"How I Left My Tech Job and Built a $40K/Month Affiliate Site"
Matt's Story of Turning a Blog into a $40K/Month Business
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"How I Left My Tech Job and Built a $40K/Month Affiliate Site"
Imagine ditching the traditional 9-to-5 grind to build a blog that not only fuels your passion but also fills your pockets.
Sounds like a far-off dream? Meet Matt Oney, who did exactly that.
In a daring move, Oney left his stable tech job to launch ZenmasterWellness, an affiliate marketing-based content site, turning it into a $40,000/month revenue-generating machine.
This isn't just a story of financial success; it's a tale of breaking free from the conventional, embracing risk, and redefining what's possible.
From Tech Job to Tech Dream: The Start of a New Journey
Matt Oney, a digital marketer from California with a seven-year tenure in the tech industry, unveils his journey. His passion for SEO led him to leave a stable job, embarking on an entrepreneurial venture with ZenmasterWellness, an affiliate marketing-based blog focusing on mental health and wellness products.
ZenmasterWellness isn't just another review site. Itβs a meticulously crafted platform where Matt publishes unbiased reviews and comparisons. The real magic, however, happens behind the scenes. Matt conducts extensive keyword research to pinpoint exactly what people are searching for online. This groundwork enables him to develop affiliate partnerships with numerous brands, creating a business model where he earns from purchases made through his site. The results speak for themselves: ZenmasterWellness attracts around 80,000 monthly visits, predominantly through SEO (π Donβt miss the SEO backlink tactic at the end of this post!), and has recently been generating an average monthly revenue of about $40,000.
This success, however, is not without its challenges. Recent Google algorithm updates and market conditions have seen his revenue fluctuate, currently around $15,000 a month. But the journey to this point began much earlier and was influenced by key experiences and people in Mattβs life.
After graduating from the University of San Diego, Matt returned to the Bay Area, joining Guidebook, a startup he interned with. Convincing them to let him join the Marketing team was a pivotal moment. The skills he honed there β SEO, content marketing, marketing operations, and tech tool proficiency β became the backbone of Zenmaster.
The genesis of ZenmasterWellness, however, wasn't entirely Matt's brainchild. Credit, he says, goes to Alex, his close friend and business partner. Alex, his first boss out of college and the one who introduced him to SEO, later illuminated the path to affiliate marketing. The growth of Alexβs affiliate site, FinVsFin.com, was nothing short of inspiring. Monthly revenues leaping from $500 to $20,000 captivated Mattβs attention.
The timing was almost serendipitous. In March 2020, as the world grappled with lockdowns, and Matt faced a salary cut, he reached out to Alex. Seeking guidance to replicate Alex's success, Matt embarked on his venture. This step was more than just a business decision; it was about not letting oneself be hindered from starting the race.
ZenmasterWellness: Crafting a Unique Niche in the Affiliate Market
Oney's initial foray into website creation was akin to navigating a labyrinth. With no prior experience in building a website and an aversion to writing, the task seemed Herculean. Yet, armed with a determination to learn and adapt, he plunged into the world of WordPress. The process was a mix of trial and error, marked by moments of frustration and revelation. The choice of the domain name was his first crucial decision. Surveying his competitors, he noticed their domain names: clear, functional, yet uninspiring. Oney decided to break the mold, selecting ZenmasterWellness.com, a name he found both unique and available - a small but significant first victory.
With a domain secured, Oney's next step was to arm himself with the necessary tools. He chose GeneratePress for the site template, Elementor Pro for page building, and Siteground for hosting - a trifecta of resources that would lay the foundation for his website. The building process was slow, marked by a steep learning curve. He recalls the earliest version of his site, with a header image from a drone shot in Vietnam, reflecting his naivetΓ© at the onset of this venture.
The launch of ZenmasterWellness was a journey marked by perseverance and a willingness to learn. Despite his limited HTML knowledge, Oney leveraged YouTube tutorials and GeneratePress' support team to overcome the hurdles of website design. The philosophy of 'good enough' became his guiding principle, driving him to piece together a functional and aesthetically pleasing site.
Content creation followed, driven by meticulous keyword research and a well-thought-out content calendar. Oney dived deep into understanding each brand and industry he covered, writing with a focus that belied his initial aversion to the task. Managing the overwhelming array of tasks for an early-stage business owner was a challenge, but Oney mastered the art of compartmentalization, focusing on one or two tasks at a time.
A significant learning point for Oney was understanding the importance of branding. The logo, a seemingly small aspect of the business, became a significant mental block. Dissatisfied with a design procured from Fiverr, he eventually decided to take matters into his own hands, purchasing a font license and crafting the logo himself. This decision, though minor, marked a crucial point in his entrepreneurial journey, shifting his focus from overthinking to action.
Navigating the Digital Seas: Overcoming Challenges with SEO Expertise
Oney's expertise in SEO has been the cornerstone of his success, a skill he prides himself on and continuously hones. This singular focus on SEO has not only driven significant traffic to ZenmasterWellness but has also been a double-edged sword, revealing areas where Oney could expand his reach.
Despite his prowess in SEO, Oney acknowledges two significant areas where he has room to grow: email marketing and social media engagement. He admits that, although experienced in email marketing from his previous tech roles, he has not yet leveraged it for ZenmasterWellness. The absence of tools like Mailchimp and a solid email nurture sequence on his site means that his business is heavily reliant on Googleβs ever-changing algorithm. This reliance poses a risk, as it diminishes the chances of first-time visitors returning to the site.
Equally, Oney recognizes his neglect of social media marketing. Despite understanding its potential value in brand building and customer engagement, he has not invested time in this area, primarily due to resource constraints and a perception that it may not significantly impact his business.
However, the success of ZenmasterWellness is not solely attributable to SEO. Metrics such as average read time and pages per session indicate that readers are engaging deeply with the content. Personal outreach from readers, who have taken the effort to find Oney's contact information just to express gratitude, further underscores the resonance of his work.
Oney offers two key pieces of advice for those embarking on similar ventures. First, he emphasizes the importance of writing in a comfortable, authentic style. He advocates for a conversational tone, incorporating humor and a personal touch, making the writing process more enjoyable and relatable to readers. Secondly, Oney stresses the need for creating the best possible content on any given topic. As an SEO expert, he understands the importance of thoroughly researching, testing, and writing engaging articles that not only address searchers' intent but do so better than any competitor.
This strategy, blending a relentless focus on SEO with a commitment to authentic, high-quality content, has been the driving force behind ZenmasterWellness (π Check out the advanced SEO tactic at the end of this post).
The Growth Curve of ZenmasterWellness: Beyond SEO Mastery
Two years into his venture, Oney's site garners approximately 50,000 monthly visits, with a staggering 90% generated through organic search. This impressive traffic translates into around $15,000 in monthly revenue at an 85% profit margin. While these figures are a slight dip from the site's peak performance due to shifts in the telemedicine market, Oney remains steadfast, focusing on diversifying revenue streams to maintain stability.
Oney reflects on his decision to leave his full-time job, a move that halved his personal income. His reasons are deeply personal and introspective:
Prioritizing Mental Health: Managing both a full-time role and a growing business for over two years was a commendable feat, but it eventually took its toll on Oneyβs well-being. Recognizing the need for change, he chose to focus solely on his business to better manage his life.
Seeking Mental Clarity: Diagnosed with ADHD, Oney found juggling multiple tasks and projects increasingly challenging. The strain of contributing significantly to two separate entities, each with unique demands, was overwhelming.
Committing Fully to His Passion: Oney reached a pivotal realization that he needed to immerse himself fully in ZenmasterWellness to discover his full potential and actualize the value he knew he could deliver.
Oney also shares a critical lesson learned through his entrepreneurial journey. He admits to holding onto too many business responsibilities, a realization that hit home during a conversation with his friend, Shane Vitaly, a successful entrepreneur. During a casual meet-up, Shane pointed out the importance of focusing on oneβs strengths and delegating other tasks. He emphasized to Oney that every moment spent on tasks outside his expertise (SEO and writing) was a moment not spent on what makes him exceptional.
This advice resonated deeply with Oney, highlighting the need to concentrate on his core competencies while entrusting other aspects of the business to capable hands. This approach, he realizes, is crucial to the continued growth and success of ZenmasterWellness.
Tools of the Trade: The Arsenal Behind ZenmasterWellness
Oney, known for his economical approach, strategically selects tools that offer maximum benefit without overwhelming him with information or costs.
His toolkit is categorized into three tiers, each serving a unique role in his business.
Free or Low-Cost Tools:
Google Trio: Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Google Drive form the backbone of his data analysis and document storage.
Figma: This design tool, free of charge, provides more capabilities than Oney often needs, outperforming alternatives like Canva Pro in his tasks.
WordPress: The fundamental platform for his website, essential for its customization and versatility.
GoFullPage Chrome Extension: A handy tool for full-page screenshots, available in a freemium model.
Unsplash: Offers a vast collection of free, high-quality stock photos, enhancing the visual content of his site.
Elicit: A GPT-powered assistant, surpassing Google Research in efficiency, especially useful for scouring scientific studies.
Cron: His chosen calendar tool, appreciated for its user-friendly interface and effectiveness.
Notion: An all-encompassing notes app, versatile enough to potentially replace project management tools like Trello.
Mid-Tier Tools:
Superhuman: At $30/month, this tool elevates email management to a more engaging level for Oney.
Cloudapp: A $15/month screen recording tool for Mac, vital for his content creation process.
Affluent: This tool allows Oney to monitor affiliate performance across various networks efficiently.
Bill.com: Simplifies the invoicing process, streamlining financial management.
High-Priority Tools:
GeneratePress Pro: A lightweight WordPress template that is SEO-friendly and comes with exceptional support.
GenerateBlocks Pro: From the creators of GeneratePress, this page builder is appreciated for its efficiency.
Elementor Pro: Currently used across most of his site, but Oney plans to transition to GenerateBlocks in the future.
Oneyβs selection reflects a thoughtful balance between cost and functionality, focusing on tools that streamline operations and enhance productivity. His approach underscores the importance of choosing the right tools in managing a successful online business, demonstrating that strategic tool selection can be as crucial as the business strategy itself.
Unconventional Wisdom: The Resources Fueling Matt Oneyβs Success
The resources that have significantly influenced Matt Oney and his journey with ZenmasterWellness are not conventional books or podcasts, but rather, insightful email newsletters.
Oney, who expresses a preference for reading over other mediums, highlights two email newsletters as his primary sources of learning and inspiration:
tl;dr Marketing: This daily newsletter offers updates and engaging content around SEO and SEM. Oney finds it an invaluable resource for staying abreast of the latest trends and insights in these areas.
Rank Theory: Authored by Sean Markey, this SEO newsletter stands out for Oney due to its mix of insightful information and humor. Oney, though not personally known to Markey, considers himself a big fan of this less frequent, yet impactful newsletter.
As someone deeply involved in writing, Oney admits that listening to podcasts, especially during work, is a challenge for him. He jokes about the unlikely scenario of trance DJs incorporating marketing insights into their tracks, indicating his preference for written content when it comes to learning and keeping up-to-date.
When asked about advice for other entrepreneurs, Oney is straightforward and emphatic. He urges aspiring entrepreneurs to start their ventures without waiting for the 'perfect' idea or opportunity. He emphasizes that the experience gained from launching and possibly failing in several businesses is invaluable. This journey of trial and error, he believes, builds a wealth of knowledge that yields compounding returns in future endeavors.
Furthermore, Oney addresses the challenges of perfectionism, a trait he personally grapples with. He advises against over-planning or waiting for everything to be perfectly aligned before starting a project. While acknowledging the importance of preparation, he stresses the necessity of taking action and entering the fray.
Oneyβs insights reflect a pragmatic and action-oriented approach to entrepreneurship. His emphasis on continuous learning, particularly from specialized resources like niche newsletters, and the importance of diving into the entrepreneurial process, offers valuable guidance for anyone looking to embark on a similar path.
Fostering Entrepreneurship and Inviting Your Support
As we close the chapter on Matt Oney's inspiring journey from a 9 to 5 tech job to the helm of a thriving $40K/month affiliate site, we're reminded of the power of resilience, innovation, and the courage to chase oneβs dreams. Mattβs story is a vivid illustration of how stepping out of the comfort zone and leveraging one's skills can lead to remarkable achievements.
If you've been captivated by Matt's story and the valuable insights he's shared, we invite you to keep the conversation going. Share this article with your network on social media and spark a dialogue about the endless possibilities that await those who dare to dream big and act boldly.
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