Selling 8-Track Tapes in a Digital World…

Hey there! Thanks for joining me on this affiliate marketing adventure where we’re all about learning, growing, and thriving in today’s ever-changing market.

Remember 8-track tapes? They were revolutionary at one point but as vinyl, cassettes, CDs, digital downloads, and now streaming took over, their moment in the spotlight faded.

It’s a powerful reminder: if we don’t evolve with the times, we risk being stuck trying to sell outdated solutions to a world that’s moved on.

Sure, retro has its niche appeal, but you can’t build a thriving business on nostalgia alone. The same is true for affiliate marketing. To succeed, we must innovate, adapt, and stay ahead of trends.

One resource that really hit home for me recently is Sydney Finkelstein’s book, Why Smart Executives Fail. It breaks down six common pitfalls that can derail even the best leaders. It’s a must-read because, while it’s great to learn from legends like John Thornhill and Omar Martin, it’s equally valuable to avoid the mistakes of those who didn’t make it.

Here are six lessons from Finkelstein’s research:

Resist change, and you’ll be left behind.
Underestimate the competition at your peril.
A brilliant plan means nothing if it’s the wrong vision.
Clinging to outdated beliefs blinds you to reality.
Ignoring critical information is a fast track to failure.
Being too emotionally tied to your business can cloud judgment.

These truths apply to every entrepreneur—big or small. Reflecting on my own journey, I’ve been guilty of a few of these mistakes myself.

A Hard-Learned Lesson

Back in 2018, I dove headfirst into a new venture with high hopes, only to return six months later feeling defeated and nearly broke. Where did I go wrong? I listened to the wrong advice, veered from my solid business plan, and ignored red flags. Essentially, I was brilliantly fulfilling the wrong vision while ignoring reality.

It was a tough pill to swallow, but it taught me a valuable lesson: Stay teachable, learn from the best, and pivot when necessary.

The Affiliate Marketing Pivot

That’s when I discovered affiliate marketing—and instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, I decided to learn from proven experts like John Thornhill. His programs, Webinar Profit Engine and ClickBank Super Funnel, have been game-changers. They offer done-for-you systems with pre-written emails and an easy setup in Aweber. All I have to do is promote a single link, and John’s programs take care of the rest.

Michael Cheney is also a very successful affiliate marketer and his Secret Money System is another way to learn from the best.

Visit our website www.digitalfivel.com and you will find a wealth of knowledge about these great marketers as well as other products we are using to promote these programs. Click on the Learn From The Experts Tab and start learning today.

We also offer a few quick promote items that are low cost, low effort and with recurring commissions will have you up and running in no time. Visit the Grab Your Own Link & Start Earning Tab today.

If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your affiliate marketing journey, these programs might be what you need to simplify your efforts and scale your success.

Let’s Grow Together

Affiliate marketing is an exciting path to building wealth and creating a life you love, but it’s not a solo journey. I’d love to hear what’s working for you—and what’s not! Share your experiences in the comments, or shoot me an email at mleist@digitalfivel.com.

Not sure where to start? Let’s chat about your dreams and how you can achieve them.

Finally, if you’re looking for fresh leads, check out My Lead Gen Secret—a simple, affordable way to generate 100–200 leads daily for just $30 a month.

Stay Curious and Dream Big

Thanks for being here as we navigate this incredible journey together. Remember: