Best Way to Learn AF

[NoHypeType]

Thank you! I'm sorry though...I meant I'm ready to start building my own website. I was wondering if you all had suggestions on where/how I should start that. I was thinking about possibly using Wordpress, and then Namecheap for a domain name.

[Laura B]

WordPress is a good choice. There will be a bit of a learning curve involved but that's the case with pretty much anything. Namecheap is fine for domain names. I would make sure to choose a reputable hosting company that is recommended by other affiliate marketers, though, and don't go with hosting at the same place where you get your domain.

But with that said...there are some very important things you should do before any of that, namely, keyword research. Without defining your niche, target audience, and keywords, it's like shooting in the dark.

I think one of the reasons the failure rate for new Internet marketers is so high is that they go about things in the wrong order, not realizing that there is a general sequence of steps that will greatly increase your chance of success. Buying a domain name and hosting are actually several steps into that process, not at the beginning.

Do you have a niche subject in mind for your first site? You don't have to tell us if you'd rather keep it private, but do you have a plan in that regard?

[NoHypeType]

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me this info!! I know I must be the annoying new girl. I will definitely pay it forward once I get a grasp on this.

I do have a niche and target audience in mind. I actually already have a blog that I've been writing as a hobby for a couple of years, and I'm considering, sort of, rewriting the blog post-by-post, in a new format.

I already have a lot of the main content to get me started. I just need to optimize it for traffic and sales. I never cared about traffic and sales before. I was just writing the blog because I liked it.

Go figure. When I started researching my niche, I was basically planning out to do what I had already done for fun. Red flag?

Keywords though...great advice because I still have a lot of learning to do in that regard, and every other. I just figured I have to start somewhere...

[Laura B]

Hey, if you've been writing about your niche for fun, that gives you a great headstart! Is it a free one like Blogger or Wordpress.com?

[vrodpen]

Definitely join the Warrior Forum. Also, start out with a free blog. Blogger works great and there are tons of really professional looking themes out there. The key with blogging for profit is to generate a following first. So, hold off on selling until after your first few posts.

Don't buy any ebooks or courses right now. Play around and take the most out of the free info out there possible. You may decide that affiliate marketing is not for you. It DOES take time and hard work. Don't believe the hype!

[Laura B]

Not sure I entirely agree with all your suggestions, vrodpen, but most are right on. I would just add that if NoHypeType does go the free blogging platform route, she should make sure it allows advertising. WordPress.com does not, for example. I would actually recommend the self-hosted WordPress.org route myself, but it's not like a rule or anything.

As far as free info goes, it's true, everything you need to know is available free, but be very careful. Much, if not most, of the information floating around out there is either inaccurate, misleading, or just plain wrong. Verify, verify, verify.