As Jim says it takes time. Spend less time answering questions and more time on your site and it will come

See this post Fail, With Enthusiasm. Success Will Follow.

When you first start it's confusing for most people, stick to the training and it will eventually become less confusing. I have met people here who started earning a good income within three months, others 1 year and still others 2 to 3 years. It all depends on the effort you put in.
Jim

Hi Kuructy... If it makes you feel any better, I am struggling, confused, frustrated, feel like I'm just "missing" something and to top it off, I have very little if any time to write--struggling to make one article a week.

In all this frustration I found a post that I can relate to that made me totally understand where I'm at--today. I am realizing that I am trying to run a sprinters race when the object of this business is a marathon.

For me, this is new and exciting, and I just want to make it work. This is alot of education to learn in the short time I've been at it.

I can also tell that you are a "make-it happen" type of person too and you have made my day to find out that I'm not the only one feeling this way. I am pretty sure there are others also.

So, let's do ourselves a favor and stuck with it. I believe in this program and a laptop type of lifestyle. For me? I'm going all the way. I want to lay on any beach, climb any mountain, stay in any other country in this world to leave only when "i" am ready to go to another. Come on, you have what it takes let's work for the lifestyle that we deserve... It's not easy. Let's do this... 😁

I hope you don’t mind giving you my perspective. When I joined last December, I wasn’t looking for an Affiliate Marketing business. Another member found me online and sent me the sign up link to check it out. Signing up was an easy decision.

There are several lessons I’ve learned on what it takes to become successful. But the most important one was, Google needs to recognize your website as an authority site in your niche.

It takes over 100 Blog Posts to earn that recognition. During the first year growth is very modest. As the number of quality articles starts to add up, magic happens. Growth curve starts to ramp up. Meaning more traffic and some conversions.

The next thing I’ve learned that helps organic growth is more engagement in the Blog Post comments section. That’s one of the reasons Wealthy Affiliate set up the Site Comments area. That makes it easier to get comments here before outsider# notice your site.

Knowing all of this, my focus is more on writing and publishing more articles, making sure I’m maximizing my actions for SEO
When I check my stats, I don’t expect to see much growth now. All I’m looking for is to see some activity.

Going by the experience of others, I do expect to see accelerated traffic growth and conversions after I exceed 100 posts.

My expectations are different to yours that helps me stay encouraged. We are all different, so what you’re feeling is right for you.

I hope this helps,

Edwin

You dont look like a dumb:) And I am sure you are very smart! Starting out is the hard part. Just like being patient when your waiting for the cows to come home.hehe

But I know how you feel as it can be easy to be discouraged. The days of instant rankings are over, and we are in the time tested error of quality consistent content and mobile optimized websites to win the SEO game.
All of the genuine affiliate educators I follow all say it can take approximately 12 months to gain a decent flow of organic traffic and trust. Unless you have found a easy untapped gem.
If you are competing in a profitable niche you have to give it time:) or become a master in the social game. ie intagram pinterest etc

Affiliate marketing is really difficult the fact that millions have occupied and have written on a niche.
But it's up to you to decide if you continue with your niche site for two years, three years until you will see the fruits of your hard work.

It takes a very long time to build a business. Many of us work for free it takes years to see success, AffMktgRt is right. There are many different marketing techniques to use, many do struggle to find the right marketing, it takes months before you see some financial rewards in affiliate marketing. Building a business takes a lot of work. All of us struggle with writing. Goal is not to over complicate things but to keep it simple. The training works, you need to follow it. I felt the same as you did but I continued. Many to quit and give up before they try, only a few months isn’t going to make you a millionaire. Business is work, hard work.

Fiona,

Your frustration and feelings are natural and the last thing you need is to burn out and to quit, which will but insure a predictable and negative outcome.

What I would personally suggest is a different strategy approach which would be best suited to your personal situation.

If you are interested, please PM me and I will make a few suggestions.

Whatever you decide, please take the time to think it over and to explore all possibilities.

I will be glad to assist you, as I have indicated above.

Blessings!

Just work at your own pace and do what you can do with your time allotted. This is not a race. Take a deep breath. You can succeed--especially with all the resources at your fingertips. If you feel overwhelmed, step back, slow and easy will win the race for you in the end. Here is wishing you the best success here!

Jeff