While on a flight to California — my first time ever there — I was reading a book about money and how it works. I highly recommend it for anyone, especially for Gen-Y and Millennials. It gave some pretty sad statistics about how we — and I mean nearly every person in this country and around the world — are not saving enough, not planning for retirement, and not preparing for most of life's unexpected detours that will inevitably happen.
The biggest part of the problem is that only a very small percentage of schools — high school and college — actually teach financial literacy. Most people think they will start when they have more money. And then when they do have more money, some other excuse comes up. Before you know it, you are wondering where all that time you thought you had has gone.
The Case for a Side Business
One of the best recommendations from the book was, of course, to start a side business. You can do anything — from selling that world-famous chili recipe you have spent years perfecting, to making furniture in your garage. The problem is, a lot of those ideas eventually die out.
After some trial and error — okay, lots of error — I found something that is great for beginners and experienced people alike. Affiliate marketing.
Why Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing has been around, well, forever. Now we have the internet and the ability to sell other people's products and services online. You don't have to create the product or even service it. Marketing has become easier than ever with so much help available online and across social media platforms to advertise on. But the question is: how do you manage all of this without the confusion of constantly jumping from one site to another?
With affiliate marketing, you don't create the product, you don't service it, and you don't need a warehouse. You just focus on getting the right people in front of the right offer.
Enter Estage
You know that I have been talking about it for a little while now. It's called Estage. It's a platform that was specifically built by and for affiliate marketers. A couple of key points stand out:
- Everything is located at one domain.
- It focuses on building a community of followers.
Why One Domain Matters
Why is it important to use one domain? Because you own it and no one can take it away. No one can tell you that you can't use a certain word or phrase because it violates their Terms of Service and then shut you down. It is also an asset that you can later sell. This is huge. Ask if any other platform can say that.
Why Community Is Everything
Why is it important to have a community? Again — you own it. The list is yours. On other sites, you are only renting your list of followers. Whoever's platform you are using is who your followers actually belong to. Not really your followers then, are they?
When you have your own community, you can show them new products or services without paying for advertising every single time. That relationship — and that asset — compounds over time. It becomes one of the most valuable things you own.
— Paul GiordanoWhoever's site you are using is who your followers belong to. Not really your followers then, are they?
Ready to Turn Your Side Hustle Into Something Real?
If you've been contemplating a side hustle with the potential to grow into a full business, we're thrilled to invite you to our upcoming free webinar. This webinar will offer a detailed guide on the process of transforming your side hustle into a thriving business. You don't need to have it all figured out — you just need to show up and be open to learning.
Join the Free WebinarFinancial literacy isn't taught in most schools, and the window to start planning feels like it's always just around the corner — until it isn't. A side hustle built on a platform you actually own might be the most practical first step you can take today. Please leave a comment on what you are doing to gain financial literacy and if you have a side hustle that supplements your income.