In this update, I’m pulling back the curtain on my week – from diving into advanced marketing strategies in my Google Digital Marketing course to the personal challenges of building a business and maintaining mental health.
Over the past week, I’ve been spending a lot of time on my Google Coursera course, “Digital Marketing and E-commerce”. It’s quite a comprehensive course with excellent video and reading material, especially the activities that help with practical application.
I’ve been working through Modules 3 and 4 in the 4th course titled “Think outside the inbox”. Module 3 is “Useful tools for email marketing” and focused on topics such as building and segmenting the email list.
How to write an effective email, tools for email marketing are another two topics in module 3. I particularly enjoyed the activities which instructed me on using email marketing automation tools such as HubSpot and Mailchimp.
Of course, I’ve already had some previous knowledge and experience with this as I use it for my affiliate marketing business. It was fun to use some different programs though and I noticed that they’re all very similar. So, if you’ve used one automation tool, it’s easier to figure out the others.
How was module 4?
Module 4 I just finished before writing this blog post. It was very useful and practical, not to forget to mention, it is super important. It’s titled “Collect and analyze email campaign data.
Again, as I’ve been running email campaigns for several months now, I was already familiar with much of this topic, but I still learned so much.
This focused on the most common email marketing metrics, how to collect, analyze and report the results. Reporting was new to me as I’ve never been part of a larger digital marketing team working for a bigger company.
For my business currently I only have to collect, analyze and understand the data, then the changes I need to make to improve my campaign.
The activity was actually interpreting collected data and bar graphs and creating a presentation of how it should be communicated to the stakeholders (which was a made-up company).
After completing the activities, the course provides what they call an Activity Exemplar. This is Googles example of what it should look like, so we can compare it to our own work.
Now, I start Module 5 of the 4th course and then I go onto course number 5.
What’s been happening on the biz front?
At the same time, I’m completing this course I’m also still building my business, learning from my mentor, coaches and peers. I have to say my day is quite filled!
This past week I continued to follow up with my email list, post and engage on social media, primarily on Facebook and track my Facebook lead ads daily progress.
As I continue learning from the Digital marketing course it does help that I can relate to my own social media marketing campaign and implement anything I may not be currently practicing.
My Facebook lead ad has lately not been getting as many leads, in fact, even the reach has reduced.
Over the next week I am going to be reviewing what may or may not be working and make some adjustments to improve the ad’s outcome.
Paid ads are a continued work in progress. There needs to be continual monitoring and adjusting for optimal performance. Seeing that I’m still quite new to paid ads as well I’m a work in progress and learning with each day.
I wake up every day and try to do the best I can with the steps and details required daily to run my business. Sometimes it’s exciting and sometimes it’s very stressful and other times it can be blah!
Just being honest. That’s what my blogging is about. Documenting my journey and being honest enough to share the truth, the good, the blah, and the screw ups.
BUT… IT IS ALWAYS WORTH IT! I love what I’m doing!
On the job front.
If you’ve been following my journey you may already know that I’m also in the background looking for another job.
My business has not generated much income yet and so this leads me to a place where it costs money to live, and I haven’t made an income for many months.
Job searching has been challenging and even disheartening at times. I’ve been turned down from such easy to do entry level jobs, even Walmart.
My wife has been a superstar keeping my mind right and reminding me not to take it personally and believe if I didn’t get it then there’s something better. She’s so empowering!
Anyhow, just today I connected with a distribution company that showed interest and wants to meet with me this coming week to assess if this is a good fit.
Of course, I will be assessing if it is actually a job I can do since I have two back injuries that sometimes act up, and I don’t want to make it worse.
I hope I can handle it and it all works out. Not making an income for so long has been one of the most challenging things I’ve been dealing with.
I’ve worked since I was 12 years old and although I’ve had seasons of not working I had employment insurance relieving some of the lack of income until I found something else.
Mental health
When you have a lifestyle of always earning an income and identifying with a career job and regular income it can mess a person up to not have that anymore.
It messes with my identity, not being able to help provide for my family financially, feeling like less of a person, and it can get quite heavy at times.
Again, my wife is an enormous strength to me. She asks questions that sometimes I don’t want to answer, she shares tips and techniques for managing better mental health and getting out of my funk.
I wouldn’t be able to continue this way if it wasn’t for her support and constant love regardless of the obstacles that smash me.
She has supported my affiliate marketing journey from the beginning and was on board with the Google Digital Marketing training as well.
So, although my mental health isn’t always in the greatest shape it’s continually improving, and I have the amazing support of my wife and son to keep me going. I’m so blessed!
I know I was quite personal here with what I’m going through, and I hope that’s okay. I believe in sharing the truth in my journey not for sympathy but to show the possible reality in how a life building an online business can be.
We see so many people on social media that look so accomplished and like nothing goes wrong, but they’re only showing the good in business.
What I’m sharing is how it can really be, and often really is. Of course, each person deals with their own ups and downs and experience different wins and failures.
It’s important to know it’s not easy, it’s not quick, the crap will hit the fan, but never give up and keep working toward your goals!
That’s it that’s all for today friends!
Please take a moment and share your thoughts with me by leaving a comment. Maybe you have a question about what you read or just want to say hi. Either way, I look forward to reading your comments!
Talk soon
Denny
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Denny it was certainly interesting to read of of your progress on that Google Coursera course. I’ve quite often seen that program advertised. And reading of your progress in module 4 borught a smile to my face as I’ve spent much of my career with reporting on data in a corporate environment. It’s what I am real good at and totally enjoy.
It’s good to read that you love what you are doing with the Biz. The key to a good paid marketing campaign is with testing and I’m sure you will be doing so to find what will work better for you.
I totally hear you on the job front. It’s a different market these days with having to get through the bots first! The process can be frustrating and I’m glad to read of your empowering wife and her superstar attitude to keep you going. Good luck on that front!
And your thoughts and what you are going through mentally is such an important topic. One that really needs to brought to the forefront – especially this time of year. Anyone going through a difficult time has to be made aware that the flowers will bloom once again and there is always someone that can give a listen and provide help throughout.
Have a a great Christmas season Denny – and good luck on the job front!
Hi Denny,
It’s not often that people are this transparent about the ups and downs of building a business, and I really appreciate your openness. It’s inspiring to see how committed you are to learning, growing, and adapting, whether it’s through your Google Digital Marketing course or refining your Facebook ads.
I can tell how much effort you’re putting into every aspect of your journey, even when things aren’t easy. Your determination to keep moving forward, even in the face of challenges, is something to be proud of.
I’m also glad to hear about the potential job opportunity, I’ll be hoping it works out for you. It’s so nice to see how much support you have from your wife and son. Having that encouragement and love can make all the difference.
Thank you for being real about the struggles and sharing the full picture of your journey. It’s a reminder that success isn’t always a straight line, but persistence and belief in your goals can get you through. Wishing you the best in everything ahead, you’ve got this!
Meredith
Hey, Denny!
The Google course sounds interesting. How did you come across it?
I’m sorry to hear your Facebook LeadAd has slumped. I can relate to that problem. In fact, I’m thinking my ad is attracting people interested in affiliate marketing but not necessarily serious about it, so perhaps I should change it up. Lead Ads do need continual watch. It’s tempting to set it and go, but sometimes it does need improvement.
I’m glad you have your wife’s support. I have some health issues, too. I was a teacher and had to stop work. It was a shock to my identity to no longer have a career and earn an income. I hope you find a job soon. It’s such a blessing to have a job; it’s something I took for granted for a long time! Meanwhile, I wish you the best in your business. I look forward to your email each week announcing your blog. Perhaps you could send one mid-week, just letting us know how it’s going? I’m sure your audience would love it! I appreciate your consistency, Denny! Lately, I’ve had a hard time being so, and I find your continual efforts inspiring!
Nakina
Hi Denny,
Great post and appreciate your candid openness regarding your current situation.
It can be disheartening not being able to find employment but definitely is helpful when you have the support of your spouse as you do!
Looking forward to great news in the not too distant future on that front and also how you grow your business!
All the best!
Hi Denny – My oh my, you have been busy! Thank you for sharing your pursuits in digital marketing education as well as being totally transparent about your situation. The job situation is cold out here. I have found the same issue with me even though I have a vast number of years of experience and a tremendous number of references. That is why I am now relying on working for me in my online business not only to sustain but to do the things that I want to do on my own terms. Sounds like you have the same goal! Have a great week!