I divide my online career so far into 2 sections:

1. Before SFM/DEA 

2. After SFM/DEA 

The first section went like this: I bought an e-commerce website. You may have done this or considered it. 

Don't do it! What I got was a website preloaded with products (mine was all about wine) It was a comparison style site that listed products from different suppliers. 

A good idea you might think but Google didn't. When they came out with an update called Panda it pretty much closed the business down overnight. (It's known as the Google Slap)

That was partly because these kind of sites, no matter how much original content you add, are not considered to be of any value since they are basically just lists of products. 

You are also competing with the suppliers themselves and they have huge advertising budgets. It's difficult to make a case for buying from your site rather than direct from the supplier - unless you are Gary Vaynerchuk! 

It was also because the training included was years out of date and was actually harmful to the business. 

Then I got involved with a programme based on online advertising. That went well for about a year and made me some good money but ran into problems and was eventually shut down. 

Most of these "programme" style, semi passive things run into problems with compliance, financial authorities and governments eventually - even the few that are not ponzi's or scams.  

What did I learn? 

Mainly that I had a lot to learn! 

I'd discovered that I could make money online and that was great - it gave me the bug.  In both cases though, my results were reliant on  how good the parent company's BIG IDEA was and on very outdated methods of finding customers. 

I knew that I had to learn how to find leads and sales online no matter what products or services I decided to sell. I also knew that it was a bad idea to be restricted to a single business opportunity or Franchise.

Never put all your eggs in one basket. 

When I was introduced to SFM and submitted my application I quickly saw that everything I needed was there - all in one place. 

I also liked their business model and approach to marketing so decided to become an affiliate at DEA Silver level. I've since upgraded to Gold and plan to upgrade again to Black. 

During that time I've been able to create 2 other online affiliate businesses and have gone into another business with my SFM referring affiliate. The future is looking very rosy indeed. 

So based on my own experience I have no reservations in recommending SFM and DEA to anyone who is looking at transitioning to the online industry. 

I believe their systems, training and business partnership options are second to none. Whether you are looking for an online business or just want to learn how to do digital marketing professionally for your existing business you get everything you need. 

In short: It's much better to learn how to effectively market goods and services online that people actually want already than to  put your money, time and work into "the next big thing".

Whether you decide to go with SFM and DEA or not - this is valuable advice based on actual experience - not hearsay. 

Contact me by all means if you'd like to discuss any of this further.