How I Stopped Giving a Shit and Just Started Posting
When I first started my affiliate marketing journey, the biggest hurdle I faced wasn’t the technical stuff—it was the fear of showing up online. I had all this knowledge, this potential, and this burning desire to succeed, but I was terrified of putting myself out there. What if people didn’t take me seriously? What if I was judged? What if people thought I was a fraud?
If you're reading this and feeling the same way, I want you to know you’re not alone. It’s a fear that many of us face, especially when starting something as public as online business or content creation. But, if I’ve learned anything in my journey, it’s that the only way to move past that fear is to show up anyway.
The Initial Fear of Judgement
When I began affiliate marketing, I was scared of what others might think. I knew I had valuable insights to share, but I doubted whether I was qualified enough to teach people. “Who am I to tell others how to make money online?” I’d ask myself. My first products, after all, were my own course for authors and other author courses that helped me, but I wasn’t making millions from them. Sure, I had been doing freelance client work and helped around a dozen authors scale their businesses, but MY books weren’t making me rich! The fear of failure, of being seen as a fraud, was enough to keep me paralyzed.
The thought of being publicly scrutinized made me hesitate for so long. And, in that hesitation, I almost missed out on so many opportunities to grow. If I let fear control me, I wouldn’t have been able to build what I have today—$300,000 in revenue over just 15 months, all thanks to affiliate marketing.
What Changed?
The turning point came when I realized that nobody knows everything, and the only people who truly succeed are the ones who put themselves out there—even with their flaws, doubts, and imperfections. I wasn’t trying to be a perfect expert—I was offering a solution based on what I’d learned, my results, and my journey. That’s enough.
I started seeing the bigger picture. By not showing up, I wasn’t just denying myself an opportunity—I was denying others access to something that could change their lives. Whether it was through the course I created or the other courses I was sharing, I realized my content could help others who were just starting their journey—just like I once was.
The shift in perspective was powerful: I wasn’t trying to impress people with perfection. I was sharing what I knew in hopes that it would help someone else.
Taking Small Steps to Build Confidence
Even after I made the decision to move forward, I had to work through the fear every single day. It didn’t disappear overnight, but I started by taking small, manageable steps:
Start with what I knew: I began sharing my experiences—what had worked for me and what hadn’t. I wasn’t trying to come off as a “guru,” just someone who had learned through trial and error and was willing to share those lessons.
Focus on helping, not impressing: Once I shifted my mindset from "I need to look perfect" to "I’m here to help," the pressure lifted. I realized people appreciate authenticity more than perfection.
Engage with my audience: One of the most empowering things I did was to start interacting with others. Whether through comments or DMs, seeing people engage with my content and appreciate what I was sharing made me realize that I was indeed offering value.
Learn from mistakes: I made plenty of mistakes along the way, but each one was a lesson. Instead of letting mistakes make me feel like a failure, I used them as fuel to grow and improve. The more I put myself out there, the more comfortable I became with imperfection.
Embrace the uncomfortable: It wasn’t easy at first. Each post, video, and email felt like I was exposing myself. But the more I did it, the less intimidating it became. Eventually, I realized that the discomfort was part of the growth process.
Embracing Vulnerability and Building Confidence
Looking back, I see how much that fear was holding me back. The real key to success in affiliate marketing—or any business—isn't just about having the right strategy or the best product. It's about showing up, being vulnerable, and letting people see the real you, with all your imperfections and experiences.
As I moved past my fear, I began to attract the right audience—people who were drawn to my authenticity, my willingness to share both my successes and failures, and my commitment to helping others. Instead of hiding behind self-doubt, I allowed myself to be seen. And it changed everything.
The Real Takeaway: You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Make an Impact
If I could go back and tell myself one thing when I first started, it would be: You don’t have to have it all figured out to help others. The most important thing is to take the first step and keep showing up, even when it feels scary. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. And, the more lives you’ll touch along the way.
So, if you’re reading this and holding back from putting yourself out there, know this: The world needs your voice.You’ve got this. Keep pushing through the fear, and trust that the only way forward is by showing up.
