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Huỳnh Nhân Quốc
Huỳnh Nhân Quốc

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Slow Steps to Hear Myself Again

#affiliatemarketing #programming #seo #makemoneyonline

The Me of Now

Lately, I’ve been showing up less on social media.

The long posts, the impulsive shares, the excitement watching others succeed — those are no longer who I am today.

I’ve chosen a quieter rhythm.

I returned to my craft — the simple, focused work of a developer — living fully in every line of code, every tiny idea.

After years of chasing things, I’ve realized something:

Speed doesn’t take us farther than clarity does.

Writing my blog has become my way of talking to myself.

Not to be noticed. Not to go viral.

Just to record the journey — awkward, slow, but persistent.

This is my story — that of a dreamer searching for freedom.

The First Steps

In 2020, I left Đà Nẵng and returned to Tam Kỳ, a small city where my mother lives — where the sunlight feels gentler and the meals taste like home.

I had nothing back then:

No money, no connections, no tools, no direction.

I worked as a shipper, earning 15,000₫ (less than a dollar) per delivery — not even counting gas or street-side meals. On good days, a few deliveries meant survival.

Home was my only refuge.

My mom’s meals filled not just my stomach, but my heart.

Sometimes I laughed at myself — “At this age, still depending on family? What a failure.”

But deep down, I knew I was walking a path uniquely mine — uncertain, dark, yet somehow honest.

I started learning again.

HTML, CSS, building websites, small freelance projects.

My first client came through an old friend — someone I’ll always be grateful for.

From that small opportunity, I stumbled upon affiliate marketing — a path I never planned, yet one that quietly changed my life.

My First Steps into Affiliate Marketing

It began with curiosity — and an Accesstrade account.

No capital, no marketing skills, no idea what “running a campaign” even meant.

I picked a few simple campaigns, shared links on social media, and… waited.

At first, I was embarrassed.

Afraid friends would judge me.

Afraid they’d think I was running a scam.

But then I realized:

If I kept living for other people’s opinions, I’d never live for myself.

The First Earnings

My first commission was barely enough for a cup of coffee.

But that feeling — no money could buy.

14,000₫ turned into 300,000₫. Then 500,000₫.

I reinvested everything: learning ads, building fanpages, writing blogs, creating content.

And slowly, a small community formed — a space where I could be myself and share what I believed in.

Not Glamorous, But Real

This path wasn’t easy.

I burned through my savings on failed ad campaigns.

I borrowed money to chase ideas that went nowhere.

But I also remember sleepless nights of pure joy — watching the dashboard numbers climb for the first time.

Those weren’t just numbers.

They were hope.

Proof that quiet persistence could turn into something real.

Affiliate marketing isn’t a fairy tale.

Behind every successful campaign are dozens of failed ones.

Behind every step forward are moments of doubt and self-questioning.

But if you ask me — Do I regret it?

The answer is No.

Because every challenge shaped me. Every mistake taught me resilience.

What I Learned

I always tell friends:

“Don’t quit your main job right away. Try affiliate marketing as a side project first. If you see potential, then decide.”
Each person has their own rhythm, their own pace.

Success doesn’t come at once — but it always comes to those who stay.

There are many ways to do affiliate marketing:

  • Build a website
  • Grow a personal brand
  • Create TikTok videos
  • Run ad campaigns
  • Join Shopee Affiliate But the most important thing? Belief in yourself.

You don’t need to be great from the start.

You don’t need to understand everything.

You just need to begin — even with one small step.

Thank You, Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing didn’t give me instant success.

But it gave me something much more valuable:

A chance to start over.

A chance to be free.

A chance to live at my own rhythm.

From a programmer chasing the dream of tech independence, I found a way to earn a stable income.

I no longer work on things I hate just for money.

I can choose what aligns with my values.

And most importantly, I can inspire others who are still finding their path.

I’m grateful to affiliate marketing —

because it found me when I was at my lowest.

When all I had were a few coding skills, a faint belief, and a seemingly foolish dream —

it stood by me, quietly, patiently.

A Note to You

If you’ve read this far, and you’re going through uncertain days like I once did —

here’s what I want to say:

You don’t need to have everything to begin.

You just need a bit of courage, a bit of belief, and a slightly open door.
This isn’t a success story.

It’s just the story of how I started.

Because sometimes, the most precious thing isn’t the destination —

it’s the moment you dare to take the first step.

So start.

Even if it’s just a small one.

Because your dream — no matter how big or small —

is worth pursuing.

Have you ever started a journey like that?

Share it with me — I believe every story carries its own spark.

NOTES

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