Are Affiliate Programs
Really a Money-Making Heaven for Beginners?
One of the most depressing statistics I've ever
heard was that over 90% of all affiliates fail to
make money. Yet if you've ever joined a discussion
group on affiliate programs, you'll know that this
statistic is uncomfortably accurate.
So what's going on? Aren't affiliate programs supposed
to be the single easiest way to make money online?
After all, the only thing you have to do is advertise;
the company handles everything else from inventory
to billing to customer service. It's unfortunate that
some affiliate programs promote how 'easy' it is to
make money online. They tell you that they'll give
you 'proven' ad copy, banners, articles, and whatever
else you need to succeed at their program. Then they
set you loose to make your fortune. If it were that
easy we'd all be rich, retired, and lounging on a
warm tropical beach.
Joining an affiliate program is NOT a guarantee that
you'll make a single penny in profits, let alone thousands
a month! You see, beginners are often misled into
thinking that all they need to do is stick a banner
on their website, submit ads to hundreds of classified
ad sites, use FFA pages, and submit their affiliate
URL to the search engines. This strategy won't do
you a lick of good. Classifieds don't work very well,
if at all; FFA sites are the spammers' favorite hunting
ground; and search engines won't index your affiliate
URL. What you need is quality, targeted traffic. But
consider this: out of hundreds of millions of websites
online, why would someone want to visit YOURS? For
*content*, of course: valuable, interesting and up-to-date
information that attracts people and keeps them coming
back for more. By creating a content-rich website
you will have a far better chance of getting listed
with the major search engines and indexes. This is
what will provide you with a steady stream of targeted
prospects. Great content is also what separates you
from the thousands of other affiliates. By offering
your visitors something of value, you both establish
yourself as an 'expert' in your field while also developing
a relationship with your visitor. Don't underestimate
the power of a good relationship. People are much
more likely to buy from someone they know and trust...
which means it's also important how you present yourself
on your site. Do you sound professional, competent,
helpful, and likeable? Do you show your visitor how
the products you endorse can benefit them? [You Do
endorse them, right? There's no point in promoting
a product you wouldn't buy yourself!] There is simply
no such thing as easy money.
Affiliate programs can be an excellent source of
income - if you're willing to work for it! Here are
a few tips to help you succeed: Choose a target audience.
Select a limited number of affiliate programs that
offer products and services of interest to your target
audience. Build a content-rich website that offers
valuable information of interest to your target audience.
Create fresh, original copy that persuades your visitor
to click on your affiliate link and arrive at your
affiliate page in a ready-to-buy frame of mind. Focus
on generating high-quality, targeted traffic. Are
YOU going to join the small percentage of affiliates
that succeed? The choice is yours!
The author, John Schultz is the owner of IncomeMax,
Your Source for Making Money Online! Featuring over
5700 money-making programs and a FREE newsletter,
there's something for everyone. Visit us today at
http://www.incomemax.com/.
Also Owner of Webmasterbids.com Advertising Auctions
http://www.webmasterbids.com
