[Dale King]

When I first came online nearly 2 years ago, I monetized my website with my marketing services, which included, consulting and copywriting. I immediately started making great money, and carved out a nice comfortable living for myself in a very short period of time. However, I was working 16 hour days in order to maintain that comfortable living. I completely shut out my friends and family from my life. All I wanted to do was work, work, work! I wasn't going to let anyone or anything get in the way of my success. I was willing to do whatever it took to get ahead - regardless of the cost.

It's safe to say that when it came to my business, I was a "mad marketer!" People close to me said I was obsessed, and they worried about my physical and mental well-being. I soon came to realize that everyone was right. I was obsessed with being successful. I also realized something else. I couldn't possibly keep up the torrid pace I was on, or I would quickly burn myself out. Then I wouldn't be any good to anyone, including myself.

Anyway, a few months ago, as a matter of self-preservation, I started looking into alternative ways to monetize my website, which would enable me to spend less time working and more time enjoying my family and friends, as well as the money I was making. So I started dabbling in affiliate marketing, and I'm happy to report that after only 4 months, my affiliate income has actually surpassed my consulting income.

What exactly does that mean? It means that I can now support myself at a very high level, without doing any consulting work whatsoever. In fact, except for servicing my current clients, I was able to completely shut down my consulting business altogether. In essence, I was able to retire.

I was able to retire because I achieved my goal of making more money in less time. I started working smarter, not harder. Now instead of working 16 hour days, I spend about 2 hours a day promoting the various affiliate programs I belong to. The rest of the day is my "free" time for me to do whatever I please - to enjoy life.

The moral of the story is this. I was truly passionate about my consulting business, as evidenced by the 16 hour days I was working. But I wasn't truly happy, because I was neglecting my family and friends. No amount of money is worth that.

However, through trial and experimentation, I discovered something else I'm just as passionate about, and I'm a lot happier overall.

And isn't that what life is all about?

Dale King

[dfveteran]

Hey, work smarter, not harder is my motto,lol!!!

Great post Dale. I am finding affiliate marketing works great also. Does this mean you are going to give up on your Guru marketing website? I like to read it. I learn a lot there.

You rock Dale!

[Dale King]

Originally Posted by dfveteran

Great post Dale. I am finding affiliate marketing works great also. Does this mean you are going to give up on your Guru marketing website? I like to read it. I learn a lot there.

You rock Dale!

Thank you very much, Lisa!

Not to worry. GuruKnowledge.org is my baby, so I will continue to own and operate it. I just won't be accepting any new marketing or copywriting clients. That's what I meant by retire.

Dale King

[RLorenzen]

Cool post. I can definitely relate to the working long hours part.

[capforge]

Hey- that's awesome- and in only four months- wow. There is lots to love about affiliate marketing, but it is hyper competitive and no easy trick to make it work, so for you to do so well so fast is really amazing. Congratulations.

[Dale King]

Originally Posted by RLorenzen

Cool post. I can definitely relate to the working long hours part.

Thanks, Richard!

Dale King

[Dale King]

Originally Posted by capforge

Hey- that's awesome- and in only four months- wow. There is lots to love about affiliate marketing, but it is hyper competitive and no easy trick to make it work, so for you to do so well so fast is really amazing. Congratulations.

Thank you, capforge! But the truth of the matter is, I have quite an extensive background in marketing. So to me, my success is not all that amazing. Nonetheless, I appreciate your kind words.

Dale King