David Fiske Affiliate Marketing & Web Development

Being an affiliate can at times be lonely, repetitive and a little uninspiring. I reckon everyone at some stage doubts whether this is really for them, not just in affiliate marketing but in life. Sometimes it's easy to question whether there really is a future in what you are doing.

Here's 5 things that are important for me as a sole-affiliate in order to keep spirits high!
 
1) Keep Learning

If you stop learning you no longer have a thirst for knowledge. It could be as simple as subscribing to an affiliate marketing RSS feed, or subscribing to a range of Twitter users who touch upon affiliate marketing. I read blog posts and listen to podcasts where possible.

I learn all sorts each day as I listen to what a lot of people have to say. Not all of it is useful or relevant but some is, and that's the point.

You can also learn from your own efforts. Unfortunately the best way to learn is to get it wrong. It can be hard to admit that something you have invested a lot of time or effort into just isn't working but long term it could be the best decision you ever make.

2) Mix It Up

If you do one thing day-in, day-out, you'll find you'll quickly get bored. It's the same reason a lot of people leave their jobs. Boredom sets in and the challenge no longer exists.

Make different challenges for yourself. Learn how to make a coding change or spend a day link building and the next content writing. Doing the same thing over and over can eventually be counter-productive.

It could also be that you spend different days managing different websites.

3) Make Friends

Friends can come in all shapes and sizes. Some could be regular blog readers who you email on a regular basis. It could be people you have done favours for (or vice versa). It could even be network executives or account managers. Whilst they are all virtual friends (so to speak), they are people you can have a chat with and can build up a rapport with.

Expo's are often raved about as a great networking event and Twitter admittedly makes it easier to chat to people you never used to before its existence.

4) Money Is Important...

In the words of Travie McCoy, I want to be a billionaire. If I wanted to I could put everything I have into making something a success very quickly. That would be brilliant but I could fall flat on my face.

Instead, I have had to accept that things will take time and patience. Okay I don't have the money I dream of (making an iPad more of a dream) but I have a good quality of life with a wonderful wife and great friends.

I certainly get jealous and envious both of other affiliates as well as Clickbank-type online marketers who have luxury houses, great cars and everything money truly cannot buy. It's easy to get bogged down in a "I haven't got that" frame of mind rather than a "I could have that" perspective.

It just takes a lot of time and patience (or money) - and a lot of work!

5) Walk Away

Okay, perhaps more dramatic than it ought to be but you need to take a break every now and then. Affiliate marketing can eat as much time as you are willing to feed it. Sometimes you need to limit yourself.

It's all about finding a work life balance. Perhaps it's limiting yourself to how much time you can spend on your websites at night or perhaps it's about taking a weekend, full week or two weeks off. Just remember paid employment elsewhere (usually) brings 4 weeks of holidays.