From Xi’an to South Sudan: A Journey of Purpose for the Modern Affiliate Marketer

byJohnMaluth

447 followers

5 months ago

On July 20, 2025, I joined fellow African professionals for a cultural and enterprise field visit in the ancient Chinese city of Xi’an—home of the famed Terracotta Warriors and one of China’s oldest capitals. But we weren’t there for statues alone. We were walking through layers of time, technology, trade, and transformation—all part of the “Seminar on Chinese Modernization and African Development.”

That afternoon, we toured the Xi’an Light Industry Market, a sprawling economic hub showcasing how a local market can drive national growth. Then, we visited the Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City, a dazzling display of culture, lights, and history. The next day, July 21, our delegation made an on-site study visit to the Hongzhuan South Project Community in Yanta District, followed by an enterprise engagement at the China Railway 20th Bureau Group Corporation Limited, a titan of infrastructure.

So, what does this have to do with you—a digital entrepreneur, blogger, or affiliate marketer in the WA community?

Everything.

China’s Model: Not Copy-Paste, but Copy-Purpose

China was once where many of our countries are today—recovering from colonial occupation, struggling with poverty, and building from scratch. Today, it’s the world’s second-largest economy. The road they took wasn’t easy or short, but it was intentional. Strategic. Visionary.

Wealthy Affiliate gives us the tools, the training, and the hosting. But what is your Why?

China’s model reminded me: success is not about copying tactics—it’s about understanding purpose and aligning your systems with long-term vision. That’s the mindset shift we need—not only in Africa but among us WA affiliates worldwide.

Being + Doing = Meaning

Let me be honest. I didn't fly from South Sudan to Xi’an because of my affiliate commissions (not yet, anyway!). I came because my role as a writer, coach, and digital teacher aligns with my mission: to educate, to challenge, and to inspire others to build legacies.

In WA, we sometimes lose sight of this. We chase clicks and commissions but forget that affiliate marketing—at its best—is purpose-driven storytelling. It’s education. It’s empowerment.

So ask yourself:

• Who are you being? Are you building a brand that represents your values?
• What are you doing? Are your websites and content aligned with that deeper purpose?
• What meaning will you leave behind? Are you helping others grow—or just selling products?

This is the equation: M = {B, D²} — Meaning comes from Being and Doing with intensity and integrity.

Oil Waste and Environmental Ethics: Affiliate Marketers Take Note

During the trip, a painful question kept poking my conscience: Why does China preach harmony between humankind and nature, yet allow some of its companies to mismanage oil waste in countries like South Sudan?

Let me be clear: this isn’t a blame game. I’m not pointing fingers at China or South Sudan. Instead, I’m raising a flag—one that should matter to all of us, especially affiliate marketers preaching sustainability, ethics, and corporate responsibility.

We promote tools, brands, and services. But how often do we vet the companies we affiliate with? Do they align with your mission? Do they harm the planet while padding your pockets?

The Chinese example shows us that powerful growth is possible. But if it comes at the cost of the environment, we’re just building legacies of pollution. In our own work, we must ask: Are we part of the solution, or just another cog in the machine?

Africa’s Real Barrier: Language, Not Legacy

Here’s a funny but serious observation. At this seminar filled with brilliant African minds—from Ethiopia to Egypt to Kenya—I still don’t know half their names. Why?

Language.

We share a continent, a colonial past, and even common struggles—but we speak in silos. English, French, Arabic, Amharic, Swahili—you name it. The result? Even here, while sharing meals and learning under the same roof, we remained divided.

This is what digital entrepreneurs must fix. The internet erases borders, but only if we build bridges. As WA marketers, you can localize your blogs, create content in multiple languages, or simply reach out across cultures.

Stop waiting for African unity to descend from above like rain. Start small. Be the one who connects across difference.

What Can WA Affiliates Learn from China’s Xi’an?

1. Think Infrastructure, Not Instant Gratification: China's success came from decades of planning—roads, rail, education, and digital systems. In WA, that’s your niche, your blog, your SEO. Build for 10 years, not 10 clicks.
2. Culture Drives Commerce: Tang Dynasty tourism brings in millions. Are you sharing your story or just selling tools? Your personal culture—your identity—is your greatest marketing asset.
3. Do Hard Things First: China tackled poverty, corruption, and inequality—not perfectly, but purposefully. In WA, that means tackling tough keywords, technical learning, and content droughts with resilience.
4. Unite Your Audience: Just as Africa struggles with unity, many WA users struggle to unify their brand voice, website vision, and call to action. Be clear. Be cohesive.

Final Thoughts: Leave a Legacy, Not Just a Website

Whether I’m walking through a centuries-old alley in Xi’an or mentoring a young blogger in South Sudan, one thing stays constant: I am here (being) because of humanity and nature. I work (doing) because I am on a mission. And I want to leave a legacy (meaning).

WA is not just about affiliate links. It’s about becoming a digital citizen of the world—one who builds, inspires, and creates meaning online.

So next time you write a blog post, publish a review, or send an email to your list, ask yourself:

Is this adding to the legacy I want to leave?

If not, go deeper. Be more. Do better.

Because meaning isn’t a destination. It’s the result of who you are, what you do, and why it all matters.

John