Why Are We Here? The Answer May Not Be As Simple As You Think

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This is a philosophical question. When we joined Wealthy Affiliate one of the questions we had to answer was to state our financial goals,

Does that mean we are here to make money through affiliate marketing? Absolutely!

Affiliate Marketers Earnings Poll

STM Forum recently conducted a poll of 117 affiliate marketers who are actually earning an income. The annual income results are shown in the graph below: (BTW, membership to STM Forums is $99 a month. No, I am not a member.)

What this graph doesn't show is the number of people who gave up because they quit because they felt they were not meeting their goals.

Quitting is the main reason why the percentage of those who make it is low. This number is a shocking 95%!

If you look at the above graph, even $20K a year is a decent supplemental income. And the median is in the $100K range. Not shabby at all.

If that is so, then why only a small percentage of people end up reaching the goals that they set for themselves?

What Really Happens

What usually happens is we enter into a cycle of continuous learning and networking with others. That is actually good.

The cost of entry is relatively low. Hence, we enjoy the feeling of working together with other members to reach a common goal.

Let's face it. I find it really enjoyable being a member of Weathy Affiliate even though I am far from meeting my goals. I have no idea when that will happen. I know when I would like that to happen, Several of us shared that in the Think and Grow Rich Book Study I conducted. Nevertheless, I am having fun in the process.

My Rationale

Now that I am retired, it gives me a reason to get up in the morning and have something constructive and enjoyable to look forward to.

It is fun to meditate about my goals and make my affirmations.

I enjoy the process of learning new things. The fact that the main purpose is to one day provide me with a stream of passive income, is icing on the cake.

We all learn at different rates. That means we start to achieve our goals from anywhere from a few months to several years. The beauty of affiliate marketing is if we do not give up one day we will achieve our goals.

Do You Have Enough Patience?

The big question is how much patience we have. Patience is not something common in our instant gratification world. Patience is a quality most of us have to learn to instill. It is the lack of patience why most people quit.

There is a technique we all can use to counteract this malaise. And that is to inject a sense of urgency in our training and implementation of new skills. If we do not feel it is urgent, then the process morphs into a hobby.

Nothing wrong with that. As long as we recognize that we don't really have that burning desire to achieve our goals. Without that burning desire, it is hard to inject that feeling of urgency.

Why Am I Here?

I asked myself the question, why am I here. To me the answer to that question is simple,

  1. I am here to firstly learn to become really good at affiliate marketing.
  2. And secondly, if I can do that, then the income will be like a bi-product.
  3. And thirdly, in the process I am meeting a bunch of terrific entrepreneurs I have never ever had the privilege of meeting in my life in previous entrepreneurial endeavors.

How about you? Why are you here? Please share your thoughts in the discussion area below.

I wish you all the best in your affiliate marketing journey.

Cheers.

Edwin

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Recent Comments

91

I love this post, Edwin.
I'm here because firstly, I've always wanted to learn about affiliate marketing, and wanted to be a part of a community of strivers in the process.

Affiliate marketing has always seemed a bit complex to me. I decided to challenge myself, and I'm starting to realize that I CAN do this. For YEARS I've read about successful affiliate marketers, but it seemed so far fetched for me. I felt that only individuals with degrees and tons of education in this field were capable.

I'm going through the training and sometimes I have to go back to previous content/videos to grasp it all.

There's so much support here and I realize that it's only a win win.

This is actually a godsend. This step by step method works very well and I'm so excited to be on this journey to success with all of you.

Wishing you much success!

Tobia

Thanks for your feedback Tobia. I love your attitude. The willingness to learn and take action will lead you to success.

Funny you should have said that you thought affiliate marketing was complicated. When I first started looking into this I came across companies that wanted people to think that way so that they could sell them expensive courses. They made it seem that was the only way to get all the information necessary to make this work.

When I found Wealthy Affiliate it was like a shock. Everything that these other companies wanted to charge a small fortune for was here. And then some. For much much less cost.

Stay focused, work hard and smart, and be patient. Success will be yours.

Cheers.

Edwin

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I am definitely in the right place.

May you have continued success,

Tobia

Edwin, I love this post.
You are so correct about patience.
Many members enter, look for something quick, then leave.

The courage, faith and determination to go the distance are behaviours that many no longer nurture in our instant world.

I am in the same boat as you and my reasons are your reasons.
I am here to learn, earn, grow and share.

WA is the best place for me to do that.

Thank you for asking.
Cassi

Thank you Cassi for sharing your thoughts. Honored to be in the same boat. I wish you much success in your Affiliate Marketing journey.

Cheers.

Edwin

You are always welcome, Edwin.

Edwin
In answer to your question I'm here for the money. At my age it is hard, if not next to impossible, to get a job. I would like to supplement my current income.

In addition I need a bucket load of money for a project I want to start to help others.

Not sure which one is more important

BB

Hi Byron,

Napoleon Hill wrote Think and Grow Rich primarily for those who want to create wealth. You need the money before you can achieve your dreams. You're on the right track.

Work hard and smart and never quit. You'll succeed with that approach.

All the best to you.

Cheers.

Edwin

Oh Edwin, I loved it when you said we all learn at different time frames. One of my frustrations and ultimately disappointments (with myself) is the fact I seem so incredibly slow, and by comparison others achieve a level of success, they may have started at the same time or even later and yet I can see and feel their confidence burning through.

On the one hand it’s an incentive on the other I became self critical which is self defeating.

But one thing that gives me massive hope and a continual desire to keep plodding are the old timers here, the stayers, the grafters and those who are so generous with their time.

I love how Karl and Carson have encouraged this give and take community.....

One day Edwin.....

Thank you for a lovely post.. 👍

Dear Cordelia,

So glad you found this post reassuring. Especially that it is OK for the timelines to achieving our goals can be different for each of us.

The trick is to not get frustrated when you see others race past you. It doesn't matter as in the end we all will achieve our goals. As long as we stay the course and never quit.

Being human it is natural to have feelings of disgust with ourselves when we appear to be taking longer than we thought to achieve our goals.

As long as we remember to keep doing the right things right and never quit, we will be rewarded with success.

At least that is how I feel. I am also slower than most. And I do get frustrated. But now that I am just 15 posts shy of 100, I know I have a target to aim for. And when I get there, I know what my next steps will be.

I thank you for sharing your thoughts. And I wish you all the success in the world.

Cheers.

Edwin

Thank you for a lovely response, and yes I really did find your post helpful....

100 posts eh? Now that’s an achievement, huge well done..👏👏

Thank you for telling us newbies that there is no short cut to this. We have to put in the work or we end up like the 95%. This is the first time I am hearing the honest truth about online marketing. Most of these get rich quick will tell you that if you buy their system, you will become rich in a minute. At Wealthy Affiliate, there is a process and support that if you follow, you are on your way to success.

Absolutely correct. To your success.

You got this Ijeoma. This also means that Affiliate Marketing is not for everyone. Thanks for your supportive comments.

WA has a formula that leads to success if it is followed. Like baking a cake. If you to A B and C you will get D. Leave anything out and the cake will fail.

Not everyone wants to do what it takes. And that is totally understandable. At the same time, one cannot expect to get the results they expect if the formula is not followed,

I wish you much success in your affiliate marketing journey.

Cheers.

Edwin

you got this, love your comment, and remember the 5-20% is is proven percentage and a lot of people. It's just that lots opt out quickly as Edwin says. I am always astonished by how many people sign up and don't do the training, crazy really.

I have 7 referrals who have either not started or stalled. Sad really seeing what they have for free.

Edwin

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