From Setbacks to Comebacks: My Affiliate Marketing Journey

Eight months. Forty posts. Twenty clicks. Countless hours. Zero profit.

That’s the reality I’m facing in my affiliate marketing journey. It’s a hard pill to swallow, especially when so many others in the Wealthy Affiliate community say my posts are good. But if they’re good, why aren’t they getting traction? Why am I stuck? Why do I feel like I’m working tirelessly, yet standing still?

I’m not new to business. A few years ago, I ran a dropshipping store. After three months of grinding, I finally had my first real taste of success—thirteen sales in one morning! That rush of validation was everything. Then, just days later, the world shut down. COVID locked up cargo shipments, and my inventory got stuck on the shores of Europe. Refunds. Lost money. Dream over.

Now, here I am again, chasing another dream. Only this time, the struggle isn’t an external force—it’s the battle of figuring out why my efforts aren’t paying off.

The Roadblocks

1. Website Challenges: I’m working with WordPress, Rank Math SEO, and Kadence/Elementor. The learning curve is brutal, and when things don’t work, I don’t always know how to fix them. I’ve reached out for help, but the answers aren’t coming fast enough.
2. Google Search Console Confusion: Errors. Indexing issues. SEO roadblocks. It’s overwhelming. I know visibility is key, but figuring out how to make Google happy is like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded.
3. Traffic Woes: Forty posts should mean more than twenty clicks, right? My content is solid (or so I’m told), but the numbers don’t lie. Either my SEO strategy is off, my call-to-actions aren’t compelling, or I’m simply not promoting in the right places.
4. Financial & Personal Pressure: I’ve invested all I can into this business. No more funds left. On top of that, my wife is understandably frustrated. Eight months in and nothing to show for it but expenses. She sees my effort, but effort doesn’t pay the bills. That tension adds another layer of stress to an already heavy situation.

Why I Won’t Quit

I know the opportunity is here. I can feel it. Even in the frustration, I see glimpses of what’s possible. Affiliate marketing isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme—it’s a long game. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my past, it’s that setbacks are just setups for comebacks.

But I can’t do this alone.

My Call for Mentorship & Advice

I’m putting this out to the Wealthy Affiliate community:

• For those who have broken through these barriers, how did you do it?
• If you’re familiar with WordPress, Rank Math, and Kadence/Elementor, what advice do you have?
• Where should I focus my limited energy to see real progress?

I believe in this. I believe in my brand, Setbacks2Comebacks, because that’s my life story. But right now, I need clarity, guidance, and maybe a push in the right direction.

To anyone who reads this and resonates with my struggle, let’s connect. Maybe we can turn these setbacks into comebacks together.

Good things happen to those that don't quit.

Rick