Authenticism, Dog Hair & Affiliate Marketing: The Real Deal for Everyday Entrepreneurs
Authenticism isn’t a real word, nor is pretending to be someone you’re not just to make money.
Hi, I’m Carla J Gardiner, your straight-shooting, snark-powered affiliate marketing resource guide. Today, we’re tackling a topic so juicy it made my coaching group spit coffee all over their laptops: what it means to be an authentic person in business, and why authenticism (yes, I said it again) is your secret weapon in affiliate marketing for beginners.
The Day Authenticism Made Me Internet Famous (Sort Of)
During a group coaching call, I shared a win in my usual Carla-style: storytelling, rabbit trails, and real-life tips. And out popped the word authenticism. Everyone stopped. Giggled. Laughed. Mocked. Then searched again.
Turns out, authenticism is a word. A noun. An actual, grammatically correct gem meaning the belief in the superiority of the authentic over the inauthentic. I. Was. Vindicated.
But let’s be honest. If it hadn't been a word? I’d still own it. Because being authentic … or better yet, embracing full-blown authenticism … is why I no longer people-please myself into burnout.
Perfect Is the Fastest Way to Go Broke
When I started affiliate marketing, I thought I had to “look” the part. You know, speak professionally, wear blazers, avoid slang, and definitely avoid snark. But let’s be real. Nobody relates to perfect. Perfect is boring. It’s exhausting. And it’s not relatable.
Affiliate marketing for beginners can feel like trying to translate rocket science using IKEA instructions. You’re learning systems, email marketing, blogging for business, and tools that work … all while figuring out your own voice.
And here’s the kicker: people don’t buy from perfect robots. They buy from people who are real. Messy. Hilarious. Approachable. They want YOU.
Real Talk: I Didn’t Know What “Marketing” Meant
Back in my banker and network marketer days, I wasn’t required to actually market. In banking, you follow the script. In network marketing, the company does most of the marketing … you just talk about products.
So when I pivoted to affiliate marketing, I realized I didn’t know squat about how to be genuine and authentic and still make money. I didn’t even know the lingo. Funnels? Autoresponders? Lead magnets? My head was spinning.
But I learned. Slowly. Authentically. I showed up with dog hair in my coffee, wrong words in my vocabulary, and a deep desire to help other everyday entrepreneurs.
Tools That Work and Words That Might Not
So here’s my rule of thumb now: if I say the wrong word, I own it. If I forget to post on Monday and show up on Tuesday with yesterday’s energy? I post anyway.
You don’t have to be perfect to succeed in email marketing or affiliate marketing for beginners. You just need to:
- Be authentic. Talk like a human. Show up like YOU.
- Use tools that work. Stop falling for shiny objects. Focus on blogging for business, email marketing, and systems you can stick with.
- Have fun. Snort-laugh at bulldog videos. Drink the coffee (even if it has fur in it). Use made-up words if they feel right.
Want Real Results? Get Real First.
If you're ready to ditch the cookie-cutter scripts and learn how to build a business your way … messy hair, made-up words, and all, then you're in the right place.
Grab my Fast Track to Tools That Work — no fluff, no fakery, just real resources for affiliate marketing beginners who are done playing small.
And if you haven’t yet, check out my blog post all about this word-that-should n’t-be: “Authenticism and Dog Hair”. It’ll make you laugh, maybe cry, and definitely help you feel less alone as you build a business that actually fits your life.
See? I'm not perfect…that blog post all about “authenticism”…is THIS one, the one you are reading…good grief!@
P.S. If you’re still worried about what people think when you go off-script, here’s your permission slip: you are the strategy. Now go make money being you.