Affiliate marketing is the most lied about business opportunity on the internet.
If you’ve seen the ads and hype, you may have ended up here trying to get an honest answer about whether it’s a good choice for you.
If your mind is already made up, this article doesn’t really matter.
You will either do it despite the drawbacks, because you are ok with them or you have a fantasy about what it’s going to be like.
If you are looking for a reason to tell yourself why it won’t work for you, then I’m giving you everything you need today.
For everyone else, this may prove insightful and get you off the fence one way or the other.
I am an affiliate marketer.
I have experienced success and failure in this business.
I believe affiliate marketing is still the easiest and simplest way for a beginner to make an incredible income online.
I believe anyone can do affiliate marketing, not everyone should.
And there are some things you should know, so your eyes are wide open walking into it.
Affiliate Marketing Defined:
Just real quick, affiliate marketing is getting paid to sell someone else’s product.
You become the advertiser for a product or service.
This saves the company from paying for advertising and they compensate you for the effort.
There are products and services to sell in any niche, and you can build a massive and profitable business doing this.
If you want more details on how this all works, I have several other posts explaining it.
Let’s get into the drawbacks.
1. It Takes a Lot of Time and Effort
First off, affiliate marketing is not a get-rich-quick scheme.
It takes a lot of time and hard work.
You need to create content, like blog posts or videos, and that can take hours or even days.
I actually recommend paid ads to start.
You can get your tracking dialed in easier, and any good course should be telling you how to do that.
You have to keep learning about new products and strategies.
If you’re looking for something easy, this might not be it.
Easy is relative.
What is easy to one person could be difficult to someone else.
You will have to become good at skills that get you paid.
The time that takes will depend on where you are now and how fast you can learn those skills.
2. You Need to Be Really Patient
Success in affiliate marketing doesn’t happen overnight.
It can take months, or even years, to start making good money.
You might feel like you’re working hard but not seeing results fast enough.
If you’re someone who likes quick wins, this could be frustrating.
I recommend giving yourself at least 2 years.
If you are not willing to make that kind of commitment to build a business, I think you are better off walking away.
3. Money Can Be Uncertain
With affiliate marketing, your income can go up and down.
Some months you might make a lot, other months, not so much.
This can be stressful, especially if you need a steady income.
If you have bills to pay and you need to know exactly how much money you’ll have each month, this unpredictability can be scary.
Keep your job or get a job.
You will want that stability in order to remove some of the stress until your business is providing that.
4. You Have to Depend on Other Companies
When you’re an affiliate marketer, you’re promoting other companies’ products.
This means you have less control.
Sometimes companies change their products, their prices, or even their affiliate program rules.
These changes can affect your earnings, and there’s not much you can do about it.
This is true in any business, but I’ve seen people fall apart over stuff like this.
5. There’s a Lot of Competition
A lot of people are doing affiliate marketing.
This means you have to compete with them to get noticed.
You need to be really good at standing out, and that’s not easy.
If you don’t like the idea of constantly trying to be better than others, this could be a turn-off.
6. It Can Be Lonely
Affiliate marketing is usually a solo job.
You spend a lot of time working by yourself, usually on a computer.
If you love being around people and working with a team, you might find this lonely.
7. You Need to Keep Learning
The world of affiliate marketing is always changing.
You need to keep learning about new trends, tools, and strategies.
This can be exciting but also overwhelming.
If you’re not someone who enjoys constantly learning new things, this could be a downside.
8. It’s Not Just About Making Money
Many people get into affiliate marketing to make money.
But to be really successful, you need to care about your audience and the products you’re promoting.
If your heart isn’t in it, people can tell.
And if you’re just in it for the money, it might not be as fulfilling as you hope.
Conclusion
So, there you have it.
Affiliate marketing can be a great opportunity for some, but it’s not for everyone.
It’s important to think about these things before you start.
If you’re up for the challenge and the points I mentioned don’t bother you, great!
But if you have doubts, it’s okay to consider other paths.
Remember, the best choice is the one that fits you and your lifestyle.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
Remember, it’s all about finding what works best for you.
If you liked this article, be sure to check these out:
Money Mindset Makeover: Affirmations for Financial Abundance
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