Side Hustle or Business?
Dear members. I am here again to update you about my progress with my WA business, hoping to inspire you (new members) to keep going, but for a reason. Today's article is a question: Is WA a business or a side hustle for me? I'll answer the question by giving more information below.
The question is simple, and it can be answered as 'yes' or 'no'. But that'll make it so simple, and simplicity is not always the easiest way to go. Now, here is my long answer.
Short answer: It's a Business.
Long answer: It's a business, a serious business. But for now, I'm just starting, and it can't pay my bills yet. I have 11 referrals and none of them (you, if you are reading this) have not yet committed to monthly or yearly paid membership, and this is the only way, the primary way to earn here at the WA. (I can also promote other products and services and earn.)
The Progress
Most of the 11 referrals came from a previous account, likely from the SFI downline to WA in 2024. But a few came as a result of building my websites and sharing my affiliate links over there. This is progress within the first 3 months as a paid member. This is promising.
I also want to let you know that I have several hooks in the pond. One is Wealthy Affiliate (WA), the main hook. I also have Google Ads (GA), Amazon Books (AB), and Language Services (LS). This is because I have come to realize that YouTube ads are actually Google AdSense ads but on YouTube, not on my websites. I have then grouped them as one income generating system.
The Results
In February 2025, I have seen some results, some progress. 3/4 systems brought results. This means LS, AB, and GA were producing results in the first three months. I have seen some book sales on Amazon, and when my traffic soared from 500 hits/day to 4K hits/day from 16th - 19th February, I made Euro 1 - Euro 4/Day. I have got a job with Colorado Courts in the USA while I live in a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya as a courtroom interpreter for Dinka, Nuer, and Sudanese Arabic.
Also, the WA is coming. As you might have seen in the list of my income generating-systems, Language Services was listed as a side hustle along with other tasks I am capable of delivering regardless of my physical location. The rest are web development, KDP coaching services for inspiring authors, and career coaching lessons.
The Plan
For me, WA is the main business according to plan. The goal is getting at least 10 Premium Plus+ members who go yearly (saving $600 each) so that I could consider some of the income-generating systems as side hustles, but not WA. Why? Because WA is fuel behind everything else.
For me to promote my Amazon books, I need a website, and that's where WA comes in handy. With the core training alone, I am able to build three responsive websites in three (3) months. However, things like Language Services, Amazon Books, and Google Ads will likely be the main income-generating systems under my WA digital nomad career. So, WA, LS, AB, and GA are the four new business models, not side hustles.
Finally
WA is not a side hustle, even though it's not yet bringing results. The fact that people are clicking on my affiliate links daily is a sure sign they'll sign up and upgrade, one day, one time. I am fishing since I understand the fishing and the farming principles so well from childhood. They all need patience after the investment.
Before the end of 2025, I'll be back here with an update, hopefully to show you results from the WA. Results that I have got at least 10 upgrades, and that my WA membership is now taking care of itself while I focus on building something BIG.
By then, career coaching will be the main business for me as a digital nomad. This is where I'll be invited to speak about what I do (Digital Nomad: Teacher) so that I can inspire, empower, and integrate individuals into the ecosystem of life and existence through words and deed.
Now, does this inspire you? How? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Best regards,
John
Recent Comments
19
I like the clarity you bring to your vision for your digital nomad business, and especially that you have a clear and achievable target of 10 annual membership referrals. With ten months remaining of the year, you have a good chance of achieving that.
All the best,
DH
Thanks a lot, David. Let's work harder and then smarter. That's the trajectory in my opinion.
John
I think your farming analogy is a good one. It takes a while for seeds to grow and another while for the harvest to be ready.
Wishing you lots of success.
Isabella
Hi John. Was just thinking about this yesterday. Side hustle or Business?
In the beginning, I viewed affiliate marketing as a side hustle because I wanted to make enough money to pay my truck note. Over the past year it was drilled into my head to treat it like a business, build your brand, etc.
Honestly, it almost seems like too much pressure thinking in this way. I haven’t yet made enough to pay my truck note, not even close. So for now at least, I’m going back to viewing affiliate marketing as a side hustle. The day it starts making consistent money, then I’ll treat it like a “real” business.
I view WA as the blueprints for planning my future business. The hubs, training, community, and the tools are all here to support my goals.
Thanks, Steve for sharing your experience with affiliate marketing as a whole - side hustle. It is, at first. It can be a full-time business, as some here can testify.
Let's work towards making it a business. I am still at the stage of planting seeds and weeding the weeds. I can see that the plants (plan) are growing.
John
Understanding the basic principles of Fishing and Farming is a definite asset to reaping harvest online.
Good for You.đź‘Ť
Thank for reading, Brad. Thanks for the summary of the main idea. I'm listening to stoic wisdom right now from YouTube. I think it's much better than any sermon I ever listened to.
John
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John,
I have never been a fan of the term "Side Hustle". Avoiding The Side Hustle Trap So I definitely side with business and if you want to enhance your lifestyle, it's serious business.
MrDon
Thanks, Mr. Don for this. I appreciate it.
John