Thanks so much for taking the time to learn more about me. As I get older, I’m involved in the same pursuit: learning more about myself.

First, I should let you know who I’m not:

– I’m not an affiliate or Internet marketing guru who has the Midas touch and knows all the answers.
– I’m not someone who only cares about myself, ignoring others’ questions or concerns.
– I’m not a person who will sell his soul to make a sale.
– I’m not an individual who is overly confident, poised under pressure, and articulate at all times.
– I’m not someone who is stoic, at ease with accepting life’s defeats.
– I’m not someone who welcomes challenges with equanimity and positive expectation.
– I’m not someone who likes to be in command, trying to dictate others’ actions.
– I’m not someone who ultimately accepts that life is unfair.
– I’m not a business titan who experiences more success than failure.
– I’m not someone who just gives up in the face of adversity.

Looking at the above list, I see certain characteristics and tendencies that are not conducive towards fostering success. Moreover, I’ve been brainwashed to believe that ‘Nice guys finish last,” and I’ve always considered myself a nice guy.

But while I’m not a savvy, manipulative, and clever entrepreneur who uses a myriad of sales psychology tricks, the last self-reflective point (i.e., my refusal to wave the white flag of surrender) can ultimately propel me to victory.

Even now, I’m seeing battles won. As time progresses, I’m getting more ‘Ah-ha” moments, and its those epiphanies that have motivated me to launch this site.

Damned the Torpedoes – It’s About Taking Massive Action

Since 2007, I’ve wanted to become an affiliate marketer. I embraced the idea of working for myself, carving out my own niche, developing my own community, and making sales during waking and sleeping hours.

In that year, I interviewed Shawn Collins – a marketer, at the time, who had already made great inroads as an affiliate. (Later, Shawn would organize those famous affiliate summits.) Here is that interview link.

But while I so desperately wanted to follow in Shawn’s footsteps, I did not believe in myself enough to pursue this dream. For years, I hovered and stood on the affiliate marketing sidelines, almost afraid to take action.

On a conscious or subconscious level, I thought that I could still dream about affiliate marketing success, using the rationale that I’ve not attained any milestones in the field because of simple inaction. But if I tried to succeed as an affiliate, and failed, then the dream would be dashed.

Of course, this makes no logical sense but when one is imbued with emotions, analytical decision-making goes by the wayside.

Sheepishly, I have to admit that it took 7 years before I earnestly launched my affiliate marketing career. (This must be some Guinness World’s record!)

Lesson – Please don’t let your marketing dream remain a dream. Whether or not you figure out the missing marketing pieces, you’ll take solace in the fact that you had the courage to take action, and go after your dream. Here, the process is just as important as the outcome.

My 2014 New Year’s resolution has been fulfilled. I finally took those steps in pursuit of securing online revenue.

The affiliate marketing waters are turbulent, and there are lots of sharks here, but that doesn’t mean that you or I can’t swim blissfully towards the affiliate promised land.

Listen to What Others Say but Follow Your Heart

I’m not suggesting you quit your day job as you learn about marketing, and start implementing the techniques and strategies you acquire. I’m still working part-time where the money serves as a safety net. (If you’re presently unemployed, you may also feel less pressure with at least part-time employment.)

But I am suggesting you filter out the noise from others, if applicable – voices that may be telling you that you can’t accomplish your online goals.

Most of my family scoffs at the very idea that cyberspace can serve as a money-making platform. Relatives have tried to “talk sense into me,” letting me know that I’m misguided, and that with my potential, I should be doing ‘real work.’ They don’t see entrepreneurship as a ‘career choice,’ and even more importantly, a ‘life choice.’

Despite the swirling negativity about my online campaigns and ventures, I’m not going to relinquish my passion and drive. I previously mentioned that I’m not one to give up regardless of adversity so please cling to your dream with that sense of purpose and conviction.

Persevere, Adapt, and Look for that Right Path

Hopefully, like present-day me, you’ve made the decision to pursue this type of marketing. Nothing will get in your way and no one will thwart your determination, including yourself.

But know that this field has its ups and downs. The water ebbs and flows and you have to ride it out.

I’m even trying to embrace a different perspective. Instead of seeing some of my work as a complete failure, I’m reexamining my endeavors, extracting what does not work. I’m taking a cue from Edison who declared that his failures were just learning moments. This is my recommendation to you.

Once you take action, ensure that a sufficient amount of time has passed before determining whether or not the given campaign was successful. Sometimes, we give up on a project right before payday hits. Other times, we hold on to a method too long, instead of abandoning it, and using the time more productively and profitably by implementing a different strategy.

This is part of an entrepreneur’s set of tasks: deciding what to pursue, when to abandon it, or even when to engage in a type of rinse and repeat.

You’ll continue to refine and modify your efforts, and soon you’ll be witnessing your own victories. The ocean rumbles at times, and the waves can get high, but like a skilled surfer, you’ll eventually find a way to ride between them.

Know Your Why?

It’s so important to understand the reason why you’re pursuing affiliate or Internet marketing. Why? When times get tough, remind yourself of the core reason(s) this field beckons to you. This will help to reignite your zeal for this career/life choice even during difficult times.

Aside from the fact that I don’t want to work for anyone but myself, my why relates to my two wonderful children.

I’m always telling my older son, Matt, to go after what he wants with the firm, unequivocal belief that he can accomplish anything that he sets his mind to. Dad has to be congruent, and model that same assertion.

My younger son, Scott, is on the autism spectrum and he continues to progress, going way past milestones set by several neurodevelopmental specialists we’ve seen. (One even said that Scott would never learn to talk. I’m writing this ‘Who am I?’ section as Scott is speaking to me! Like Scott, I’m going to do my best with my God-given talents and limitations, and advance despite the naysayers.

Finally, Go Past Your Comfort Zone

You can often find success just past your comfort zone. (Others may be lucky enough to find it within their comfort zones.)

For me, that means getting in front of a camera and interviewing product creators. By nature, I’m shy and rather introverted, at ease in the background than at center stage.

But if I’m going to establish a relationship with you, I can’t really earn your trust if you barely know what I look like, what I’m about, and what I believe is important.

So even though I’m 52 years old and despite the fact that I prefer to ‘blend in the background,’ I’m going to hangout with product creators and other types of entrepreneurs, asking them 7+ pivotal questions. (This reflects the derivation of the website, the ‘7 Questions Guy.’)

Despite the almost predictable flubs and errors I will make, I’m proud to muster the courage and strength to transcend past my self-imposed limitations.

And then I remind myself, that these interviews are not about me. They’re about my guest … and about you. Indeed, I’m hoping that the interviews and the subsequent write-ups will enable you to become more educated consumers.

I would love and appreciate learning more about you. You can always reach me by using the Contact Form on this page, or by sending an email to: andy@7questionsguy.com.

Thanks so much for taking the time to get to know me and become acquainted with my background and ideas.

All My Best,
Andy

P.S. PLEASE leave your comments below. I would be so grateful to connect with you!