A Desire for Financial Independence

I contemplated various side hustles to generate some extra income. It became clear that I could utilize my extensive experience in IT, spanning over 30 years, to kickstart a blog. My goal was to explore affiliate marketing as a means to earn money.

Facing the Fear of Inadequacy

Despite my enthusiasm, I had never crafted a blog post before. The tech niche is saturated with talented writers and content creators, which left me questioning if anyone would value my insights. It felt intimidating, and I doubted my ability to succeed.

However, the desire to reshape my identity and financial circumstances overshadowed my fears. I convinced myself that, even at 55, I could master the art of writing and create engaging videos.

Embracing the Learning Curve

I immersed myself in countless how-to videos and articles, only to find myself more bewildered than before. Discouragement crept in, but I frequently reminded myself of my initial motivation: to regain control of my life and financial stability.

Investing in Success

During my search for guidance, I discovered Greg Gottfried's YouTube channel. His clear and straightforward approach resonated with me. He offered valuable insights on affiliate marketing without any sales pressure. His free videos laid a solid foundation for my learning.

Feeling reinvigorated, I was eager to apply the tools he discussed, which had contributed to his success over the past decade. Although he offered a paid course, he never pushed it as the only way to achieve success. I decided to invest in it, believing that if his free content was so beneficial, the paid course would provide even more value. I utilized coupon code SAVE25 to receive 25% off his YouTube Affiliate Masterclass.

Learning from the Writing Community

I've always believed in the saying that you must spend money to make money. Alongside Greg's course, I purchased tools he recommended to enhance my skills as a novice. This led me to Medium, where I eagerly subscribed to connect with fellow writers sharing a similar side hustle mentality.

Celebrating Small Wins

With Greg's mentorship and the tools I invested in, my skills and content improved significantly, boosting my confidence. However, I continued to struggle with creating YouTube videos. That’s when I discovered vidIQ, which provided invaluable insights into my video performance. I took advantage of their 1-on-1 coaching, and the combination of Greg’s teachings and personalized coaching transformed my progress.

My writing and video creation flourished, leading to my first small affiliate sales—about $6. While it may seem trivial, it marked a significant milestone for me, achieved shortly after applying the strategies I learned. Every dollar spent on my education felt worthwhile, as it greatly enhanced my abilities.

Embracing My Continuous Journey at 55

Now more determined than ever, I genuinely enjoy producing content and have uncovered a passion for writing that serves as a therapeutic outlet. There remains much to learn, and I am committed to ongoing improvement. At 55, I understand that the journey of growth never truly ends.