Newbies Don’t Get Sucker Punched!
A day or so ago, I was having a chat with JeannineC. I had posted a blog on 8 Ways to Choose the Best Affiliate Programs. She cautioned me that a number of affiliate programs inflate their benefits and lure unsuspecting affiliates into giving them money, never to see the return. Now if you don’t know Jeannine,, she has been in affiliate marketing for 21 years and as a Newbie myself, I think that I have a tremendous amount to learn from her wisdom. She also got me thinking about the whole concept of SOS (Shiny Object Syndrome), which has prompted me now to write on those things, that cause us Newbies, to be suckered or fall victim to people and programs that are filled with stuff coming out their backsides.
Believing the hype
Several affiliate programs draw you in by making projections of super normal profits in a short space of time. The thing is that they are just projections. Not that you can’t make it, but look around and ask yourself how many new affiliates are kicking back, on the beach in the Bahamas, sipping a Daiquiri only after a few months. Not many, if any right? Look at being an affiliate as a long term investment, not a get rich Lotto ticket. Believe in yourself. Put in the work and make your dreams a reality.
Expecting instant results with little effort
If you don’t think you have to put in the hours you are in for a rude awakening. For best results you have to work this daily. If you opened a new business would you take regular days off at the start? You would ‘bust before you start’ as we say. Instead, you would be expected to go in daily and to promote your business. Guess what you just opened your own internet store.and if you want it to do well, you are going to have to do all that it takes for people to visit and for them to buy.
Lack of a plan and specific goals
If it is not evident by now let me say it again. If you fail to plan then you plan to fail. You need to sit down and set out clear objectives and how you are going to get there. That’s the first thing WA preaches to you. If you start off with a speed without direction you are likely to 'butt up your head' , or crash. If you want to make a lot of money set goals which are SMART - specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-based. Saying you want to make a Million in a month is not being realistic. Instead, set out clear steps to ensure success.
Advertising your affiliate link
How will you ever earn a dime unless you advertise your affiliate link. This very simple ‘to do’ has caused many a new affiliate to lose out on potential earnings. Your affiliate links are like your driver’s permit to get onto the affiliate program superhighway. By creating your website and installing your links in your blogs, banners and so you can provide your customers with products and services from which you will have the potential to earn commissions. It's that simple.
Quitting
So you have been working Wealthy Affiliate for about 2, 3, 4 months now and you really have not made any money. You are frustrated that your site does not work as you want and your applications to a couple affiliate programs has been denied. You start to question whether you made the right choice. Whether, something is wrong with you. Whether, the investment is really worth it. Well just STOP putting yourself down. Shake off that negative vibe. Figure out how you are going to turn things around. Dig deeper into the training. Post a question and reach out to the community. Look for those that know their stuff and are willing to share. Don’t quit. I believe you can succeed. All I need you to do is believe in yourself that you will.
Hugh
invest in Yourself it Pays the best Rewards
PS Don't forget to like and comment, I would love to hear your feedback
Recent Comments
84
Great article Hugh - another fork to stick in the fondue pot is that our online businesses are an ASSET - they are worth cash - not, admittedly, particularly a large amount but it will be growing each day as we add more and more relevant and targeted content to it.
Also, look how far we, as newbies, have come in 3-4 months. We've got a website that's worth cash if it's not making cash. We've got social accounts that are tools and not time-traps.
We're 99.5% further ahead than the rest of the wannabes. Don't stop now - hustle, grind, churn - get that content out there, check your visitor stats - what are they reading/viewing/watching on your site? Make more of that content, give them what they're telling you they need.
If your site isn't getting the eyeballs, now's the time to sit and question every bit of content you've published. Is it the best bit of content for that keyword out there? Does it answer the intent of the search done? Will it give the reader that 'experience' he/she is looking for? Is it better than the content in positions #3, #2 or, even, #1?
Get out there and do your own, unique research. If you're doing a site about cat health - ring up 10 pet insurers and get them to quote you for a kitten, an adult cat and a senior cat in an urban, suburban and country address then put that up as a table on your site - make each and every piece of content you do the very best you can do.
You got this people - no matter what your niche is.
Super advice Dom. I forgot about the potential to flip your site if you wanted to at some point later and it was worth it. Someone here, I forget who, said they did one of their sites at $40k. That's impressive particularly if you are in multiple spaces. Thanks for providing invaluable comments.
Hugh
Hi Hugh. You are right we need to work for it.
There will always be those who look for a get rich quick scheme. I think that they are likely to fall prey to the many scams as a result.
Unfortunately, for anyone looking for a get rich quick scheme there are many sites looking to' fulfil their dreams'. Lol.
Goal setting is the equivalence of setting a well laid path at the beginning. After all if you don't know where you are going how will you know when you arrive?
Great post.
Candy Benn
No need to quit, Hugh! we must understand that it takes anywhere from 3-5 years or longer for physical businesses to begin to show a profit (with come exceptions, of course), so it should be no different with online businesses.
Moreover start-up costs of offline businesses are usually MUCH higher than for online businesses!
Excellent post!
Jeff
You make a solid point Jeff that normal brick and mortar do take years to turn a profit. We must not drift from this understanding as it relates to our own online business. Thanks buddy for sharing your wisdom
Hugh
You're very welcome, Hugh, and thanks for your kind response!
Enjoy your weekend (Frisatsu)
Jeff
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Hi Hugh,
Thanks for sharing a very helpful article. It has made me think about a particular affiliate that I am with, although they didn't require any investment, I have not seen any results through their link.
Sometimes I have to wonder is it working at all. But when I click on the link it goes right to the parent, so it should be ok.
But it is slow times in the economy and my other affiliate links are better. So thank you for getting me thinking and checking.
Best of success.
Bill
Any stirring in the noggin you find useful I am happy with.
Hugh