Ok Ok
So this Wealthy Affiliate thing is a certain program for a certain type. I’m trying to be fair on this blog, and I’ve had some glimmers of hope here and here. But I’m getting towards the end of my journey and realizing the game they’ve created here.
Certain Type
The demographic they aim for are those “MLM” types. You know what I mean too. They want to try to create an income on the side. They say things like “If I could make $500 extra a month that would be great!” The work can’t be real work most of the time. They don’t sell a product, they have “parties”. They invite you to meet up and don’t tell you why or what it’s about, the next thing you know you have strangers in your face asking you what you think. It’s a slippery slope, and it’s been going on for forever.
Cut Through the BS
Until now it seems this type of person that would usually spend $500 to join a physical product business. They are recruited in person though, I think that’s a huge difference maker for the hype machine to work it’s magic at that entry price point ($500). Online though, with Facebook being as popular as it’s gotten, I feel like Wealthy Affiliate positioned themselves to plug that gap. Now, those MLM types are able to get into an online business, no recruitment meeting, and because of this a lower monthly price point. Most people will shell out the $19 to get started on premium after the 7 day trial.
They use the free trial and discounted first month to get you into the online community. And it’s there that the brainwashing ensues. They have an entire community of people who are just like you; Hopeful, slightly invested, and skeptical. This is blind leading the blind, everyone is drinking the Kool-Aid and it’s kind of sad really. They create this shell and only do what Wealthy Affiliate (i.e. the program they paid for) says to do. You take courses that are designed for you to interact within the community, blog within the community (this doesn’t get you paid by the way), and establish friendships and connections that have nothing to do with earning a commission and everything to do with playing on the human need to belong.
The Best Way to Learn
First of all, I’m not here to sell you on SEO Affiliate Domination. It’s not for everyone, but it will teach you a skill rather than a hobbyist’s level of understanding. So check out my other posts on this site and see for yourself, come to your own conclusion on which program works. In this online landscape it’s no different than finding a great University to study at. If you’re going it alone, be prepared to do a ton of work researching. If you’re open to taking a course that teaches an actual skill and gives you your money back once you succeed, then SEO AD could be for you. It’s actually amazing to me that my introduction to this whole affiliate marketing thing was through a difficult route of actually learning the mechanics of how to test and target keywords. There’s no where in the course that says I should just write 1000 word articles without any true idea of whether or not my keyword or offer actually work.