![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/lifehackerguy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/tom-working-nightlife.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
It would be great to get some background on where you\u2019re from, your early life, studying, and career.<\/h2>\n
I grew up in Belgium, I have a Bachelor in Graphical & Digital Media, with a specialization in Multimedia production. Basically, anything from basic drawing, to design (both web and print), to 3D animation, special effects, video editing, and coding. Very broad.<\/p>\n
My first real job was as a consultant in a global consultancy company, mainly doing flash animations and graphic design for the web. Figured I needed more of a human connection, so moved into sales, I earned a lot less money, but was a lot happier.<\/p>\n
Then moved to Australia in 2011.<\/p>\n
You used to work with client SEO and have agency (is this right?) but moved towards your own affiliate projects. What triggered the move?<\/h2>\n
So, to back up a bit. In 2012 I found this course on creating micro-niche sites with WordPress, rank them, and monetize them… I made so many that year and learned so much (even though most were smashed by Google updates, I was way too aggressive), that in 2013 I started a web design agency, ranked locally very quickly for all terms related to web design and SEO, got a lot of leads, used my sales experience to convert them, and grew from there.<\/p>\n
But after a while, I found that agency life wasn\u2019t really my thing, I probably had the wrong SOPs in place (if I even had any back then), or maybe I was charging too little.<\/p>\n
But constantly having to re-educate every client, the constant emails and calls about their ranks dropping 1 position, the scope creep on web projects, etc.
\nI really wanted something else, I knew I could do more with my skills, work on my own stuff, instead of growing everybody else\u2019s and barely getting anything back for it\u2026 but by that time it was 2014, I just had my first child, and we had bills to pay, so I really couldn\u2019t find a quick way out, or didn\u2019t know yet how to shift to something more passive.<\/p>\n
That changed in 2016, so 2 years later, when I made another go of creating an affiliate site, I\u2019ve had enough SEO experience now because of the client-work, I was way more confident that I could make it work. The big break came at the end of 2016 when I went to Chiang Mai, where Matt and a few others where speaking\u2026 this was before it even was a conference. I went with one of my best mates, Alex, to really just hear this Diggity dude talk, to chill, to network, etc.<\/p>\n
Turns out the domain I was working on was way more powerful than I thought\u2026 people had to point it out to me\u2026 and then they gave me some tips, which I implemented immediately.<\/p>\n
My earnings went from $500\/mo before Chiang Mai, to $3k\/mo when I got back from Chiang Mai… That really kicked me in the ass, so I built on that success, and grew it to around 30k\/mo within 7 months.<\/p>\n
Are you a solo affiliate or do you have a team? Do you see this changing in the future?<\/h2>\n
I\u2019ve got 2 full-time writers at the moment (both of which mainly write for JV projects), and 1 full-time VA (who\u2019s really really good). The rest are all contractors and services I tap into when needed.<\/p>\n
I definitely want to add more full-timers as it forces me to come up with tasks for them… Can\u2019t have them doing anything… sort of forces you to grow, otherwise you\u2019re just throwing money away.<\/p>\n
![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/lifehackerguy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/tom-laptop-lifestyle.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
During your journey what resources (books, podcasts, blogs) have been a huge influence on the way?<\/h2>\n
Oh man, there are honestly so many.<\/p>\n
Blogs\/people:<\/h3>\n\n- Diggity of course, keeps stuff up to date, def in his course the affiliate lab<\/li>\n
- Charles Floate, until a year ago or so, wrote some really good posts, but he has gone a bit off the radar for a while I think<\/li>\n
- Lionzeal way back in the day<\/li>\n
- Daniel Cuttridge has good stuff on medium<\/li>\n
- Kyle roof for on-page stuff<\/li>\n
- The authority hacker crew<\/li>\n
- The Traffic Think Tank community is super useful<\/li>\n
- Glen Allsopp<\/li>\n
- The ahrefs blog<\/li>\n
- John Dykstra for how he does his kw research is pretty interesting<\/li>\n
- James Dooley more for mindset stuff<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
And I\u2019m probably missing a bunch.<\/p>\n
Books:<\/h3>\n\n- 4-hour work week (see Amazon<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Company of one (see Amazon<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Podcasts:<\/h3>\n
In no specific order.<\/p>\n
\n- Authority Hacker podcast<\/li>\n
- The Doug Show<\/li>\n
- Experts on the wire is ok<\/li>\n
- The tropical MBA<\/li>\n
- The side hustle show<\/li>\n
- Noah Kagan presents is ok too<\/li>\n
- Empire Flippers podcast<\/li>\n
- Building online empires podcast<\/li>\n
- Niche pursuits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Craig Campbell ones I haven\u2019t really listened to yet but it\u2019s on the to-do list.<\/p>\n
[Adam – Nice, a few on there that I haven't checked out so thanks for that!]<\/em><\/p>\nYou are one of the few affiliate marketing guys I know with a family. With a family, you can often get disruptions with holidays and sickness. Do you have a flexible work routine? What\u2019s your typical day like? <\/h2>\n
![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/lifehackerguy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/tom-dad-role.jpg\")
Not going to lie, it\u2019s tricky at times. There are disruptions that happen, holidays to book, kids get sick, Jess (wife) might get sick, generally sleep is an issue, lots can get in the way of work.<\/p>\n
So, you have to be flexible. I have multiple to-do lists based on how much focus\/energy I have. So, if we had a bad night and my mind is fuzzy, I do the simple stuff like accounting, ordering some links, running surfer audits, etc.<\/p>\n
If my energy levels are good, I go for the harder stuff, KW research, build briefs for more complex tasks for my VA or contractors to handle, do interlinking audits, etc.<\/p>\n
The ideal day is I wake up at 5.30-ish, Jess goes exercising, either cardio or Pilates, I look after the kids until she gets back, then she takes them to school and kindergarten, I get to the office around 8.30 or so, and if nothing goes wrong that day, I can work until 5-5.30 before going home, helping with the kids evening routine, watch an episode of some series, currently it\u2019s \u201cMan in the High Castle\u201d, in bed by 9, then do it all again.<\/p>\n
Weekends are generally off-limits workwise unless something goes really wrong with one of the projects.<\/strong><\/p>\nSo that would be the ideal schedule, if I can get a full week of that routine w\/o issues, it\u2019s a really good week and I\u2019m a happy man when it comes to productivity.<\/p>\n
…you have to be flexible. I have multiple to-do lists based on how much focus\/energy I have<\/strong><\/div>\nAlso, because a lot can get in the way, I need to be flexible with project deadlines I set for myself, and every time I put a date on a given task, I usually have a second date sort of in my mind in case something happens and I can\u2019t get it done by date 1.<\/p>\n
That being said, as the kids get older, it\u2019s getting a lot easier. Fewer things happen, they get sick a lot less, are more independent. The first few years are definitely the hardest.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s big your biggest challenge and success working as a digital entrepreneur?<\/h2>\n
I think the biggest challenge is to continue keeping an eye on the future and where your specific marketing strategy or strategies are going. In my case, it\u2019s mainly SEO, so I try to look ahead and map out where Google could possibly go in the years ahead and adjust accordingly\u2026 as much as that\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n
For example: As we\u2019re moving to fewer and fewer people actually clicking on search results because Google provides more and more answers on their pages, I try to combat that by partnering with more companies that are subscription-based and give \u2013 as affiliate commissions \u2013 a % of that subscription cost for the life-time of the sign-ups or clients that you send them. That way you can build a recurring rev stream, and even if Google ends up sending less and less traffic, you\u2019re still getting that recurring rev of the clients as long as they use that specific service.<\/p>\n
As for the biggest success. Actually, pulling off the switch to full-time affiliate while supporting a family… that, looking back, I honestly can\u2019t believe I did.<\/strong> <\/p>\nThe freedom this business model gives is just amazing. Like I\u2019m sending my wife to Singapore for a girl\u2019s trip at the end of Feb, and I\u2019ll stay and look after the kids… because affiliate income will keep coming even if I\u2019m not working. <\/p>\n
We\u2019re going to New Zealand mid-year on a fam snow holiday. I\u2019m heading to Chiang Mai mid-year for a co-working\/chill week, and then again at the end of the year for the conference. I\u2019ll probably plan in another trip around august too…. maybe the Empire Retreat in Phuket as I missed it last year. That freedom never gets old and it\u2019s the primary motivator to keep scaling.<\/p>\n
I am recently got into small mastermind groups to brainstorm and share ideas. Do you actively get involved in Masterminds or prefer to be a lone wolf?<\/h2>\n
And I\u2019m probably missing a bunch.<\/p>\n
Books:<\/h3>\n\n- 4-hour work week (see Amazon<\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Company of one (see Amazon<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Podcasts:<\/h3>\n
In no specific order.<\/p>\n
\n- Authority Hacker podcast<\/li>\n
- The Doug Show<\/li>\n
- Experts on the wire is ok<\/li>\n
- The tropical MBA<\/li>\n
- The side hustle show<\/li>\n
- Noah Kagan presents is ok too<\/li>\n
- Empire Flippers podcast<\/li>\n
- Building online empires podcast<\/li>\n
- Niche pursuits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Craig Campbell ones I haven\u2019t really listened to yet but it\u2019s on the to-do list.<\/p>\n
[Adam – Nice, a few on there that I haven't checked out so thanks for that!]<\/em><\/p>\nYou are one of the few affiliate marketing guys I know with a family. With a family, you can often get disruptions with holidays and sickness. Do you have a flexible work routine? What\u2019s your typical day like? <\/h2>\n
Not going to lie, it\u2019s tricky at times. There are disruptions that happen, holidays to book, kids get sick, Jess (wife) might get sick, generally sleep is an issue, lots can get in the way of work.<\/p>\n
So, you have to be flexible. I have multiple to-do lists based on how much focus\/energy I have. So, if we had a bad night and my mind is fuzzy, I do the simple stuff like accounting, ordering some links, running surfer audits, etc.<\/p>\n
If my energy levels are good, I go for the harder stuff, KW research, build briefs for more complex tasks for my VA or contractors to handle, do interlinking audits, etc.<\/p>\n
The ideal day is I wake up at 5.30-ish, Jess goes exercising, either cardio or Pilates, I look after the kids until she gets back, then she takes them to school and kindergarten, I get to the office around 8.30 or so, and if nothing goes wrong that day, I can work until 5-5.30 before going home, helping with the kids evening routine, watch an episode of some series, currently it\u2019s \u201cMan in the High Castle\u201d, in bed by 9, then do it all again.<\/p>\n
Weekends are generally off-limits workwise unless something goes really wrong with one of the projects.<\/strong><\/p>\nSo that would be the ideal schedule, if I can get a full week of that routine w\/o issues, it\u2019s a really good week and I\u2019m a happy man when it comes to productivity.<\/p>\n
…you have to be flexible. I have multiple to-do lists based on how much focus\/energy I have<\/strong><\/div>\nAlso, because a lot can get in the way, I need to be flexible with project deadlines I set for myself, and every time I put a date on a given task, I usually have a second date sort of in my mind in case something happens and I can\u2019t get it done by date 1.<\/p>\n
That being said, as the kids get older, it\u2019s getting a lot easier. Fewer things happen, they get sick a lot less, are more independent. The first few years are definitely the hardest.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s big your biggest challenge and success working as a digital entrepreneur?<\/h2>\n
I think the biggest challenge is to continue keeping an eye on the future and where your specific marketing strategy or strategies are going. In my case, it\u2019s mainly SEO, so I try to look ahead and map out where Google could possibly go in the years ahead and adjust accordingly\u2026 as much as that\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n
For example: As we\u2019re moving to fewer and fewer people actually clicking on search results because Google provides more and more answers on their pages, I try to combat that by partnering with more companies that are subscription-based and give \u2013 as affiliate commissions \u2013 a % of that subscription cost for the life-time of the sign-ups or clients that you send them. That way you can build a recurring rev stream, and even if Google ends up sending less and less traffic, you\u2019re still getting that recurring rev of the clients as long as they use that specific service.<\/p>\n
As for the biggest success. Actually, pulling off the switch to full-time affiliate while supporting a family… that, looking back, I honestly can\u2019t believe I did.<\/strong> <\/p>\nThe freedom this business model gives is just amazing. Like I\u2019m sending my wife to Singapore for a girl\u2019s trip at the end of Feb, and I\u2019ll stay and look after the kids… because affiliate income will keep coming even if I\u2019m not working. <\/p>\n
We\u2019re going to New Zealand mid-year on a fam snow holiday. I\u2019m heading to Chiang Mai mid-year for a co-working\/chill week, and then again at the end of the year for the conference. I\u2019ll probably plan in another trip around august too…. maybe the Empire Retreat in Phuket as I missed it last year. That freedom never gets old and it\u2019s the primary motivator to keep scaling.<\/p>\n
I am recently got into small mastermind groups to brainstorm and share ideas. Do you actively get involved in Masterminds or prefer to be a lone wolf?<\/h2>\n
Podcasts:<\/h3>\n
In no specific order.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Authority Hacker podcast<\/li>\n
- The Doug Show<\/li>\n
- Experts on the wire is ok<\/li>\n
- The tropical MBA<\/li>\n
- The side hustle show<\/li>\n
- Noah Kagan presents is ok too<\/li>\n
- Empire Flippers podcast<\/li>\n
- Building online empires podcast<\/li>\n
- Niche pursuits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Craig Campbell ones I haven\u2019t really listened to yet but it\u2019s on the to-do list.<\/p>\n
[Adam – Nice, a few on there that I haven't checked out so thanks for that!]<\/em><\/p>\n
You are one of the few affiliate marketing guys I know with a family. With a family, you can often get disruptions with holidays and sickness. Do you have a flexible work routine? What\u2019s your typical day like? <\/h2>\n
Not going to lie, it\u2019s tricky at times. There are disruptions that happen, holidays to book, kids get sick, Jess (wife) might get sick, generally sleep is an issue, lots can get in the way of work.<\/p>\nSo, you have to be flexible. I have multiple to-do lists based on how much focus\/energy I have. So, if we had a bad night and my mind is fuzzy, I do the simple stuff like accounting, ordering some links, running surfer audits, etc.<\/p>\n
If my energy levels are good, I go for the harder stuff, KW research, build briefs for more complex tasks for my VA or contractors to handle, do interlinking audits, etc.<\/p>\n
The ideal day is I wake up at 5.30-ish, Jess goes exercising, either cardio or Pilates, I look after the kids until she gets back, then she takes them to school and kindergarten, I get to the office around 8.30 or so, and if nothing goes wrong that day, I can work until 5-5.30 before going home, helping with the kids evening routine, watch an episode of some series, currently it\u2019s \u201cMan in the High Castle\u201d, in bed by 9, then do it all again.<\/p>\n
Weekends are generally off-limits workwise unless something goes really wrong with one of the projects.<\/strong><\/p>\n
So that would be the ideal schedule, if I can get a full week of that routine w\/o issues, it\u2019s a really good week and I\u2019m a happy man when it comes to productivity.<\/p>\n
…you have to be flexible. I have multiple to-do lists based on how much focus\/energy I have<\/strong><\/div>\nAlso, because a lot can get in the way, I need to be flexible with project deadlines I set for myself, and every time I put a date on a given task, I usually have a second date sort of in my mind in case something happens and I can\u2019t get it done by date 1.<\/p>\n
That being said, as the kids get older, it\u2019s getting a lot easier. Fewer things happen, they get sick a lot less, are more independent. The first few years are definitely the hardest.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s big your biggest challenge and success working as a digital entrepreneur?<\/h2>\n
I think the biggest challenge is to continue keeping an eye on the future and where your specific marketing strategy or strategies are going. In my case, it\u2019s mainly SEO, so I try to look ahead and map out where Google could possibly go in the years ahead and adjust accordingly\u2026 as much as that\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n
For example: As we\u2019re moving to fewer and fewer people actually clicking on search results because Google provides more and more answers on their pages, I try to combat that by partnering with more companies that are subscription-based and give \u2013 as affiliate commissions \u2013 a % of that subscription cost for the life-time of the sign-ups or clients that you send them. That way you can build a recurring rev stream, and even if Google ends up sending less and less traffic, you\u2019re still getting that recurring rev of the clients as long as they use that specific service.<\/p>\n
As for the biggest success. Actually, pulling off the switch to full-time affiliate while supporting a family… that, looking back, I honestly can\u2019t believe I did.<\/strong> <\/p>\n
The freedom this business model gives is just amazing. Like I\u2019m sending my wife to Singapore for a girl\u2019s trip at the end of Feb, and I\u2019ll stay and look after the kids… because affiliate income will keep coming even if I\u2019m not working. <\/p>\n
We\u2019re going to New Zealand mid-year on a fam snow holiday. I\u2019m heading to Chiang Mai mid-year for a co-working\/chill week, and then again at the end of the year for the conference. I\u2019ll probably plan in another trip around august too…. maybe the Empire Retreat in Phuket as I missed it last year. That freedom never gets old and it\u2019s the primary motivator to keep scaling.<\/p>\n
I am recently got into small mastermind groups to brainstorm and share ideas. Do you actively get involved in Masterminds or prefer to be a lone wolf?<\/h2>\n
![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/lifehackerguy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/tom-masterminding.jpg\")
<\/p>\n