It sounds like you're considering investing in a digital marketing course but you have some concerns about the uncertain outcomes of your current digital marketing efforts. Let's break it down into simple terms so you can make an informed decision. 1. How Digital Marketing Works:- Digital marketingRead more
It sounds like you’re considering investing in a digital marketing course but you have some concerns about the uncertain outcomes of your current digital marketing efforts. Let’s break it down into simple terms so you can make an informed decision.
1. How Digital Marketing Works:
– Digital marketing involves promoting products or services using digital technology like the internet, mobile phones, and other digital mediums.
– It includes strategies like search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, and paid advertising.
2. Benefits of Learning Digital Marketing:
– Increased job opportunities: Digital marketing skills are in high demand.
– Ability to promote your business: Learning how to market online can help you reach a wider audience.
– Potential to earn money: With the right skills, you can offer digital marketing services to companies and individuals.
3. Risks of Digital Marketing:
– It can be competitive: Many people are also learning digital marketing, so you need to stand out.
– Results may not be immediate: It takes time to see the full benefits of digital marketing efforts.
– Investment required: Courses and tools to improve your skills can be costly.
4. Real-Life Nigerian Example:
– Let’s say Mama Nkechi, who sells handmade bags, learns digital marketing. She can use social media to showcase her products to a wider audience and increase sales.
5. Common Mistakes:
– Rushing into paid advertising without a clear strategy.
– Not staying updated with the latest digital marketing trends.
– Neglecting the importance of building a strong online presence.
6. Practical Steps to Get Started:
– Research and choose a reputable digital marketing course that fits your budget.
– Focus on mastering one aspect of digital marketing before branching out.
– Practice consistently and apply what you learn to real-life projects.
In summary, digital marketing can be a valuable skill to learn, but it’s essential to weigh the costs and potential benefits carefully given your current financial situation. Investing in your education is important, but ensure it aligns with your long-term goals and financial capabilities.
What other questions do you have about digital marketing or investments in new skills?
Thank you for sharing the details. There are actually some positive signs here that you may be overlooking. You said you got 36 sales. Unless those sales came from a much larger number of clicks than you mentioned, that's not necessarily a poor outcome. The bigger question is where people are droppiRead more
Thank you for sharing the details. There are actually some positive signs here that you may be overlooking.
You said you got 36 sales. Unless those sales came from a much larger number of clicks than you mentioned, that’s not necessarily a poor outcome. The bigger question is where people are dropping off.
From what you’ve described, I think there are a few issues.
1. Your target audience is too broad
“Students, retired people, job seekers, and stay-at-home parents” are four very different audiences.
Each has different:
Pain points
Income levels
Motivations
Objections
A job seeker might respond to:
“Earn while looking for a job.”
A retiree is more interested in:
“A simple online income without physical stress.”
The same ad rarely converts all of them well.
2. You’re selling an opportunity, not just a course
This is a very competitive niche.
People in Nigeria have seen hundreds of:
“Earn in dollars”
“Earn in pounds”
“Online survey”
“Side hustle”
Unfortunately, many have also seen scams. So when they see another advert, their default reaction is scepticism.
That means trust is your biggest challenge—not traffic.
3. WhatsApp groups may be creating friction
Think about the customer’s journey:
Facebook Ad → WhatsApp Group → Training → Course → Purchase.
Every extra step causes some people to leave.
Ask yourself:
How many clicked?
How many joined the WhatsApp group?
How many attended the training?
How many stayed until the end?
How many actually bought?
If you don’t know these numbers, you can’t identify the bottleneck.
4. Testimonials alone aren’t enough
Most affiliate marketers rely heavily on testimonials.
Instead, explain:
What online surveys actually are.
Who pays for them.
Why companies pay people.
How much beginners can realistically expect.
How long it takes before seeing results.
Education builds credibility.
5. Being camera shy
This is probably the biggest long-term constraint you’ve mentioned.
People buy from people they trust.
You don’t have to become an entertainer, but over time I’d encourage you to become comfortable appearing on camera. Even simple videos where you explain one concept at a time can make a big difference.
Something else stood out to me
You mentioned that:
Facebook ad accounts are getting locked.
You’re relying on paid ads and influencers.
Organic content isn’t your strength yet.
That’s a risky position because your business depends on platforms you don’t control.
I’d spend the next few months building an audience you own:
An email list.
A WhatsApp broadcast list.
Consistent educational content on TikTok or LinkedIn.
Even one short educational video a day is better than posting only when you’re launching an offer.
One final thought
Earlier you asked me about local SEO and about getting licensed as a fund manager. Those are very different interests from affiliate marketing.
That makes me wonder what your long-term goal is.
If your ambition is to build a respected business, I’d encourage you to think beyond promoting a single course. Learn skills that businesses will consistently pay for—such as SEO, Google Business Profile optimisation, paid advertising, or analytics—and use affiliate marketing as an additional income stream rather than your entire business.
That way, if one offer stops converting or one platform changes its rules, you still have a business with valuable expertise behind it.
One question for you: How much do you earn per sale of the survey course? That number is important because it tells us whether your advertising is actually profitable or whether you’re spending too much to acquire each customer.
First, thank you for explaining your situation so clearly. What you've described is not unusual in affiliate marketing, but it is painful—especially when you've invested two years, spent money on ads, and watched people you taught surpass you. From what you've shared, I don't think the biggest problRead more
First, thank you for explaining your situation so clearly. What you’ve described is not unusual in affiliate marketing, but it is painful—especially when you’ve invested two years, spent money on ads, and watched people you taught surpass you.
From what you’ve shared, I don’t think the biggest problem is that you haven’t worked hard enough. I think the problem is likely where your effort is going.
Here are the patterns I notice.
1. You’re trying to buy sales before you’ve built trust.
You mentioned:
Running Facebook ads.
Paying influencers.
Using Facebook automation.
Targeting prospective buyers.
What I didn’t hear was:
An audience that knows you.
Case studies.
Testimonials.
A personal brand.
A content system that consistently builds trust.
People don’t usually buy a ₦10,000 digital product from someone they met five minutes ago through an ad.
2. Your numbers may not work.
Let’s assume:
Product price = ₦10,000
Your commission = ₦6,000
If it costs ₦4,500–₦6,500 in advertising to make one sale, you’re either barely breaking even or losing money.
Many beginners focus on making sales, but experienced marketers focus on customer acquisition cost (CAC) and return on ad spend (ROAS).
3. You may be selling what people don’t urgently need.
Ask yourself:
Does this product solve a painful problem?
Or is it another “make money online” course competing with thousands of others?
Products tied to urgent needs often convert more easily than products people see as optional.
4. You’re relying too much on paid ads.
Paid ads amplify what already works. If an offer doesn’t convert organically, ads often just make you lose money faster.
5. You may not be testing enough.
Many campaigns fail not because the marketer is bad, but because they stop after testing only a few:
headlines,
creatives,
audiences,
landing pages,
offers.
Successful campaigns often come after many iterations.
If I were in your shoes today
Since you’re broke, I would stop paid ads completely for now.
Instead, for the next 90 days I would:
Create one helpful video every day answering a real problem in my niche.
Build an email list or WhatsApp community.
Share useful content before making any offer.
Collect testimonials from anyone I’ve genuinely helped.
Focus on conversations with potential buyers rather than chasing large numbers.
I also want to ask you something difficult.
You said:
“The people I taught are far ahead but me no.”
That suggests you understand the theory.
So the question becomes:
Are they selling a different product, targeting a different audience, communicating differently, or are they simply more consistent?
The answer to that question may reveal more than another marketing course.
I want to help you diagnose this properly.
Please answer these questions as specifically as you can:
What exactly is the product you’re promoting? (Not just “a digital product”—what does it help people achieve?)
Who is the ideal customer? (Students, job seekers, business owners, parents, etc.)
Where do you send people after they click? (WhatsApp, Telegram, website, landing page?)
How many people have clicked your ads?
How many actually bought?
Can you show me one of the ad copies or creatives you used?
Which affiliate platform or company are you promoting through?
If you answer those seven questions, I’ll analyze your funnel step by step and point out where people are dropping off. My goal won’t be to sell you another strategy—it will be to identify the specific bottleneck that’s costing you sales.
How can I build a profitable digital marketing business in Nigeria with little or no capital?
It sounds like you're considering investing in a digital marketing course but you have some concerns about the uncertain outcomes of your current digital marketing efforts. Let's break it down into simple terms so you can make an informed decision. 1. How Digital Marketing Works:- Digital marketingRead more
It sounds like you’re considering investing in a digital marketing course but you have some concerns about the uncertain outcomes of your current digital marketing efforts. Let’s break it down into simple terms so you can make an informed decision.
1. How Digital Marketing Works:
– Digital marketing involves promoting products or services using digital technology like the internet, mobile phones, and other digital mediums.
– It includes strategies like search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, and paid advertising.
2. Benefits of Learning Digital Marketing:
– Increased job opportunities: Digital marketing skills are in high demand.
– Ability to promote your business: Learning how to market online can help you reach a wider audience.
– Potential to earn money: With the right skills, you can offer digital marketing services to companies and individuals.
3. Risks of Digital Marketing:
– It can be competitive: Many people are also learning digital marketing, so you need to stand out.
– Results may not be immediate: It takes time to see the full benefits of digital marketing efforts.
– Investment required: Courses and tools to improve your skills can be costly.
4. Real-Life Nigerian Example:
– Let’s say Mama Nkechi, who sells handmade bags, learns digital marketing. She can use social media to showcase her products to a wider audience and increase sales.
5. Common Mistakes:
– Rushing into paid advertising without a clear strategy.
– Not staying updated with the latest digital marketing trends.
– Neglecting the importance of building a strong online presence.
6. Practical Steps to Get Started:
– Research and choose a reputable digital marketing course that fits your budget.
– Focus on mastering one aspect of digital marketing before branching out.
– Practice consistently and apply what you learn to real-life projects.
In summary, digital marketing can be a valuable skill to learn, but it’s essential to weigh the costs and potential benefits carefully given your current financial situation. Investing in your education is important, but ensure it aligns with your long-term goals and financial capabilities.
What other questions do you have about digital marketing or investments in new skills?
See lessWhy Am I Struggling to Make Consistent Sales as a Digital Marketer in Nigeria?
Thank you for sharing the details. There are actually some positive signs here that you may be overlooking. You said you got 36 sales. Unless those sales came from a much larger number of clicks than you mentioned, that's not necessarily a poor outcome. The bigger question is where people are droppiRead more
Thank you for sharing the details. There are actually some positive signs here that you may be overlooking.
See lessYou said you got 36 sales. Unless those sales came from a much larger number of clicks than you mentioned, that’s not necessarily a poor outcome. The bigger question is where people are dropping off.
From what you’ve described, I think there are a few issues.
1. Your target audience is too broad
“Students, retired people, job seekers, and stay-at-home parents” are four very different audiences.
Each has different:
Pain points
Income levels
Motivations
Objections
A job seeker might respond to:
“Earn while looking for a job.”
A retiree is more interested in:
“A simple online income without physical stress.”
The same ad rarely converts all of them well.
2. You’re selling an opportunity, not just a course
This is a very competitive niche.
People in Nigeria have seen hundreds of:
“Earn in dollars”
“Earn in pounds”
“Online survey”
“Side hustle”
Unfortunately, many have also seen scams. So when they see another advert, their default reaction is scepticism.
That means trust is your biggest challenge—not traffic.
3. WhatsApp groups may be creating friction
Think about the customer’s journey:
Facebook Ad → WhatsApp Group → Training → Course → Purchase.
Every extra step causes some people to leave.
Ask yourself:
How many clicked?
How many joined the WhatsApp group?
How many attended the training?
How many stayed until the end?
How many actually bought?
If you don’t know these numbers, you can’t identify the bottleneck.
4. Testimonials alone aren’t enough
Most affiliate marketers rely heavily on testimonials.
Instead, explain:
What online surveys actually are.
Who pays for them.
Why companies pay people.
How much beginners can realistically expect.
How long it takes before seeing results.
Education builds credibility.
5. Being camera shy
This is probably the biggest long-term constraint you’ve mentioned.
People buy from people they trust.
You don’t have to become an entertainer, but over time I’d encourage you to become comfortable appearing on camera. Even simple videos where you explain one concept at a time can make a big difference.
Something else stood out to me
You mentioned that:
Facebook ad accounts are getting locked.
You’re relying on paid ads and influencers.
Organic content isn’t your strength yet.
That’s a risky position because your business depends on platforms you don’t control.
I’d spend the next few months building an audience you own:
An email list.
A WhatsApp broadcast list.
Consistent educational content on TikTok or LinkedIn.
Even one short educational video a day is better than posting only when you’re launching an offer.
One final thought
Earlier you asked me about local SEO and about getting licensed as a fund manager. Those are very different interests from affiliate marketing.
That makes me wonder what your long-term goal is.
If your ambition is to build a respected business, I’d encourage you to think beyond promoting a single course. Learn skills that businesses will consistently pay for—such as SEO, Google Business Profile optimisation, paid advertising, or analytics—and use affiliate marketing as an additional income stream rather than your entire business.
That way, if one offer stops converting or one platform changes its rules, you still have a business with valuable expertise behind it.
One question for you: How much do you earn per sale of the survey course? That number is important because it tells us whether your advertising is actually profitable or whether you’re spending too much to acquire each customer.
What Am I Doing Wrong as a Digital Marketer Despite Running Paid Ads?
First, thank you for explaining your situation so clearly. What you've described is not unusual in affiliate marketing, but it is painful—especially when you've invested two years, spent money on ads, and watched people you taught surpass you. From what you've shared, I don't think the biggest problRead more
First, thank you for explaining your situation so clearly. What you’ve described is not unusual in affiliate marketing, but it is painful—especially when you’ve invested two years, spent money on ads, and watched people you taught surpass you.
See lessFrom what you’ve shared, I don’t think the biggest problem is that you haven’t worked hard enough. I think the problem is likely where your effort is going.
Here are the patterns I notice.
1. You’re trying to buy sales before you’ve built trust.
You mentioned:
Running Facebook ads.
Paying influencers.
Using Facebook automation.
Targeting prospective buyers.
What I didn’t hear was:
An audience that knows you.
Case studies.
Testimonials.
A personal brand.
A content system that consistently builds trust.
People don’t usually buy a ₦10,000 digital product from someone they met five minutes ago through an ad.
2. Your numbers may not work.
Let’s assume:
Product price = ₦10,000
Your commission = ₦6,000
If it costs ₦4,500–₦6,500 in advertising to make one sale, you’re either barely breaking even or losing money.
Many beginners focus on making sales, but experienced marketers focus on customer acquisition cost (CAC) and return on ad spend (ROAS).
3. You may be selling what people don’t urgently need.
Ask yourself:
Does this product solve a painful problem?
Or is it another “make money online” course competing with thousands of others?
Products tied to urgent needs often convert more easily than products people see as optional.
4. You’re relying too much on paid ads.
Paid ads amplify what already works. If an offer doesn’t convert organically, ads often just make you lose money faster.
5. You may not be testing enough.
Many campaigns fail not because the marketer is bad, but because they stop after testing only a few:
headlines,
creatives,
audiences,
landing pages,
offers.
Successful campaigns often come after many iterations.
If I were in your shoes today
Since you’re broke, I would stop paid ads completely for now.
Instead, for the next 90 days I would:
Create one helpful video every day answering a real problem in my niche.
Build an email list or WhatsApp community.
Share useful content before making any offer.
Collect testimonials from anyone I’ve genuinely helped.
Focus on conversations with potential buyers rather than chasing large numbers.
I also want to ask you something difficult.
You said:
“The people I taught are far ahead but me no.”
That suggests you understand the theory.
So the question becomes:
Are they selling a different product, targeting a different audience, communicating differently, or are they simply more consistent?
The answer to that question may reveal more than another marketing course.
I want to help you diagnose this properly.
Please answer these questions as specifically as you can:
What exactly is the product you’re promoting? (Not just “a digital product”—what does it help people achieve?)
Who is the ideal customer? (Students, job seekers, business owners, parents, etc.)
Where do you send people after they click? (WhatsApp, Telegram, website, landing page?)
How many people have clicked your ads?
How many actually bought?
Can you show me one of the ad copies or creatives you used?
Which affiliate platform or company are you promoting through?
If you answer those seven questions, I’ll analyze your funnel step by step and point out where people are dropping off. My goal won’t be to sell you another strategy—it will be to identify the specific bottleneck that’s costing you sales.