Why is Starting an Affiliate Business So Easy, Yet Soooo Hard?

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Let me start by sharing the fact that I have absolutely zero experience in affiliate marketing. None. Notta. Zilch. However, I do have 20+ years of experience in adult higher education, for example, University of Phoenix. What I have learned in the short time I’ve been dabbling in affiliate marketing is that there’s a lot of similarities between the two industries.

How? Let me explain.

6.7% of the world population has a bachelors degree (www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/19/percent-of-world-with-col_n_581807.html?ncid=engmodushpmg00000006), 30.4% of Americans hold a least a bachelor’s degree, and 10.9% hold a graduate degree (https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/24/education/census-finds-bachelors-degrees-at-record-level.html). Unfortunately there’s no real data showing what percentage of those who enter into affiliate marketing are successful. The bar I would use as considering success would be $1,000+ per month equating to a bachelors degree and $10,000+ per month equating to a graduate degree.

In other words, I would guess 30% of those who have started a side gig in affiliate marketing are making $1,000 or more per month and 10% to be making $10,000 or more on a monthly basis.

So what? How do the two industries correlate? Let’s use online education as our example. Most people believe acquiring a degree online is a much more convenient option than attending class in the traditional “brick and mortar” style. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Attending online classes is hands-down the most difficult way to acquire a degree.

Why? Not for the reasons most would think, i.e. not being able to ask questions in real-time, being confused about subject matter, etc. It’s actually because of the student not being organized and prepared for class. It’s incredibly easy to think, “I’ll get my assignment done later today.” or “I ran out of time yesterday so I’ll make sure I carve out time this evening after work.” or “This week has been incredibly hectic, I’ll have to be really focused this weekend, no distractions, I have to get that paper written.” Guess what…It. Never. Happens.

You see, when you attend a brick and mortar, there’s actually scheduled class time on certain days at very specific times. You KNOW you have to have your ‘ass in class’ (pardon my French). What I have always advised online students (if they want to be successful) is to actually schedule class time in their calendar and to stick with it. This way you are sure to meet deadlines and turn in assignments on time, thus allowing you to successfully complete each course and ultimately graduate.

Affiliate Marketing is just like taking online courses. If you don’t schedule out your day and clearly write-out what you need to be doing to get your online business up and off the ground, you will most likely fail.

I don’t know about you but I struggle with keeping focused when I’m sitting down to work on my affiliate marketing business. So many ideas pop-up in my head that I am easily distracted into “checking out” info about the particular subject/idea that crossed my mind. That’s what notepads are for – instead of veering off your task, quickly jot down your thought(s) so you won’t have to remember it next time and keep on, keepin’ on the task at hand.

I’ve always abided by “Plan the Work, Work the Plan”. In other words, start with the end in mind and work things backwards. For instance, if I know I want to post a blog, schedule the time in my calendar that I want to post and then work my calendar backwards in preparing for and writing my post.

Same is true for my Social Media posts. I found a very helpful tool on the best times to post in different Social Media platforms and I work my schedule backwards.

WA is hands-down the absolute best training platform out there. If you can combine their training along with a calendar/schedule that you will follow. You have no choice but to experience great success!

Wishing you all much abundance!

Lisa