So you’ve decided to take the plunge, you’ve signed up for a reputable affiliate program and you’re ready to start building your reputation and making money online. Congrats!

Now you have to decide which direction you want to take. Do you want to take one of the many free courses that crop up every day on YouTube or do you want to pay for one of the premium courses that promise to teach you tricks of the trade and show you exactly how to make money online.

Honestly, it can be a pretty daunting task figuring out which of the many courses you should focus on. But if you want to become a successful online marketer, you need to make a conscious and educated decision. And the good news is there is an easy solution. You can do this by following the 5 steps outlined below.

Decide Which Type Of Marketer You Want To Become

You have countless options when it comes to online courses. From video tutorials on Instagram to e-commerce masterminds who want to show you how to build a successful online store. There is a course for everyone. But before you dive in, you need to decide what type of marketer you want to become.

Do you want to be the kind of marketer who makes money online by selling affiliate products online? Do you want to be the kind of marketer who focuses on paid advertising or do you want to be the kind of marketer who creates content and earns money from affiliate sales? What is your end goal?

These are all questions you need to ask yourself before you make any significant decision. It’s important to identify what you want out of the experience and be realistic about your chances of achieving that goal. You don’t want to sign up for a course that you think will make you a lot of money but will, in reality, frustrate you to no end. The better your chances of achieving your goals, the more you’ll enjoy the process. So always ask yourself: What is my end goal?

Decide Which Platform You’ll Use To Get The Most Out Of The Course

While you don’t necessarily need to learn video editing in order to make videos for your blog or social media, not all video editing courses are made equal. Some platforms offer really incredible features that can help you grow your audience and engagement, with the bonus of being able to make professional-looking videos quickly and easily. These are things you might not want to miss out on. So make sure you consider the features of the platforms you are considering using when choosing which course to take.

Decide On The Perfect Study Schedule

Study schedules are everything in life. We all know what they are like, some people are morning people and some people are night people. We are all creatures of habit and wanting to do something different every now and then can feel like a monumental task.

If you are a big fan of Netflix, you might want to consider taking one of their online courses. Not only will it allow you to study whenever and wherever you want, but you can also use the following study schedule should you decide to take one of their courses:

• Monday: study for 2 hours
• Tuesday: study for 2 hours
• Wednesday: study for 2 hours
• Thursday: study for 2 hours
• Friday: study for 2 hours
• Saturday: rest and repeat
• Sunday: rest and repeat

This is what your schedule should look like. Monday through Friday, you’ll be reviewing the material, taking quizzes and assignments throughout the week. On Saturday and Sunday, you’ll have the chance to rest, repeat assignments and quiz yourself on what you’ve learned. The more you put in, the more you’ll get back, so make sure you are willing to commit to the time needed.

Choose a course that will suit your needs. If you know you are a morning person and likes to get things done early in the day, you might want to consider an online course that you can take part in either early in the morning or late at night. This way you can get the most out of the material and get the most sleep possible. When you sleep, you recharge and are ready to learn new stuff the next day. So if this is something you are seriously considering, then make sure you meet the tutor(s) in person to get the answers to all your questions.

Choose A Tutor Who Teaches In A Way You Can Learn

The best way to learn something new is by having someone teach it to you. There is no substitute for actual, in-person learning when it comes to something as complex as online marketing. However, this doesn’t mean you have to take a course solely with someone in person. Online tutors work just as hard as their in-person counterparts, if not harder, to ensure you understand every bit of information and are able to retain it.

This is why it is so important to choose a tutoring service that is reputable. There are many scammers and hustlers who will promise to make your online marketing faster and easier who aren’t worth your time or money. Make sure the tutor you choose has a good reputation. See if they are accredited by any professional bodies or associations. Check for reviews on the website. Look for signs of quality such as a vibrant community and high engagement on social media. Don’t be afraid to contact the tutor directly via email should you have any doubts about their legitimacy. Remember, online tutors work remotely, so you will need to find someone near you to meet up with and study with.

Learn As Much As You Can About The Subject

This is crucial for anyone who wants to seriously study and become an expert in any field. If you want to do online marketing, you need to know everything there is to know about it. It is an incredibly broad subject and there is a lot to learn. However, if you want to become the best, you need to dedicate yourself to learning as much as you can about it. This way, when you do encounter a situation you don’t know how to deal with, you’ll be able to search for the answer and find it quickly. If you want to become an expert, you need to start by becoming an expert in yourself.

You might find it helpful to take a look at what other people have to say about their experience with a specific course or tutor. This will help you get an idea of what to expect and it will give you a sense of whether or not the course is right for you. In most situations, it is best to take the path less travelled. This is especially relevant if you are looking to break into a completely new field. Don’t be afraid to consult others if you run into problems. They might have an idea or suggestion for how to proceed.

Do The Assignments

This might seem obvious, but doing the assignments is just as important as studying the material. The best way to learn is by doing. The more you do, the more you’ll learn. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to reflect on what you’ve learned and get a sense of whether or not you’ve truly understood it. The best way to learn is by doing, however, it is important to do the assignments in the right way. These should be done individually. Some tutors might make you do the assignments in a group, however, this isn’t a good idea. Collaborating on the assignments will only bring more learning opportunities and deeper insights for everyone involved. Plus, nothing stops you from getting extra help if you need it. There is no shame in asking for help, especially when you’ve been studying so hard.

When you’ve finished all of the coursework and done all of the assignments, take a break. Give yourself a break and let your brain relax for a little while. Then, come back and start reviewing what you’ve learned. Do this for a few days, then switch gears and do the same thing with a different set of online courses. This will help you find your feet and get a sense of what is working and what needs to be changed. Don’t be afraid to try new things, but make sure you are measuring the results of your changes. This way, you’ll be able to determine whether or not what you are doing is actually helping you improve. To quote Michael Michalowicz, President of The Master Certified Counselor Training Program: “Fail to measure, you’ll never know if you’ve improved or not. So get a calculator and keep track of the numbers.”