Hello, all. I am nineteen, I have held a few "real" jobs, but I recently moved from my aunt's to my grandparent's. Not a fun story, but the move was necessary, but now I don't have a job. The way the economy is right now, I probably won't have a "real" job for a while. So between filling out dozens of applications, I thought I'd see if I can't make money online. I filled offers a year ago thinking I'd get rich, but I didn't even break even. I am now a ChaCha guide, but that doesn't pay too well. I am planning on ChaCha-ing paying for affiliate marketing, and making my money from that. I have done much research, but I know diddly. This is obvious, because I lost $60(Using AdWords/Commission Junction). This is proven further because I have a difficult time understanding what you more advanced affiliate marketers say to each other. I found a small study guide online that provided me with the basic lingo: ROI, CPM, etc.. But it is clear to me that I am lacking in understanding the theory of actually making money. I downloaded a bunch of those scams (Rich Jerk, countless things with "AdSense," "Rich," and "Secrets," in their titles), thankfully I was smart enough to not pay for them, because they're all junk. Studying these and other forums I have still come up with little, albeit more than the scams I illegally downloaded. From what I have read, reading these forums is the best way to get started. I've tried. I've read several forums (Commission Junction, the one I'm posting in, and the AdWords) back past 30 pages. It's mostly hi-fiving people who did well and instruction on specific techniques I would not be able to implement as a beginner because I don't understand the basics yet. Whenever there's a beginner asking a question, the replies are, "Read the forum." Lookit, I've read the forum, quite a bit. I have some real time lurking around these parts, and my notebook has several pages filled, but it's obviously not enough. Does anyone know of a good topic/web site/resource for beginners? I am really struggling here. I will be very appreciative for any genuine help. All the best, Ricky
You can find all the information you need to start here on DP. Just use common sense - if someone is posting a guide to make fast easy money, then it is likely a scam. Making money online takes time - you really need to give it at least a year before you should even hope to making "job wages". It is not a get rich quick endeavor. You should build a site about something you really enjoy, and then strive to make it one of the top sites in that niche. A great site is much easier to promote than some quick made for adsense site thrown up in a couple of days. It's probably not what you want to hear, but you might need to get a traditional job while you learn and build your site if you need immediate revenue.
I thank both of you for your honest help. (I got your PM, crystalq.) mjewel, you mention having a site, but not using AdWords to link users to affiliate links. Is that not as profitable as running a niche site? Although I lost $60, I showed my aunt what little I know, and she profited several hundred dollars. She thought that her job payed her better and was more enjoyable, so she no longer does affiliate marketing, but I know that the strategy is capable of producing profit. All the best, Ricky
There are certainly a lot of people who make money via affiliate marketing, but as you have learned, there is a big learning curve and most people who start do so at a loss. With the adwords quality score, it is even harder now than it was in the past. It's certainly possible to be successful, but there is a reason the people with affiliate programs don't just do their own in-house adwords programs.
Shoot me a pm i can help you with some basics. Im still trying out new networks but as far as affiliate marketing goes i know quite a bit.
Mjewel, I did not know that. I'll probably dabble in it a little bit, but I guess I won't take it really seriously as a source of income for a while. Wildcat, Personal Message underway. If any others felt impressed to help me out some, I would not take offense. =D