and doing the work necessary, they will make the transition from what has been and what is now to what can be.
This is where we come in. We have to open their eyes to the potential, be straight about what it takes to make that transition, and provide the support, resources, tools, and proven paths for them to take action.
Cheers!
Dave : )
P.S. What do YOU think? Am I out in "left field" with my thoughts? Let me know in the comments below. This is a core tenant I have, but I am always open to others' ideas too and like to hear them...
Recent Comments
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Hi Dave,
I think you are absolutely 💯 correct. I've been thinking about that for a while now.
Many people losing their jobs also looking for new ones can't afford to keep making content and having the patience to wait it out.
Your tips are great. Now they have options they can look into to make some income. They don't have to count on one idea and hope to make money.
Have a great day!
Kelyee
Hello, Kelyee!
Thanks so much for stopping by and adding your ideas to the conversation. I do appreciate it and the more feedback we get the better it is for all of us...
I do hope that you are making affiliate marketing work for you, but if it is going slower than what you hoped for or need, maybe one of these alternatives can help!
Do take care and cheers!
Dave : )
Hi Dave it is good to see you and I hope that you are in good health.
Many of the sales pitches do create expectations that are hard to both create and meet. With affiliate marketing, it is a great way to enter into the online industry.
Blogging is a difficult path to follow and crack!
That is the thing that people struggle with, bridging the gap from where we are to where we want to be; it can be a gap too far. That goes for folks that are new to the industry as well as seasoned campaigners, 6 months, 1 year, two years.
Currently, there are some members going through that time of reflection, ( from reading blogs and comments placed and questions asked ) their membership is coming up for renewal do they pay, push the buy now button or not.
Sidetracking a popup just appeared on my screen;
Make-up To $ 366/day promoting product X full training given, work from home, start tomorrow, low entry fee.
LOL, probably what is wrong with the industry?
If only it was that easy. No matter how there is that learning curve to overcome. It is a tricky one, kind of like the chicken and the egg.
Many say that making money doesn't matter, it is the only thing that matters, especially if you do not have any or your resources are running low and, or, the boss has just let you go.
If it is possible to create a line of income while working on the long haul I am sure that many would stay longer, as well Dave.
One of the things that amazes, me is that WA is rapidly becoming a very streamlined and dynamic resource-rich platform.
One of the biggest elephants in the room, websites, folks are learning how to create with WordPress. There are many businesses that use WP for their business websites. One thing that the pandemic has shown is that many businesses' online presence is not fit for purpose and more so some businesses are not even online, in a lockdown your business is shut, some have learned a hard and expensive lesson and continue to do so.
Even the basic premium package gives the ability to create a number of hosted sites, straight out of the gates, a one-off fee for the creation of a website, and then recurring income from providing hosting. There is an ability to scale I think premium plus gives 50 sites. I believe Jay's rule of thumb ( as mentioned in a webinar ) for creating websites, a starting rate would be $50 per hour; that could possibly be a pay rise for many, maybe life-changing.
Utilizing the resources that we already have at our fingertips.
How do you kick it off go local;
An area of interest ( say, plumbers ) + your city/town.
Do some canvassing.
Search for that business that doesn't have a website.
Google is very good at providing information, all the information will be there. Going that way you are actually utilizing the skillset that you are developing here in WA already.
Just a couple of cents.
I agree with you, Dave.
Once again we have to have that knowledge both theoretical and practical.
I am not up with the play, but I believe from listening to the various forums within WA and listening to those that are in the know, that Kyle and Carson have plans in motion to help to make it easier for members to engage and make money.
Following this thread with interest.
Alex
Hi, Alex...
Thanks for the question...I am doing as well as can be expected, and not hanging my head at all at the moment (might change next week, or the week after, who knows hehe)...
Hopefully, you and your loved ones are also hanging in there too, it can be tough I know for the uninitiated to chaos and disorder that seems to be around us these days...
In regards to the subject of the post...
Most certainly I am hearing these kinds of questions (i.e. people questioning the viability of affiliate marketing or online business in general) from areas outside the WA world.
It can take some convincing to have anyone give online marketing a try, or in some cases, if they have tried, to try again if they may not have had success in earlier attempts...
Also, the point of unrealistic expectations comes into play as well, as evidenced by the pop-up you mention. It is a sensation and eye-catcher to claim income amounts (but most often these are just worthless as you know)...
One point that you bring up in your analysis that makes so much sense. It is this: realizing what the assets that you have around you are and then figuring out how to translate these into some quick income.
That is not only possible but is something to actively pursue. There are a lot of mom and pop operations that are underwater at the moment. They need help.
The way things are they cannot afford to get the big-name or big-ticket help they might like to have, but using the assets most online marketers have in hand they can afford the cost the entrepreneur will charge...
In this case, it is a win-win-win. The customers of the mom and pop operations, the business owners, and of course our entrepreneur...
It is a conundrum for many at this point. They are at a loss of what to do...
They need to earn some income ASAP, the affiliate marketing sounds good (especially the pop-ups) but when the rubber hits the road, they see that the income is not going to be there in the amounts they need right now.
This is where the multi-faceted approach I highlight above may help.
Some of the skills and resources they have in hand (to include the ones within WA) can be leveraged with a little ingenuity into some cash, quick money, and further, provide them the will to stick with their program.
In some cases, it will mean that a total reset is in order.
What do I need to do right now, what will that lead to, and what happens after that? How will I make all this happen? What is working and why is it working? What is NOT working and why not?
If people are at that point, it can be helpful to bounce ideas off of other like-minded entrepreneurs as they do an assessment of where they are...
There is always a way, no matter how bleak things may seem...I do believe that, but then again, I am an infernal optimist and someone that refuses to accept defeat as a final outcome...
In any case, I do appreciate your insightful input into this thorny subject. It is not a comfortable one for many, but like the proverbial cow in the living room, it needs to be acknowledged and addressed - straight on too I think...
Cheers!
Dave : )
...
Good to hear that you are going okay, Dave. I agree with your thinking, if any of us need to get things moving along, a multi faceted can work.
Given the global pandemic there is a lot of pressure on in many lives, currently.
Creating fast track strategies or could it be faster track strategies will be worth the time to explore. Are you brewing some plans?
Alex
I think you are pointing in the right direction. Encouragement is important. Comments and advise are also ways to encourage.
Hi Brother!
Thanks and this is the direction I have chosen to head with our business and all the activities we are involved in. It is exciting and rewarding to see people's voice and attitude pick up as they see that indeed you can start earning online and it is a viable means to determine your own financial future and your lifestyle too...
I have to get my figurative cheerleader uniform cleaned, I have been jumping around quite a bit lately, things have been busy (my pom-poms could use a wash too hehe)... I do see so much potential in this hard time, but then again, I have always been an optimist hehe!
Cheers, and take care of yourself mate!
Dave : )
Interesting concept ... it is always a long-hall the online business, there is, opportunity if one wants to make and has the ability, show them the way ... be safe stay healthy ... cheers ... Michel
Hi, Michel...
Thanks for your input on the issue...Most certainly many people today who may be just starting with any sort of an online business are motivated by a desire to earn money quickly...
The issue is that it can take quite some time to get a viable affiliate program in place. As we see from the training here and elsewhere, it is not a push-button undertaking...
To be fair, none of the above methods are that either, there has to be some thought and planning involved, and perhaps deciding on the tact to take overall (i.e. goals, a strategy, tasks, etc.)...
There are business models that will create income faster than affiliate marketing. Freelancing is an example. Long-term, I do not think it is something to stick with (perhaps using an arbitrage approach it would be)...
It is a way to start earning fast though. There are also ways to expand the potential audience quickly. An example might be offering such services to local businesses...
These days businesses are reluctant to add more personnel to their staff (understandably). Outsourcing is the answer, as they can get the service and not have to worry about the true cost/taxes/health insurance etc.
This is where the entrepreneurial spirit comes into play...
KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing ) is an excellent way to earn fairly quickly too. The work is upfront, and you can realize sales for months and even years after you have it online.
Taken to the next level, a smart online marketer would use the valuable assets you get as a publisher to their advantage (i.e. an author page you get and a "bookshelf" etc.
That is a powerful backlink to add to your blog/website and most certainly it will add to your authority when it comes to the niche(s) you may pursue.
Bottom Line...
There are ancillary benefits of looking a bit further than just affiliate marketing when it comes to online business. Not only will such activities make you money, over time they will make you more money in ways that you may not even have thought about!
It does take some time and effort to decide what the emphasis might be that will work, and it depends on the skillset and interests the person may have (along with access to resources)...
In any case, I do hope I am making a case (smile)...
Cheers!
Dave : )
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Dave- did you say you live in Minnesota? I am a true hearted native Minnesotan. I grew up in the Twin Cities metro area, mainly lived in the burbs, north of the Cities. Now I live in the Pacific Northwest in Oregon.
I read this blog more than once and agree with many of the following ways you mentioned to earn cash while growing an affiliate marketing niche site or an authority site.
One of them is what I am looking into now is local marketing and getting clients. Unfortunately, my time on that my marketing effort is limited because I am helping as a paid teaching assistant for my sister who is a full time professor at Saint Paul College ( formerly called Tech Vocational Institute- TVI). She teaches American Sign Language courses and Deaf Culture. I am Deaf myself and use ASL. Saint Paul College in Saint Paul, Minnesota offers sign language interpreting program. Its well known for that other than U of Minnesota or College of Saint Catherine’s (St. Kate) for medical sign language interpreting program. I sure do miss my home. All the classes are on Zoom. Its a lot of work. This side job pays my bills so I am grateful for that and love helping students learn ASL.
For now I am just content with trying to get my affiliate marketing with more content. My lack of time is difficult but in between break, I grab whatever time I have to write and keep going with that.
Thanks so much for sharing these options. I saved this site so I can go back to it since your blogs have many valuable educational resources that are helpful in growing a business.
Hi, Brenda!
Thanks for your input and it certainly sounds like you have a full plate when it comes to your work schedule...
I could not help comparing it to what I am doing and boy oh boy, I think you are more engaged (that is saying a lot for me, normally I am the one that is super busy!)...
Great to meet you here, and always nice to have a neighbor (extended?) closeby here and elsewhere virtually or in the flesh! In this case, we are both away from the Motherland hehe...
Yes, I grew up in International Falls, MN - graduated more years ago than I care to share hehe from Falls High School way up north (ok I graduated in 1974).
I did not realize just how cold that place was until living elsewhere!
Still, I do have an affinity for the place, and it sounds like you do as well...Minnesota is a good place to live, especially in the southern part - plenty of outdoor activities, and the people are nice...
I have not spent a great deal of time back in Minnesota, as for decades I have lived overseas and travel back to my roots sporadically for family visits...
But...
When we opened our LLC, we decided on Minnesota - it just fit and was close to my co-founder (my niece who lives in Thunder Bay, Ontario at the moment) plus there was an office open right there in International Falls (for little money), so we took the plunge...
That was over 2 years ago now, and it has been busy ever since. We operate from anywhere, as most of what we do is online, with the exception of some local consult work wherever we may happen to be (i.e. Dubai)...
Back to you...
It seems like you are very busy and your work sounds interesting. I am sure it helps tons of people! What you are doing is so important and it takes someone special like you to do it effectively.
This place (WA) must be a good fit as you can get to it as your schedule allows. I think that is a plus point of this sort of site, as it can be wired into anyone's daily or weekly activities somewhere...
As far as teaching, I can relate too...
I love teaching and have been doing that in various settings for decades. In the Army, both for the military and for universities and colleges, now as a civilian again, etc.
Now with COVID-19 and the forced move to online venues, it means we all have had to learn new tactics and tools. I like that actually in some ways, but still, there is no replacing the classroom - I guess for now we just have to deal with it...
I have been using Zoom, StreamYard, and a combination of other streaming sites to include some of our own to get into student's and member's homes...
Combining that with the social platform accounts we use or are building we can manage to communicate with clients/members easily, even if not face-to-face.
It is a challenge though for sure...
Thanks for the kind words regarding my blogs, etc. I do enjoy this platform, just do not have too much time to spend on it. That will likely not change as things ramp up more and more with the business.
I hope that some of the content I have here helped, there is some that might be somewhat dated (from the early member years), so much has changed...I will continue to post from time to time as possible...
Thanks for reaching out and most certainly stay in contact! It is not every day that we have a couple of Minnesotans in one place (outside of people IN Minnesota of course?)...
Take care and cheers!
Dave : )