This is a guest post from Mike, who is a really successful poker affiliate.  There is a great message being sent here, and is something I need to try and follow more as well.  Thanks for doing an article for me Mike!  I will try post a couple more affiliate tips and motivation type posts like this over the summer, because I know I really like reading these types of posts (especially when I was a newer affiliate).

You Shouldn’t Be Reading this Post

Seriously. Get to work.

I’ve posted about this before, but the people I know who make the most money online don’t browse affiliate forums all day, study SEO posts, chat on Skype, or read affiliate blogs. Nor do they have the highest post counts at forums PAL… in fact, most of them have the lowest.

Of course I’m not saying you should never do any of the things above, because they do have some importance. I like to keep tabs on my friends by checking out their blogs once in a while, browse the forums to stay up on industry news (and it’s always cool to help people out… more on that later), and have Skype conversations to conduct business or chat with a buddy.

However, if you notice that most of your day is spent “researching” or “networking”, I bet you aren’t satisfied with your monthly income. And unfortunately, there is no amount of tools, filters, blockers, or anything else you can install on your computer that will cure your lack of productivity. You have to make the decision yourself.

Someone had a great post on the forums the other day (I think it was Graham) about how most of the older members who made up PartyRiches/PAW have “grown out” of the forum. I think that’s an excellent observation. Although I’m infinitely grateful for all the help I’ve received through the various forums Jeremy has run, I’ve gotten to the point where I know what to do and it’s just a matter of doing it. And I bet a lot of the people reading this post are at the same point.

This belief was further reinforced last week when I attended a SEO/Social Media conference. I went into the event hoping that I could pick up a few tactics from the so-called “gurus” that would give me an edge in the poker market.

However, over two days of presentations, Q&A, conversations, and panels, I learned two small things, neither of which will have a major effect on my business. There are no secrets… I’m pretty sure half the people I know could have run those sessions.

So what is the solution for an affiliate who wants to get to the next level? I’m not sure I have the answer, but it definitely isn’t to install “productivity boosters” on your computer, learn a new SEO theory, or read the latest time management strategy. I think all you need to do is decide deep down if you want a high post count or a fat bank account, and everything will flow from that decision.

BTW – I’d be very hypocritical if I told everyone to stop posting at/reading PAL, because I learned pretty much everything I know from those forums. But once you get to a certain point you need to cut down on your browsing time and increase your grinding time. If you want to help new affiliates out that is great, but there’s no reason to stay involved in all the drama and bickering that often fills the boards (and can quickly waste an entire workday).

This post was provided by Mike Wittmeyer of BestPokerSites.org.