My first WA post and it is about how I was explained by family members why I will not succeed
I was postponing my first WA blog post for a while now because there wasn't anything that I wanted to share with other WA members, however tonight something happened which I feel like I would like to share and get your POV on things.
I'm a fairly new WA member. Started about a month ago, no prior knowledge at all in website launching, SEO, niche selection, affiliate programs etc. Only pure passion about my niche (Child safety) and a strong will to create online streams of income.
My website is coming along really nicely (https://childsafetyhome.com/).
Got several articles online already. Site feedback and comments from WA members are really positive and people are actually thanking me in each article for sharing important information with them. I am getting a very good feeling that my content is valuable to the readers which is really great!
After spending many hours in learning, improving my website, watching webinar's (Thanks Jay!), writing and publishing content - today 2 close family members and I go to talk about my new adventure for the first time.
I will not go into the details since I am a bit tired and it was a long an exhausting conversation. But basically, both of them explained to me in details why I will not succeed (e.g. niche is too hard to become an authority, it will take many years, I have no prior knowledge, I am not an expert in this niche etc. etc. etc.)
After approx. 50 min. I stood up, said that its late and I got to go home. After I got home, I sent them a text message asking if they even had the chance to read at least one of the articles that are already posted on my website or not... I did not get a reply yet.
After thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that I would like to share it with other WA members and see what others think about it.
I am wondering if other people here also had similar experiences? How did you cope with negative feedback from close friends/family members etc.
Thanks for reading, looking forward to some WA love.
Omer
Recent Comments
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I posted this on FB not to long ago, I think because I was wrestling with the same kind of feedback. "Don't tell people what goals you aspire to accomplish; Just get it done and you will not have to say a word." I have come to realize that for every great idea or aspiration an individual has there will be at least a dozen to tell them why it will never work out. We mustn't give in to the 'nay sayers'. The difference between us and them is that we have progressed far enough here to know how it works. To see that it's based on data and 'science' and not simply theory. To know that since others in worse places than us have succeeded at affiliate marketing and we most assuredly can too. There is no reason not to except the obstructions we allow.
I know you're determined. I can tell from your post. And I cannot wait to read post after post after post as you progress onward to greater success.
Kind regards Omer,
Carl
Carl, thank you so much for your kind words. I really enjoyed reading your comments, and you are right, I AM very determined. I decided that the best approach for me would be to use it as fuel rather than let it put me down.
After all, since I joined WA I do see things in a different way than before, and It is OK if others do not. Shame that they didn't listen because they might have learned a thing or two, but that is OK.
Glad to know that you found my post valuable enough for you to post on FB! :-)
Do over 85% of people starting a business online fail? YES. That leaves a lot of people within that up to 15% that make it! (That is an exclusive club!)
Did you know - Do THEY know that Affiliate marketing has helped to create MORE millionaires, all over the world in the last 20 years than ANY OTHER INDUSTRY?
Do they have a good idea about how, when they dissuade you from dreaming and making a great living, they are going to pay your bills for you?
Every one of us, except those who don't tell people what we are doing - which is a bad way of 'branding' ourselves - get people who try to rain on our parade and I think of a line I heard somewhere; You have probably heard it too:
"Hey, don't piss on my leg and try to tell me it's raining!
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this. I tend to agree with you. Actually, none of them have any idea what affiliate marketing is... I guess they got too busy explaining so they were not able to LISTEN and ask questions about my new and exciting path.
This is precisely why I don't tell anyone about what I am doing. Even my wife didn't know until recently, and even with her, I don't give many details.
People will try to tear you down for many reasons. Maybe they don't believe in you. More likely, they don't want to believe in someone succeeding where they haven't. Some others might actually think they are "helping" you because they don't want you to be disappointed later if your plans don't work out.
My wife has told me a few times about a saying in the Philippines, which compares people to a bucket of crabs. The idea here is that if you watch crabs in a bucket, you'll see that as one tries to climb out, the other crabs hold onto it and pull it back down.
Keep working and don't listen to them. Your success is based on your belief, not theirs.
Great vibes Craig, thank you very much for your encouraging words.
Nice saying about the crabs, I'll keep it in mind for the next time(s)!
Omer - Believe in yourself and know that you can do whatever you set you mind on. If you listen to other's thoughts about what you are doing, you will go nowhere.
This is your life. Not their's.
Whatever you feel is right for you is the path you should take.
I wish you great success with whatever you choose to do :)
Stick with it Omar.
I had the same feedback when I first joined and started to doubt myself for getting involved in the first place.
This month I rejoined, after a year away, on the basis that I will not allow others to to destroy my dream before I started.
You will be successful and your site looks amazing!
Keep at it and join the club of those that will prove the doubters wrong.
All the best
Nick
Thanks you Nick! I definitely spent many hours on the website overall look and layout. I tested many options and experimented with several themes until I decided to keep the current settings.
You see, I have been working as a quality assurance team leader in the last 15 years so I have high expectations, especially in all matters related to user experience and overall look
this is a textbook response from family members Omer, just like someone has commented here it is actually to be expected
the thing is when you know what to expect then you know to be more careful who you share your dreams with
I've heard it explained beautifully in terms of subconscious behavior and 'knowns', whenever someone wants change well the last people who are going to help with that change are those who want to stay the same
follow your heart and intuition and program yourself for success too
check out mental bank by George Kappas on youtube for a glimpse into how the subconscious mind works, you've got to rise above other people's view of your reality to create something new
Thank you Mary, I was certainly not ready or expected this reaction from my family but hey, you learn something new every day. Definitely learned a valuable lesson.
Thanks for the mental bank recommendation! I will check it out
I have had some friends speak to me about being "wise" in my course of action....almost as if I stated I wanted to build a circus in my backyard or something!
Interestingly enough, they seem to either overlook or have forgotten the years - over 5 - that I have been looking and applying for jobs. Granted, there are jobs in abundance in the U.S., and I have worked a few part-time gigs here and there, but I just wasn't finding anything steady. So joining Wealthy Affiliate was really years in the making.
When all is said and done, Omer, unless any of your family members can provide for your financial success, or have embarked on building their own business, all they can really do offer is opinions, nothing factual.
Continue to stay the course, Omer, knowing that people looking to squash and dampen your desires and dreams is just part of the process. I commend you for keeping your cool for 50 minutes!
Here are some "Sucess Stories" from fellow WA members that you can add to your favorites, to read when you need to lift your spirits. New To WA, Want To Quit or Have Doubts? Success Stories Will Show You The Money!
Thank you very much Veronica for the positive attitude and these success stories are amazing! Just what I needed.
After the short breakdown that I went through yesterday, I am now back on track and looking forward to success.
Thank you!
Hey, Omar, this happens to probably over 90% of entrepreneurs who have an idea and actually pursue that idea.
And family and your closest friends will be the first ones to tell you that basically, you are dreaming if you think that you can be successful at something like this.
Let it be fuel for your fire to succeed! You most definitely do not need to be the all-knowing expert in the field you care about. It sounds like you have a very good topic to be passionate about and before you even realize it you WILL be the expert in that field.
Stay the course and focus intently on that topic only. Don't try and branch out to many other fields. And when you look back in a year or two you will be surprised at just how much you have learned.
And your family and friends will say, "Wow! I had no idea that you knew so much about child safety."
Keep up 'The Good Work'
Thank you Roger for your kind words.
I am now following you, you are welcome of course to do the same if you like. After reading your bio, I'd like to mention that I am quite a technical guy myself with vast experience and knowledge in computers. I have been working in the hi-tech industry for the last 15 years, so I learned a thing or two.
Please feel free to reach out if you need help with anything.
Omer
There's something you stated, Roger which is really powerful: we don't have to know everything! Becoming an "expert" is really a process. I believe that if we're passionate about something, grow in our knowledge, and have a willingness to help others, people will follow.
I cannot agree more with what you wrote Veronica. This is one huge difference in the overall attitude that I have as opposed to the 2 family members I was talking with. They think that you need to gain knowledge for years and years before you should attempt presenting yourself as an authority (or an "expert"). I totally disagree with that statement
Yes when I started my wife called it my hobby. It's not a business till she sees the money she said. This year I took our family on holiday with money earned in my hobby.
Keep the faith when your earning from not being an expert your friends will be eating humble pie.
hehe yes! they actually called it my "hobby" today!
Thank you very much for providing your POV and experience. I am now following you. Much appreciated!
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Are either of these 'close' family members experienced affiliate marketers or online business people? I'm pretty sure they are not. If they were their likely response would have been positive with the offer to help when you get stuck.
If they are not they are just 'Dream Stealers', voicing their personal disappointment in themselves for not having the courage to try. The best way to avoid failure ... is to never try.
Whom ... close family friends??