My dad asked me a question recently while we were boxing up some of Mom’s things:
“Why should someone sign up for WA under you, instead of just going to WA to sign up?”
That hit me. Because it’s not really about Wealthy Affiliate (WA) alone. It’s about why anyone chooses you as their guide. WA means for members to own their websites, not just rent space on someone else’s platform. And “signing up under me” isn’t about adding another account — it’s about me showing people how to build something they own, not just something they use.
The Fragility of Platforms
I’ll be honest — I haven’t personally had the rug pulled out from under me by a platform crash. But I’ve seen WA members panic when Google rolled out an update and suddenly their clicks, impressions, and rankings went haywire.
I wasn’t building heavily at the time, but I could see how fragile it felt. When everything depends on Google’s algorithm, a single update can make months of work vanish from the spotlight.
That’s the risk: platforms change rules overnight.
Why Direct Ownership Wins
Here’s the truth I’ve settled on: my website will be my hub.
WA is an affiliate marketing platform, and Substack is where I publish my fiction — but neither of them is my foundation. Substack still feels like “singing with the crickets” most days.
Platforms are tools. They’re not the ground under your feet.
When you build your own site, email list, and subscriber base, you’re not at the mercy of Google, WA, or Substack. You own the connection.
How I Apply This
Right now, my balance looks like this:
- Substack: daily Notes, minimum, serialized chapters, occasional long posts.
- WA: weekly posts, building support content like this, and engaging in the community.
- Website: slow build, steady foundation, where everything ultimately connects.
What’s working: consistency in small steps.
What needs adjustment: not rushing heavy audits or big pushes that risk burnout.
I’ll admit I don’t know all the risks of the internet, but I do know this — the safest path is to own what matters most.
Practical Takeaways
- Don’t depend solely on Google impressions or one platform.
- Use WA as your training ground.
- Use Substack as your publishing channel.
- But anchor everything back to your own site and list.
That way, when the platforms shift (and they always do), you’re still standing.
Join Me
- 📚 Follow me on Substack — for serialized stories, daily notes, and reflections.
- 🌐 Join me at Wealthy Affiliate — learn affiliate marketing, build your own site, and take ownership of your online future.
Platforms change. Your connection with readers doesn’t — if you own it.