When I first started Wealthy Affiliate, I felt lost and I got it all wrong

I came into this with the wrong mindset

I started thinking about affiliate marketing about 6 years ago. Unfortunately, I have not completed the training. I don't feel embarrassed, this is a learning process. My journey here has been start and stop. I now understand what I did wrong. Like many people, when I first started, I came in with a mindset that I would start making money right away. I went down the rabbit hole from the get-rich-quick guru's and didn't know what it really took to make money online. I also didn't know how to pick a niche and stick with it. I felt lost and a bit overwhelmed. There were too many choices and different directions to go.

But I never stopped dreaming of the life I knew was out there for me. I knew I had to take a step back and get a full time job to get my finances in order. So this time around I'm going all in but with the right mindset. I am not thinking about how I will make money from this. I'm thinking about building a proper foundation here at Wealthy Affiliate.

My strategy is to first build my website for my Notary Public, local business, document my journey and then teach others how to build their website for their local business. Since my background is in real estate and now notary, I'll target that audience. But really, it's for anyone who is a commissioned sales person looking for a 2nd income source or to replace their income.

There are so many directions I can go with it and I'll name a few of the obvious ones:

-I can help them sign up for Wealthy Affiliate and show them how they can build their own websites (Wealthy Affiliate commission)

-I can help them by building their website for them, plus managing and hosting their website (freelancing )

-I can introduce them to tools they will need for their business (affiliate commissions, one-time and recurring commissions)

I am helping people improve their life by teaching them a new business. Not looking for a way to make a quick buck online. When I changed my mindset from "make money online" to "Build a business first then show others", all the pieces fell into place.

I know for a fact that I am meant to do this. The problem was that I was looking for the easy button. I now know that I have to do the work for myself. Learn the business first, then decide what direction to go in. In that order.

Why am I writing this?

I'm writing this blog to remind myself that there isn't an easy button. That the gurus will sell products to make you believe there is a faster and easier way to run this business. No shame to the gurus, they are doing their job. The problem is that there are so many ways to make money online and if you're new to this, like I am, it isn't possible to figure it all out quickly. I learned that the only way to figure it out is by doing the work. I have to just start, and not consume any more content. I have to find my niche by first finding my passion. I have to just start somewhere. And that somewhere is right here at Wealthy Affiliate. There is enough to learn here to build a thriving business. And when I find what I am really good at, I will know that I've found my niche. So this is why I'm building my own website for my local business first, before building an affiliate website, or a comparison website. From there, I will learn the skills to:

-Freelance (web design/development, manage websites)

-Content creator (blogging, copy writing)

-Search engine optimization, pay per click

I am also writing this in hopes that at least one person can get some value and clarity in their journey here.

Conclusion

Starting and sticking to it is the hardest part. And yes, It feels like walking with your eyes closed, like I don't know where I'm going or what I'm doing but I will submit to trusting the process that was laid out here by Kyle and Carson. That's why it took me so long. But I finally figured out that I didn't have to have it "all figured out" to start. I just need to stop thinking about the "how" and follow the steps and invest a little time each and every day in learning.

Wishing everyone success.

Nurit