Well, it is safe to say that this week has been different. It might be my first week where Affiliate Marketing has slapped me in the face with a wet fish and laughed. This week has been challenging and there were thoughts of “I honestly can’t do this.”
My mentor, Dean Holland, often speaks about your WHY? Why are you doing this? What is going to keep you motivated until the end? I often wondered why does he keep mentioning it? Now I know WHY!
I started this week full of sunshine and rainbows with a plan of action following my last blog post. I targeted myself with:
- To get feedback from past blog posts to make sure I was on the right path.
- Set up social media accounts and post on them.
- Tell family and friends about my affiliate marketing journey.
I am happy to share I have completed all three this week, but they do come with life lessons.
I reached out to one of the mentors and asked for hints and tips to improve my blog posts. This sounds very simple, but for me this is a huge achievement. I have been raised to be very independent and I have managed to get to 36 years old with problem solving, researching, and finding the answer myself. The thought of reaching out was really daunting. What makes it worse, the feedback I got back was let’s say – To the point…. Cough, cough! It was clear and there were no hints of positivity or praise.
I found this hard, and it put me off asking for help for 24 hours until I dusted myself off and straightened my crown.
Most aspects made sense and I will work on my blog this week, meaning next week’s blog posts will look better than ever. I respect what was said and will take his advice onboard. The main points if anyone would like some tips…
- Keep it simple.
- Link back to previous posts as much as you can, even the “About you page” if appropriate
- Add a contact form in the “Contact me” page to make it easier for the followers.
The other parts were more personal to my page but if you would like to know more, then please just ask in the comments section below and I’d love to help and support you.
It took me around 24 hours to swallow the feedback, but then I remembered who I was, and why I wanted to start blogging in the first place. I blog because I enjoy it, I find it fun, I like helping people. I want to show any full-time working mums out there, that we CAN do it. I want to show that with a bit of support we somehow do find the time, even when everyone has gone to bed, checking our accounts while the pasta is cooking, any “spare” minute isn’t wasted and sacrificing some ME time short term and hoping that it will pay off in the long term.
My drive for doing this, isn’t popularity, not money, not externals and it is my passion that will see me through, and it will.
I will be working on my blog and completing the tasks set throughout the week and I will let you know how I get on.
I did set up my social media accounts- if you can, I’d love you to follow me. I am trying to post something every day, but this is something that I do need to improve on.
Instagram- If_nothing_changes
TikTok- @smartieg3
Pintrest- Smartie G
I need to figure out attaching these to my blog, when I know, I’ll let you know!
Facebook is a working progress- and will share the account on my next blog post but If I get it to work, it will be attached to my blog too!
Please feel free to search for me and contact me, it would be lovely to hear from you!
I did speak to my family about my blog. This may seem strange that this was a target for myself this week. If you don’t know already, I work for my family business that has been passed down through the generations. Stating what I am doing and possibly not carrying on the business was a hard task. I spoke to my brother today and he was just THE best. He was really understanding, and we came up with a plan of talking to the rest of the family. It is quite a large company so staff seeing the blogs would cause a little stir. I am glad I spoke, I do feel better, but I’m glad I’ve been open about how much I love to blog.
All 3 tasks that I set myself were challenges for me, they were all challenging in their own way, but I do feel proud of what I’ve achieved this week.
If you are starting out as an affiliate marketer, PLEASE
-Don’t forget your WHY
-Don’t give up
-Don’t shy away from asking for help
-Don’t give up on your dreams because someone doesn’t get your style and vision
-Don’t worry about people judging you
-Don’t let the buggers grind you down
And remember- No matter how slow your progress, you’re still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.
If you are new at blogging, please let me know how you’re getting on. I’d love to hear about your journey too!
Before my next blog post. I will have…
- Improved my blog following advice.
- Posted daily on social media.
- Completed the assigned tasks by my mentor. ( I am behind by 2 weeks- wish me luck!)
I am trying to make small changes in my life to live the best possible life while I have a heartbeat. If you want to make changes to- I will help you. Let’s take on this together.
If nothing changes, nothing changes.
Smartie G x
Sarah, Great post and I loved the read as its like looking into a mirror. I have been (and sometimes still…🙄) very independent… At least that’s what they have told me, of couse, I didn’t ask for their opinion…LOL
I was raised to figure things out on my own, not as a forced issue, but more as a “If noboby is around to help” circumstance (if that makes any sense) One thing that I have learned through Internet Profits, and continue to learn from them on a daily basis, is that they are there to help mentor and coach. Like you expressed, sometimes what they have to tell you is hard to swallow at times. As Independant people, it is hard not to take their Constructive Critisim as a personal jab, when in truth, they truly are helping us to be the best we can be. Keep up the Great work!
That makes perfect sense, I can completely relate to that. I’m so lucky to have a mentor, and of they didn’t care I’m sure they would have told me it was amazing and watch me fail! Onwards and upwards
Hi Sarah, First let me say I LOVE your blog,
Asking for help can be painful I know, and asking not just for help but for criticism is very difficult, particularly if it is something like this where you have clearly poured your heart and soul into it. I am guessing though, whilst it might have been nice for then to say everything is 100 hunky dory, you value honest feedback more meaningless pleasantries’.
It will be interesting for me to see what this blog looks like next time as you implement the action points from the feedback.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you Tony. It was painful, but it wouldn’t be called growing pains if it didn’t. Would love your opinion on the new blog, wish me luck! ha ha
Love it, SmartieG! I applaud the way to came back to your stable place, the place you were getting your guidance and direction from, which helped you to come to a stable place yourself despite the whirlwind of emotions that must have been tossing you about.
I look forward to seeing how your journey progresses forward!
Thank you! Onwards and upwards. They are called growing pains for a reason I suppose.
Great post!
So awesome how transparent you are in dealing with difficult situations and feedback. That why is so important, I’ve had to revisit it many times to keep me going. Dealing with family can easily be complex, especially in family business, I commend you for pushing through and being brave! Look forward to your next posts!
Denny
I believe that the most important reason so many never succeed online is becasue they give up.
And I also believe that the most important reasons for that, like you say, is that people don’t have a clear enough why, and also that they come at it with the wrong expectations.
And I agree with the coaching advice, keep it simple! That’s one of my main issues that has kept me from moving forward many times. I haven’t felt I could take action if I couldn’t do something if not perfectly so at least very good.
These days I tell myself that imperfect action beats perfect inaction every time 🙂
I couldn’t say it better myself. You’ve hit the nail on the head there, it’s better to be imperfect, that way we learn more and can help more!
Smartie G, I’m a new affiliate marketer myself and I found a lot of comfort and motivation in your post, so thank you for sharing. This journey has been a little daunting so it’s comforting when you can read that others are going through what you yourself are going through. Looking forward to reading future posts!
Thank you so much for your comment. Welcome to the journey! If I can help with anything, please just reach out. We all need a friend on this, teamwork is key
Smartie,
Big applause for your transparency! It takes courage to ask for help, and I appreciate your openness. I’m confident that your posts will only get better with time. Kudos for branching out to other social media platforms! Best of luck with all your future postings—I’m excited to follow along and witness your progress!
Sherri.
Thank you so much for commenting. We have to take the good with the bad, even if the bad is painful.
I love the fact that you were able to take constructive feedback and not allow your ego to get in the way. It shows your humility. Not many people are able to do that. It also shows that you have good mentors that care about your growth.
Thank you, I have brilliant mentors. I’m really lucky to have them, I just need to get better at not taking it so personally! Growing pains hurt.
The challenges we face can serve to destry us or make us stronger. Which they become is purely a matter of our choice. I am blessed with a stubborn streak that if I am told I can’t – then I must!
I found that this was also a quote by Tony Robbins so he also must havce that same stubborn streak – let it be your asset.
God bless.
Thank you Graham. I believe I had the same streak when I was a teenager. My parents said it’s what got me my good grades! ha ha
Sarah, thank you, great post. I’d be really interested to hear what your family and friends said about you starting the affiliate marketing journey. Did they understand it, was a positive or negative or did they think it was a scam? I would be very interested in what the coaches said about your blog as I don’t have access to the daily ask me calls at the moment. I’ve also started to follow you on TikTok. good job. Regarding Pinterest I searched for your name but it wouldn’t come up. Happy to follow if you provide a link maybe? Nice to see that you’re in the UK as well I’m in London. Great post I look forward to the next one. Thanks, Atif
I like the phrase, “Chin up, Princess, or the crown slips.” I hope that makes you smile. Your blog is fantastic. Why do I say that? Because I sincerely look forward to reading it! You’ll improve your technique and learn how to use your blog to make money as you go along, but the essentials you’ve got down. Your posts are genuine and very relatable. This is what keeps me coming back 🙂 I look forward to cheering you on!
Great post Sarah!
I love how you bring out and, without an ego, lay it all out for us to read.
As a retired Army Officer (and the son of a career Army Sergeant), I can assure you that I was also raised to find solutions by myself. But sometimes, asking for help is not only the best thing you could do – it’s the only thing to do!
Wishing you all the best and looking forward to reading your continued success!
Thank you SmartieG,
it was a brave move to speak with your family about your blog. I still haven’t done that 🙂
Looking forward to seeing the improvements you are going to make, although I find your blog very interesting already.
What is the reason behind linking as much as possible? Is this for SEO purposes?
And thank you for the reminder, I have to update my contact page too.
Tom
Hi Sarah,
I love your images and your post on the topic of knowing your ‘why’. I have been grappling with this for a while and am slowly fleshing out what that looks like. I’ve wanted to blog for years though I made excuses not to. Like you, I discovered that I love blogging and am very happy that I have finally started. Best of luck. I look forward to reading more.
Sarah,
You have already overcome some major obstacles! Cudos to you! Dealing with family can sometimes be difficult, especially when you aren’t doing what they expect of you. You must be true to yourself though, and never give up on your dreams! And, yes, teamwork makes the dream work! We can accomplish so much more together!
Kelli
It sounds like you really surmounted some personal blocks this past week. That’s a huge accomplishment! Well done! It’s not easy to reach out and ask for help and then to gracefully accept the advice despite the pain it caused you that’s no small accomplishment. You definitely have a great attitude with a clear willingness to learn. As for facing your family…that took a lot of courage so I’m glad your brother was so good about it. I hope it goes as well with the rest of the family! Great advice in your blog that will be helpful to revisit my WHY and not to lose site of it. Very friendly and inviting blog to connect with you…very nice! You are off to a really great start. I look forward to seeing your journey as we seem to be at the same point in our start into this world. Have an amazing week!
Oh Princess! I’m glad you got your crown straightened up lol.
I read with interest the tips you received on your blog and it all makes sense. I’d have to go back to your prior post to see what created all the fuss – but I tell you – your passion shines through and as you say and as I believe – it will carry YOU through.
Most folks would tell me WHAT to do as an affiliate marketer. It was a nice twist to see a list of WHAT NOT to do – especially not letting “the buggers grind you down”! lol
So you want to know a bit about my journey, do ya? I’ll tell you – you’ve inpspired me to add the odd link to some music in some of my posts going forward. I found it especially enjoyable reading your last blog post while listening to some tunes.
Sarah
Sometimes, it is difficult to hear the true but if it’s given caringly and constructive criticism it helps us grow. I know of another internet marketing that did something similar. He reached out to a fellow blogger and ask for his option on his blog. The gentleman we very honest, even though it is hard to hear.
You and the other person have inspired me to see out some constructive criticism for my blog.
I would love to hear what they had to say about your blog. It would be great to lean from it.
The say is iron sharpens iron.
CJ
Thank you so much for the comment. It was really helpful (once I calmed down!) I found it hard listening to so much criticism without it being a conversation as it was recorded. The main points were keep it simple, add more photos of myself so readers can put a face to the blog which is difficult in my situation currently. and make it easier for readers to contact me. I hope that helps!