Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.
What are the most common pitfalls affiliates fall into while trying to make money online? How can they learn to master the path to success?
Since we’ve been around for almost a decade as a CPA network, we’ve witnessed the highs and lows of affiliate marketing.
This is not meant as a mockery. Rather, we invite you to take some time to ponder over which way the scales tip in your case.
Here Are Your 7 Affiliate Sins
Gluttony
You bite off more than you can chew. This is reflected by your inability for restraint. Instead of being focused, your efforts are spread thin. You chain projects like there’s no tomorrow. Only problem, you never finish them.
Sloth
You have great ideas. You’re talented. Yet, you do not take action. You often wonder why it’s so difficult to make money online; however, you're never up-to-date with the latest current trends and you hardly ever do anything to change that. You tend to take the easy path — efforts are for others. Procrastination is your way of life.
Lust
You’re passionate and have an intense desire to succeed and crush the competition. Lust is to give way to your envy (which, funny enough, is just a couple spots down on our list).
Anyway, let’s first consider the following definition of lust:
"Lust...pretends sex and sexual pleasure are a party for one. Lust makes sexual pleasure all about me. It is a self-gratification project. This feature of lust more than any other puts it in opposition to well-ordered sexual enjoyment. In lust, sexual pleasure is divorced from mutual self-giving...I want my pleasure, says the lustful one, and I want it now."
(Source: Glittering Vices, p. 164)
In other words, lust is desire in excess — but it's shortsighted to your own goals and your own success.
Pride
Me, myself & I — you can be so full of yourself at times! You tend to forget that success is a relationship between many different involved parties. You could stare at your reflection until you drown in it. Criticism is your #1 enemy because in your mind, you’re already perfect. This also means that you can’t see the forest for the trees.
Wrath
You’re like a bull in a china shop — careless and impulsive. You use foul language in official communications. If there’s a problem, it’s everyone else’s fault. You lack the ability to be rational and would rather enter a fistfight than try to find a diplomatic solution that suits everyone.
Envy
You want to be the next big thing. You’ve seen all these successful websites — it seems so easy! Instead of being creative, you copy templates and ideas hoping that’s gonna be enough. You even go as far as to use the same keywords, sometimes copyrighted or trademarked content (and we all know that’s a big no-no). Unfortunately for you, success is all about taking calculated risks and being innovative.
Greed
You shiver at the thought of investing more money in your traffic or anything else for that matter. You have an insatiable thirst for money — at any cost.
Have a profitable website? Instead of scaling up, you rest on your laurels. Being a bit selfish, you lose sight of those around you that contribute to your success.
Striking a Balance with the 4 Affiliate Vertues
No one is perfect — and if we were, it would make for a very boring, homogeneous world.
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (John 1:8)
To help them on their quest to become great online marketers, affiliates can count on 4 cardinal virtues from the classical era.
Prudence
You’re a fine tactician and act reasonably. You plan two moves ahead because you know our world is a chessboard in perpetual motion. To that extent, you don’t take unnecessary risks. In fact, you are known for your wisdom — an expert in your field.
New trends don’t scare you: they’re a golden opportunity to advance your goals.
Courage
You think of problems as challenges to overcome. Even when results haven’t performed to your satisfaction, you soldier on because you know it’ll be worth it in the end.
You have a natural talent to rally the troops — your optimism is contagious. The word fear isn’t part of your vocabulary.
Temperance
When problems arise, you don’t panic. You are defined by exceptional self-control and restraint. You are not blinded by desires, always listening to your reason. You are humble, respectful, calm and moderate. An exemplary attitude for others to follow.
Justice
You take your job to heart. You strive for fairness and play by the rules. Anything that has to do with shady practices makes your blood boil. You understand the importance of reciprocity and how you reap what you sow.
Don't Make Your Affiliate Life a Living Hell
Being an affiliate is not a get rich quick scheme.
It can even feel like a pilgrimage — you must long for adventure. You will face many hardships and mishaps down the road.
The destination — whatever you want it to be — is only the beginning. It’s everything else that really matters: your experiences, your failures and how you overcame them.
The more inclined you are to the “dark side” so to speak, the less efficient you will be.
Transform your negative energy into a positive one by remaining focused at all times and by keeping yourself in check … everything else will fall into place.
