How Long Before I See Results?
The #1 question on everyone's mind when they start a business venture is "how long until I actually make money?" This is a pretty impossible question to ask, as no one can predict the future. I can only share my personal results, and offer guidance on how you can replicate the process.
In my first 3 months I made $5 and spent about $100. Wow. Amazing, right? lol
In my first 6 months I made about $200 and spent about $300. Still not impressive considering how much I worked.
At my 1 year anniversary I had spent a total of $600* on my business and made $4000.
By 18 months in I had quit my job and was working full time from home
*Total expenses included my WA membership fee, paid at a monthly rate.
If I had stopped anywhere within that first year and said, "Enough! I'm not going to work for free. I want to see some results!" I would not be where I am today. I had plenty of failed websites along with a few successes, but the real thing that made a difference in whether or not I saw results was looking at my business in the long view.
At the time, I was living in China and needed a source of income that I could count on in case I had to leave in a hurry for whatever reason. If I didn't see results in 6 months, it didn't matter, because my goal was for 6 years.
How long before you see results? Who knows. It may be a month. It may be a year. It may be more than a year. A lot depends on how much time you commit on a daily basis. A year of work ahead of you sounds kind of scary, but are you here to turn over some quick cash or to build a business you can depend on for income?
I think one of the hardest things for newbies to do is to actually imagine what the future will be like. As someone new to WA and new to Wordpress website building, it can seem like you will always be confused and/or frustrated! The good news is that it gets easier with time (just like any skill - playing piano, installing tile, learning to swim)
One thing I did a few years back was to commit myself to seeing the future of my business by getting the yearly membership in Wealthy Affiliate. Instead of looking at the monthly withdraw from my Paypal account and wondering, "Do I really want this?", I could focus on what mattered...working for the results I wanted.
You can get discounted a yearly membership here!
Donate Just a $1 a Day To Help A Marketer In Need
I know that not everyone has the money to go yearly, but I think most people would want to lock in that discount if they could! So if you don't have the money right now, here's my suggestion: Donate just $1 a day to YOURSELF and save up!
A yearly membership is $359, which is just a $1 a day for one year. Get a box or a cookie jar or whatever, and physically put $1 in there every day. I think most people will have an extra dollar somewhere! Even if it's just spare change, you might be able to save a hundred bucks or so over the course of a year.
How long before you see results? It's hard to say. But I know that people who stick around long enough start to see the results of their hard work manifest in rankings, traffic, and sales.
What are your expectations for yourself? How long do you think you will have to work on your business before you see results?
Recent Comments
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I like how you said working for results. I almost quit so many times. I'm not very confident in my writing. It's the biggest struggle I have. It's not easy for me. You're right you never know what the future holds if you don't keep at it. The yearly membership WA has I also recommend people get. WA does work, but patience is the key. Well said Nathaniell as usual.
Great post. Thanks for sharing. Always great to hear a story from someone a little further down the tunnel to let everyone know there is light if you just keep going and don't give up, not just on the the path, but on yourself.
nathaniell, that is so inspiring, i have always kept in my mind this is a long term project for me and i know that eventually it will pay off, but early days and dejection sets in, months of work and hope yields nothing, will i ever make it, then i read a blog like yours and the excitement returns, thank you nathaniell you are an inspiration to all
Hi Nathaniell, it is good to read these lines, my performance appear to be similar so I am on the right track, so far so good!
I am joking a bit, but in fact this is what I prepared myself for mentally when I started this, and I think you told me this earlier. So I am still not panicking. Thanks. Jovo
I know you are seeing some rankings with your site, so you are well on your way to earning income :)
Great post Nathaniell, a lot of us...yes I said US look for short term success and move on without standing by for the long term results, and that's why WE continue to FAIL! Read Nathaniell's post again if you're still having doubts! Thanks Nate.
- Maurice
Hey Nathaniell,
Thanks for that post. It was really good information. One question, if I decide to go with the one year payment, does WA deduct the payments I've already made? I think I read that somewhere. Thanks again!
Gail
Technically, it's not "deducted". It's pro-rated. So if you paid $47 this month and upgrade mid-month, what you paid that month is credited towards the yearly payment. But previous months payments do not count towards the yearly membership price.
Great post and near and dear to everyone's heart. I gave it 6 months, then at the end of bootcamp, now till my gf and i get a visa into the states. It's a tough mental game, but one that's a reality. One may say, you spent 2 years and didn't make a killing, are you stupid? But then again, you're building a long term business where i'm starting to see the residual benefits come in. Thanks for the post Nathan. Salud
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Awesome post Nathaniell. As a newbie, this really inspires and encourages and is a great reminder to think 'long term' success. Thanks so much for sharing your WA journey. Warmly, Heather