It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect, Just Started

If my memory serves me correctly, it was Wayne Gretzky who is credited with saying, “You miss 100% of the shots you don't take”. And in my experience, nothing is further from the truth.

Now, hopefully from the title of this blog post and the quote above, you will get the idea of what I am trying to talk about today... That when it comes to affiliate marketing, you don't have to be perfect, but you do have to make a start!

I have seen many comments on this, and other platforms, about people holding back, worrying that they’re not ready or that they need a perfect strategy or website before they can start.

But for fear of repeating myself - here’s the truth: you don’t have to be perfect to succeed in affiliate marketing; you just need to get started.

Why People Don’t Start Affiliate Marketing

When it comes to starting anything, the experts out there will tell you the tried and true reasons why people don't start something - especially a new business, whether it be online or not. This includes:

1. Fear of Failure: Many people are paralyzed by the thought of failing or that they’ll invest time and energy only to see little to no return.
2. Analysis Paralysis: The internet is filled with information on how to succeed in affiliate marketing - and let's be honest, we can include WA here as well. This can lead to many of us spending weeks (or even months) researching, reading, and trying to figure out the perfect plan.
3. Comparison: When comparing ourselves to those with years of experience, it’s easy to feel intimidated and think, “I’ll never be as good as them.” This mindset can stop us from even trying, as we assume we won’t be able to compete.

Is this reality - I think so, I mean I know when I started i suffered all of the above. But do you know what I personally think is the biggest reason for someone not getting started with affiliate marketing?

It is Perfectionism

That's right, its the myth that everything needs to be “just right” before you start. A perfect website, flawless content, and a well-thought-out SEO strategy. If one, or all is not perfect, then Google will not rank you and all will be lost.

I am here to tell you - It's all BS. —all these elements are great, but waiting for perfection can delay you indefinitely.

Why You Should Just Go For It

So, if this is the case for you, then let me tell you some home truths that I believe are absolute:

1. You’ll Learn Faster by Doing: Nothing teaches you better than experience. Even if things aren’t perfect, you’ll learn valuable lessons as to what works, what doesn’t, and how to adapt. The faster you learn, the sooner you’ll start seeing results.
2. Progress Beats Perfection: Progress is all about moving forward, even if it’s slow and imperfect. Every small action you take, from setting up a website to posting your first affiliate link, brings you closer to your goal. Remember, no one starts out as an expert!
3. Building Confidence Through Action: Taking that first step in affiliate marketing builds confidence. The more you work on it, the better you’ll feel about your abilities. Confidence is key in affiliate marketing, as it encourages you to keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.

And look, by doing this, there absolutely will be instances where you will invest time and energy only to see little to no return. There will also be times when every little piece of information or advice does nothing but create a large bag of overwhelm.

This is when your website becomes your safe space. You can go and write a little post, or work on your layout, or even just research keywords for your niche. Afterall, perfect or not, the one thing that will surprise you is that it is often the weird little thrown together posts that rank the best - trust me!

Conclusion

So before you take your hands back off the keyboard, remember that as in many things, done is better than perfect. The key to success is taking action, learning, and improving as you go.

So, don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect setup. Get yourself over to the hub and get started today, and watch as business grows.

Until next time

Have Fun

Paul