How to Succeed in Affiliate Marketing. Since my last post was about affiliate marketers avoiding mistakes,(click here to read more), I though it was only fitting to follow that up with this post.
Because of my successes in many different businesses, online and off, I have been asked by many, what does it take to succeed in business, and especially, what does it take to succeed in affiliate marketing?
But the answer is not so much as what does it take but more of who do I have to become to succeed in affiliate marketing. I’m gonna repeat it because I really want this to sink in. “Who do I have to become, to be successful in affiliate marketing?”
You see, by changing the question, some may have already stopped reading. Why? Because to change yourself, is THE HARDEST thing to do in the world. It would be easier for me to say, “Read this 30 minute book, and with no experience at all, you will be making 6 figures in 6 months or less.”
Doesn’t that just sound more appealing? But for those that are willing to change ourselves, that’s where success is able to plant it’s seed….so if you are still with me, keep reading on how to succeed in affiliate marketing.
Humble Yourself
Now keep in mind that all of us enter the affiliate marketing world with different backgrounds. Some of us have have already had to work on ourselves more than others and that can be good or bad. Some of us have already had great success in life….and again that can be good or bad.
I say that because many times, I would rather train someone who has had no previous experience and is eager and willing to learn versus someone who thinks too highly of themselves, has had much success in the past, and question every little thing they are learning.
I am not saying it’s bad to ask questions. There is a difference in asking a question and “questioning” what is being learned or taught.
If you do not humble yourself and adapt a willingness to learn and be trained, you will not go very far in affiliate marketing or any other business for that matter.
Desire not Discipline
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard folks say, “I just need to be more disciplined.” And not just in affiliate marketing either. From working out, to eating healthy, to building a business, to saving and investing for the future, I have heard it in almost every area of life.
The truth is those folks don’t need more discipline. You don’t need more discipline. You need more desire. A great basket ball coach named Bill Whittle, who used to play for LSU, said to me one time, “If the desire is great enough, the discipline just comes.”
Think about it. You have heard it many times. Someone who lived a life of bad eating habits and no exercise was given an ultimatum. Either they change their lifestyle or they will die in a year. And guess what? Immediately the next day, they started eating healthy and exercising consistently. You see, that person’s desire changed and the discipline, well, it just came.
So How Do You Get Desire? For everyone it is different. Reward works for some. For example, writing down goals of where they want to be and putting up a picture board of the things they would like to achieve helps “get” desire.
But for most of us, PAIN works better. Start writing down the things you won’t be able to do if you DON’T finish something. Write down and visualize what it will feel like when you don’t have enough money for your kids to play sports, or buy them clothes for the new school year. Picture not being able to retire your parents and seeing them struggle through retirement after working and struggling for so many years already. Imagine telling your spouse, “No we can’t go on vacation this year,” or for me even worse, “You are gonna have to go back to work to help me pay the bills.”
That my friends is how you “get” desire. And that is what Desire vs Discipline is all about.
Delayed Gratification
We live in a world of instant gratification. Think about it. We have the microwave and minute rice. We have the Kureg and instant coffee. Fast food joints are on every corner and drive thru car washes run rapid. Even the twist of the kitchen faucet knob and water immediate pouring out or the flick of a switch and your lights turning on. These things did not exist a little over a hundred years ago, and in some parts of the world, they still don’t.
Success for the affiliate marketer or for anyone else, does not happen overnight. Ask any actor or actress, any professional sports player, ask your doctor or lawyer who took years of schooling to get where they are, ask Bill Gates or Warren Buffet. If you can learn to have delayed gratification, then you won’t quit too soon!
Be Optimistic, Be Positive
The naysayers are many! Nobody wants you to break out from the average and ordinary because if you do, then it makes them feel they bad about themselves. That they could have done it but chose not to.
The hardest part is when the naysayers are your own friends and family. Although this can be hurtful having a positive, optimistic outlook will help you get through it. And I don’t mean a fake positive outlook. I mean looking at the situation and saying to yourself, “They are just blinded by their fear of the unknown. I will work even harder to show them it is possible.”
Don’t let let negative attitudes discourage you or change your course. This is one area where reflecting back on your desire, the pain of not having, helps you stay the course, stay positive and stick it out.
In Conclusion
Doing all the above will help you succeed in affiliate marketing. But having a guide, a coach, and a community of like minded individuals who are encouraging you along the way doesn’t hurt either. If you are thinking of starting your own journey in affiliate marketing or you are doing so right now but seem not getting the results you like, then I recommend you check out my #1 recommendation for the best online community and affiliate marketing network.
If you have any suggestions from your own experience, of how to succeed in affiliate marketing, please share them below. You never know who you will inspire!
Jason
Owner
BestOnlineMarketingSystem.org
Damon says
I really liked this post it was very uplifting to read through. Your example of the person needing to diet and exercise or they will die in a year, is right on point with how we as people wont do the hard things to make a change until we are given that ultimatum that forces us to change. Great post and very inspirational
Jason says
Damon, I’m glad you found my article inspiring for you. Come back every couple of days and I will have more.
Cheers.
website for business says
High quality of information. At first, I believed your post was a long time, but it surely needed the length.
Jason says
You are right, it is a bit lengthy, but packed with great information for anyone looking to succeed in affiliate marketing.
Cheers.
David says
I enjoyed your article. You captured our zeitgeist so well! Everyone wants something quickly … so we have the Keurig, fast food restaurants, microwaves, etc. And financially, people want to hear: “Read this 30 minute book, and with no experience at all, you will be making 6 figures in 6 months or less.†The reality is, to build a business online you need to be patient and do hard work day after day. Delayed gratification and a solid work ethic are essential.
Jason says
You are so right, David. It took me 9 months before I even saw a dime in my first online business. I know of folks who started making money in 3 months and I know of folks who took 12 months or longer, but the key is that they all stuck with it.
I did have a benefit when it came to my online business. By the time I created my first online business, I had already created success in two other businesses. One a network marketing company and one a real estate investment company. And in each of those I learned, success doesn’t come overnight.
So when it came to my online business, I knew success would happen, I just needed to keep plugging away. And there are some real advantages that my online business which is Affiliate Marketing has over my Network Marketing company I owned, that’s for sure. If you want you can take a look at the differencese yourself on my article: Affiliate Marketing vs. Network Marketing.
Thx for your comments David and best wishes.
Sarah says
Hi Jason. I really liked reading this. It helped me get some perspective on my own affiliate marketing journey. I think that my problem is I have enough desire, but I’m OKAY with living the rest of my life how it is already now if that’s what the Lord intends for me. I’ve been working at this for almost a year now and have yet to find success, not even a single dime in payout yet. But I KNOW that it will work, it’s just hard some days. But there is pain there too, like not being able to go on vacation for years at a time. What would you suggest for someone like me? (Oh, your link to the post of affiliate marketers avoiding mistakes at the top of the post isn’t working – and I wanted to read it, FYI.) Have a great day!
Jason says
Sarah, first of all, thank you so much for your openess and honesty. Very few people are willing to open up as you did, and I really appreciate it. To be open and honest back. It took me 9 almost 10 months before I even saw a dime myself. I could only work my business 2-3 hours a week because I had young kiddos and I wanted to make sure that family time wasn’t sacrificed. There are many folks who have seen success in half the time or less……but what I have figured out, is that around 30 posts on your blog, is when most people start seeing some action.
I don’t mean getting rich yet, but I do mean, there starts to be some people either signing up for your newsletter/blog, or folks maybe trying a free trial offer you have, something to that effect, and shortly after, there is money to be made.
Please let me know how I can help. I don’t know what niche you are in, but if you are not getting the results you want then I recommend you consider joining Wealthy Affiliate. Although they offer great training for beginners, they also offer great training for those that have some experience, but not getting the results they want.
Click the link above and you can read my review on them. They offer a free Starter Membership. Inside you can even private message me and ask me even more detailed questions that I would be glad to brainstorm and help you with.
Also know that I did fix the link issue to my other article, “Beginner Affiliate Mistakes to Avoid.” Also, I have a “Get Motivated” page that has some great motivational movie clips that can really help boost your spirits. I recommend watching all three that I have so far but especially my Rocky Balboa clip. It’s only 3 min long, but well worth it.
You can also ask any other questions here as well….and again, thx for being so open and honest.
Jerry says
Hi Jason, a very good and positive read and right on the mark! That you need desire first and the rest will follow is something I can and will use in the future. A great help for me has been Earl Nightingale with his The Strangest Secret 31 minute video to become what you are thinking, which is all about this desire first! Cheers, Jerry
Jason says
Jerry, I am glad you enjoyed this article. I will have to check out your recommendation with Earl Nightingale. Thx for commenting and best wishes.
Vera says
You give a good list of reasons whay people succeed in affiliate marketing and too many don’t. I like the way you describe the difference between discipline and desire.
Desire is a much stronger “engine” for you day to day work in affiliate marketing than discipline. Desire is a positive thing, discipline goes with with negative connotations for most of us.
Thanks for pointing out how important a proper mindset is for building a successful online business!
Jason says
Vera, I am glad you like my article…although I can’t take credit for the example of Desire vs. Discipline. In my first business I had several great mentors and coaches. One of them named Bill Whitle, is the one who gave me that example about 5-6 years ago, and it really resonated with me. It has stuck with me ever since and still rings true so I had to share it.
Thx for commenting and best of luck to you.
Ehab says
Hello there,
great post, like the points you mentioned specially to stay positive and to be optimistic and i will add work hard & stay in focus you will reach, affiliate marketing is a long term business there is no way to be rich fast if there is it will be scam, thanks for sharing.
Ehab
Jason says
Ehab, I glad you like my article, and I agree with you on the Work Hard & Staying Focused part. Yeah affiliate marketing, specifically blogging, takes time to build, if anyone thinks they can get rich quick, they are sadly mistaken….but I like that it takes time and work because most people will quit too soon leaving the rewards for those willing to push on. If you liked this article you should check out Beginner Affiliate Marketing Mistakes to Avoid, it is just as good as this one.
Thx for commenting, cheers,
Jason
Stanley says
Jason,
I like your article regarding the various components needed to become successful in Affiliate marketing.
Just a small comment where you wrote in your first sentence. There is a missing “t” in the word – though.
“…. I though it was only fitting to follow that up with this post”.
Kindly amend though to thought.
The rest of the article – I simply love it though it sounded a bit impatient but you are speaking from your heart and you speak facts.
Jason says
Stanley, thx for letting me know about the amendment I need to make. I just looked at it and saw you were right. I have fixed it so we will be good going forward. I am glad you liked the article. I’m not sure what you mean by impatient. If you mean, I sound very forward, and excited, then yes, that is exactly what I was going for.
There is no reason to sugar coat what it takes to be successful. Most people want the sugar coated version, and because of that they are usually ill prepared and will not succeed. Again, I am glad you liked the article and thx for commenting.
Cheers.
Nelson says
I really love this site here. we are in the online niche so its very important to keep your audience informed about what are the best methods in terms of making money online.
your site is very user friendly and very easy to navigate. With alittle more content this site is very much on its way to becoming a successful site.
great work
Jason says
Nelson, I am really glad you not only liked this post but the entire site as well. I do try to add content about once week or so but since I have a full-time job, I am only able to work this site about 2-4 hours a week at most….and despite the little amount of time I can put in per week, this website is already making money every month.
My goal is to continue to provide valuable, honest, and in depth content for my readers on an ongoing basis. And I know that if I help enough people to get where they want to be, then I will get my family and I where we want to be as well. Since you really liked my site, I encourage you to visit another site of mine called Go Electric Cars For Kids. It has only been in operation for 3-4 months and is already making money as well! 🙂
Thx so much for commenting and best of luck,
Jason
Alex says
Hi Jason,
Thanks for this post!
It has been six months I am in the affiliate marketing industry and I have not seen any positive results yet. I guess I have to really stay positive!
One thing I am not sure if this is true – affiliate marketing needs desire and not discipline. I always thought I needed to be discipline in a way I have to publish regularly and follow my publishing schedule.
I have also been told that it is a myth to keep adding contents to my site. How true is that?
Anyway, thanks for sharing this inspiring post and lifting up my spirit again! Keep posting and I will be back for more!
Regards,
Alex
Jason says
First of all Alex, thank you for reading and commenting on my article. I am so glad you felt it was uplifting and encouraging to you.
It’s not uncommon for many people to question this point point on success. Let me share a couple of personal examples of how this has been evident in my life. First some positive ways:
1) I played college soccer and a couple games of pro, and my two youner brothers didn’t, despite the fact that they were way better skilled than I am. I didn’t get there because of discipline, I got there because I had more desire than my brothers did to go past highshcool soccer. We all loved soccer, and we all wanted to be very good, even great skill wise, so going to practice and even praticing on our own time just came, our desire was so great to improve upon our skills, that we continued to workout, practice our soccer skills and play mini soccer games on our own time. My brothers could have gone on to college and pro, but they had no desire to do so.
ok so that is a positive on how Desire vs discipline can help you succeed. Now let’s talk about something…well, less positive.
2) I want to really learn how to play the guitar and I want to be fluent in spanish. And although, I can play a couple of chords on the guitar, and although, I am descent at spanish, I have yet to get to a level with each one of those that I feel I have succeeded in my goal. Why you may ask? Because I end up allowing other things in my life to take priority over learning guitar and spanish.
When I was single, things like college, working out, and hanging with friends were more of a priority than me learning guitar or spanish. And those things aren’t necessarily bad, they just had more of a priority.
Now that I am married and with kids, a 2 and a 4 yr old, things like spending family time and working on my businesses take priority over learning guitar and spanish, and again here, spending time with family is a great thing, and also a higher priority.
You see, we only have 24 hours in a day, and we have to make choices on how we spend or should I say invest our time. Had my desire been greater to learn guitar or spanish, then when I was single, I would have done those things more than working out or more than building this business.
I am sorry that this reply has been so long, but I wanted to use two different personal examples, both positive and, not so positive on how desire vs. discipline is what it takes to succeed.
To answer your content question. As a beginner, yes, you need to keep adding more content. There are many ways to make money online, but if you don’t master one of them, blogging, and jump to video marketing or PPC, or Facebook marketing, or any other strategy before mastering your first one, then you usually never will.
So yes, keep adding content, and keep learning about long tail keywords, which are usually lower in competition, therefore easier to get ranked for in Google.
Again, thanks for reading and keep pushing along, you can do this, keep learning, keep doing, and you will succeed! 🙂
Cheers,
Jason