How did I react when I saw Max the student affiliate’s earnings online? I raced into the kitchen to drink some milk just so I could race back to the PC and spurt it out my nose all over the keyboard. Here’s this 18 year old kid pulling in more off one affiliate network than I’m making at nearly twice his age in a fulltime job! (yes, I know it’s only turnover not profit before anyone says)
After I’d calmed down a bit, wiped up the spilt milk and reassured the neighbours that my loud exclamations were nothing to worry about, I read the rest of his posting. Essentially he’s asking why we’re not more open about our affiliate earnings and he signs off by asking other affiliate bloggers for our reasons for either posting or not posting our earnings. That did get me thinking. My immediate reaction is to get defensive and say that I don’t want to show people my earnings and why the hell should I? But the honest answer is that I don’t want people to find my affiliate packet a little limp and inadequate.
I’ve been working seriously on my affiliate business for about six months now on an evenings and weekends basis. I’m not somebody who has an awful lot of patience and the fact that my affiliate earnings are bumping along with no obvious sign of improving is leading me into the “could give it all up now” mindset. I’ve heard many a successful affiliate describe this point in the development of their business.
And this is where the wonder of blogging and community comes into play. Reading about other affiliates’ successes and how they got where they are now keeps me going in these gloomy times. I’m sure Max and Keiron and Shoemoney all took time to learn their craft and build up their business. They didn’t just start one morning then head down the bank that afternoon to collect the wheelbarrow load of cash they’d made. So Max, thanks for posting what you did. I’m not sure I’ll want to do the same when I’m in your position but if I do ever reach that position it’ll be thanks to people like you keeping me inspired.