I don’t know about you, but when I first started looking into online business models like dropshipping and affiliate marketing…

I was overwhelmed.

Too many gurus. Too many YouTube ads. Too much hype - and not enough honest answers.

Like you might be, I was a successful professional - on paper.

But I was burnt out. Tired of the long hours. And desperate for a smarter way to earn a living without sacrificing my time, health, or freedom.

If you’re feeling the same - maybe lying awake at night wondering if there’s a better path - I get it. I’ve been there.

And you’re probably asking the same questions I did:

  • What actually is dropshipping (and how does it work)?
  • How can I get started without making expensive beginner mistakes?
  • Are there better alternatives that are more profitable (especially for beginners)?

In this article, I’ll give you the real truth - no sugar coating.

What works. What doesn’t. And what I wish I knew before starting, so you can save yourself months of research, wasted time, and the stress of choosing the wrong path (or mentor).

If you're ready to cut through the noise and get clarity - keep reading.

These are the same insights that helped me go from stressed and stuck... to building a digital business I actually love.

Let’s get into it!

When I started my online business journey in 2023, I seriously considered dropshipping. I loved the idea of not holding inventory - but I didn’t love the razor-thin profit margins, customer service headaches, and high competition.

That’s when I discovered affiliate marketing.

It gave me everything I was looking for:

✔️ Higher profit potential

✔️ No inventory

✔️ No dealing with refunds or customer issues

✔️ The chance to build passive income from anywhere

And I didn’t need to be “techy” or have a big following to start.

So, What Is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a business model where you promote other companies’ products or services online. When someone clicks your unique affiliate link and makes a purchase (or signs up), you earn a commission.

According to Astute Analytica, the affiliate marketing industry is expected to grow to over $39 billion by 2031 - so yes, there’s a lot of opportunity.

How Affiliate Marketing Works

Here’s the basic process:

1. Sign up as an affiliate for a product or service.

2. Get your unique affiliate link (this tracks your referrals).

3. Promote that link using online content (blog posts, videos, social media, or email).

4. Earn a commission when someone buys through your link.

Commissions vary:

 Digital products: typically 30–50%

 Physical products: around 5–10%

The Smart Way to Do It

Top affiliate marketers don’t just randomly post links.

They build trust by creating valuable content around a niche they care about - using platforms like:

  • Blogs or websites
  • YouTube or podcasts
  • Email newsletters
  • Even private communities or content hubs

Personally, I only promote products I’ve used and loved myself.

That way, I feel proud of what I’m sharing - and confident that others will benefit too.

Why I Chose Affiliate Marketing (The Pros)

Passive Income Potential

Once you’ve created valuable content and set up your systems, your affiliate links can keep earning for you - even while you sleep, travel, or fold laundry.

Beginner-Friendly (No Tech Required)

I had zero experience. No tech background. No audience.

But I found a beginner-friendly training program that gave me step-by-step guidance - and it changed everything.

No Need to Be “Online” All Day

You don’t need a big social media following or to post constantly.

You don’t even have to be on video unless you want to.

Freedom + Flexibility

Work from anywhere. Set your own hours. Promote products that align with your interests and values.

It’s perfect for people who want to create real lifestyle freedom - not just extra cash.

What to Watch Out For (The Cons)

⚠️ There’s Competition

Yes, affiliate marketing is popular.

But with the right strategy - especially learning Authority Marketing - you can stand out and grow a loyal audience.

⚠️ It’s Not “Push Button” Easy

This isn’t a get-rich-quick.

It takes effort to learn how to create content, market effectively, and choose the right offers.

That’s why I invested in training - to shorten the learning curve and set things up right.

⚠️ You Rely on Programs You Don’t Own

Your income is tied to the affiliate programs you promote.

If they change their commission structure or close the program, it affects your earnings.

But that’s why smart affiliates promote multiple products across their niche - to diversify income and build stability.

My Honest Take

I didn’t want to just make “side cash.”

I wanted to replace my full-time income and design a life I actually enjoyed.

Affiliate marketing was the only model that gave me:

✔️ A low barrier to entry

✔️ Location and time freedom

✔️ Scalable income with real flexibility

It’s hands-down the best decision I’ve made - and I truly wish I had started sooner.

Affiliate Marketing and Dropshipping both have the potential to change your life - 

but only if you approach them with the right expectations and the right strategy.

Maybe you’re where I was:

Waking up each day feeling stuck. Overwhelmed. Burnt out.

I wasn’t looking for spare change - I needed a way out.

Out of the stress.

Out of the never-ending pressure.

Out of a life that looked “successful” but didn’t feel fulfilling.

That’s why I started building an online income stream.

Not as a hobby - 

But as a real, sustainable exit strategy.

Here’s what most beginners learn the hard way:

Not every affiliate or dropshipping path leads to freedom.

True success takes:

✅ Structured training (not random YouTube rabbit holes)

✅ Proven, up-to-date strategies (not outdated hustle hacks)

✅ The kind of mentorship and support most people never find on their own

Let me be real:

This isn’t a get-rich-quick.

It takes effort, commitment, and patience.

But here’s what changed everything for me:

Why spend months or years guessing - when you can shortcut the process by learning from someone who’s already done it?

That’s why I’m sharing the same free training that helped me go from stuck and stressed - to building a multi six-figure affiliate business I love...

You won’t get every secret in one video.

But here’s what you will get:

✅ A clear, actionable roadmap showing how real online businesses make money

✅ A step-by-step breakdown of the Authority Marketing strategy that’s helping people replace their incomes without tech skills or a big following

✅ A behind-the-scenes look at the world-class education platform that took me from overwhelmed beginner to running a multi six-figure online business

✅ A community of people just like you - starting from scratch, learning at their own pace, and building real, freedom-based businesses

Ready to Take the First Step?

 Click below to access your free training and start building the life you actually want.

There are thousands of affiliate programs out there - Amazon, Target, Adidas, Walmart... you name it.

But here's the problem:

Most of them only pay small commissions (sometimes just a few dollars per sale).

If you're trying to replace a full-time income, that means you’ll need thousands of sales every month just to break even.

That’s why I chose to focus on two powerful models:

 ✅ High-Ticket Affiliate Programs

These programs pay hundreds to thousands in commission per sale.

So instead of hustling to make thousands of sales, you can earn more by helping fewer people - with better products.

 ✅ Recurring Revenue Programs

These offer monthly commissions from just one sale - like subscription services or membership sites.

It means:

  • Monthly income that grows over time
  • More stability (no starting from zero each month)
  • True passive income potential

When you combine high-ticket + recurring, you build a business that’s both profitable and sustainable.

That’s the model I chose.

And the one I highly recommend for anyone serious about building freedom online.

Bonus: Authority Marketing – The Essential Skillset to Learn if you Want to be Successful Online

What I learned very fast is the difference between success and failure in Affiliate Marketing or Dropshipping is learning the skills to effectively generate sales on the internet. 

Authority Marketing is a cutting-edge strategy enabling you to make more money in less time, by working smarter not harder. 

It’s about embracing today's digital world by leveraging the power of online marketing systems to automate selling any product or service to any target audience anywhere in the world.

Authority Marketing is a Shortcut

Most people in online business these days use the same outdated and saturated money-making strategies everyone else is attempting to use. But this makes you blend in with the rest of the noise online.

If you use Authority Marketing, you can build multiple income streams from scratch in record time. 

That's because Authority Marketing enables you to generate leads and sales online, 24/7, 365 days a year, without ever having to chase or convince anyone - or spend your time posting all day on social media. It even works when you’re not. 

Here's What it Does For You…

Everybody knows the internet is where people prefer to research and buy products and services. 

When you learn how to use Authority Marketing, you will gain a skill set to tap into this multi-billion dollar opportunity and know precisely how to get in front of targeted buyers and convert them into customers - on complete autopilot.

As a result of the above, you’ll bring money into your bank account every day, like clockwork. 

You can do this via Dropshipping or with your own products or services. Or tap into newbie-friendly business models like Affiliate Marketing to earn generous commissions. 

All this can be done from scratch and starting today!

To Learn How, Sign Up Below: 

Who Am I Anyway?

(Why I Walked Away From a 6-Figure Income To Start an Online Business and Change My Life)

What is Affiliate Marketing? (And Why I Chose It Over Dropshipping)

The Most Lucrative Affiliate Models  (What Most Beginners Never Learn)

The Easiest and Most Effective Way To Get Started Today

Put simply, dropshipping is a way to sell other people’s products online - without ever holding inventory yourself.

You act as the middleperson:

  •  You list the product on your online store.
  •  When someone buys it, you order it from the supplier.
  •  The supplier ships it directly to your customer.

Your profit is the difference between what the customer pays you and what you pay the supplier.

How To Get Started With Dropshipping

Here’s a basic overview of how it works:

1. Research Your Suppliers

Start by finding reliable dropshipping suppliers.

Popular options include:

– AliExpress

– Oberlo

– SaleHoo

Look for good reviews, fast shipping, and solid product quality. This step is key - your supplier’s performance reflects on your brand.

2. Build Your Online Store

Use platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or Amazon to set up your storefront.

You’ll want it to look clean, easy to navigate, and trustworthy.

Add strong product descriptions, great photos, and clear branding.

3. Set Your Pricing

Factor in:

– Product cost

– Shipping

– Transaction fees

– Your profit margin

It’s a balancing act: stay competitive and profitable.

4. Market Your Products

Here’s where most people struggle - and where you can stand out.

Success in dropshipping comes down to how well you market.

Learn powerful digital strategies like Authority Marketing to build trust and drive targeted traffic to your store. This is how you beat the competition.

5. Fulfill Orders + Provide Support

When a customer places an order, you purchase it from your supplier and provide shipping info.

You’ll also need to handle returns, questions, and delivery issues - so keep communication clear and professional.

The Pros of Dropshipping

Low Startup Costs

No inventory. No warehouse. No big upfront investment.

Easy Setup

Platforms like Shopify make it beginner-friendly - even without tech skills.

Location Freedom

Run your business from anywhere with Wi-Fi.

Huge Product Selection

You can test and offer multiple products without stocking anything.

The Cons of Dropshipping

⚠️ Low Profit Margins + High Competition

It’s easy to get started - so lots of people do.

Prices get driven down quickly.

Some suppliers charge extra fees too.

 This is where smart marketing makes all the difference.

With the right strategy, you can rise above the noise.

⚠️ Inventory + Shipping Issues

Because you rely on suppliers, delays or out-of-stock items are out of your control - and you still deal with the customer.

⚠️ Limited Quality Control

You can’t see the product before it ships.

If there’s an issue, you have to handle the fallout (returns, complaints, refunds).

Final Thought:

Dropshipping can be a great model for beginners if you approach it the right way - and understand the trade-offs.

Personally, I found it too stressful for the long term.

That’s why I went with affiliate marketing instead.

I’ll explain why - and how it works - next.

Hi there! I’m Mel Robinson - and that’s my husband Bernie, along with our wild little dog Lucky.  

We didn’t start an online business to become millionaires.

In fact, I was already earning a great income as a mortgage broker. My business partner and I built our own mortgage and insurance firm from the ground up.

What began as just the two of us and one admin quickly grew into a 7-figure operation with a full team.

The business was thriving.

I loved my team.

I loved my clients.

And I was proud of what we had built.

But the hidden cost? My health and well-being.

As the business grew, so did the pressure.

Long hours. Weekend calls. Constant availability.

I was wearing all the hats - boss, advisor, mentor, problem-solver.

Eventually, I hit a wall.

I stopped sleeping.

I had constant anxiety.

I even started experiencing panic attacks in client meetings I used to handle with ease.

That’s when I realized something important:

The path I was on wasn’t leading to the life I actually wanted.

It’s true what they say - money can’t buy time or health.

And without those? The money doesn’t matter.

To make things harder, we also lived far from our families.

I’m originally from Minnesota, my husband is from Brazil, and we live in Australia!

Every year, it felt like we were missing more moments with the people we love.

Even when I was visiting home, I wasn’t really there.

My mind was stuck in the office.

Then during one of the long Covid lockdowns, something shifted.

I had time to reflect.

And I asked myself the big question:

“What if we built a life that actually felt good to live?”

We considered all the usual options:

– Start or buy a small business (like vending machines or laundromats)

– Buy a franchise

– Go back to university

But all of them came with high upfront costs and zero time freedom.

None of them gave us the lifestyle we dreamed about - travel, surfing, quality time, and flexibility.

That’s when we discovered the online business model we use today.

We had doubts:

– Do we need tech skills?

– Do we have to post on social media all day?

– Don’t we need a huge following?

Turns out… we didn’t need any of that.

We found a beginner-friendly program designed specifically for busy professionals. 

So we went for it!

We learned the skills.

We built the business.

And it completely changed our lives.

Looking back now, our only regret is not starting sooner...

How To Start Dropshipping:

The Honest Truth (Nobody Tells You) About Starting Successfully Online

What is Dropshipping (and How Do You Get Started?)

When you get the training you'll get my contact details too, so if you have any questions – feel free to get in touch!