You Are Not Going To Get Rich Overnight
I don't want to be the one to burst your bubble, but when you make the decision to get into affiliate marketing, you are NOT going to get rich in 24 hours. It doesn't matter what new software, latest e-book, newest marketing tactic, etc. you pay to have access to, it's just not going to happen.
I am writing this in response to several emails I have received in the last two weeks from a few wanting to know how to make instant profits. I'm sorry people, if you are looking to find some instant tactic for earning money, my blog is not where you need to be.
Sure, there are new products and methods launched every day that can possibly make you some bank in a very short period of time, but what you need to know is that it is not sustainable. In other words, ask yourself if what you are using will still work a year from now. I've been in this game for many years now and I can already tell you that it won't. It may make you a lot of money on the start, but as more and more people come on board with it, the less effective it becomes and your profits will go down. Way down. You might possibly then be left over starting from scratch -- and no one wants that.
I've said this before and I will say it again - your time and efforts are much better spent building for the long haul and not the "pie in the sky" instant gratification most products seem to promise these days. Choose your path wisely.
The road to riches does not have to be a long one. If you choose your niche(s) well and can devote anywhere from 1-4 hours a day, you can realistically replace your current income in 6 months to a year. However, you have to be willing to do the work. There is no "Easy" button. If there was such a thing, we'd all be retired and meeting up for drinks in the Bahamas. Lol.
We all have to start somewhere and there is a TON of advice on where to begin spread out all over the web. The best advice I can give you is to pick something, master it and then move on to the next. Very soon, you will have a broad skill set that you can apply to everything else you do in the future. This is the point when you become powerful and will be successful, no matter what you build.
Here are the basic steps that I go by when I want to get into a new niche and is the path that has proven most successful for me:
- Research the niche
- If potentially profitable, then go test the niche on a few Web 2.0 properties such as Squidoo, HubPages, EzineArticles, Blogger.com, Wordpress.com, UsFreeAds, etc. I then build a few backlinks to each of these pages and let it set for a week or two. What I am looking for here is the amount of traffic these pages get.
- If the traffic from the above efforts is good for the niche and results in a few sales, then I feel comfortable enough to build a stand alone site for it.
- Wash, rinse, repeat.
I'll talk more later about each step and possibly even show some examples, but this is the general principle I have used to become successful. It is not rocket science and it can work for you too, but again, you have to be willing to sit down and do it.
For now, I have to get back to work. I'll speak to you all soon!
Digg This! | Add To Del.icio.us (0) | Stumble It!
About the Author: 
Lindsay from Drug Addiction Rehab Blog (2 comments.) | Jan 23, 2010 | Reply
I agree completely. So many blog posts talk about quick results that I think are completely unreasonable. I am sure very occasionally quick success can be achieved. But I think for the vast majority of people you have to think about how to build for the long term. I think the key is to focus on actually providing sites that offer significant benefits to users.
Melissa | Jan 23, 2010 | Reply
I couldn’t agree more. We all need to focus on adding value to the web instead of filling it with clutter. Sure, there are things a person can do to bring instant success upon themselves, but it will only last a short while. Then you are right back to square one. I would much rather spend my efforts on building something that will stand the test of time.
Mark from credit card debt help (1 comments.) | Jan 28, 2010 | Reply
Rinse, wash and repeat. You’re not a disciple of Brian Johnson’s are you?
Anyhow, good post. I too was looking for the easy way — but there just isn’t. Hard work and years of effort pay off.
Our society thinks that most people are overnight successes. Yes overnight successes with ten years of effort building to that point.
I blame the media for spinning us fairy tales on the easy way to the top.
Thanks for keeping it real.
Mark
Sugarluxe Art from Fashion Designer Business Card Cases (1 comments.) | Feb 7, 2010 | Reply
Hi Melissa, what a great post! I actually found your site while researching the curriculum I’m developing for a course.
Although I’m in a different industry, Art + Design, it falls prey to the same kind of mentality. And aspiring artists, probably like every other aspiring “fill in the blank” often see success as happening overnight, and don’t want to hear about all the hard work it takes to get ahead.
It reminds me of late night infomercials preying on people who want an instant fix. I’ve learned everything takes time and tons of effort – exactly to your point!
Sugarluxe Art from Fashion Designer Business Card Cases (1 comments.) | Feb 7, 2010 | Reply
Wow – I used the word “prey” twice in my post
– I guess I feel really strongly about this type of attitude and those who take advantage of it.
Melissa | Feb 8, 2010 | Reply
Hello Mark,
LOL!!! No, I’m not a disciple of Brian’s, but I DO know him. He’s a great guy. I have learned a few things from him in the past and I’d like to think that maybe he learned something from me at one point. It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken with him. Would love to know what he’s up to now.
No, there is no quick, easy way. Well, sometimes there is, but it never lasts. Eventually, the knowledge and technology that gets shared becomes saturated and is no longer as effective as it once was. Honest, hard work does pay off in the end though. Keep plugging along and you’ll get yours. Persistence is the key!
Melissa | Feb 8, 2010 | Reply
@ Sugarluxe, Thanks for stopping by! I hear what you are saying. I get so many people asking me how to make money in 24 hours that it’s ridiculous! It’s just not going to happen unless you have some kind of blind luck. As with any profession, it takes hard work, perseverance and patience to really succeed.
I simply tell everyone, you have to start somewhere. Pick a method that you are sure you can start with and run! Master that and then move on to the next.
Steve from Bissell Carpet Cleaner (2 comments.) | Feb 9, 2010 | Reply
It took me 8 months to make my first $100 with adsense and even longer to make that with Clickbank products. So I definitely agree with you on this.
The great thing is that once you find what works you can start pumping out the sites and increase your income dramatically.
I think too many people give up way before they have really given things a chance to work.
Steve
Melissa | Feb 10, 2010 | Reply
Hi Steve,
You’re exactly right and it’s something I haven’t touched on much, but should. I have seen sooo many people on the brink of success just give up and walk away simply because they didn’t make what they thought they ought to in the first few months. It’s just so frustrating.
Like you, I plowed along my first year or two before I started earning good money. It’s all about finding what works for you and then duplicating the process. I’m glad you are doing well and I appreciate your comment.
PLANETwebfoot from Social Networking Design (1 comments.) | Feb 22, 2010 | Reply
Great article Melissa! This applies not only to affiliate marketing but to any web development project in the niche sectors. It is not entirely the fault of the person that gives up though, there are so many “get-rich-quick” promises out there that too many start-ups get the idea that the internet is an instant gold mine. The steps you outlined are dead on, great of you to share this with everyone.
Sally from debt consolidation help (1 comments.) | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
Thank goodness someone finally said it! Too many blogger info sites brag about their income and tell you that you can do it too. But it does take time to set up and accomplish.
Debbie from heart rate monitor watch (1 comments.) | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
You’re absolutely right about not getting rich over night. It takes some work, but not hard work… just consistent work.
Create content and community. And do it every day for a year. You’ll replace your income.
brandon from Prepaid Legal Scam (1 comments.) | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
Right on the money….people seem to either not work hard enough and fail , or go to more of a ’shotgun’ approach and throw a bunk of junk against the wall to hope something sticks.
Melissa | Mar 4, 2010 | Reply
Thanks. What you’ve all said is so true and it’s just hard to get some people to understand it as they have fallen for so much of the hype.
Jodi from The Safe Candle (1 comments.) | Mar 6, 2010 | Reply
I could not agree with you more!! I am a Direct Sale Professional, and have put in 2+ years of solid, hard, pounding the pavement-type work. I so often get asked the “secret” to my success. My answer – there is no secret, and business or big business WILL NEVER come easy. Go out there and do it and do it well and in time you will reap the rewards. Get rich quick is not in my vocabulary, because it is not a reality!
Melissa | Mar 7, 2010 | Reply
Very well said, Jodi! Thanks for stopping by!