Today’s interview features Henri Junttila … turned from an introverted kid working lousy summer jobs to a professional poker player to entreprenur making a living doing what he loves.
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I’m Henri. Born and raised in Sweden by Finnish parents. One month ago I moved to Southern Spain all thanks to the passive income I make online from my websites.
I was an online poker player for almost 5 years before I started getting serious with making money online. I have always been kind of a geeky tech guy and always loved making websites, so it’s a great match, plus I enjoy making money while I sleep.
When, how and why did you get started with blogging @ WakeUpCloud.com?
I think my first blog post went up December 5. I bought the domain name before that, but that is when I consider beginning my journey. I started the Wake Up Cloud because I wanted to help people improve both their internal and external lives.
This meant helping others improve their financial and emotional freedom. I’m a young guy, only 23, but I’ve always worked for myself and make a living on my own. I think I have a lot to offer.
This is my passion and it sets me on fire just to talk about it. I enjoy helping people and love seeing them make progress. It’s not easy to improve your life, but if you really want to, it’s inevitable.
How long did it take you to get you to where you are now, and what would you say to our readers who are already tired and frustrated of not seeing any results from their blogging?
I started with a Site Build It! website back in 2007 and struggled for almost 2 years before I finally realized that I was doing everything wrong.
I thought I had followed the instructions, but really I hadn’t. To those who are frustrated and tired, this is what it’s supposed to be. Your frustration is a sign that you’re just about to hit gold.
Most people give up when it gets hard, which is why most people don’t make money online. I have tried a lot of different methods of making money and it took me a while to find what worked for me.
In the end, sure it was a lot of hard work and frustration, but I never gave up. You can reach your goals if you keep going and keep learning from your mistakes. You will not make money magically. You have to sweat and work hard.
If you’re ready to do that, then you will succeed.
What are the TOP areas I should concentrate on in affiliate blogging?
This completely depends on what you like to do. Some people like to have several websites, others like to have one main website.
The number one thing I would say is to pick a topic you care about. Don’t start telling people how to make money online if you don’t know how to make money online.
You have to build trust before people will buy what you recommend. If a product gives you a huge commission but it’s not worth buying, then you shouldn’t recommend it.
Do you have a formula for attracting traffic to WakeUpCloud.com?
The best way to get your blog off the ground is to do guest posts for other blogs. I have done this a lot for the Wake Up Cloud and it has worked very well.
Search engine traffic can take 3-6 months before starting to roll in, and that is if you’ve optimized well, so you have to keep afloat during that period.
Since you’re doing guest blog postings, what are some of the key points you look for when writing content for other people’s blogs?
I usually look at what kind of articles the blog publishes and what their most popular articles are, then I try to write something similar, but from my own perspective so it is unique and helpful.
What’s the biggest mistake you made getting started in affiliate blogging?
The biggest mistake was probably that I believed I could make money by throwing up a blog and starting putting up affiliate links. You actually have to work to make money.
If you aren’t making money right now, then you just haven’t worked hard enough.
So how do you make money online with your blog?
At the moment I do not make much money with my main blog. I make money with other niche websites I have. I am working on a few products for my blog right now and may even throw up coaching services down the line.
Making money is not about doing it instantly. There’s no use in trying to monetize traffic you don’t have. You can’t do anything if you don’t have trust. Let people come and be helpful to them. Ask them what they need and provide that to them.
What tools and resources would you say are essential to affiliate blogging?
I would say WordPress, being helpful and loving what you do. I know those aren’t really tools and resources, but so many affiliate marketers lose sight of what is important.
Affiliate marketing is about helping people what they want. If you’re just trying to make money, you probably won’t go too far. Of course you can, but how good will you feel?
Tell us more about your e-mail course – why should one sign-up for it – and what it delivers – plus, what list building plans do you have for the near future?
My e-mail course is currently about how you can discover your passion in 5 days. If you aren’t happy doing what you’re doing now, it will help you, but you have to be ready as well.
We are all put on this earth for a purpose. We all have something to share. Finding your passion is finding what you have to share with the world.
Thank you for sharing your affiliate blogging advice with us all!
P.S. If you have any questions or suggestions on today’s interview, comment below [I want to hear from you]…
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14 responses so far ↓
1 Tom | Build That Lis // Feb 21, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Great interview. I have been watching Henri's blog growth over the last couple of months and must say that I am extremely impressed! Definitely a blogger to watch in 2010!
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Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Tom, I'm wondering why my comments on your blog were not accepted. I commented on your last two posts, but still have to get approved.
Are you getting my comments?
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Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Tom, I'm wondering why my comments on your blog were not accepted. I commented on your last two posts, but still have to get approved.
Are you getting my comments?
Reply
2 Tom | Build That Lis // Feb 21, 2010 at 6:57 pm
The last one I got was on the 15th and I haven't had any comments from you since then. I even checked my askimet. Not sure what is going on!
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Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 7:18 pm
15th Feb?
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Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 7:18 pm
15th Feb?
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3 Tom | Build That Lis // Feb 21, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Yea! On my first post about The Aweber Code is your last comment. Wanna try again and see if it was just a mistake?
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Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 10:17 pm
I posted again [a similar comment] – hope it's OK now. Btw, I'm using WP-spam free instead of askimet; much better. You should try it too
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Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 10:17 pm
I posted again [a similar comment] – hope it's OK now. Btw, I'm using WP-spam free instead of askimet; much better. You should try it too
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4 Sandy // Feb 21, 2010 at 9:31 pm
A great story and very useful interview Codrut. It just goes to prove that you can do anything you want if you try hard enough. The great secret is in what Henri said " I started the Wake Up Cloud because I wanted to help people improve both their internal and external lives". This is true in any business. If you help people you cannot help but succeed as that will shine through.
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Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 10:18 pm
yeah. just that you first have to help yourself; the blind man can't guide another blind man… lol
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Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 10:18 pm
yeah. just that you first have to help yourself; the blind man can't guide another blind man… lol
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5 Tom | Build That Lis // Feb 22, 2010 at 2:26 am
Just got the acomment! Don't know what was happening! I'll check out WP-Spam Free
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Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:29 am
I'm sure the askimet considered it "spam". I've tried to post on other posts too on your blog, I guess you should really be aware of that plugin.
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Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:29 am
I'm sure the askimet considered it "spam". I've tried to post on other posts too on your blog, I guess you should really be aware of that plugin.
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6 Jim // Feb 22, 2010 at 8:09 am
Hi,
So if you make your money on niche sites, do you truly love what you do?? Don't get me wrong, I mean no disrespect but why promote about a blog you are not currently making big $$ on???
Just one man's thoughts…
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7 Luis // Mar 1, 2010 at 6:30 am
Great interview
It is always good to listen to honest marketers like this guy.
I really liked what he said about not teaching how to make money if you haven't done it.
Great tips that can help any blogger out there.
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8 Charles // Mar 2, 2010 at 9:44 am
Good interview and great tips on blogging. I hope he is right about the part when he says it that frustration means your about to hit gold. Cause I been working a long time. Anyways great post I definitely got something out of it.
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Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Hi Charles, I'm glad you found the interview useful. Stay tuned for more. And be prepared to hear what I have to share with you and fellow readers next on "affiliate blogging"
I've made a commitment to myself to post on a regular schedule
Reply
Codrut Turcanu I Aff Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Hi Charles, I'm glad you found the interview useful. Stay tuned for more. And be prepared to hear what I have to share with you and fellow readers next on "affiliate blogging"
I've made a commitment to myself to post on a regular schedule
Reply
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