Should I Start a Blog or a Marketing Funnel?… Step 6

💻 Step 6

A Simple Guide to Help You Start Earning with Affiliate Marketing

Okay, friend… let’s talk about that next level step that freaks out a lot of beginners: blogs, funnels, websites, oh my! 😅

First of all… breathe. You do not need a full blog website or a fancy funnel or even a simple landing page to start earning. This step is completely optional at the beginning, but I wanted to include it for those of you who are ready or curious about what’s next.

If you’ve made it this far in the roadmap, you’ve already done the hardest part… you started.

You’ve reset your mindset, explored ways to make money online, maybe started with Amazon… discovered the power of Pinterest, and found affiliate programs that align with your values. So now you might be wondering…

👉 Should I start a blog or a marketing funnel?

It’s a question that stalls a lot of beginners… but it doesn’t have to.

In the Survival Trap, we are often building our dreams on ‘rented land’… like Facebook or Instagram. But if those platforms change their rules, your business can vanish. This step is about building your Abundance Home… a place you actually own and control.

Truthfully… you don’t need either to begin. But if you’re ready, you just need to pick the one that fits your season, energy, and goals right now.

Let’s break it down together. 💛

What’s the Difference Between a Blog and a Funnel?

Think of a Funnel as a Hallway. It’s a fast, direct path that leads someone to a specific room (like a product). It’s great for getting results quickly. A Blog is the whole House. It’s where people get to know you, sit by the fire, and build trust. To get Unfrozen, you might start in the hallway to get moving, but eventually, you want the security of owning the whole house.

A blog is a website (like your cozy home on the internet), where you share valuable content, tell your story, and draw people in with content that builds trust over time. It’s a great long-term strategy and one of the best small business ideas if you’re starting from home.

A funnel is a simple step-by-step path (usually just a simple landing page or two) that guides someone to take action…

It’s like your hallway… simple, clear, and points people to the next room (or product), to take one next step.

Usually, that’s signing up for something free (like a checklist) or checking out an affiliate product you recommend.

Think of it as a focused piece of your digital marketing toolkit.

A funnel is just a fancy word for a step-by-step flow someone goes through after they click your link.

It usually looks like this:

Pin ➝ Freebie/Opt-In ➝ Thank You Page ➝ Product

It sounds complicated, but don’t worry… we’re keeping it super simple here.

You don’t need a huge setup or tons of money to do this right.

Sometimes, just a one-page simple landing page with a quick opt-in and a helpful freebie can make a big difference.

Both are powerful. But if you’re a total beginner, a funnel can get you moving faster.

So… Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Your Build: Speed vs. Legacy

In the Survival Trap, we’re usually just trying to find a “quick fix” to pay a bill. But in the Abundance Engine, we build with wisdom. Proverbs 24:3-4 says: “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

The SusieQ Strategy: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start in the hallway (Funnel). Once you’re comfortable, start building the house (Blog). There is no “wrong” choice… only the one you can commit to today.

And if you’re not ready for either yet, that’s okay too. They’ll be here when your’e ready.

🎁 The “Momentum Booster” (The Third Path)

What if you aren’t ready to build a hallway or a house yet? There is a third way to start seeing commissions right now: The Amazon Influencer Program.

This is how I started seeing wins and I didn’t even have to show my face. You simply create short videos for products you already own and love. It’s the ultimate “Abundance Win” because it fuels your engine with momentum while you’re still planning your mansion.

Check out the Amazon Influencer Course I recommend here.

Should I Start a Blog or a Marketing Funnel?

When I first started pinning on Pinterest, I didn’t have my blog up yet. I simply used direct affiliate links to products I loved. Is that ideal long-term? Not really. But in the beginning? It’s a totally fine way to dip your toe in and start getting clicks and commissions.

When you’re setting up a pin, Pinterest gives you a special spot to add your affiliate links… so yes, you can use affiliate links on Pinterest even if you don’t have a blog yet. (Just make sure you check the guidelines for each product you promote to make sure that’s ok with them too.)

If that’s where you are right now, go for it. 🎯 Use Pinterest to point people directly to something helpful… and build from there. (just make sure you disclose you’re using affiliate links… so you stay compliant)

Don’t let the idea of setting up a blog or funnel stop you from taking action. You can grow as you go. Give yourself permission to be a beginner and keep it simple at first. That’s how momentum starts. 💕

But if you’re starting to feel ready for that next step…

Ask yourself:

💬 Do I enjoy writing and want to share what I’m learning?
➡️ Start with a blog.

💬 Do I want to earn affiliate income faster, without creating a lot of content?
➡️ Start with a simple funnel.

There’s no wrong answer. Choose what feels light and doable right now.

What I Did (and What I Wish I Knew Sooner)

I started with a blog because I love to write and encourage others. It gave me space to be creative and share personal blog post ideas based on my journey. It helped me build trust and connect with people through Pinterest.

But I didn’t add a funnel until later… and honestly, I wish I had started it sooner.

Why? Because a simple funnel can help you start building your email list and start earning faster. No blog posts needed. (Yet. 😉)

You don’t need full-blown digital marketing services. Just a message and a plan.

Stop the “Tech Panic” Before It Starts

Remember what we talked about in Step 1? You have the Mind of Christ. That means you don’t have to be a tech genius to build a blog or a funnel.

The reason these things used to feel “scary” or “too much” is because we were trying to be the researcher, the writer, and the coder all at once. That’s the Survival Trap.

The Abundance Shift: I use a Research Assistant (the tool I teased in Step 1) to do the heavy lifting.

• For my Blog: It researches topics and helps me outline posts so I never stare at a blank screen.
• For my Funnels: It helps me write the “hooks” that connect with my readers’ hearts.

When you have a partner to handle the “how,” you’re free to focus on the “who” (the people you’re called to help).

If You Want to Start with a Funnel…

Start small and simple:

• A landing page offering a freebie (like a cheatsheet or resource list)
• A thank you page that offers affiliate links (1 or more), or a next step
• A few emails to welcome your subscriber and gently guide them forward

What I recommend: PageWheel: it makes setting up funnels simple, beautiful, and beginner-friendly. You can also create and sell digital products within minutes… AND have it write your content for you, so it becomes a content creator. Plus, you don’t have to be a marketing specialist to use the software. (use SUSIEQ10 for a discount)

The Only Asset You Truly Own

Whether you choose the Hallway or the Mansion, your goal is the same: The Email List.

This is your Sanctuary. Social media platforms are “rented land”… the rules change, and your reach can vanish overnight. But your email list is your direct line to your community. It’s the “Abundance Engine” that keeps your business stable even when the world is shaking.

When it comes to building your Email Sanctuary, you want a tool that grows with you. I personally use and recommend GetResponse. It’s beginner-friendly but powerful enough to handle your entire Abundance Engine as you scale. Another option is Kit (formerly ConvertKit). The goal isn’t to find the ‘perfect’ tool… it’s to pick one and start gathering your community.

👉 Pro Tip: Keep your brand visuals consistent for a clean content creation aesthetic. You don’t need it to be perfect… just make it you.

How to Start a Blog (Without the Overwhelm)

My Wisdom Shortcut…

Building the ‘Mansion’ (your blog) doesn’t have to be a tech nightmare. If the idea of setting up hosting and themes makes your heart race, don’t do it alone.

My Wisdom Shortcut: I recommend the Blog Pod or the Fearless Influencer Academy. They are the ‘Strategic Partners’ who walk you through the setup so you can focus on your message instead of the code.

Remember: You have the Mind of Christ, but even Nehemiah had a team to help him build the wall!

Focus on being the ‘Visionary’ and let these experts help you with the ‘Vessel.

Need step-by-step support? Fearless Influencer Academy is perfect for beginners.

It walks you through how to build your business from the ground up… all in simple, no-pressure lessons. 💛

Also, the best class I found to start a blog, is the blog pod. I write about that here.

To keep an eye on the Blog Pod: Schedule an appt. here to check out the next one and see if it’s a good fit.

And here’s a YouTube video I recorded about the Blog Pod.

Quick Digital Marketing Tips for Beginners:

• Focus on one platform first (like Pinterest)
• Write posts with clear calls-to-action
• Make sure your blog or funnel offers real help
• Speak directly to your audience like a trusted friend

And no… you don’t need a polished entrepreneur aesthetic to be successful. Just keep it real. 💛

So… Should You Start a Blog or a Funnel First?

If you’re ready to start sharing your message and making money:

• Want a simple funnel with training included? → Try PageWheel (super user-friendly!) Use code SUSIEQ10 for a discount.
• Want to build a blog website (or just build your business from the ground up)… and start growing your audience? → Fearless Influencer Academy (great for beginners)!
• Or schedule an appt. and chat with someone to see if the Blog Pod is a good fit for you.

No pressure at all… these are just tools I personally used when I was ready to take the next step.

📚 Feeling the “Tech Panic”? Reset Your Mindset.

Choosing your “Abundance Home” shouldn’t feel like a survival-mode crisis. If you feel that panic rising, stop and ground yourself in the truth. Spend 15 minutes with these foundation books to remember that you are building with wisdom, not fear:

• The Greatest Miracle in the World (Identity)
• Faith and Confession (Spiritual Law)
• The Slight Edge (Daily Consistency)

Final Thoughts

Blog or funnel… it’s your heart and message that matter most. Show up with value, and the right people will notice. 🌼

God doesn’t need your perfection… just your willingness.

So give yourself permission to take one small step today.
And let Him meet you there.

🧭 Coming Up Next: My Favorite Digital Marketing Tools & Resources

The Engine Room

You’ve chosen your path. Now, let’s look at the exact tools that make this possible without losing your mind.

In Step 7, I’m opening the hood of my business and showing you the “Abundance Dozen”… the 12 tools (including my favorite Research Assistant) that keep my peace intact while my income grows.

From the Pinterest course that changed everything for me, to the time-saving tools that keep things running… I’ll lay it all out so you can decide what works best for you.

Because honestly? You don’t need 47 tabs open or a million logins. Just a few right marketing tools can change everything. 💫

🌸 Ready to see the full path? You don’t have to do this alone. Check out my Roadmap on the Start Here page. It’s my gift to you, to help you visualize every step of your journey from the ‘Survival Trap’ to your very own ‘Abundance Engine.’

When you’re ready, go to the next page…