Last year I was really trying to see if I could get this website to make even a little bit of money. I posted consistently 5-6 days a week for about a year straight and (twice) tried to get an Amazon Affiliate account off the ground.
In the end, I proved what the experts say…
What Do The Experts Say?
I recently received an email from Amazon stating that they were paying me $4.64 for an affiliate account I had previously started.
I was shocked because I didn’t realize that ANY of my affiliate links had ever resulted in sales. I had regularly checked my Amazon Affiliate site to see if I had met the minimum of 3 qualifying sales within 180 days…and I never saw even one. Plenty of clicks…but I never saw my metrics showing a qualifying purchase.
Well…apparently I needed 3…and made 2.
Upon further reflection, I realize that I had proven what the experts keep saying and what various affiliate programs keep emailing me after they turn down my affiliate partner application.
More Volume
These experts kept saying that I need more volume before anything can really get started on this website. This is true for affiliate links, selling merchandise, trying out Patreon, and anything else.
Again…I posted every day for a year, but the raw website visits are not there…yet.
Volume does not mean volume of posts, it means the attention of more readers who find what I post here interesting, willing to share, like, comment on, or click on what might be an affiliate link. (I do my best to make sure people know that my posts contain affiliate links)
To me that means to keep my posting volume low (for now) and making sure the quality goes up.
Should You Set Goals for a Side Hustle?
Honestly I believe the answer to this question is different for us all. For me…I would say yes but very generic goals.
- Make money from this site…eventually
- Once I do…make enough to cover basic website costs
However, I am smack in the middle of a full-time career and honestly can’t devote as much time as I might want to my side hustle right now.
For others, your goals may be required in order for you to get any real momentum. If you are hoping that your side hustle can become a full-time gig sooner rather than later…your goals should be SMART.
What Are Your Next Steps?
Ask yourself that question. I did.
For me, I have decided that I want to keep this site going for a long time. I like the format I’m using and I enjoy seeing people come across old posts and like them (thanks WordPress app!). I am one of those people that needs a creative outlet every now and then…and having my own corner of the internet to do that has become a necessity for me.
I am in this for the long haul.
One day I will be looking at retirement. It would sure be nice if my “side hustle” had matured to something more “full-time possible” by then.
Whatever your next steps are, take them.
Scott from California 
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