My intent with this blog is to share with you what I have learned over the past few years in my quest to make money online. Now I am not going to tell you I am a Guru. I am just going to tell you about my experiences that I have had both the good and the not so good. All have been a learning experience. So even the bad was good in a way. My hope is that you will learn from my many mistakes.
I have learned much about myself over the past few years in this business. I have surrounded myself with a wonderful group of people. A true MasterMind Group. I have learned so much from them and others that I really am amazed at what I know. The difference between me and most people that start an online business is that I was prepared to do what ever it took to be successful. Failure was not an option to me. I knew there was no easy button. Many people say that but I meant it.
I was prepared to be coached with an open mind. But don’t ever let anyone tell you that this is easy… that you’ll make money with no effort. I have worked at this business harder than I ever worked at anything in my life. The difference is I loved every minute of it. Even the bad times were good so to speak. There were times I thought my head would explode with what I was trying to comprehend. At times the fog was so thick I thought it would never clear. But not once did my wonderful group of people “My MasterMind Group” ever give up on me. This world wide web is a huge big scary place, but with like minded people beside you for support and encouragement it doesn’t seem that big.
Let me tell you this, I knew nothing about the computer, so I had a long way to catch up just to learn the basic computer skills. I was so bad I didn’t know you could copy and paste with a mouse. That is a true statement. But I listened and I learned. I didn’t let people do things for me. I wanted to do it myself. I “wanted” to learn.
The MasterMind group that I started with and continue to be with to this day never once told me that I would make $10,000.00 by next Friday. There have been many people in our group that have come and gone. Most of them were disappointed that they didn’t make that $10,000.00 in a week. The thought of doing any work to achieve success was just not something they were prepared to do.
This has got to be the most wonderful business in the world to be in but if anyone tells you that it is easy or that you will make that $10,000.00 by next week with just a bit of effort I hate to break it to you but they are fibbing. They may be good talkers but it just doesn’t happen that way. This is a business and you must treat it like that. I am always learning. My brain was like a sponge but I knew the more I learned the more I would earn. If I only would have applied myself like this in high school. I know my teachers would have been scampering to keep up.
Now is the perfect time for people to start a home based business. With so many out of work and all of the down-sizing going on more people should be looking at affiliate marketing. And the economy wouldn’t seem so scary. A business such as this really has very little startup cost.
I was at my local library and just happen to run across the book The Super Affiliate HandBook by Rosiland Gardner. Rosiland wrote this book in such a way that I couldn’t put it down. The book had been written a few years ago so I went online to buy an updated version. I was in luck, not only did I find an updated version but I was able to instantly download it. The knowledge that I have gained from the book has paid for itself many times over. This was indeed the best affiliate marketing resource I could have found.
The Super Affiliate HandBook covers many area of affiliate marketing opportunities. Topics include blogging, market research, affiliate programs, web design, and so much more. This is without a doubt a must have affiliate marketing resource. All marketers should have one. I printed it off, yes all 236 pages. I took it on vacation with me and I found myself reading it every chance I had.
I hope you enjoy what I plan on sharing with you on this blog about the advantages of affiliate marketing using tools trends and resources.
I would love your feed back, good or bad.
Cindy
April 6th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Cindy, this is an excellent article. How true it is that so many people have that lottery mindset. It has been disappointing to watch people leave our group, most often because they don’t want to do any work, or they didn’t see the success come quickly enough. They get lured by some “program” that promises them instant riches.
That is really the problem with MLM - it takes time to build. Adding Affiliate Marketing to generate some “instant” income is a good way to help others learn the craft.
Kudos to you Cindy.
April 6th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Hey Cindy,
You are absolutely right…The affiliate marketing handbook you recommend is by far the best manual available for anyone learning to make money online.
I enjoyed reading your post….can’t wait to read about more of your affiliate marketing advise.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:12 am
Hi Cindy
I just read your article and I simply could’t leave without telling you how much I enjoyed it.
I agree with you that whether you’re in the real world or on the internet, you’re not going to succeed and get what you want in life unless you’re prepared to put in long hours, hand work and some study.
But that’s always been true. The only thing that changes is expectations. We now have a lot more people, who tell a lot more other people, that they can blast off a new, improved lifestyle on autopilot and simply sit back and enjoy the riches.
These days, people seem to thrive on wishful thinking!
Frankly, I don’t understand people who don’t want to work. I think they confuse drudge with work. I’m at an age where I’m entitled to retire, it’s even expected that I do so, but I would rather work and keep failing than sit back into retirement.
To most people, the word ‘retirement’ means doing nothing and getting something in return. There are a lot of marketers out there who advertise their offer as a short cut to retimenent. It says a lot about the marketer and very little to benefit the customer.
To me, doing nothing has to be the hardest, most boring occupation on the planet and it’s not even well paid.
I believe the key is to do what your creativity tells you to do. Lucky for me, my creativity tells me to write and I get plenty of opportunity to do that on the internet. I also love business and until a couple of years ago, I owned and ran a business for 15 years.
I consider myself super lucky to have finally found a way to combine my two loves. I can’t imagine why I would ever want to give that up.
September 17th, 2008 at 12:34 am
Cindy,
Very interesting story and. I liked it very much. I use to work over time, volunteer to take on extra jobs. Yeah I realize that i was working against my ideas for a more secure future.
March 17th, 2009 at 7:24 am
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April 7th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Thanks much for the comments.
Cindy
April 7th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Thanks Kirsten,
Yes many just don’t get it.
You have to love this business.
Most people don’t want to work this hard.
To me it isn’t work.
Cindy
April 7th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Lottery mindset indeed.
Most people QUIT!! just before things happen
Cindy
April 7th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Thanks Deb,
Your a great teacher.
Cindy