What I Learned as a Beginner and Why These Lessons Still Matter
When I first started learning about digital marketing in 2019, I watched many videos from experienced marketers, including Eric Siu. Those videos helped me understand the basics. Looking back today, these are the lessons that have stayed with me and continue to shape how I build my own online business.
When I started my online business journey back in 2019, I was like many beginners.
I spent hours watching videos from experienced marketers, reading blog posts, and trying to understand how people were building successful online businesses.
One of the marketers I learned from was Eric Siu. His videos introduced me to many digital marketing concepts that were completely new to me at the time.
Looking back today, I realise something important.
While digital marketing changes every year, the principles of building a successful online business haven't changed nearly as much as people think.
These are six lessons that have stayed with me throughout my journey.
1. Always Put People Before Products
When I first started, I thought affiliate marketing was all about sharing links.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
People aren't looking for another sales pitch.
They're looking for solutions to real problems.
Today, before I recommend anything, I ask myself one question:
"Will this genuinely help someone?"
If the answer is yes, I'm happy to share it.
2. Trust Takes Time to Build
This is probably the biggest lesson I've learned.
You don't build trust overnight.
It comes from showing up consistently, writing helpful articles, and being honest—even when things don't go as planned.
I don't believe in making unrealistic promises because that's not how real businesses are built.
I'd rather share my own experiences, including the mistakes I've made, than pretend success happened overnight.
3. Keep Learning
Digital marketing never stands still.
There are always new tools, new platforms, and new ideas.
When I first started, I felt overwhelmed because I thought I had to learn everything.
Now I've learned that it's much better to focus on one thing, master it, and then move on to the next.
Learning never stops, but neither should taking action.
4. Your Website Is One of Your Greatest Assets
Social media is important, but platforms change.
Algorithms change.
Accounts can disappear.
Your website is different.
It's something you own.
Every helpful article you publish becomes another opportunity for someone to discover your business through Google.
That's one of the reasons I've continued improving GSM Entrepreneur over the years.
5. Build an Email List
If I could go back and give my beginner self one piece of advice, it would be this:
Start building your email list sooner.
An email list allows you to build relationships with people who are genuinely interested in what you share.
It's one of the smartest long-term investments you can make in your online business.
6. Success Comes From Consistency
For a long time, I thought successful marketers knew something I didn't.
Now I realise they simply kept going.
They kept learning.
They kept publishing.
They kept improving.
That's the approach I've chosen for my own business.
Some days are more productive than others, but every small step moves me forward.
What My Journey Has Taught Me
I'm still learning every day.
I'm not writing from the perspective of someone who has all the answers.
I'm writing as someone who understands what it's like to start with no experience, feel overwhelmed, and wonder if you're doing the right thing.
If my journey has taught me anything, it's this:
You don't need to know everything before you begin.
You just need to keep taking the next step.
Final Thoughts
Digital marketing isn't about chasing every new trend.
It's about helping people, building trust, and continuing to learn.
Those principles were true when I started my journey, and I believe they'll still be true for many years to come.
If you're just getting started, don't worry about being perfect.
Start where you are.
Learn as you go.
And don't be afraid to build your business one step at a time.
Your Next Step
If you'd like to learn the beginner-friendly system that helped me understand how affiliate marketing, blogging, email marketing, and social media work together, I recommend starting with the free training below.
👉 Watch the Free Beginner Training
Take your time, keep learning, and most importantly—keep moving forward.
About the Author
Hi, I'm Gerda, founder of GSM Entrepreneur.
After spending more than 35 years working in the baking industry, selling estates for 14 years I decided to build an online business that could give me more freedom and help others do the same.
I'm not a millionaire,(yet) and I don't believe in "get rich quick" promises. Everything I share on this blog comes from my own experience of learning affiliate marketing, blogging, email marketing, and social media—one step at a time.
My goal is simple: to help beginners avoid the mistakes I made and show that building an online business is possible with patience, consistency, and honest guidance.
Thanks for visiting GSM Entrepreneur. I'm glad you're here, and I hope something you learn today helps you move one step closer to your own goals.