Q: I was wondering how old you were when you started in affiliate marketing? I am currently 16 and I have been pursuing affiliate marketing for over a year now. I started a blog with a focus on selling computer protection software, but I haven’t been successful and it is getting a bit frustrating. I’ve decided to explore some other options and I am launching a new site soon. Any tips?
A: First of all, don’t be discouraged. When I was 16 (I’m going on 38 now), there was no Internet available to me. I didn’t get started in affiliate marketing until I was 27.
Back when I was 16, I had just had a job as a dishwasher at Friendly’s and I left there for the prestigious position of lottery ticket seller at a drugstore for $3.35 an hour.
I realize the commissions may seem low right now, but if you apply more time and resources to it, you will see the numbers rise.
The trick is to focus on a topic you really care about and combine that with some unique value proposition.
It’s not easy, and the growth of a site can come slow, but if you stay with it, you will see that it does happen.
Whenever you get down about your earnings, take solace in the fact that it most definitely beats standing in some store at the mall and earning minimum wage.
Believe me, I did plenty of those minimum wage deals where you’re on your feet all day. I put some time in during the Christmas season at a KB toy store, worked as a movie theater usher (somebody actually changed their baby in the movie theater and left a dirty diaper on the floor – jerks!), and I had a job at a Sam Goody record store (I’m still haunted by that summer when they played the Dirty Dancing soundtrack over and over).
Anyhow, you have a fantastic opportunity in front of you. You just need to apply yourself more.