Yep...that's what the experts say - just find an audience hungry to buy a product, and supply them with that product. Heh!
Who is this audience?
Where can they be reached efficiently?
What do they want? Something new? Something they already buy?
How are others selling to these folks
Why will this audience want this product?
Kudos to Ken Pruess for the above guidelines of the Warrior Forum!
So...how do we find these things out?
Check out forums around the thing the audience wants...or around the audience itself
Yahoo Answers, questions/concerns raised in forums.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
It seems like the name of the game is creativity - find that way to market a program that others haven't thought of yet, and work it work it work it.
The problem - once enough people find out about a new method, especially the easier ones - the less lucrative they become. Take articles for example.
There probably was a time when article marketing was the best, per this ad:
So, when you find an affiliate program that looks interesting enough to you, think about creative ways to get eyeballs on it. Eyeballs connected to a person who will take the action to get you paid.
It's not enough to get a click (unless you find a coveted pay per click instead of the more typical pay per action). But that's another story altogether.
The problem - once enough people find out about a new method, especially the easier ones - the less lucrative they become. Take articles for example.
There probably was a time when article marketing was the best, per this ad:
Article Marketing is By Far the BestArticle marketing is still probably lucrative, if you're already a professional ad copy writer.
I won´t go into all of these methods because it would take too long. But I will focus on one particular method – article marketing. Article marketing is the best affiliate marketing method because it allows you to utilize your talents as a writer using powerful keyword phrases, and at the same time you pay absolutely nothing. There are some guidelines you need to follow in order to become a successful article marketer. The first thing is, never sell in your article. Your article writing should be informative. Articles that merely put lots of links in them are called SPAM. Also, people want information about things online. The last thing they want is to be "sold" on something. The key is to sell in a way that is not obvious. First you pick your topic. Then you pick your audience, and then you research your keywords. Keyword research is very important. There is a science to it. It´s not hard at all, but you do need a keyword research guide so that you pick phrases that people are actually searching for. Once you´ve picked a couple of keyword phrases, you´ll want to write your article around those keywords but in such a way that the article reads fluidly.
So, when you find an affiliate program that looks interesting enough to you, think about creative ways to get eyeballs on it. Eyeballs connected to a person who will take the action to get you paid.
It's not enough to get a click (unless you find a coveted pay per click instead of the more typical pay per action). But that's another story altogether.
PR: 
LD: 
I: 
Rank: 
CY: 
I: 
YCat: 
I: 
Top: 
I: 
C: 
Monday, April 6, 2009
Finding decent affiliate programs to join
I found a neat tool call affspy.com.
It's basically an affiliate program aggregator - they find programs, do some research, and show the networks offering the programs.
Why is this helpful - many affiliate network list sites don't update their data, and you end up finding programs that just don't exist any more - very frustrating.
It's basically an affiliate program aggregator - they find programs, do some research, and show the networks offering the programs.
Why is this helpful - many affiliate network list sites don't update their data, and you end up finding programs that just don't exist any more - very frustrating.
Affiliate Marketing Isn't Tough...If You're Willing To Work At It
I'm amazed at the successful folks who are willing to share their insights into affiliate marketing.
I almost said "secret" to affiliate marketing, but it appears there aren't any...it's all common sense stuff you already know.
Just sell lots of what other people want to buy.
Here's some inspiration from Chris:
I almost said "secret" to affiliate marketing, but it appears there aren't any...it's all common sense stuff you already know.
Just sell lots of what other people want to buy.
Here's some inspiration from Chris:
At 23, I earn a passive (and growing) six-figure income from affiliate marketing, and I do it while travelling the world with my wife.
I’m not being braggy or arrogant, though. I fully realize that shit can, and does hit the fan once in a while. Even the “top dogs” can face-plant every now and then.
And I’m not “above” starting over if need be - but what I can say, with confidence, is that even if that happens - what I’ve learned over the past 9 months will always empower me with the ability to create a truly amazing amount of passive profit from the internet marketplace - in any economic state, and regardless of “trends”. What a crazy thing…
I’m going to tell you what I’ve learned - what I’ve discovered.
And it ain’t rocket science, folks.
But most of you will be disappointed by what’s to follow.
You’re probably all hyped-up right now, thinking that I’m going to reveal some amazing new traffic source, secret money-making method or otherwise some crazy method.
Even though I do have a few tricks up my sleeve - some “confessions”, if you will
- that’s not what’s made the REAL difference in my business - the tricks are just a means to the end. (They’re not even necessary for the long-run, whatsoever.)
So here it is - the six figure, life-changing discovery…
JUST SELL WHAT LOTS OF PEOPLE BUY
Now, that’s a popular saying. I think John Reese said something like that once. (What does he know, eh?
)But instead of just wagging some intrinsic advice in front of your face and leaving you to your own devices to try and “interpret” it enough to translate the “theory” into action…
…let me break it down for you, step by step, word by word.
And in this case, it actually makes sense to start with the last word in the phrase.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Where am I today
Adwords Account: Check
Joining Affiliate Networks: Working on it
Lined up keyword research resources: Check
Developed initial strategy: CPA Link based ads, on search engines, appropriate classifieds
Came up with an initial strategy
as to testing proposed ads before
they go on the pay networks: Check
Got buy in from the family: Check
Find someone or some group who is already good at this stuff to help out: CHECK
This last one is key, and can be done in many ways. (actually, all of these are key, I think)
Go buy a course like eCurrency Arbitrage, know someone in the business who will help you learn (my sister, I found out, happens to be a website designer and marketer...SCORE), find a community of experts (I found one of these too. Very encouraging, always ready with tips, advice, mentoring and motivation...SCORE...thank you Warrior Forum!!).
Joining Affiliate Networks: Working on it
Lined up keyword research resources: Check
Developed initial strategy: CPA Link based ads, on search engines, appropriate classifieds
Came up with an initial strategy
as to testing proposed ads before
they go on the pay networks: Check
Got buy in from the family: Check
Find someone or some group who is already good at this stuff to help out: CHECK
This last one is key, and can be done in many ways. (actually, all of these are key, I think)
Go buy a course like eCurrency Arbitrage, know someone in the business who will help you learn (my sister, I found out, happens to be a website designer and marketer...SCORE), find a community of experts (I found one of these too. Very encouraging, always ready with tips, advice, mentoring and motivation...SCORE...thank you Warrior Forum!!).
What I learned from my ecurrency arbitrage research
CPA search engine/classified marketing is a great way to get started in all this.
What is it (according to me): you join an affiliate program, and get an affiliate link. You then find creative ways to post the link such that others will find it, click through the link, and take some action. Sounds easy, huh?
Well...if it was that easy, we'd all be doing it (or not). The first hurdle is getting into an affiliate program. In the past (say 5-10 years ago), you just supply your name, address and an email address, and POOF you're in!
These days, major advertising networks that offer affiliate programs screen applicants...sometimes by phone!
This is where I am today...trying to apply to affiliate ad networks.
OK...so once that's done...what next?
You need to find places to place your affiliate links. Not all affiliate programs let you do this...be sure whatever program you sign up for (I don't mean the advertising network, like Commission Junction, for example, I mean the programs within Commission Junction).
OK...back track...so you got accepted to an advertising network and signed up for an affiliate program that allows search engine marketing via click through links. And you've decided (like me) that you want to give this a whirl.
Now, go open a Google Adwords account (Microsoft and Yahoo have their own versions of this program that you could sign up to as well).
Set up a 'test' campaign, just to see how it all works - there are lots of articles on the web on how to do this.
Now the real fun begins -
Picking keywords
Here's an interesting article I found...and here's some text from that article:
Writing good ad copy (I've found out that this is what professional ad copy writers call writing an ad...I guess just calling it 'writing an ad' doesn't sound nearly as cool as 'creating ad copy'). This is another skill to master...even for those teens Google AdWords ads.
I found this link Ad Writing 101 that may prove to be helpful
So...you have an AdWords account and funded it, learned a little something about writing ad copy (I'm cool now too), joined an advertiser's affiliate network.
You gotta do your homework on the keywords - Will they attract people? Will the attract people that will do what you want them to do once they click through your link? The latter is the important part. It looks like simply attracting people will quickly deplete you Adwords funds, as people will click through the link, and then not do anything on the other side.
Imagine this - you've set up all the various accounts, and chosen 'American Idol' as a keyword. But your affiliate link is for health insurance. Sure...lots of people will click through it, expecting to see American Idol stuff, and will not do what you want on the affiliate landing page.
So...do your homework on keywords!!
What is it (according to me): you join an affiliate program, and get an affiliate link. You then find creative ways to post the link such that others will find it, click through the link, and take some action. Sounds easy, huh?
Well...if it was that easy, we'd all be doing it (or not). The first hurdle is getting into an affiliate program. In the past (say 5-10 years ago), you just supply your name, address and an email address, and POOF you're in!
These days, major advertising networks that offer affiliate programs screen applicants...sometimes by phone!
This is where I am today...trying to apply to affiliate ad networks.
OK...so once that's done...what next?
You need to find places to place your affiliate links. Not all affiliate programs let you do this...be sure whatever program you sign up for (I don't mean the advertising network, like Commission Junction, for example, I mean the programs within Commission Junction).
OK...back track...so you got accepted to an advertising network and signed up for an affiliate program that allows search engine marketing via click through links. And you've decided (like me) that you want to give this a whirl.
Now, go open a Google Adwords account (Microsoft and Yahoo have their own versions of this program that you could sign up to as well).
Set up a 'test' campaign, just to see how it all works - there are lots of articles on the web on how to do this.
Now the real fun begins -
Picking keywords
Here's an interesting article I found...and here's some text from that article:
There are two kinds of keywords- the kind that people search for and the kind that people do not search for. A keyword can be defined as a word or phrase that someone would enter in to a search box at Google or Yahoo. It is the search term or query. This keyword is very important for you to know as an online business owner.
You must know this search term for two reasons. 1) You must have a page that is dedicated to that search term. Choosing search terms is rather easy. Just ask yourself what word or term you would use to find your product or service. 2) You must know if it is possible for you to rank well at search engines for that keyword or search term. Determining if you can rank well is very difficult. After all, no one knows the exact algorithms Google, Yahoo, MSN or any other search engine uses to rank websites.
Let's throw in some examples. I have a website dedicated to strength training for women. I can safely assume that "fitness" is a word that people use as their keyword or query at Google. So I have now picked my keyword. Simple enough. However, I need to rank well for that search term. Otherwise what is the point? If no one is going to see my page on fitness then why create a page using the keyword "fitness"?
I can check out my competition by doing a quick search at the major search engines. If I type the word "fitness" (without the quotes) into the Google search box, it returns 799,000,000 search results. Gulp. How can I ever compete for a position in the first 3 pages of Google? The chances of me ranking well for the keyword "fitness" are very, very slim.
The fact of the matter is that most generic terms are going to be difficult to rank well for. You need to narrow your search terms down. You need to get nichier with your terms. You can spend most of your day picking search terms and then checking the competition numbers. This eats a lot of your valuable time. I built my online business by using a hosting company that completely eliminates this tedious process of keyword and search engine ranking data mining.
Writing good ad copy (I've found out that this is what professional ad copy writers call writing an ad...I guess just calling it 'writing an ad' doesn't sound nearly as cool as 'creating ad copy'). This is another skill to master...even for those teens Google AdWords ads.
I found this link Ad Writing 101 that may prove to be helpful
So...you have an AdWords account and funded it, learned a little something about writing ad copy (I'm cool now too), joined an advertiser's affiliate network.
You gotta do your homework on the keywords - Will they attract people? Will the attract people that will do what you want them to do once they click through your link? The latter is the important part. It looks like simply attracting people will quickly deplete you Adwords funds, as people will click through the link, and then not do anything on the other side.
Imagine this - you've set up all the various accounts, and chosen 'American Idol' as a keyword. But your affiliate link is for health insurance. Sure...lots of people will click through it, expecting to see American Idol stuff, and will not do what you want on the affiliate landing page.
So...do your homework on keywords!!
Why I didn't sign up to eCurrency Arbitrage
I did my research. I certainly could have afforded it - $297 is worth it just to check out.
I may still buy it later on.
Here's what I found out about the program.
It's basically a teaching course that walks you through the steps of IM, starting with CPA search engine ads, and ends up with you creating affiliate linked web sites. The whole time, Paul Jenkins apparently teaches you everything about CPA search engine marketing, how to find good affiliate programs, how to find keywords, etc. He has videos, one on one training, and weekly conference calls.
The people who take action and do what Paul says apparently are happy with the product. They may not be making gazillions of dollars, but by and large they sounds satisfied.
The complaints come from people who appear to try to return the product. These folks bitch to high heaven about how hard it is. However, there are others who say "if you follow the return instructions, it's easy. Don't call them or try to send emails to the company."
I may still buy it later on.
Here's what I found out about the program.
It's basically a teaching course that walks you through the steps of IM, starting with CPA search engine ads, and ends up with you creating affiliate linked web sites. The whole time, Paul Jenkins apparently teaches you everything about CPA search engine marketing, how to find good affiliate programs, how to find keywords, etc. He has videos, one on one training, and weekly conference calls.
The people who take action and do what Paul says apparently are happy with the product. They may not be making gazillions of dollars, but by and large they sounds satisfied.
The complaints come from people who appear to try to return the product. These folks bitch to high heaven about how hard it is. However, there are others who say "if you follow the return instructions, it's easy. Don't call them or try to send emails to the company."
First Foray: eCurrency Arbitrage (basically, CPA searchenging marketing)
I've gotten a resurgent interest in affiliate marketing.
Search Engine marketing (via various ad words types programs) seems to be the best way to start.
eCurrency Arbitrage was my first hit:
eCurrency Arbitrage (basically, buy traffic at a low price, sell it for a higher price) has a few programs. I saw Paul Jenkins course..the advertising states:
(N.B. I'm not an affiliate...the link to this is www.ecurrencyarbitrage.com)
"
"
Wow...so I was hooked into researching further...never give someone your money unless
a) you know what you're getting into
or
b) you don't mind losing the money
Search Engine marketing (via various ad words types programs) seems to be the best way to start.
eCurrency Arbitrage was my first hit:
eCurrency Arbitrage (basically, buy traffic at a low price, sell it for a higher price) has a few programs. I saw Paul Jenkins course..the advertising states:
(N.B. I'm not an affiliate...the link to this is www.ecurrencyarbitrage.com)
"
| WARNING: If you would like to make big money doing only 30 minutes per day of the easiest work you've ever done... without having to leave your home, talk to anyone or sell anything... then READ the following message to find out more ... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
"If You've Always Wondered How The 'Elite Few' Are Able To Make RISK-FREE Money Working Only 30-Minutes Per Day... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| And This New 'System' Does It All On Auto-Pilot ... Even While You Sleep! - By Paul Jenkins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes you heard it right! I discovered a system that takes me less than 30 minutes a day on this 'business' and I make anywhere from 5% to 30% return on my investment everyday with almost NO RISK of losing any money ... "And if you're willing to let me, I will show you STEP-BY-STEP, in the simplest way possible, how YOU can do exactly the same yourself ... "It really is so simple to do and has so little risk involved that I GUARANTEE you'll earn money... in fact, if you don't earn at least $300 then I'll pay you $300 out of my own pocket ...that's how confident I am that this system will work for you!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dear Friend, If you like the idea of making easy money from the comfort of your own home... and doing it by 'working' (if you call it that) in as little as 30 minutes a day... then this could be the most important letter you will ever read. Here's why: The business that you're about to discover has these 4 incredible benefits... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You can start with a budget of less than $25. (Actually, you could start for free but I personally recommend you that you budget $250 so you can see results faster. But you could invest as little as $25 and still see a decent return over time). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You can make between 5% and 30% profit on your money DAILY for as long as you participate. Keep reading and I'll show you proof that you can. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You can operate this business from anywhere in the world (all you need is a computer with an internet connection, and be able to read plain English). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You can work part-time or not at all once you have it set up. You can keep your current job, and operate this business in your spare time or simply let it run on Auto-Pilot. You could even quit your job, and work entirely from home, once you exceed your current pay check. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You really don't need much to start. Fact is, you really don't need much to start making profits with this business. In fact, here's a list of a few things you don't need ... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Now at this point you're probably thinking ... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
"This Sounds Too Good To | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The truth is (as unbelievable as it may seem) THERE IS NO CATCH ... and if you read on you'll soon discover why. When I first got wind of this incredible home business all my defenses immediately went up and my first thoughts were "hold on to your money!" and "It's too good to be true!" I was shocked when I discovered this hidden, yet simple and risk-free strategy to make money right from home with so little effort was for real. If you're willing to take 5 minutes to read this letter in it's entirety... I think you're going to feel the same. But before I tell you about this incredible opportunity, allow me to briefly introduce myself. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Why Should You Listen To Me? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Actually I'm just a regular person like anyone else you may pass in the street on any given day with a pretty 'normal' life and a family at home who I love dearly. More than likely, this is the first time that you've ever heard of me because I like it that way. I left a high paying, globe trotting career that had me on the road constantly. I was always away from my family and to make it worse, my trips could last as long as 3 weeks in a row ... I'm not about to go back to that life style ever again so I'm happy to let the 'gurus' do the travelling. When I can work when I want and take the kids camping at a moments notice, why would I ever go back to the corporate meat grinder? So I look for easier ways to make money and develop software that helps others make money ...but I definitely do not travel for business any longer. It really doesn't matter though. This letter is NOT really about me but the system that I've put in place to help other people make as much money as they want 99% risk-free in what I consider the easiest way possible online. It's really like taking candy from a baby (as you're about to see for yourself). But before we get into the details of how it works I would like to explain to you... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
How This Business Helped Me, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In 2000 I started looking for a way to supplement my income. I was quickly becoming a burned out 'Road Warrior' and wanted to start a part time business so that I could spend more time with my family. Now did I say "supplement"? Because using my system, I was able to create an incredible passive income system that puts over $5,000 a month into my pocket with less than 30 minutes of effort per day. In fact, most days the only thing I do is log into my account to see how much money I've made that day. To prove it to you, here's a snapshot of one of my average accounts in a recent 30-day period ... |
Wow...so I was hooked into researching further...never give someone your money unless
a) you know what you're getting into
or
b) you don't mind losing the money
I've decided to get serious
Spent another day at the office, and wasn't happy. I was getting upset because I had to do work for someone else.
Sure...I could change jobs, but that isn't the point. I want to do what I want to do. Maybe for myself, maybe for others...and today, I'm not there. I'm tethered to my employer.
So, I want to give Internet Marketing a try - thus the title "MyIMLife".
What do I have to do to be successful:
1) Replace my current income. This is no small task - I make a lot of money at the moment doing what I do, and my family is accustomed to a pretty nice lifestyle. We're not exactly wealthy, but you could call us comfortable.
2) The things that earn money need to be things that operate on their own, or I can hire someone else to do so that I still make money.
3) I want to spend my time doing things that I really like doing, as my major activity.
Sure...I could change jobs, but that isn't the point. I want to do what I want to do. Maybe for myself, maybe for others...and today, I'm not there. I'm tethered to my employer.
So, I want to give Internet Marketing a try - thus the title "MyIMLife".
What do I have to do to be successful:
1) Replace my current income. This is no small task - I make a lot of money at the moment doing what I do, and my family is accustomed to a pretty nice lifestyle. We're not exactly wealthy, but you could call us comfortable.
2) The things that earn money need to be things that operate on their own, or I can hire someone else to do so that I still make money.
3) I want to spend my time doing things that I really like doing, as my major activity.
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