As someone who has been making money online for over 5 years, one of the things I’ve discovered is that most so-called bloggers and affiliate marketers are not taking their online business seriously.
Now, I’m not suggesting that you kill your maid or frown at all times. All I’m saying is that running an online business is not for kids. It requires a change in your thinking and how you handle situations every single day. You’ve got to be daring. Brave.
I want to briefly share with you the 9 hard truths every affiliate marketer must use to earn more. When you start applying these rules (sounds better) then you’ll never beat your head in complaints.
There is no partiality online. Those who are making a living online are probably doing something you’re neglecting. Come to think of it, the World Wide Web is large enough to contain everyone and the money flowing can reach you if you stretch forth your hands. Really.
Do you really want to earn more money and live the internet lifestyle? Don’t frown at these hard truths because they’re the lifeblood of affiliate marketing. Ready? Let’s go…
1. Â You can’t do without Google
Last week I heard someone complain bitterly how Google killed his business. He angrily resolved to forget about Google and look for alternative services.
The first question I asked him was, “are you sure you can totally forget about “G?†What about their email service (Gmail and Adwords, Adwords Planner, Youtube etc).â€
The earlier you realise that Google is big enough to grow your business, the better for you. As an affiliate marketer, you may decide to drive traffic from another source, but that would cost you a lot of time and money. Don’t be tired of optimizing your sites. It’s worth it.
Yes, you may have done it right and still got penalized in the past. Don’t give up too soon. Start again and this time, be more careful – the reason for SEO marketing education.
Google Analytics alone provides a lot of insights partaining to your website. If you want to make more money online, utilize Google’s wealth of helpful resources at all times.
The sweet part, you can host your websites on different locations from one single hosting account. Trust me, this will boost your rankings and income. All you need is Host9 Hosting Plan.
2. Â Â You must build a list
For the umpteenth time I want to say it again. Maybe you have something blocking your ear drums (no apologies) – email marketing is the wave of internet marketing and has always been. Go and ask around, interview super affiliates and they’ll tell you that the real money is on the list.
Really, it is only that the statement is not entirely true. Having thousands of people on your email list can’t bring in the money, but the relationship and friendship you’ve developed with them over time. That’s why hard-selling your subscribers is a wrong marketing approach.
The real money is made when they start trusting your word. At that point, you can recommend better products and services and have your merchant account swell up.
It’s hard truth because most people don’t like the stress of list building and follow up. Here’s my advice to you: start loving it or you’ll continue to struggle for peanut sales on the front-end.
3. Â Â Marketing is more powerful than writing
Let me say it again: A crappy content or product can make you a lot of money if you know how to promote it to those who desperately needs it. Mind you, I’m not advising you to create such kinds of products but you do get my point.
In 2012, I lived with guilt on a regular basis because my content were neglected. Yes, I do put a lot of thoughts and research before writing a piece of post. At the end of the day, you’d get 10 – 20 comments and maybe a handful tweets and Facebook shares.
If you want the real money online as an affiliate, then pay more attention to marketing. Just like Derek Halpern admonishes, “publish less but helpful posts†and your business will grow massively.â€
4. Â Â 100 targeted traffic is better than 9999 generic traffic
Another hard truth. If you’ve a money site, then quit using every channel to generate prospects to it. You’d utterly fail and complain at the end of the day. What you must do is simple: find the right websites and networks and run your campaign.
The truth is that a website that receives 100 visitors a day will generate more sales and leads if those visitors are ready to buy. They must have a problem that’s bugging their precious minds.
On the other hand, if your website is about fishing rods and you drive 9999 visitors who needs golf shots, I can assure you that failure is certain.
Therefore, as you promote any affiliate product/service, send only those who have intentions to buy or try. Aha, if the 9999 visitors are targeted, then congratulations. But if not, give me the 100 or even 9 ready-to-buy prospects anytime.
5. Â Â Market research is the first step
You can’t create a product without first researching your market. You can’t build a niche site without knowing what people truly wants. It’s about the language of your target audience. What they’re saying in the silent when no one is watching them.
If they had money right now, there is a need that must be met no matter how much the solution is. Do your market research first before running a facebook ad, or doing SEO. It comes before everything else in affiliate marketing.
6.   You can’t do it all alone – outsource
No need to waste your time on this. If your business is on the fast lane, outsourcing is the only way to take it to the next level. In fact, it’s possible you outsourced if not you’d not be where you’re right now. That’s the truth!
And if that’s the case, don’t stop there. The definition of success from my old friend in the woods is “when you find the road to success, don’t take shortcuts any more. Follow it till you get to the top.â€
Get other people involved in your business. Okay, I’m not an expert at outsourcing, but I do know that you can get awesome resources online to guide you. My own is to motivate you to just do it.
7. Â Â Writing articles builds your confidence
Earlier I did mention that marketing is more important than writing articles, which is the truth. But I didn’t tell you that writing is also very important because it builds your confidence.
When I started my freelance writing business in 2012, I didn’t realize the effect of writing guest posts and getting featured at authority blogs.
Fast forward to 2013, I was able to build a handful of niche sites that spills money on autopilot. Of course I outsourced a part of the content writing project, but I was in total control of it and did more work than my part time VA.
No matter what you face, don’t quit writing. Whether or not you get applauded for it, never conclude that you’re a failure. Writing will help you in the nearest future to build that needed confidence for product creation, niche marketing and negotiation. Move on to the 8th truth…
8. Â Â Recurring Affiliate Offers are Better
I love affiliate programs that pays me every month. I know you don’t like it. Yes you hate it if not why are you not promoting a recurring offer.
Did you know that the same effort required to sell a one-time ebook is the same effort you need to get someone to join that resourceful membership site?
Stop working hard for peanuts. Affiliate marketing is a profitable business model if you do it with all your might and smartness.
Let me give you an advice: Instead of working hard to sell that latest software/ebook/theme that pays out $65 only once, go and promote an offer that pays out $30 every single month. You’ll double your income significantly and work less.
9. Â Â Spread your net, you may be penalized
My fingers needs to rest. But I’ll not fail to remind you of this hard truth: Google may decide to penalize you even if you do everything right. I’ve read grudging testimonials of people who lost their rankings as a result of the Penguin updates even when they didn’t build spam links.
My new site also got penalized. But you know what – I haven’t built a single backlink to it from any source. Just the on-page optimization and BAM – I was screwed.
If you’re an affiliate marketer, you’ve to understand that running an online business alone is a risk. And lack of adequate education at it is RISKIER.
And not just from Google. Even your best goals could fail without you being the culprit. But whatever happens, learn to rise up strong again and begin from where you stopped. Those who quit don’t win and if you must win, then never you quit.
Do me a little favor…
I’ve poured my heart into this post. I know you’ve benefitted tremendously and you can’t wait to take action on some of the nudges happening on your inside.
All I ask is for you to share this post, leave a comment and if you want to see more of what I do, visit contentmarketingup.com. See you at the top!