What was your Background Before Affiliate Marketing?

[Linda Buquet]

What was your background before affiliate marketing?
How did you come to get in the business?

OK I'll start.

I was in sales and sales management for many years. Prior to AM I had my own SEO company and right after that was Director of Ecommerce. I started their affiliate program from scratch with CJ. Then after a year started my own affiliate management company and that led me to where I am today.

How about you?

 

[Laura61]

I've been in graphic design for about 26 years—worked mostly at newspapers. I also did medical transcription for a while and then web design. When my mom came to live with us, I started getting serious about the AM I had been doing on the side so that I could still generate income even when not physically at the computer. Now that's all I'm doing (except for teaching it) and I love it!

 

[Linda Buquet]

Cool Laura. Thanks for answering. Interesting to hear your background and how you got started!

 

[rentacar]

Nonprofit management. =) I am now an elementary school teacher and do AM on the side.

 

[Convergence]

Sales and Management as well. Starting marketing my industry online circa 1998. Discovered affiliate marketing at that time. Many affiliate programs back then consisted of simply putting a link up and getting paid per click. Soon discovered that the money, back then, wasn't in making .05/click - but rather making a percentage of the sale in commissions. Still remember my first sale - a bimini boat cover. Was really hooked after that!

 

[Linda Buquet]

Another sales and management person. That's cool that you still remember your 1st sale all these years later! Thanks for sharing Convergence!

 

[Liquification]

PC Tech for 5 years. Started dabbling in affiliate marketing at nights. Moving to full time in the next 6 months.

 

[lexdino]

Marketing and advertising.
Just started affiliate marketing for almost a year now and been in it full time for about 5 months.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Liquification, good to know about your goal of moving to fulltime in 6 months.
Best of luck!

lexdino, having a marketing and advertising background should really help you a lot.
It's great you've been fulltime for awhile now.

 

[Kutaone]

I'm also from a Sales/Marketing background for technology companies. I actually got into AM kinda by accident. I was sick of relying on someone else to create my ideas so I decided last year when I got laid off I would learn how to do some graphic design and web design. I learned about AM on a blog about JOOMLA and I have been slowly but surely adding products to my sites ever since.

My initial interest in AM wasn't primarily for $$$ believe it or not. I had an idea for a product but wasn't sure about the market so I decided to do some AM to see if I could sell something that way before I invested in my inventory.

I still do contract marketing for tech companies but am really about to ramp up my time devoted to AM. I have done VERY little promotion for my sites and I am looking forward to it. I also look forward to writing more content when I have more time.

 

[Oregon Coast Guy]

I was a web designer.

The strange events leading up to my fascination in online marketing began with a postcard I received from StoresOnline (holy scam, Batman!). Out of curiosity, I called a friend up and we both went for an all-day workshop they held at one of the local hotels.

Although they provided a lot of solid information (that I now know is basic online marketing you can find anywhere on the Internet), leading up to their "web site for only $2000 a month" finale, I was intrigued. Leaning over to my buddy, I whispered, "I can do this for a heck of a lot less!"

Thus began my journey and adventure. I've never looked back!

 

[Linda Buquet]

I'm so glad I asked these questions. It's just fascinating to me to find out about everyone's background and how they got started.

Thanks Kutaone and Tony for sharing!

 

[maymorgano]

11 years ago I was looking for a job, and landed a media buyer job in an interactive advertising agency, the Internet was new, and we all learned together. For years on I kept on buying online media, and at some point affiliate management just crept in.

 

[ja1myn]

As I am only 16 right now, I don't really have that great of a story, but I'll share it anyway.

When I turned 13, my father showed me how servers worked, and other electronic devices. I was fascinated over how they worked and somehow stumbled into internet marketing for money. When I turned 14, I bought my first site and it failed. I recouped in a month or two and was right back to promoting new, hot products on easy niches. Ever since, I've tried to grow my site portfolio and boost my income to the $x,xxx,xxx/year level.

 

[Convergence]

As I am only 16 right now, I don't really have that great of a story, but I'll share it anyway.

When I turned 13, my father showed me how servers worked, and other electronic devices. I was fascinated over how they worked and somehow stumbled into internet marketing for money. When I turned 14, I bought my first site and it failed. I recouped in a month or two and was right back to promoting new, hot products on easy niches. Ever since, I've tried to grow my site portfolio and boost my income to the $x,xxx,xxx/year level.

You are the future in affiliate marketing - stay focused, stay clean, finish school(!)

 

[ja1myn]

You are the future in affiliate marketing - stay focused, stay clean, finish school(!)

Absolutely will.

 

[RCPAThunder]

I came straight out from college, not a lot of work experience except with a piece of paper with 4yrs degree. I wanted to expand my comfort zone and entered the sale/marketing business. The job was going from business to business and promoted products. I was having a hard times the first 2 weeks into the job; unable to delivered the right speeches/presentation when I promoted the products to business owners. But, after many failed attempts, I now believed I can sale products without having to try so hard. But, after almost a year, I was done with that field of business and now focus doing online marketing. I love it!

 

[Sweetestmiracle]

Hi

I decided I needed to find a job from within my home. I currently work in a school district providing services to a variety of kiddos. Although I love my job and all the breaks we have, my medical needs are taking its toll.

This year I am hoping to drop down to part-time while my online income covers the other half. Its looking good so far, testing the waters to make sure its safe so I will know by January

 

[maxbee]

My story...

well my story is a bit different from yours guys....
I worked ans still do on our family business my father and my grandfather are contractors, my part of the job is mostly on the marketing side.
I heard about affiliate marketing from a friend and loved the idea, i don't have much experience on SEO PPC etc.. but I'm a fast learner and already know a lot and actually having fun playing with ad words and all the techniques..
I'm doing it for few month already and things are getting along just fine, not a millionaire yet but I'm on my way LOL

 

[mike73]

worked as a labourer for about ten years and the on the rail maintaining track but left due to health reasons so got into this.