You can't make money with affiliate programs if you listen to the
affiliate program!
I know that sounds like gobbly-gook but here is what 99% of affiliate
members end up doing, and ensuring their lack of success:
1. They see a sales page that looks interesting.
2. They sign up for the affiliate program
3. They copy/paste the pre-made ads, pointing to the affiliates web
page, and submit the ads to safelists, their own lists, hit exchanges or
other advertising, usually the freebies.
4. They don't make a sale, quit the program and move on to another,
thinking, "well that product sucked".
5. They repeat the process with the next 'sure winner' according to
the author/owner of the affiliate program... who knows how to write a
great sales page.
Does this sound like you? Don't feel bad if it is because you aren't
alone. 95% of affiliates never make more than $10! At any time!
So, what do you do?
1. First go to Clickbank, Commission Junction,
Linkshare, Befree and
do diligent research in a 'niche' market that you have interest or
knowledge in. It's not absolutely necessary that you 'love' the product
or service, but it will help convince a prospect that you believe in the
product.
2. After choosing a product that has a high conversion rate (visitors
to buyers), create a web site. You will need to buy a domain name (I use
godaddy.com where you can get domain names for as little as $4.95) and a
web host. I use Catalyst2.com for my domains, right now they cost about
$20/yr. That's only about $1.66/mo! (its a UK firm so the conversion
rate fluctuates). But you can get a free host like hypermart, but I
don't recommend it. You want to look like a serious, professional- type
company and having their ads displayed is a sure turn-off.
Building trust is the most important feature of any web business.
3. If you don't know the first thing about creating a website, either
learn from all the very good tutorials online or hire someone (just do a
search on Google for html tutorials or website tutorials). Build the
site or page with high quality content that isn't just a hyped-up ad.
Put an affiliate link or two on the page.
4. Promote you web page/site. This is a very large topic that I have
covered in many of my newsletters and you can read them here: http://build-an-ebusiness-on-a-shoestring.com/archives.htm
5. Finally, keep these thoughts in mind. Be first, be creative, be
bold and be unique. If you follow these rules, I guarantee you will jump
ahead of all the 1,000's of affiliates selling the same or similar
products online.
Side Note: Use a template that will give your website a professional
looking image. Here are some I love (this is one of them!).
http://build-an-ebusiness-on-a-shoestring.com/rsw.html
