I am Alex, and I’m an entrepreneur and founder of Siren Affiliates.
Before diving into WordPress, I spent about 10 years as a mechanical engineer. Despite my success in that career, I found myself drawn to technology and computers from a young age, even taking web development classes in high school.
The allure of 3D modeling with CAD software initially attracted me to engineering, but it wasn’t long before I realized it didn’t fulfill my desire for a remote and flexible lifestyle.
I made the switch from mechanical engineering to web development over a decade ago, driven by the desire to work remotely and have the freedom to travel and work on my own terms.
Alex Standiford with his family
The Journey Began
My transition to web development began with a photo editing blog, gimptutorials.com, where I taught people how to use GIMP, an open-source photo editor. This project was my first attempt at creating a passive income stream, turning it into a membership site, and publishing a few books.
Running this site introduced me to the technical aspects of WordPress around 2010-2011, a time when plugins were just starting to become popular.
As I built and managed my WordPress site, I discovered a passion for web development that aligned perfectly with my desire for independence. This period marked the beginning of my deep dive into learning PHP, WordPress, and various web development skills. After mastering the basics, I began freelancing, building hundreds of WordPress plugins and dozens of themes.
The Need for “Siren Affiliates”
Siren Affiliates Logo
My journey included a stint at Sandhills Development around 2017-2018, working on their affiliate solution. During this time, I was still running my own web development agency and wanted to create a unique affiliate program to incentivize blog content creation on my site.
I envisioned a program that would allow both the content creator and the affiliate who directed traffic to benefit, but existing solutions were too rigid to accommodate this.
Frustrated by the limitations of current affiliate solutions, I created Siren to offer more flexible and diverse incentive programs. Siren allows users to build not just affiliate programs, but also royalty programs, profit-sharing models, and more.
For instance, it can facilitate a platform where artists sell their work and receive royalties, much like an affiliate program but tailored to different needs.
Building Siren wasn’t without its challenges. I had to rethink the fundamentals of affiliate programs and design a flexible solution from the ground up.
Launching the plugin required setting strict boundaries to avoid endless feature creep, and educating the WordPress community about Siren’s potential has been a continuous effort.
To spread the word, I launched the Partnership podcast, which discusses high-level strategies for building businesses through partnerships and innovative approaches beyond traditional affiliate marketing. My goal is to inspire others to explore new business models and leverage Siren to transform their operations.
Myself with my Brilliant Team
Alex Standiford with his team
Advice for Business Owners
My advice? Get help. You really can’t do this alone, and you’ll burn yourself out trying. If you’re considering starting your own business, my advice is to start networking as early as possible.
Building relationships with other business owners and professionals can provide invaluable insights and support. It’s crucial to have partners who believe in your vision, offer feedback, and help promote your products.
Additionally, be prepared for a rocky road full of challenges, and don’t hesitate to seek help when needed, whether it’s hiring an assistant or finding a coach to keep you on track. Remember, success often requires a collaborative effort and a willingness to adapt and learn continuously.
WordPress & Beyond
My growth strategy for Siren focuses on deep integrations with other plugins, like LifterLMS, creating features that meet the specific needs of course creators and other niche markets. By forming thoughtful partnerships, I aim to continually expand Siren’s capabilities and help businesses implement diverse incentive programs.
Looking ahead, I believe WordPress will continue to thrive as long as people value owning their platforms. However, the perception of WordPress as outdated is a challenge. My hope is that new, nimble WordPress plugins will emerge, addressing needs that existing plugins can’t meet due to their slower pace of innovation.
Stay in Touch
My Love for the WordPress Community
Attending WordCamps and WordPress meetups has been instrumental for me. These events have been the primary driver for the network I’ve built, empowering me to find the help I needed to run and grow my business.
Beyond the business benefits, I’ve made numerous friends and formed a strong sense of community. WordPress feels like a town, a community I belong to just as much as my local area. This sense of belonging was crucial when I spent several years traveling, as it provided a consistent community no matter where I was.
I Have a Life Other Than the Work
In my free time, I indulge in various hobbies to maintain a balanced life. I regularly scratch my engineering itch through 3D modeling and 3D printing, creating practical designs and solving problems.
Video games also provide a relaxing escape, often combined with listening to audiobooks or reviewing meeting notes. Disc golf is my go-to exercise, participating in a league and playing at least once a week.
Travel and camping have also been significant, with destinations like the Outer Banks and Taos, New Mexico, holding special places in my heart.
Alex Standiford with his wife
I Reward Myself by
When it comes to rewarding myself for major achievements, I often find the reward is the result of my actions. For example, after working hard to achieve a remote lifestyle, I realized I wasn’t fully capitalizing on the freedom it offered.
To change that, I packed up, put everything in storage, and spent several years traveling. This decision was a reward in itself, allowing me to take full advantage of the remote work lifestyle I had worked so hard to achieve.
My favorite travel destination is hard to pinpoint due to the many beautiful places I’ve seen in the United States. However, the Outer Banks stand out for their casual beach vibe and the joy of kite flying. On the other hand, Taos, New Mexico, was transformative, offering a unique off-grid living experience that reshaped my perspective on life.
Special Discount
- Get 60% OFF on Siren Affiliates and any Siren Affiliates extension by using the code below.
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