Affiliate Marketing as an online business is portrayed as a
vehicle by which anyone with a personal computer can gain
financial security, the freedom to work at anytime,
anyplace, and develop an extravagant lifestyle if so
desired. Much of this is true ... but the road to these
goals is very winding and certain realities must be
accepted.
One of the "rules" of article writing is to use third
person ... lot's of 'ones', 'peoples', 'author's', etc.
This article uses "I", because ... well, it's MY story ...
MY reflections. For that very reason, if you should
disagree with my reflections ... GOOD. Every author strives
to provide useful information and, when possible, to enable
the reader to relate and consider that information, even if
controversial.
A brief bio to set the stage. I am a live in caregiver in
Hilo, Hi. As such, an outside job is impossible, so, about
7 months ago, I began pursuing online marketing as an
income source. Under these circumstances, I am long on
time, and short on money. As honesty is the basis for this
writing, after 7 months I can count on around $450 per
month, with occasional peaks and valleys, and that amount
is steadily increasing.
Not much money, huh? The 'myth' factor makes it hard to
discern fact from fiction. However, if you're patient and
read what people have to say, the truth does trickle out.
The owner of a popular, well known online program recently
stated that after 3 years of active marketing operations,
he is now earning $1000 per month after finally recovering
all of his start up expenses. (Paying for his 'learning
curve'). "Marige O'brien", in her very popular ebook,
"Tracker Mo's BootCamp, Basic Training For Online
Marketing", can be quoted as saying, "... can expect to
make a consistent income of between 25 - $100 within a few
months, 250 - $500 by the end of the first year, and 1000 -
$2000 per month by the end of the second year." This is not
quite what the new internet marketer wants to hear, but at
least it is refreshingly honest.
Was I initially disappointed ... yes. Am I surprised ... no
longer.
I fully believed that I began this journey with exactly the
right mind-set. I knew that I had to discover what this was
all about. I soon learned, and believed, that I would have
to 'pay my dues' before I would begin to sniff success. I
heard the message to be patient, find a program or method
that I was passionate about, and STICK WITH IT.
Did I do this? Well, sort of. I did not practice the
'program of the week' approach; however, I did shift my
focus 3 or 4 times. Was it because I became disillusioned
and smelled greener grass?
No, it was because I reached a point where I did not have
the skills, knowledge, or tools available to take it to the
next level ... I would reach a point where the next step
was written in a language that I did not understand.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with these programs ...
I just was not in a position to do what this business
requires ... Market them effectively.
At this point, some of you will 'roll your eyes' and
proclaim "ah ha, the dude got scammed". Well, no I didn't.
My research indicated legitimate opportunities with a
proven track record. My lack of success stemmed solely from
my inability to completely follow the prescribed marketing
plan. In spite of my own self assurances, I had lacked
patience and tried to rush the learning curve. I was trying
to follow a business plan without having set a suitable
foundation.
If you will, please, envision building your own house.
Among other things, you will need to know how to lay a
foundation, rough frame, raise walls, hang joists, frame in
windows and doors, sub floor, etc. I don't care how many
'do it yourself' books that you've read, I won't 'come a
knockin' on your new door if, during the process, you
didn't seek professional, expert advice. There's just
something about a house falling down that does not appeal
to me. :-)
Therein lies one of the problems with internet marketing
... just WHO and WHAT is expert advice? When you are
building that house, your expert is looking over your
shoulder and inspecting your work. On the internet, that
expert tells you what to do and, well, you try to do it. If
your wall is not plumb, you simply move on. After all, you
were told to build a wall, and you did, to the best of your
(current) ability.
To those of you that ARE experts, and have had success on
the internet and tried to help others ... please don't get
your feathers ruffled ... hang with me a little while
longer and I will explain.
So, as the little pieces begin to come together while
building the foundation for you internet marketing
business, you will inevitably reach a juncture where you
just get stuck. In part 2 of this series, we will look at
just WHO and WHAT is expert advice and how you can go about
finding it.
----------------------------------------------------
While the natural beauty of the "Big Island" of Hawaii,
USA, is alluring, the author enjoys pursuing his Internet
marketing interests. For your FREE report from Super
Affiliate Ewen Chia (SELECT the "Grounded" article), and
other Affiliate Marketing Training information, tools, and
goodies, visit "Newbie Heaven" at http://now4u-website.com
No comments:
Post a Comment