Yes guys, its time to think about the future! This interesting wee question was delivered to me today via Twitter when I commented I’ve had bloggers block whilst trying to work out of my Mum and Dad’s dining room (not easy!!).
The single question that came back really struck a chord as it’s been on my mind quite a lot recently.
I was asked: – “do u expect putting up aff. sites till granny-hood? How do you see the future?”
Not a broad question at all there *ahem*. I think like most people, when asked to consider the future in a career you’re completely happy with you automatically think “I can see myself doing this job forever.”
A Couple Of Subsequent Thoughts Then Remind Me That’s Unlikely
1. 15 years ago this job didn’t exist. The affiliate of 5 years ago and 10 years ago operated in dramatically different ways and market conditions. It therefore follows that by the time I reach retirement age the way the information superhighway works and the purchasing habits of humankind will be beyond all recognition. Will affiliate marketing even exist in 20 years time?
2. Looking around, all the smart cookies are putting a few eggs outside the affiliate basket. This makes me think I should be doing the same. But what should I do? Notable people such as the UK’s fave affiliate blogger Kieron Donoghue have started up ventures such as Content Now and are diversifying away from total reliance upon the affiliate stream.
So How Do I See The Future?
Quite alarmingly, I find myself unable to look beyond the end of this year. I know the world in which I work will change constantly and that I’ll need to keep up with those changes if I want to survive. I’ve complete faith in my ability to do this but in all honestly, I see the future as completely uncertain. This is both exciting and terrifying. What if I find myself out of a job in 5 years time? Certainly the world in which I work is almost unrecognisable since I started out as an affiliate 5 years ago.
Creating My Own Certainties
This is something I started doing as soon as I went full time. I’ve always been a bit of a worry wart so rather than spending all my income I have invested a lot into property. I own 2 houses in the UK which I’ve bought to help provide for me in my later years.
Beyond that, I have a vague desire to invest in some kind of offline business where my online marketing skills might help tap into new markets and generate new customers. I’ve a further ambition that having my own e-commerce site based upon my knowledge of various niches could be an interesting venture, but it would be one I’d need to embark upon with others who have knowledge of the mechanics of running an online store.
So Where Does Your Future Lie?
What do you all think? Will you still be working in affiliate marketing when you reach retirement age? (which will be 95 by the time we all finally get to put our feet up!) Where does the future of affiliate marketing lie? Will the internet even still be there in 50 years or will the ice caps have melted leaving us all living in a very bad Kevin Costner film without Facebook and Twitter to help us live worthwhile lives?
April 28th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
some of us are already grannies (but I will kill the first one that calls me that!)- and have diversified into ecommerce, so if you need any pointers …. Wouldn’t worry too much about the future of affy marketing, it’s evolving all the time and we simply evolve with it.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Some of us are granddads ( a young granddad, but a granddad none the less)I think a small entry into e-commerce might run alongside an A.F stable quite nicely. Perhaps what might work even better would be…………….
April 29th, 2009 at 10:29 am
@Elaine – I’d never comment on your matriarchal status, but you’re still a yummy mummy as well!
@tony – spoilsport!
May 3rd, 2009 at 12:02 am
Hi Kirsty
Love your blog -
My f/t job is in SEO which I am increasingly hating more and more. I find I waste my time EXPLAINING the basics to clients who expect results within a week (or even LAST week) and that is before I get onto the actual work itself. I’m currently doinging aff mkting on the side quite successfully but using this as a springboard for own ecommerce venture.
Who knows WHAT the future will bring?
The one big lesson I have learned in life is to be flexible and to learn from whatever situation I find myself in. So far that has stood me in good stead, so I am sure that whatever happens / how this whole online business evolves, there will always be opportunities.
All the best-
L
May 6th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I’ll have a few low maintenance sites up and collecting cash allowing me to retire at 35. lol I wish! On the plus side, this is one job you can do well into old age