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mountainmom5
Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 2058
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# Posted: 27 Jan 2009 14:18
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I am going to try to start a simple easy to understand thread here on Affiliate Marketing as I get a lot of questions on that so I know there are quite a few new folks that are trying to wrap their brains around the whole concept - just as we all had to at one point....
I am going to use Amazon as my spring board as they are considered the King of Affilaite Marketing. Don't ask me how they got started or when - I just know that they are the biggest affiliate network on the net right now!
Basically what they are is a gateway to all the millions of products and services you can get thru Amazon.com...
Amazon does the marketing, but they don't have to SHIP the stuff, STOCK it or HANDLE it... all they do is set up sites for people to come to, market products in oodles of ways, and make commissions when customers click and buy.
They are the perfect example of what affiliate marketing is all about...
The concept is so simple anybody can do it - from teenagers to grandmammas (and grandpappas  )
1) Set up a few sites such as blogs, websites, etc...
2)Find products or services to promote thru places like Clickbank, Commission Junction, linkshare and even Amazon itself....
3) Link from your sites to theirs thru tracking links provided when you register with each company... and it is free to register , by the way...
4) This last step is by far the most important - and the most difficult to master... and that is learning how to get traffic to your websites.
No traffic - no clicks - no commissions! Simple.
So - anyways, I know there is a lot more we could cover but it will get covered with time as hopefully others will come on and share their experiences and tips for affiliate marketing....
This will hopefully help some light bulbs go on for those that are trying to get some light on the subject.
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cherie27
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Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 676
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# Posted: 2 Feb 2009 03:48
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You have explained in details and it is easily understandably.
mountainmom5: No traffic - no clicks - no commissions! Simple.
A lot of people are missing out this part when they start their business.
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venom110
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Joined: 7 Feb 2009
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2009 14:44
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Wow, I wish I could have found this site a couple years ago... Excellent description!!!
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Matt Zenittini
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Joined: 16 Jan 2009
Posts: 171
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2009 15:37 · Edited by: Matt Zenittini
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Very helpful post =]. Nice bold lettering techniques :P. Have you been learning copywriting?
I will edit this post and add some helpful things shortly when I get a chance =]. Great idea for a post though! =].
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oregoncountry
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Joined: 26 Feb 2009
Posts: 159
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# Posted: 30 Mar 2009 20:48
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Thank you for this MM. I just found it today, don't know how I missed it but it was a great read!
denise in Sams Valley OR
PS I hope this will "bump" it to the top
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mountainmom5
Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 2058
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# Posted: 30 Mar 2009 20:57
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My pleasure Denise - I love your cheery voice on here. So glad you joined us.
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AJFarro
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Joined: 10 Mar 2009
Posts: 14
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# Posted: 30 Mar 2009 21:43
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Amazon was the very first affiliate program I ever signed up for. I was STOKED! It was way back in 1997 when they were strickly books, no marketplace like now. A whopping 3% commission. So on a $20 book, I would make .60.  I was an innocent noob.
Unfortunately, like most affiliate marketers just starting out, I soon realized that putting banners on your site won't generate sales.
What actually does work is building web sites (or blogs) for specific niches. Publish great content. Then put up some affiliate links for products related to your site. It also helps if you buy the products yourself and do reviews on them. If you have a winner, that kind of marketing really sells products.
That's the first hump to master. Then next is traffic to that site. Like you said, no traffic = no sales.
-AJ
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mountainmom5
Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 2058
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# Posted: 25 May 2009 10:12
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AJFarro: It was way back in 1997 when they were strickly books, no marketplace like now. A whopping 3% commission. So on a $20 book, I would make .60. I was an innocent noob.
LOL - I think they pay like 4 - 6% now. I was using them as examples but actually, I did build a blog here awhile back on a whim and the only things I could find to link to for affiliate commissions was to amazon.... so I did and let it go. Last I looked, I had like $28 in my amazon account....
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yahia
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Joined: 8 Oct 2006
Posts: 113
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# Posted: 25 May 2009 21:01
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Ok mountain mom, that was in January, where is the rest of the story? .
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dlozen
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Joined: 15 Feb 2009
Posts: 41
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# Posted: 25 May 2009 22:44
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If your affiliating yourself with any Amazon products. remember that it takes the same effort to sell a Mercedes as it does a Ford...
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mountainmom5
Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 2058
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# Posted: 26 May 2009 09:22
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yahia: Ok mountain mom, that was in January, where is the rest of the story?
?? I guess you lost me there....
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mountainmom5
Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 2058
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# Posted: 26 May 2009 09:23
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dlozen: remember that it takes the same effort to sell a Mercedes as it does a Ford...
good point!
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yahia
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Joined: 8 Oct 2006
Posts: 113
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# Posted: 26 May 2009 12:22
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mountainmom5: yahia: Ok mountain mom, that was in January, where is the rest of the story? ?? I guess you lost me there....
Do you mind me contributing to this thread?
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mountainmom5
Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 2058
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# Posted: 26 May 2009 13:44
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yahia: Do you mind me contributing to this thread?
Absolutely not! That is what forums are for, correct?
The whole purpose of this thread was to help newbies understand how affiliate marketing works because when I was a newbie, it intimidated me something fierce!
Plus the fact that I get a lot of questions from folks that want help and I tend to direct them BACK to the forum a lot and needed something to direct them to on the whole AM thing...
But heck no, contribute all you want.... I just wasn't sure what you were asking about the rest of the story...
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countrygirl
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Joined: 26 May 2009
Posts: 31
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# Posted: 26 May 2009 15:42
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I am a newbie to affiliate marketing. Just wanted to let you know that your posts have been very helpful!
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yahia
Member
Joined: 8 Oct 2006
Posts: 113
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# Posted: 26 May 2009 20:23 · Edited by: yahia
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Thank you mountain mom.
The reason I was asking your permission is that I believe it should be somehow moderated so that it stays focused. I'll do my best to stay focused.
My first contribution is:
Market Research: Chose the Market Before the Product
This is the most important step because if you are in the wrong market at the wrong time you'll get poor results. This could be so frustrating that you might drop the whole thing.
It is also a complicated task to do, but for beginners it could be simplified as follows, and I'll use clickbank as an example:
1. Browse a group of clickbank products, say in the health and fitness category. Pick a product with a high gravity (which means that many people are promoting, which also means it has a market of buyers out there). But Don't promote this product. Keep reading please.
2. Go to google and search for the most relevant keyword related to this product. Theoretically you'll find hundreds of sponsored ads. Which also affirms the fact that there is a huge market of buyers for this product. Still don't promote it yet.
3. Search for forums related to this keyword, browse the threads to find what people are discussing. Try to find a subniche (a very specific tiny one). Example: if your main product of research was about building muscles, your subniche could be "how to build biceps for men over 40". Just an example.
4. Go back to google and search for that "long tail" keyword. Check for any sponsored links. If you find 10 sponsored ads it means that thiere is a market for this kind of product and you can profit from it. Find a product that solves this problem in clickbank market place and go to step # 7.
If you don't find any, or just a couple, it means one of two things:
a. It is a new market and you'll be one of the pioneers who could dominate this niche.
b. There is no money to make in this niche.
5. Go back to clickbank and search for a product that solves this specfic concern "how to build biceps for men over 40". If you don't find one go to google and search for a product that solves this problem and has an affiliate program.
6. The next step depends. What I tend to do is to run a test PPC campaign for a week or so. I only bid for this long tail keyword with variations. This way I eleminate any non specfic clicking on my ad and within a week I know whether I have a product to promote or not. But this is not an option for everyone. It certainly wasn't when I started. In this case skip to step #7.
7. Start dragging organic traffic to your affiliate link with squidoo lenses and articles. But this is another story.
OK. that was it for market research in a very simplified form. My advice for beginners is that if you find a few or no sponsored ads for the long tail keyword of your choice, skip this one and repeat the process from the beginning with a new product.
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weblearner
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Joined: 17 Aug 2008
Posts: 34
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# Posted: 27 May 2009 10:01
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hi ountainmom5
thanks for your information.very nice topic.
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anitahd
Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 29
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# Posted: 1 Jun 2009 13:55
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Keep those tips coming.....
I have been trying affiliate marketing for 3 months now. I bought MOIS and OWM and use them, but still something must be missing because I have 0 sales. I think maybe I am not trying hard enough. I only have 6 articles at Ezine and some at a few other places, but I have 19 active lenses at Squidoo, 16 ads at US free ads, 4 blogs and 2 websites.
I would like to build a list but really have no idea how to do that. Any suggestions are very much appreciated.
Thanks for this thread,
Anita
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mountainmom5
Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 2058
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# Posted: 1 Jun 2009 18:43
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Here are a few questions that may help troubleshoot for you ..
1) How many hits are you getting to your lenses a day or week?
2) How many clickouts
3) How many hits are you getting to your ezinearticles? you can check this in your Ezine back office
4) How many url clicks on those articles as well
We'll start with that and go from there. It could be that you are not getting enough traffic as we can build hundreds of lenses, and write articles till we are blue in the face, but if they are not getting traffic then we need to change something.... and you may be getting a lot of traffic, but just wanted to check that first.
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robinincarolina
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Joined: 11 Mar 2009
Posts: 328
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# Posted: 1 Jun 2009 20:08
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This is going to be a great thread. I just logged on because I wanted to check the box to send me updates to my email with the postings. I would suggest all newbies do the same, or anyone for that matter.
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Newbie Shield
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 2232
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# Posted: 1 Jun 2009 23:22
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anitahd: I have been trying affiliate marketing for 3 months now. I bought MOIS and OWM and use them, but still something must be missing because I have 0 sales. I think maybe I am not trying hard enough. I only have 6 articles at Ezine and some at a few other places, but I have 19 active lenses at Squidoo, 16 ads at US free ads, 4 blogs and 2 websites.
Hi Anita,
I don't know how long you've been studying online marketing, but it takes at least six months to begin to grasp the fundamentals. Perhaps you learned a little and dove into the implementation and monetization phase a bit prematurely.
It may be wise to go back and better master the concepts in MOIS and OWM as well as reading from online marketing sites and forums for a while longer before taking action.
Be sure to complete and master the free 30 Day Challenge:
www.thirtydaychallenge.com
Be sure to learn SEO, keyword research, driving traffic, and conversions for starters. Learn the rest of the basic concepts as well. Ask questions on this forum and Google other concepts if you need more information.
It sounds to me like you might have jumped in the water a bit early. Just climb out, dry off, and bask in the teachings for a while longer
Spend another three or four months in learning mode. Then experiment. Enjoy the process and try not to focus too much on the money.
~Newbie Shield~
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yahia
Member
Joined: 8 Oct 2006
Posts: 113
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2009 00:02
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Can't agree more Newbie Shield
I may also add that if you've done everything right and still not getting enough traffic, and most importantly, sales, you might be in the wrong niche.
Put what you have done aside, and do the market research as described in my post above. This is the most important step. It is the foundation on which you'll build the campagin.
About building a list ... I think this will be my next post in this thread. Now I feel too sleepy to wright anything useful.
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mountainmom5
Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 2058
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2009 00:15
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Newbie Shield: It sounds to me like you might have jumped in the water a bit early. Just climb out, dry off, and bask in the teachings for a while longer
Very good advice and also I wanted to mention earlier that with the OWM, I suggest reading the Conversation with Nick again and build a new lens as you follow that. I learned so much when I did that AFTER I had already built like 20 lenses!
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William S
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Joined: 2 Jun 2009
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2009 08:30
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To get the most help here I would suggest laying out all your stats for us to check out. Nobody starts there first campaign of perfectly, it's like creating a clay model. at the start it's just a lump of dirt, but you tweak and add and take until you've got yourself a perfect sculpture of an... elephant? (i like elephants)
My point is, you've done some work, you have some information that you can now use (your lump of clay), now we have to find out what to twist and pull to make it look good.
So you need Conversion rates of traffic (how many visitors turn into hops)
I'll try and help you out as much as I can once you lay out all your info!
Will
p.s. I would suggest making a few sales before you decide to get aweber and build a list.
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anitahd
Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 29
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2009 14:03
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Newbie Shield, I am glad you said it takes about 6 months to grasp the fundamentals. I thought I just must be a slow learner. I do learn something new every day, but I also get caught up the all the hypey programs out there.
I started doing the 30 day challenge but somehow I must have deleted day 2, I got as far as 6 but stopped. I will go back and start over with that and see what happens.
I will try doing the step by step on the conversation with Nick and see where that leads.
So you think I should just wait on learning about building a list until I have mastered this other?
Thank you so much for all the information. Wish me luck.
Anita
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anitahd
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Posts: 29
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2009 18:19
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Hey Newbie, I had all of the 30 day challenge in a folder in my email and today went to start doing it again (I stopped on day 6) but when I clicked on the day 6 video it takes me to a page where it says it won't start for another 5 days. So I guess I have to wait for it to start again.
I have heard so many good things about it. I get side tracked easy and wish I would've stayed with it before. This time I am determined to stay focused.
Thanks for all the help everyone,
Anita
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robinincarolina
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Joined: 11 Mar 2009
Posts: 328
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2009 21:28
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Hi Anita,
It is so much to learn, just so you know I am in month 4 I think, I lose track because I like doing this so much. I have come a long way and still have so far to go as do we all do in life. You can't rush it, and everyone here is so great. If it were not for stumbling across this forum I do not know if I would be here now. It was an accident in my case, but things happen for a reason.
Just keep learning, and in my opinion the OWM is the best investment I made. I like you still am on the 30 day challenge, but when you work full time and have to manage your life, it can be difficult to keep up with. I used to work full time anyway until Monday when I got laid off.
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anitahd
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Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 29
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2009 22:38
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Hi Robin, sorry you got laid off, that must be rough.
I moved to AZ in Jan where I left a great nursing job. I have had trouble finding work in AZ with all the hiring freezes going on. I do have an interview on June 15th and am hoping to get that.
I do love learning about affiliate marketing. Too bad it isn't instant gratification like I thought it would be. I have always wanted to work from home just to have the freedom.
I have learned so much and I really enjoy writing now, whereas I hated it before. I even started writing on a book I started 6 years ago but put aside.
This forum has been a God send to me as well as the forum at MOIS. I get the best advice. People here and there are so sincere and are truthful. I really appreciate all the help I have been given.
Good luck to you too.
Anita
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yahia
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Joined: 8 Oct 2006
Posts: 113
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# Posted: 4 Jun 2009 15:38 · Edited by: yahia
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I apologyize for being late. My wife had an accident and we just got back from the hospital.
About aweber Will, I don't think it is a good choice. Aweber charges you based on the number of subscribers. For the first 500 members (only) you pay $20/month, with a moderate size list like mine I would be paying $69/month. Besides it doesn't have the deliverability rate it used to have 3 years ago.
And regarding making sales first before building the list, well, it is debatable but in my opinion I strongly believe that the first outcome from any advertising effort is adding more people to my list. This is where money is.
Anyway. I'll outline the list building process briefly in this post, I hope Anita and everyone will benefit from it, especially that it is the number one every-day-activity in the marketers' life.
Building a list is like fishing (no offense ). You go to the lake, put the bate in the hook, through it in the lake. The fish see your bate, eat it, get hooked and you get notified by the tension in the thread.
In building the list you go to the group of people who you want to join your list in related forums, and social media. Do your search and find where to find congregation of people who you want in your list.
The next step is to prepare a bate for them. The bate will be an offer that you'll design according to two factors:
1. What do you want them to do after they subscribe to your list
2. What do they want (not necessarily need) in order to subscribe to your list.
Example: You want people interested in building muscles to sign up to your list. The reason you want them in your list is to get them to open your newsletter as frequently as possible so that you can sell advertising to interested businesses (nutritional, equipment, personal training, national gym chanis .. etc) in your newsletter.
You do your research and find that they hang out in forums a, b, and c that rent advertising space for a reasonable fee. From their posts you'll find out that some of them are interested in building huge guns. You go ahead and wright a report about what to do to add 2 inches to the biceps in 12 weeks (because you are an expert in building biceps, if not hire a writer or use PLRs). This will be your bate to capture this group. Design different bates for the other groups. Then you advertise your report that you are either giving it away or for a small price (I prefer the latter) by renting an advertising space on the above forums, participating in the discussion postively with the link to the sales/lead capture page in your signature (this will limit you to a group or two), and doing a "one week marketing" campaign.
But before you do that you need to write a lead capture page or a sales page that gets them to repsond. Follow the A.I.D.A. formula for best results (stands for Attention grabbing, Interest building, Desire stimulation, and call for Action). The call to action will be a sign up form that you can get from your autoresponder, or if you will have a membership site (my favorite) it will be built in the script.
After people respond to your advertising and fill your form they will see a "thank you" page where you can put a relevant advertisement for a company that pays per lead (they convert at higher rates and you get to cover your own advertising costs).
Don't let them access the report before confirming their subscription. After they click the subscription link (included by default in the confirmation email sent out by the autoresponder) they should go to a one time offer related to what they signed up for. This is another way to cover your advertising costs and maybe make some money.
After the one time offer you have the option to give a smaller and cheaper offer as an upsell (to those who will take your OTO) and downsell (to those who will skip it).
Finally they get to the page where they will download the report, or if you are using a membership script they will be asked to login to get to that page.
Now there is a reason I prefer to give my report for a small fee and a membership site.
1. Paying a small fee to access my offer means they are serious about solving their problem.
2. It means they are willing to buy a solution for their peoblem when they find it, probably from me after I build credibility with my report.
3. Membership means that they'll stay in my list as long as they need to access my report, and whatever I keep adding to the members area.
4. Repeated visits to the site for updates will mean more exposure to paid advertisement and chances to give special offers, both mean more money in my pocket.
5. And this is the most important one, I have my autoresponder built in the membership script. This frees my nick from aweber and other autoresponders.
I hope this covers the basics of list building.
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yahia
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Posts: 113
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# Posted: 4 Jun 2009 15:41
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I am sorry robin for your lay off news. Obviously Monday was a bad day for you too.
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