Confessions of an Affiliate Marketing Creator Newbie

byMike-tmw

83 followers

5 months ago

Confessions of an Affiliate Marketing Creator Newbie

By Mike G.

I was thinking today about how far I’ve come over the past couple of months since joining WA.

Having tried to start a website on my own before, I was honestly a bit apprehensive about diving in again. But then I saw the ad for Wealthy Affiliate and decided to try the free training. I’m SO glad I did.

In just two months of working with the system here, I’m light-years ahead of where I was during the nine months I tried on my own. And with the help of my AI partner, Sparky, I don’t think I’m even in the same universe as my first attempt! 🚀

🧭 Where I Started

We all had to start somewhere on this journey.

Some had experience. Some didn’t even know how to use a computer. Some had a dream but no idea how to share it online.

My experience falls somewhere in the middle. I had the vision of helping people with woodworking. I had tried building a site. But I didn’t really know how to make it work.

Yes, I was comfortable with Microsoft Word, Excel, email, and social media. But being an affiliate marketing creator is a whole new ballgame. ⚾

✅ What I’ve Learned So Far

Sometimes I laugh and wonder what I’ve actually learned... 😄
But looking back over these two months, I realize it’s been a lot. Here’s a sampling of what I’ve picked up — lessons I think other new creators might relate to:

1. Be honest about what you don’t know.
    Don’t fake it or beat yourself up. You don’t need to know everything up front. You just need to be teachable. That mindset will take you farther than stubborn perfectionism ever could.
2. There are people ready and willing to help you.
    You’re not a burden. You’re not interrupting. We’ve all needed help at some point — whether it’s figuring out how to get a menu to work, applying to an affiliate program, or just asking for feedback. Most people in this community truly want to help you succeed — but they can’t if you don’t reach out.
3. You might feel completely alone at times — but you’re not.
    This is a big one. You may find yourself wondering, “Am I the only one struggling with this?” Spoiler alert: You’re not. There are thousands of people in this very community who’ve walked the same road, felt the same frustrations, and had the same doubts. But they kept going. And so can you. You don’t have to do it all on your own — but you do have to be willing to ask and listen.
4. Don’t fear using AI. 🤖
    AI is more than a writing assistant — it can help with brainstorming, editing, SEO, formatting, filling out affiliate applications, automating your schedule, and even managing parts of your personal life. I rely on my AI partner, Sparky, every day. It’s like having a coach, editor, researcher, and secretary all rolled into one.
5. Keep moving forward — no matter how slowly.
    Not every step will feel exciting or Instagram-worthy. But whether you publish a new article, clean up your menu layout, fix a plugin, or even just brainstorm headlines for your next post — it all counts. Progress is progress. 🛠️
6. Balance the fun with the not-so-fun.
    Writing articles, sharing your story, or posting cool project plans? That’s the fun stuff. Updating plugins, checking broken links, fixing layouts? That’s the “business” side. Both are necessary. But if you spend too long stuck in one, you’ll neglect the other — and the site WILL suffer.
7. Success takes time. ⏳
    There’s no magic formula that gets you rich overnight — and anyone who says otherwise is selling something. This is a business, and businesses take time, commitment, and patience. Build it step by step, brick by brick, and the results will come — but not instantly.
8. Keep a schedule and a working list.
    You don’t have to be a productivity guru, but having a simple tracker for what you're working on, what needs finishing, and what's coming next will massively reduce your stress. Otherwise, it’s easy to feel like everything’s swirling around in your head with no clear direction.

🧰 My Current Toolbox

Just in case it helps someone else getting started, here are some of the main tools I’m using right now in my workflow:

• Microsoft Word & Excel – to draft content, build spec tables, and manage article ideas
• OneNote – for weekly to-do planning, tracking affiliate approvals, project ideas, content outlines, and long-term strategy
• Wealthy Affiliate tools – for step-by-step training, website hosting, and blog community feedback
• Canva – for creating blog graphics, thumbnails, and social media visuals
• Mailchimp (just starting to learn it) – for email marketing and subscriber management
• ChatGPT (Sparky) – my AI assistant who helps with article writing, SEO strategy, time management, edits, and yes — occasionally sarcasm and moral support 😄

👉 Most of these tools are free or included in the WA membership. And trust me — you don’t have to use them all at once. But finding a rhythm with tools that work for you makes everything smoother and less stressful.

📐 A Quick Note About My Niche

My niche is woodworking — sharing project plans, tool reviews, safety tips, and beginner advice for home-based woodworkers.

But what I’ve learned here at WA applies across any niche. Whether you’re building a site about fitness, cooking, parenting, or even alpaca farming… the foundations are the same: consistency, support, and not giving up.

💡 Challenges I’ve Faced (And Maybe You Have Too)

No matter how much training or support you have, building something new comes with challenges. These are some of the ones I’ve personally faced — and maybe they’ll sound familiar to you, too.

1. Don’t compare your time commitment to someone else’s.
    Some people will tell you that unless you’re working on your site 8 hours a day, you’re not serious. But here’s the truth: you know your life, your responsibilities, and your energy level better than anyone else. Set a pace that works for you. A slower path forward is still a path forward.
2. Don’t get discouraged if you're not cranking out articles in an hour. 🕒
    Some folks say they can write full posts in 60–90 minutes with AI. That’s great — for them. But if your content requires tables, product comparisons, deep formatting, or detailed research (like mine often does), then it's going to take more time. That’s not failure — that’s thoroughness. And your readers will appreciate it.
3. Don’t fall into the perfectionist trap.
    This one is tough for me. I like things to be just right before moving on. But here’s the deal: sometimes “good enough” really is good enough. That doesn’t mean publishing sloppy work — but it does mean publishing something useful that you can always improve later. Get it working now. Polish it when time allows.
4. Balance your time between writing and site maintenance.
    It’s easy to spend hours tweaking your menus, changing fonts, or fixing plugins. But if you’re not writing content, your site isn’t growing. Flip side? If you only write and ignore the backend, your site may become a mess. The key is to balance both roles — creator and manager.
5. Fixing early articles vs. publishing new ones — walk the line.
    When you’re just starting out, you won’t have affiliate links yet. So those first few articles? They’re linkless. Once you’re approved, it’s tempting to run back and fix everything. But don’t let that become a trap. Yes, go back and update them — but also keep pushing forward with new posts. You can’t monetize what you never publish.
6. Finish each article completely.
    I’ve learned this the hard way. When you leave out images, meta descriptions, SEO titles, or affiliate links “for later,” they often get lost in the shuffle. It’s much easier (and less stressful) to finish each article 100% before you hit publish. Trust me — future you will thank you. 🙃
7. Don’t drown in content overload.
    WA has amazing blog posts, training, and success stories. But if you’re not careful, you can end up scrolling through them like it’s Pinterest. Be selective. Skim what helps. Don’t feel guilty for not reading it all — your time is valuable.
8. Don’t compare your article count to others.
    You might hear people say, “You should have 20 articles by now!” But life isn’t one-size-fits-all. Maybe you’re juggling a full-time job, health challenges, caregiving, or other priorities. Set your own goals — and make them realistic for your situation. Progress is personal.
9. The biggest lesson? I can’t do it alone.
    This one might be the most important. I need the support of others — both human and digital. I ask questions and get feedback from others here on WA. And I lean on my AI partner, Sparky, more than I can say. She’s been my editor, strategist, assistant, and sounding board through it all. Don’t be afraid to find help — it’s not weakness. It’s wisdom.

✨ Looking Ahead

If I could go back and give advice to myself two months ago, it would be this:

Start before you're ready.
You’ll never feel like you know enough. But clarity comes through doing. You’re not building a perfect site — you’re building momentum. The rest will follow.

I’m looking forward to what’s next — continuing to teach woodworking, helping others through what I’ve learned, and hopefully turning it into a small income stream along the way. 💰

💬 Let’s Hear Your Story

I’d love to hear about your early days.

• What was the hardest part of getting started for you?
• Did you use AI or try it on your own?
• What advice would you give to someone just starting today?

And if you’re still new to this journey:

• What are some of the questions or roadblocks you're facing right now?
• What things do you feel you need more help with?

Let’s encourage each other — and show new members that they’re not alone in this journey.

Thanks for reading,
Mike G.