Starting Over: My Transparent Journey in Affiliate Marketing
Welcome to my blog! If you’re reading this, you’re probably curious about affiliate/online marketing—maybe you’re just starting out, or maybe you’ve been at it for a while and are looking for fresh inspiration. Either way, I’m glad you’re here because this blog is about something we all crave: realness.
Let me start with a confession: I’ve had success in affiliate and online marketing before. Over the years, I’ve built campaigns that made money, learned strategies that worked (and some that didn’t), and even had moments where I thought I’d “figured it all out.” But life has a funny way of humbling us. Things shifted—whether it was burnout, distractions, or just life happening—and here I am, starting over.
But here’s the thing: starting over doesn’t mean failure. It means growth.
This time around, I’m doing things differently. I want to document my journey each week—not just the wins but the struggles too. Because let’s face it: online marketing isn’t all sunshine and passive income dreams. It takes work, patience, and a willingness to adapt. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my past success (and failures), it’s this: honesty builds trust—and trust builds success.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in marketing is that people don’t connect with perfection; they connect with authenticity. That’s why this blog isn’t going to be a highlight reel of “look how much money I made!” Instead, it’s going to be a raw, unfiltered look at what it really takes to build an affiliate marketing business from the ground up—again.
I’ll share what’s working for me (so you can try it too), what’s not working (so you can avoid the same mistakes), and everything in between. Whether it’s testing new AI tools for campaign creation, experimenting with social media strategies, or finding ways to stand out in competitive niches, you’ll get the full picture here.
Starting over can feel intimidating—I get that. But it can also be liberating because it gives you a chance to take everything you’ve learned and apply it with fresh eyes. For me, this isn’t just about making money (though let’s be real—that’s a big motivator). It’s about proving to myself—and to anyone reading this—that success isn’t about where you start; it’s about staying in the game.
Online marketing has changed a lot since I first got into it six years ago. AI tools are revolutionizing how we create content and run campaigns. Social media platforms are evolving faster than ever. And consumer behavior? It’s constantly shifting. But one thing hasn’t changed: the principles of persuasion—the very principles outlined in Drew Eric Whitman’s Cashvertising.
Here are three Cashvertising principles I’ll be keeping front and center as I rebuild my business:
-
– Whether it’s curiosity, fear of missing out (FOMO), or the desire for freedom, tapping into emotions is key to driving action.
-
– It’s not about what a product does; it’s about how it makes someone feel or improves their life.
-
– Simple, direct messaging always wins over trying to sound “fancy.”
These principles aren’t just for selling products—they’re also how I want to approach this blog: emotional, benefit-driven, and clear.
Here’s what you’ll find as we go on this journey together:
-
: What I’m working on each day—campaigns, tools I’m testing (hello AI!), and strategies I’m refining.
-
: Honest reflections on what works and what doesn’t in today’s affiliate marketing landscape.
-
: Practical advice you can use to grow your own affiliate business.
-
: Real numbers, real results—no fluff or fake screenshots.
My goal is simple: to inspire and empower you by sharing my journey as authentically as possible. Whether you’re just starting out or restarting like me, I want this blog to be a resource that helps you move forward.
At its core, online marketing isn’t just about making money—it’s about freedom. Freedom to work on your own terms. Freedom to spend more time doing what you love (for me, that’s hiking with my wife and capturing wildlife through photography). And freedom to create a life that feels meaningful.
But here’s the truth most gurus won’t tell you: freedom doesn’t come easy—it comes from consistency and learning from your mistakes. That’s why I’m here—to show you that success is possible when you stay committed and keep learning.
So if you’re ready to join me on this journey—to learn from my experiences (and maybe even laugh at my mistakes)—stick around! Together, we’ll navigate the ups and downs of affiliate marketing and create something amazing.
I’d love to hear from you! What brought you here? Are you just starting out in affiliate/online marketing or looking for ways to level up? Drop a comment below or reach out—I’m always happy to connect with fellow marketers who are hungry for growth and help out where I can.
Here’s to starting over—and building something even better this time around.
