Wealthy Affiliate Review: My Experience After 10 Years

 

Wealthy Affiliate Free Starter Membership

I joined Wealthy Affiliate in 2014 while searching for a way to make money online. I did some MLM programs for 4 years and was very disappointed in my performance so I went from one program to another and each time unsuccessful.

I knew there had to be something better than MLM or Network Marketing.

So, long story short, I decided to give Wealthy Affiliate a try.  Now let me tell you I hate the word “TRY.”  Why, try has no commitment.  It’s like dipping your toe in the water before jumping in.

I “TRIED” (again I don’t like try) but I tried the Free Membership Program.

My thought was it’s free to look at and with no commitment and no credit card required.  I had to look…curious!

I liked It.

I enrolled into the Premium Membership for much less than I was spending on any of my MLM or Network Marketing adventures.

And while I didn’t get rich overnight, I did learn a unique 4-step process that allowed me to start seeing some early results.

After a few years we have developed a good steady income.  Not spectacular but a good income.

I know you may be somewhat skeptical.  I was and so was many of the other people who have taken look.  But facts are facts….This WORKS.

If your this far, I would like to show you how Wealthy Affiliate’s 4-step process works and how it has the power to take you from a complete beginner to owning a thriving online business.

Best of all it will happen in less time than you might think.

But before I get to that, allow me to introduce myself…

About Me

My name is Bill and my wife is Wendy.  We have 3 grown-up girls, a dog and a cat.

I’ve been in corporate America, owned several small business, radio personally and I’m a master photographer.

My wife and I operated a healthcare practice in my midwest hometown for many years.

My journey into the online world began with me wanting to retire from my practice because of the Many Hours required to operating a business.  Plus all of the state and government rules in healthcare.

Our practice required us to be in the office from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM with no breaks.  Additionally no sick days, no vacations, no time off.  You see when you have a business the “Business Controls Your Life not You controlling the Business.”

If the doors are not open, no customers!

So I started looking for ways to make money online, with nothing more than a strong desire to succeed and a willingness to do whatever it took.

How did that go?

Not very well!

Remember I was in MLM/Network Marketing with no success so that was not an option.

I looked at affiliate programs which seemed better suited to my likings.

 

Lesson Learned!!

I ended up joining one scam after another – all promising I could make money online quickly and easily following their “Proven System.”

One such Proven System I joined asked for a membership fee of $999.00.  After joining, I was hit with an “Upgrade” to make more money.  The upgrade was $1,500.  I bought it.

Months later came another Upgrade to a Master Marketer.  For only $900 I could be a Master Marketer and get additional coaching.

What the heck….I’m in this far …go for it.

And yes within a year later came another Upgrade.

Looking back over the last 19 months, I made ZERO DOLLARS and spent in excess of $3,000 dollars.

I had enough with all of the upgrades, no results and quit.

The business is still around but has changed it’s name.  That should tell you something.

The sales pages were always so convincing.  It’s like they knew exactly what I wanted to hear. Which is probably why I fell for them (3 in total).

Anyway, one weekend, I was researching online programs when I stumbled across a review from a Wealthy Affiliate member.

I was struck by his honesty and (from what I could tell) integrity. I followed his recommendation and looked at the Wealthy Affiliate’s free starter program.

Before finding Wealthy Affiliate, I was basically a mouse chasing its tail on a mouse wheel. Every program I’d joined up to that point was one big never-ending sales funnel, where the “guru” behind it was just trying to sell me more and more upgrades.

Maybe you’ve joined some of these programs yourself?

They always sound good, but then you join and find out that what they’re teaching doesn’t actually work and that the only one making money is the person selling the program.

And that’s what was so different about Wealthy Affiliate.

There was no overhyped sales page. There were no hidden upsells. I was learning REAL skills. And the people in the community were actually helping me succeed!

After all the programs I joined with zero results, this was a breath of fresh air!

And I was excited because I KNEW that after all that time of joining one program after another, I had FINALLY found something real. Something I could work for as long as I wanted.

That’s all I really wanted.

I wasn’t looking to get rich quickly. I just wanted something that worked!

And that’s what I found.

Stuck To The Training

More specifically, I discovered Wealthy Affiliate and their unique 4-step process:

I stuck to the training and started building my business. And within a few short months, I made my very first commission.

It wasn’t much, but I was hooked!

So I kept on moving forward, following the training, completing one lesson after another, and built a good income in about 18-24 months.

Finally

Aside from financial freedom, affiliate marketing and Wealthy Affiliate can give you time and freedom, which means you get to actually enjoy your money and your life rather than being a slave.

That is a quick story about me and Wendy.

That’s why I’m so passionate about sharing Wealthy Affiliate with others.

Because it actually works!

Even if you’re a complete beginner and don’t have a lot of money to get started, Wealthy Affiliate can give you a path to building a highly successful affiliate marketing business.

And it all comes down to the unique 4-step process Wealthy Affiliate will teach you.

You can check it out by looking at the Free Starter Membership.  No Credit Card Required and No obligation….Just A Free Look.

Have a great day and a successful Affiliate Business

Here are a few comments:

How To Start Affiliate Marketing | Part 2

In How To Start Affiliate Marketing Part 2, I’ll discuss the:

• Common Types of Affiliate Marketing Channels
• Tips To Help you Become A Successful Affiliate Marketer
• What are the Top Affiliate Marketing Trends of 2023?
• What Affiliate Marketing Strategies Should You Employ in 2023?
• Common Types of Affiliate Marketing Channels.

If you haven’t read Part 1 of How To Start Affiliate Marketing, I suggest you CLICK HERE before you continue.

In Part 1 I wrote about:

• What Is Affiliate Marketing
• How Does Affiliate Marketing Work
• How Do Affiliate Marketers Get Paid
• And the all important Why Be An Affiliate Marketer

Let’s begin Part 2 with:

Common Types of Affiliate Marketing Channels

Most affiliates marketers share common practices to ensure that their targeted audience is engaged and receptive to purchasing the affiliate’s products. However, not all affiliates advertise or promote the products in the same way.  Here I’ll show 5 different ways in which affiliate marketers promote their products.

1. Influencers.

An influencer is an individual who holds the power to impact the purchasing decisions of a large segment of the buying audience. This person is in a great position to benefit from affiliate marketing.

They already boast an impressive following, so it’s easy for them to direct buyers to the seller’s products through social media posts such as, blogs, Pinterest, Instagram, and other interactions with their followers.

2. Bloggers.

With the ability to rank organically in search engine queries, bloggers excel at increasing a seller’s conversions. The blogger samples the product or service and then writes a comprehensive review that promotes the brand in a compelling way, driving traffic back to the seller’s site. The blogger is awarded for his or her influence spreading the word about the value of the product, helping to improve the seller’s sales.

3. Paid search focused microsites.

Developing and monetizing microsites can also garner a serious amount of sales.

A microsite is an individual web page or small cluster of web pages that act as a separate entity for a brand. … Microsites can be used to help brands achieve a number of things. For example, some companies have used them to highlight a specific campaign or target specific buyer.

For example, is the Häagen-Dazs website a microsite because the product is a part of Nestlé ?

These sites are advertised within a affiliate partner site or on the sponsored listings of a search engine. They are distinct and separate from the organization’s main site. By offering more focused, relevant content to a specific audience.

Microsites can lead to increased conversions due to their simple and straightforward call to action.

4. Email lists.

Despite its older origins, email marketing is still a viable source of affiliate marketing income.

Some affiliates have a large email lists they can use to promote the seller’s products. Others may leverage email newsletters that include hyperlinks to products, earning a commission after the buyer purchases the product.

Another method is for the affiliate to cultivate email lists over time. They use their various marketing campaigns to collect emails en masse, then send out emails regarding the products they are promoting.

Two important point to make here is Never Spam Your Emails.  And two, Never Buy Emails.  Buying emails does not target your buying audience.  You are simply buying a list of people many of which could care less about you or your product.

5. Large media websites.

Designed to create a huge amount of traffic at all times, these sites focus on building an audience of millions. These websites promote products to their massive audience through the use of banners and affiliate links.

Affiliate links are exclusive URLs used to track the traffic sent from your website to the advertiser’s website. Each affiliate marketer has their own individualized URLs, which contain specific identifiers such as a randomized series of numbers and letters, your username, or other means of identification.

This method offers superior exposure and improves conversion rates, resulting in a top-notch revenue for both the seller and the affiliate.

Tips to Help You Become A Successful Affiliate Marketer

1. Develop a rapport.

When beginning your affiliate marketing career, you’ll want to cultivate an audience that has very specific interests or a niche. This allows you to tailor your affiliate campaigns to that niche, increasing the likelihood that you’ll convert that person into purchasing your product.

By establishing yourself as an expert in one area instead of promoting a large array of products, you’ll be able to market to the people most likely to buy the product.

Marketing to a niche is much easier than appealing to a broad market, since a niche has much more in common in terms of needs, wants, or preferences.

Selling handbags is a huge market, for example, and there are many niches with many different uses for a handbag within it.

You might have new moms who want a handbag that can be used as a diaper bag, you might have college students who need a bag to hold their books, single women in need of an evening bag to hold their phone, keys, and credit cards, vacationing moms who want a large beach bag to hold their family’s gear, and many more.

But understanding the different needs of each niche makes it possible to speak directly to them in your marketing – you will have a greater chance of attracting a buyer’s attention and winning their business by making it clear that your product is for them specifically.

2. Make it personal.

There is no shortage of products you’ll be able to promote. You’ll have the ability to pick and choose products that you personally believe in, so make sure that your campaigns center around truly valuable products that buyers want, need and will enjoy. You’ll achieve an impressive conversion rate if you target your product or niche to a specific target audience.

3. Start reviewing products and services.

Focus on reviewing products and services that fall within your niche. Review other websites, your competition and any other media to get an idea of how others are promoting the product or service. Then, leveraging the rapport you have created with your target market and your position as an expert.

Show your audience why they would benefit from purchasing the product or service you are promoting.

Almost anything sold online can be reviewed.  If there is an affiliate program, you can review physical products, digital software, health care or even services. Most importantly, make sure you are generating detailed, articulate quality content to improve conversions.

4. Use several sources.

Instead of focusing on just an email campaign, also spend time with making money with a blog.  Reaching out to your target audience on social media, and even looking into cross-channel promotions. Test a variety of marketing strategies to see which one your audience responds to the most.

Facebook is by far the most desired form of marketing your product.  YouTube is growing in popularity because people like seeing videos as opposed to reading. Pinterest and a host of other marketing channels can be use to promote your products.

Word of caution:  Only use one marketing channel at a time when your new.  Trying to do all of them will only cause confusing and frustration.  Master one media then move on to another.

5. Study the demand with care.

No matter how good your marketing skills are, you’ll make less money on a bad product than you will on a valuable one.

It is important to know your market.  “Market to everyone is marketing to no-one.”

Choose your niche carefully.  Know who is buying that product.  Direct all you marketing to that target audience.

Take the time to study the demand for a product before promoting it. Make sure to research the seller with care before teaming up. Your time is worth a lot, and you want to be sure you’re spending it on a product that is profitable and a seller you can work with.

6. Stay current with marketing trends.

There is serious competition in the affiliate marketing sphere. You’ll want to make sure you stay on top of any new trends to ensure you remain competitive. Additionally, you’ll likely be able to benefit from at least a few of the new marketing techniques that are constantly being created.

Be sure you’re keeping up to date on all these new strategies to guarantee that your conversion rates, and therefore revenue, will be as high as possible.

What are the Top Affiliate Marketing Trends?

• Facebook May Be Peaking

• Influencer niches are becoming targeted with long-tailed  keywords

In the past, large affiliates were the mainstay, as catch-all coupon and media sites gave traffic to hundreds or thousands of advertisers.

This is not so much the case anymore. With consumers using long-tail keywords and searching for very specific products and services, influencers can leverage their hyper-focused niche for affiliate marketing success. Influencers may not send advertisers huge amounts of traffic, but the audience they do send is credible, targeted, and has higher conversion rates.

• Affiliate marketers are getting smarter.

Merchants receiving a large percentage of their revenue from the affiliate channel can become reliant on their affiliate partners. This can lead to affiliate marketers leveraging their important status to receive higher commissions and better deals with their advertisers, and affiliate marketers are in the driver’s seat.

What Affiliate Marketing Strategies Should You Employ?

1. Only recommend products you are extremely familiar with.

Building trust with your audience is paramount in affiliate marketing, and the quickest way to lose trust is to recommend products either you haven’t used before or that aren’t a good fit for your audience.

Also make sure you never tell anyone to directly buy a product, you are simply recommending the product. The more helpful you are and the more you make quality recommendations, the more likely your visitors will come back for your affiliate business.

2. Promote products from many different merchants.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If you only promote one merchant’s products, you are stuck with their commissions, their landing pages, and ultimately, their conversion rates.

It is important to work with many different merchants in your niche and promote a wide range of products. This affiliate marketing strategy will diversify the amount of commissions you make and create a steady stream of revenue when building an affiliate website.

However getting to wide can become a nightmare to keep up with.  If your new, pick your niche product and stay with it until your more familiar with marketing.  Once your comfortable, choose another niche.

3. Constantly test and optimize your conversion rates.

Let’s say you have a promotions page where you’re promoting a product via affiliate links. If you currently get 5,000 visits/month at a 2% conversion rate, you have 100 referrals. To get to 200 referrals, you can either focus on getting 5,000 more visitors, or simply increasing the conversion rate to 4%.

Which sounds easier?

Instead of spending months building domain authority with blogging and guest posts to get more organic traffic, you just have to increase the conversion rate by 2%. This can include landing page optimization, testing your calls-to-action, and having a conversion rate optimization strategy in place.

By testing and optimizing your site, you’ll get far better results with much less effort.

4. Focus on your affiliate traffic sources.

It’s important to know where your traffic is coming from and the demographics of your audience. This will allow you to customize your messaging so that you can provide the best affiliate product recommendations. You shouldn’t just focus on the vertical you’re in, but on the traffic sources and audience that’s visiting your site.

Traffic sources may include organic, paid, social media, referral, display, email, or direct traffic. You can view traffic source data in Google Analytics to view things such as time on page, bounce rate, geo location, age, gender, time of day, devices (mobile vs. desktop), and more so that you can focus your effort on the highest converting traffic.

This analytics data is crucial to making informed decisions, increasing your conversion rates, and making more affiliate sales.

Summary

While what you just read may sound complicated, it really is not.  Like riding a bike, you take one step at a time.  As you become familiar with your product, marketing, social media and your target audience I guarantee you will find that affiliate marketing is a great platform for earning a good income.

Affiliate marketing is an ideal solution for those looking to gain control of their own income by focusing on performance-based revenue options. Working in tandem with a seller, a motivated affiliate marketer will be able to achieve a passive income from the comfort of their home without worrying about producing their own product or service.

Although the success of the job does depend on the affiliate’s marketing skills, it can prove to be an effective way to meet your income goals.

Knowing how to market your niche product and producing an income can be skill that many fail to enjoy.

I recommend you review other articles in my Planning-4-Success site and look at the TABS above for my recommendation of the best affiliate programs available.

Here’s to your affiliate success,

The Top 8 Affiliate Marketing Myths To Avoid

A Rant About People Who Will Clap and Cheer

I normally don’t go into a rant, but something caught my eye the other day about people who will clap and cheer about and with you.

Day To Day

Day to day living is a challenge and people will clap and cheer for you as you go through life.  However, step outside of the “Box” and many of those same people will shun you.

It’s not their intention to shun you, some are trying to protect you while others will shake there head, roll their eyes back and tell you not to cause waves.  Just follow like everyone else, stay in line.

Let’s find out what happens when you decide to step outside of the “Box.”

  You go to your first high school prom and people will clap and cheer for you.

  You granulate from high school and people will clap and cheer for you.

  You go to college and people will clap and cheer for you.

  You graduate from college with between $30-$50,000 in debt, people clap and cheer for you.

  You get your first job and people will clap and cheer for you.

  You get married and spend between $5-$20,000 thousand for ONE day, people will clap and cheer for you.

  You take a $400 thousand + loan from the bank to buy your first house, people will clap and cheer for you.

  You take a $40 thousand + loan for a car (a depreciating asset) with interest, people will clap and cheer for you.

That’s $510,000 in total debt that MOST people are living in, and somehow they are feeling good about it because people are congratulating you for what you have done.

After all, your following the crowd and doing what everyone else is doing.

Start Your Own Business

Now, go and tell those same people who clapped and cheered for you, you spent around $1,000 to start your own business.

 “It’s a scam”

 “You’re crazy”

 “What if it doesn’t work?”

 “Can you get your money back?”

 “What if people laugh at you?”

   “I know a place that’s hiring.”

 “It’s going to be hard to get people to support you.”

 “I thought you were smarter than that.”

 “You have a job.  Work at your job.”

 “How can you spend $1,000 dollars on something you know nothing about?”

Some of these same people who cheered you won’t even share or like your new adventure. They won’t help you promote your business. They won’t even encourage you but will try to get you to quit.

They will start to tell you everything negative about what it is that you’re doing.

Picture a bucket full of crabs with no lid. The moment a crab tries to get out, the other crabs will literally rip its legs off.

This year, pay attention to who you’re surrounding yourself with and who’s supporting you with your decisions.

Your Life

It’s your life, live it as you want.  Want to follow the crowd?  Do It.  Want to stand out from the crowd?  Do It

Success is created by you, and you only.

Don’t let anyone steal your dreams.

Have a great life.

Have You Ever Tried To Bake A Chocolate Cake?

I really like chocolate cake, in fact I like chocolate.  What does have you ever tried to bake a chocolate cake have to do with affiliate marketing?

Actually baking a cake has a lot to do with affiliate marketing.

Let me explain…

To make a chocolate cake: we both know you add the eggs, the flour, the sugar, the chocolate… you mix it all together, and you bake it for 30 minutes at 300 degrees and wallah – out pops a warm, delicious, gooey, chocolatey piece of heaven that smells like “Come and get it now”

Pretty simple, yes?

It’s because you were given a recipe to follow!

Get a Simple Recipe

Follow the Simple Recipe

Get the Results!

WORKS EVERY TIME

What is a recipe?

The earliest known written recipes date to 1730 BC and were recorded on cuneiform tablets found in Mesopotamia.

And just like baking a chocolate cake, success in affiliate marketing has a recipe to follow. A recipe that when followed attracts fresh new leads, customers, and business builders to you every single day.

Look, affiliate marketing companies want you to do 2 things:

1. Sell their products
2. Sell their products

Just like affiliate marketing companies I’m sure you want the same…sell product to make money and make a list of buyers to sell more product.

How Is Affiliate Marketing Different Than Network Marketing?

The major problem with Network Marketing is the company or your sponsor are giving you a recipe that causes resistance, and is painful to follow.

• hotel meetings
• home parties
• prospecting strangers
• list of friends & family
• wear buttons
• pass out cards

… I know I wasn’t good at any of these, I despised doing them.

This is the exact recipe for frustration and lack of success.

The failure rate in network marketing is very high.  Typically 1 out of every 10 people prospected will join.

So now you have a team of lets say 100 members.  Typically 80% will quit within 6 months.  Then another 10% will quit in a year.  Only 5% will do something, while 5% will go on to build a business.

Why?

Just as there is a proven recipe for making a chocolate cake, there is no real recipe for building a successful network marketing business.

Affiliate Marketing

Is there a proven recipe for success in affiliate marketing?

Well sort-of.

The best one I know of is Nick’s 30-Minute Escape Plan.

This is a well designed proven plan that has worked for 100’s of years.

Is there a recipe in this Escape Plan?  Sure is!

It’s because you were given a recipe to follow!

• Get a Simple Recipe

• Follow the Simple Recipe

• Get the Results!

Common Questions About Affiliate Marketing

There’s a new recipe that can almost guarantee you success.

There’s a new-age ‘recipe’ that allows you to build your affiliate business from your computer without ever having to leave your home.

You see the problem with any business, be it network marketing, affiliate business, store front is getting customers ready to buy what you are offering.

With a home business opportunity the problem is even bigger.

You have to know email marketing, Facebook marketing, YouTube marketing, Autoresponders, Funnels, Lead pages, Capture pages, Pinterest, Blogging, and the list goes on.

How are you going to learn about these and so much more?

More about that later.

Another Problem With Network Marketing

Chances are there are THOUSANDS of distributors in the exact same company as you, trying to sell the exact same product and opportunity as you.

There’s also THOUSANDS of distributors in other MLM companies with similar products selling the same products and business opportunity as you.

For example:  How many weight loss MLM companies are out there?  How many MLM vitamin companies are out there?  How many MLM juice companies are out there?

Each one saying they have the best product, best plan, etc:

SO THE QUESTION IS: “WHY WOULD SOMEONE BUY FROM YOU, VS THEM?”

It takes a lot of work that most network marketers are not willing to do.

This why the failure rate in network marketing is 90-95%

YOU are the answer, YOU are the miracle, and people are going to join your business and buy your products because of YOU.

FACT: PEOPLE JOIN PEOPLE – NOT COMPANIES.

I THINK WE CAN AGREE ON THIS?

So if people join and buy from people, what should you build IF you want to sell product, and make more money?

YOU!

Yes Build YOU! “this is the ‘top earner recipe.”

• This is how you attract and never run out of fresh prospects to YOU every single day…
• This is how YOU avoid getting (and feeling) rejected…
• This is how YOU never have to do “meetings” or “bug people”…
• This is how YOU build a long-term sustainable MLM business for your family that will flourish even if your network marketing company changes comp plans, or goes out of business…

YOU are the brand…Brand & Build YOU!

If you look around, every single top earner is branding themselves… and so should you! (even if you’re brand new, never sponsored anybody, or never made a dime… we got you covered)

YOU are the business, NOT your MLM products or business opportunity.

Your MLM company is a residual revenue stream for your MLM business, and I hope you will sell a lot of their products, and make a ton of money… but YOU are the Brand & the Business… and YOU are why people will buy and join! your opportunity.

So how do you do it?

How do you actually attract fresh leads, customers, and new reps to you every single day?

Here’s the ah-ha recipe that you must experience to make money in your network marketing business…

INSTEAD OF PITCHING YOUR PRODUCT LIKE EVERY OTHER BROKE BUSINESS OWNER… YOU FIRST GET CLEAR ON YOUR TARGET MARKET, AND THEN ADD VALUE THAT SERVES THAT TARGET MARKET…

Here’s how to create your Target Market…Avatar

Adding Value to your target market simply means you create content that addresses your target market’s challenges, problems, desires and pains… content that provides solutions, educates, and adds value to their lives (NOT just pitching & selling)

This content can be in form of videos, facebook, blog posts, youtube, instagram, twitter, face-to-face etc…

So Instead of pitching like every other broke business owner, you are now creating valuable content that your target market wants to consume because it addresses their problems; Which will help you establish credibility & authority, gain trust, build relationships, become the LEADER in your industry, and Brand & Build YOU!

This in turn will help you close more sales, recruit more reps, create more revenue streams, and build YOUR network marketing or MLM business just like the top earners are doing right now.

Before you even talk about your products or opportunity, learn something about them.  What do they want?  Do they want to loose weight?  Why?  Do they want to make more money?  Why?  Do they want to quit their job?  Why?

As you can see, look for the WHY.  Solve the Why and you have a customer, lead and a MLM business partner.

Get excited because as you read on, we are going to give you EVERYTHING to IMPLEMENT this ‘Top Earner Brand YOU Recipe’ in YOUR business today.

Honesty time: Executing the ‘Top Earner Brand YOU Recipe’ alone without the right training, tools, and community can be extremely difficult.

So we’re going to hook you up with all 3 right now. Why? Because our mission is to help kids get their parents back, and our vision is to help good people like you create your life by design.

We’re going to give you the tools! This includes a website builder to create simple websites and capture pages, a fortune 500-type crm (customer relationship manager) to follow up with interested prospects, and ready-to-go websites & lead magnets designed to GET LEADS TODAY for your network marketing business.

We’re going to give you the community! This tight-knit family-like community provides 24×7 support, and truly wants you to succeed. Unlock VIP access to a priceless private facebook group of successful home business owners who will answer your questions within minutes. We’ve never seen anything like it…

AND YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS EXACT SYSTEM, TRAINING, CURRICULUM, EDUCATION, THESE TOOLS, AND THIS COMMUNITY HAVE CREATED SOME OF THE BIGGEST INTERNET NETWORK MARKETING SUPERSTARS YOU SEE ONLINE TODAY AND YOU CAN BE OUR NEXT SUCCESS STORY

Everything you need to build a rock solid MLM home business all in one place…..There is nothing else like this out there, PERIOD.

I’m not even asking you to make a decision right now… peek behind the curtain, and decide in 10 days if this is something that can grow your business.

We are removing any risk and putting it on our shoulders to make sure we deliver to you exactly what we promise… RESULTS IN YOUR NETWORK MARKETING COMPANY.

If you decide not to invest the $9.97 in yourself right now, nothing changes.

We can help you & your family create the lifestyle you were promised when you first got started.

Last Second BONUS: we’re throwing in a free 1-on-1 1-Hour Coaching & Strategy Session valued at $397 absolutely free to make sure you GET RESULTS in YOUR network marketing business with this new marketing & branding approach.

YES, we actually do want you to succeed! YES you too can make serious money in network marketing! We’ll prove it to you…

The step-by-step training courses, the tools & software, the community & support, all scientifically engineered to BRAND YOU, get leads, and sponsor reps so you can finally make money in your network marketing business… that’s all we’re promising.

This is the step-by-step ‘Top Earner Brand YOU Recipe’ to grow any network marketing business…

It’s just like the recipe you followed as a kid to bake that delicious chocolate cake… and when followed, this ‘Top Earner Recipe’ works every time.

Imagine…

• No more chasing, cold calling, convincing
• No more hotel meetings and home parties
• No more prospecting strangers
• No more rejection
• No more struggle, shame, or pain
• And imagine never running out of interested prospects to talk to

IT’S HERE… IT’S POSSIBLE… AND IT’S PROVEN!

Real marketing, real results! Give yourself a fighting chance, follow the system & recipe, and build your dream business today.

Take your no-brainer 100% risk-free test drive today, get instant access to EVERYTHING on the next page, and welcome to the family… we are waiting for you with something special on the next page!

How To Succeed In Affiliate Marketing As A Professional

Overwhelm Is Bad Enough, But There Is An Evil Twin

Here is the question today: Are you overwhelm with every day life let alone your business?  If you answered YES, I’m afraid you have more in store for you.  There is an evil twin to being overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed is bad enough but this evil twin is a business killer.

What do I mean by Business Killer?

If you are not aware of this evil twin to Overwhelm or if you are aware and do nothing to this killer….your business is at jeopardy.

First, What Is Overwhelm?

Today we can be completely overwhelmed in an instant.

Every day we are bombarded with hundreds of TV ads, Radio ads, Billboard ads, Magazine ads, Internet ads,YouTube ads.

You and I have to make hundreds of decisions. Being Overwhelm is a normal way of life which can produce Stress.

If you have a small personal business, or a home based business, you are faced with decisions everyday that can effect your business.

Even the best of business people can be overwhelmed, stressed, and face with the evil twin.

How that we know what Overwhelmed means, what is this evil twin and business killer?

This evil twin is “Procrastination.”

“Procrastination” is the direct result of being overwhelmed.

When you have so much coming at you that you’re not sure what to do next, you will naturally do nothing. And this is when procrastination sets in, and then comes the downward spiral which wipes many of new or beginning home business owners.

As a business owner, you really need to know this…”Procrastination is the official language of being unsuccessful in any business or even in life.”

How many times have you said or have heard someone else say,”I’ll do it tomorrow”

“Harold Hill: You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to make today worth remembering.”

― Meredith Willson, The Music Man

Draw A Line In The Sand

Unsuccessful does NOT have to happen to you or your business. But it may, if you don’t draw a line in the sand.

Do something about it, something different with the way you manage your time, and your productivity level because chances are, what you’re doing now, ain’t cuttin’ it.

Before I go any further, let’s defined Procrastination: “Procrastination is the act of unnecessarily and voluntarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there will be negative consequences for doing so.”

If you Google Procrastination you will find hundreds of hits:  How to Stop Procrastination, How to Beat Procrastination, The Real Reason We Procrastinate, Overcoming Procrastination, etc.

So there is no reason for me to go any deeper in this article.  Those site can do a much better job on helping with Procrastination than I can.

I’ve now defined the two business killers….Overwhelm and Procrastination.

Each one is a business killer, but combine both and your in for a tough road ahead.

Example:  My Wife and I Started A Restaurant

Before we opened, there was obtaining a business license, business name, location, state license, then there was, water, electric, gas, Internet, payroll, and insurance.

We had to get a alcohol license, state unemployment, health inspection, fire inspection.  We had to set up a food delivery program, employee interviews, and accounting service.

Of course we needed a lawyer to oversee the proper documents.

Did I mention we needed fixtures, tables, chairs, kitchen items, coolers, ice machines, lighting, signage, menus, etc.  Most of these required fees.

Oh I forgot, we needed to set-up a bank in order to have a checking account, and credit card account.  We had to collect state sales tax.  Was there more?  Yes! But you get the point.

Now if everyone did their job on time, we could establish an open date.  You and I both know that this is impossible.  Something is bound to be delayed.

We were overwhelmed, and stressed for 3 months.

Years Ago Opening A Store In The Old West

To bring this home, lets look at a store around the time of Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, and Billy The Kid.

To open a store in the old west, you needed a building in which to show your goods.  The owner typically had a house above the store.  In the morning they put on their apron, and open the door.  Someone would come in a purchase a few can good, and payed cash.  Probably no cash register just a money drawer.  The biggest decision the store owner had to make was to check his inventory, and reorder.  They may of offered credit which was a pice of paper with the buyer’s name.

What I’m trying to indicate is that if you are trying to start a business today, any business, we can quickly become overwhelmed, stressed, and procrastinate in a “heart beat.”

What Does This Have To Do With Overwhelm and Procrastination?

My wife and I were so overwhelmed with trying to open our restaurant, that we almost quit.

In fact after 6 months, we did.

Operating a Brick and Mortar business today is difficult at best.  There are so many things you have no control over.

You are now self employed, but you do have JOB.  A job that commands your time, planning, efforts, and careful decisions.

If your not trained to be an entrepreneur or growing up in an entrepreneur environment, operating a Brick and Mortar business can be very difficult.

Owning A Franchise

Owning a Brick and Mortar business, as mentioned is really difficult to start and to grow.

It is a fact that most new business will fail within 5 years.

This is why many turn to a Franchise.

The franchise has solved a lot of answers to the  entrepreneur’s questions.

The franchise has a proven procedures that have been developed to allow you the best possible road to succeed.  Being overwhelmed is much less, and you don’t have the time to procrastinate.

There is a problem with owning a franchise.

Owning a franchise is expensive.  The cost of the franchise can be expensive.

Many people who want to have a franchise business, can’t afford the upfront cost.  Even if they purchase the franchise, there is still the royalty fee, overhead of the business, location, operating hours, your time, and your commitment.

While success with a franchise is easier, there is no guarantee that your business will be successful.  If not, you have lost hundreds if not thousands of dollars, and your back to looking for a job.

So many turn to a Home Based Business.

Advantages Of A Home Based Business

There are many advantages of owning a home based business.

The cost to start is low.  You work out of your home.  No employee.  You set your own schedule.  You can make as much money as you like.  Cost of equipment is low, low overhead, tax advantages.

You have hundreds of companies to choose from that matches your interest.

Your new home based business can be operated with a computer, and a connection to the Internet.

With Every Advantage There Are Some Disadvantages

When you have a Job, you have a boss who tells you what needs to be done.  You have people around you in which you can draw upon for support.  You have a company that has established a business profile and business plans.

When you have your business, most of the time you are alone!  All decisions are made by you!  No one is there to tell you what you need to do, you have to figure to out yourself.

So many go into business not knowing what it takes to become successful.

How To: How to market your Product, how to set up a Business, what or do you need a Website, Facebook, YouTube, Autoresponders, Landing page, Funnels, Paid ads, Free ads, Social Media, how much Time is needed, business Name, and a host of others

Your success is solely based upon you, and possibly your chosen company.

Because you can be so overwhelmed in all that is required, with out professional training, and doing the necessary tasks there is a tendency to put off…your now experiencing Procrastination.

Reverse Engineering

So we need to do a little “reverse engineering” here and take a step back and put a solid “strategic plan,” and “time management” in place which will eliminate overwhelm so that it’s evil twin, procrastination, never shows it’s ugly head.

Here’s a shocker….The Marketing Plan Comes Second. NOT first.

Most beginning entrepreneur’s, have this backwards which is why they struggle, spin their wheels, and eventually run out of time, become frustrated, and quit.

I’m going to take a different approach from untested marketing gadgets.

Reverse Engineer:  Ask why you want a home business, do you have the time necessary to run a business, have you got the skills or what skills do you need, what is your Plan Of Action, are you Committed to have a home business?

Do this first before you ever look for a company to join, if that is your intent.

Reverse Engineering will put you in a position to produce REAL results, find a quality company, get the necessary support and training, product that meets your requirements, and profitable.

Look For A Quality Company To Join

A word of caution: Take Time To Research Companies You Maybe Interested In Joining.

There are a lot of companies willing to take your money!

Some companies just want to sell you on their latest, greatest sexy marketing gadget of the week, making you believe that’s all you need to be successful.  Their plan will allow you to make money while you sleep…Their plan will allow you to make $10,000 dollars a month in less than 30 days….Their plan will teach you how to quit your job, and work at home being your own boss for a low price.

These plans are unrealistic.  They are deign to separate you from your money.

Go back to your Reverse Engineering.

Does the company meet these requirements?

Be careful with Low Entry Price.  A lot of companies get you to join for a low price so they can offer upgrades….a lot of upgrades.

Personal Experience:  I joined a well known company for $995.  Over the next year, I was asked to upgrade to a better position and better commissions.  By year end, I was in to over $3,000 dollars.

Was I any better NO!

You don’t need another “marketing product or plan” or another wiz bang traffic tool or new secret system.

What you need, is a professional or professionals who will take your hand and guide you.

NOT one top producer didn’t have a professional at one time or another..

All the marketing plans and traffic resources in the world won’t matter one bit if you’re overwhelmed, distracted, not sure what to do next, running around in a million directions like a chicken with it’s head cut off…

The Missing Link

A lot of people would like to “be their own boss” and work from home BUT…. the missing link here is, most people don’t “act like” their own boss when they work from home..

And the result… their day becomes an unplanned, unfocused, unraveled mess.

They’re time is hijacked by anyone and everyone around them, they have no real direction, no plan, no respect for the clock. They spiral out of control, fast. And they inevitably, end up back “at work” working “for someone else.” This is why over 90% fail.

Got back to Reverse Engineering, Research A Lot, never jump into joining until you Research.

Get advice or look for a recommendation.

Even Then Research!!!

Learn what it take to be an Entrepreneur, a home business, working at home, digital marketing or Internet.

As mentioned, don’t jump into something just because someone is wanting you to join.

Remember, this is your business, your work at home business.  You have Time To Think bout It!!

If pressured, WALK AWAY.

Look at your budget.  Do you have $25 dollars to spend?  How about, $100, $500, $1,000 dollars?

Be comfortable.  Don’t over spend.

Be comfortable with your decision.

Once you join, work the program, learn from the owners, get the advice and training to run your business…..Then WORK!!!

My Recommendation And Commercial

You probably knew I would get around to a recommendation.

I’ve researched this company inside and out.  I looked at all the reviews I could find.  I even called the owners to interview them.

Commercial:  After all my research and past experience, The Home Business Academy far exceeded what I was looking for.

Their All In One Business is by far way ahead of anything available on the Internet.

I never PUSH…I only RECOMMEND and my recommendation is Wealthy Affiliate Online Affiliate Business

For $25 dollars you can get your own Funnel Academy which is the best you and purchase.

Then, if you want to, upgrade to The Business Academy.  Both for only $150 per month.

But they will show you how with only 2 sales you are in profit.

If this sound like a commercial for Wealthy Affiliate it is.

However, if you want success in your business, the Commercial is designed to help you avoid “overwhelm and the evil twin..procrastination.”

I invite you to look at what Wealthy Affiliate has to offer.

I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for reading,

OH, commercial ended!

This Secret Formula Has Been Proven and Time-Tested For More Than 100 Years

Many top marketers will tell you there is a secret to marketing on the Internet.  They are wrong.  There is no secret marketing on the Internet, blogging, affiliate marketing network marketing, working a job or a home based business.  The real secret is to Work. However there is one secret formula that has been proven and time-tested for more than 100 years that still works today.

Again, let me restate the secret to success in any business.  And I mean ANY BUSINESS.  That secret is:

WORK!!!

Disappointed?

If you think about it, it makes sense.

You Worked at school to graduate, college require you to work, your job required you to work, and it is no different in having your own business.

Any entertainer, top book authors, social media experts will tell you they got to where they are through hard Work.

So what is the SECRET…….WORK.

Marketing on the Internet also requires WORK!

However There Are A Few Things You Can Do

With Work out of the way there is a time-tested #1 social media formula for attracting customer or people who want to join your business.

This secret formula works whether you’re posting on your personal Facebook profile, running an ad, or social media.

This secret formula has been proven and time-tested for over 100 years

Just imagine having your article reaching literally MILLIONS of people who are highly-targeted and likely to respond.

Well, guess what—it’s entirely possible.

Now obviously, I can’t cover every single aspect of advertising on Facebook that’s way too much to cover in a single article.

But I will definitely touch on the fundamentals so you can understand the process, especially as it relates to the most-effective words and structure for absolutely anything you post—online or offline.

Once again, marketing on the Internet requires WORK.

To start, you want to write so your article will be attractive to the millions of people in a highly-targeted market.

With that highly-targeted market you must know your perfect customer or AVATAR.

Read: How to Create Your Ideal Customer Avatar.

For example, you’re trying to attract people who are interested in weight loss (an industry with huge mass-market appeal).

YOU LEAD WITH THE PROBLEM: you’re going to promote your article to people who are ALREADY interested in losing weight or getting healthy and are currently following your competitors.

Make sense?

You want to find people who have already raised their hands and expressed interest in weight loss.

Then you AGITATE the problem.

And luckily…

Facebook makes this ridiculously easy!

If you’ve built up a following on your personal profile, this formula will work.

However, if you don’t have a following, then you can, with the click of a button in Facebook, find people who are looking for help in loosing weight.

Getting into specifics, this social media formula is called “PAS,” which stands for…

1. Problem
2. Agitate
3. Solution

In any persuasive message, you want to lead with the Problem, Agitate or expand it, then present the Solution.

Now let’s talk about why PAS works…and why, with this formula, you will be able to “crush it” on Facebook and other platforms building a large following that will expand your affiliate business.

The first step in the PAS formula is to convey or call out the pain or problem people are looking to get help with.

This is where most new affiliate marketers totally screw up their approach because they don’t bother to LISTEN to their customers to identify what problems they have.

They just barge in and offer their solution—without connecting that solution in any meaningful way to help their customer with their specific problems.

It doesn’t work!

When you’re developing this PAS formula you have to first ask QUESTIONS and LISTEN to your customer’s answers.

This is how you pinpoint their exact problems.

The success to the PAS formula is to:

1. Ask Questions
2. Listen to their response
3. Identify the Problem
4. Agitate the problem
5. Offer a Solution to solve their problem

The first step is to call out and convey the problem by asking questions.

If your using Facebook ad’s, describe who you’re targeting and the kind of problems they’re suffering…

“If you’re currently dealing with or suffering from [problem]”

Another way to call out the problem is…

Convey the problem by telling your story.

You can describe YOUR experiences in dealing with the problem, and share your story or others.

You can start by saying…

“I was sick and tired of [the problem]…”

Or, you can say…

“Doing [whatever] simply didn’t work for me anymore.”

Once you’ve identified the problem, the next step is to…

AGITATE…..

Just describe the impact the problem will have on your customer’s life if they don’t do anything about it—especially if they don’t do anything.

In this example I’m offering a weight loss product.

I’ll start by sharing my story or someone else.

I’ll begin by saying I was tired of dieting, counting calories, using FAD methods and seeing no results.  I’ll then share specific examples about how it feels to deal with FAD programs with no results.

Or, I’ll share how being overweight impacted my own life.  The frustration of not being able to loose weight.

In other words, describe what life looks like—and feels like—with that weight problem.

You’re essentially conveying the impact.

For example, in the weight loss market, people always talk about getting back their “swimsuit body.”

Well, what happens if you don’t get your swimsuit body back?

How does that limit your experience of going to the beach?

So, the “agitate” step deals with the impact the problem has on their life, and what happens if they don’t do something about it.

Next, it’s time to present your…

SOLUTION….

The third and final step in the PAS formula is where you share that you’ve discovered a solution for the weight problem that you’ve agitated.

But there’s a catch.

You don’t want to share your discovery outright.

You want to give them a reason to reach out to you, a reason to respond to your ad, blog post, YouTube or other social media platforms.

What you say is…

“…then I discovered *this*, and this is how my life changed.”

In this step, you’re sharing about your discovery in vague terms, and then describing the positive impact the solution made on your life.

“….I have loss 30 lbs. and now looking forward to going to the beach in my new swimsuit, all because of…”

You’re describing what you’re now able to do…what your life looks like now…with the weight problem solved.

Finally, give them a Call To Action or CTA.

Tell them what to do next to learn more about the solution you’ve just shared.

If you’re selling a weight loss product, in this example, direct them to your link where they can buy your product.

In the business world, whether you’re selling a product or opportunity, I highly recommend you make people proactively reach out to you, instead of you reaching out to them, especially if you’re doing any type of post on your personal profile.

Furthermore, regardless of how you’re advertising, I recommend you…

Automate most of your follow-up process

This allows you to educate and pre-qualify your customer before you ever contact them.

In practice, this means whenever someone responds to your ad, they receive an automatic email or message in their inbox with more information about your product or service, and you can continue to follow up with that person via automated broadcasts.

You can even create an “autopilot” sales process where you can automatically present your solution to them, without being personally involved.

This can be done with an Autoresponder.

This allows you to give your presentation without having to deliver it in person, so that when you finally hop on the phone to your customer (If you like) they have already gone through the PAS formula of Problem, Agitation, Solution, and they’ve taken the actions you led them to take.

They’ve already learned about the solution that you’re conveying to them and  they’re pretty much already sold.

Maybe they have a few last-minute questions, and the outcome is almost set.

That’s the power of using this PAS structure.

Especially in marketing, most people don’t realize all sales or influence-type communication has to follow a kind of structure and the more structured you are in your communication, the more effective you’re going to be.

Evaluate Earlier Blog Posts or Articles

You can use this PAS structure to evaluate the posts you’ve previously written.

Go back and ask yourselves if you’re using the PAS formula in your posts.

• Did I state the problem clearly?
• Did I agitate the problem?
• Did I expand the problem and talk about the impact of that problem?
• Did I provide a way for them to communicate with me to learn more about the solution I discovered and how it changed my life?

Evaluate your previous posts and ads.

Read through them and answer the above questions.

Can you see instances where you’ve missed a step and things didn’t perform as well?

Again, you always want to follow this simple structure…

1. Problem
2. Agitate
3. Solution

Let’s take a look at the PAS system in regards to offering a business opportunity

The structure is the same…Problem…Agitate…Solution.

• State the problem your Avatar is having
• Agitate the problem or use yourself as an example
• Offer a solution your Avatar that will solve their issues or problem

What is an Avatar?

An Avatar is someone you have in mind as the ideal person to join your business or the ideal customer for your product.

So now if you have noticed as an affiliate marketer with a product, I use the PAS system to get Customers to my product, however with a slight modification, I also use the PAS system to Find people who want to have a business such as affiliate marketing.

• I state the problem…pain of needing more money, or wanting a home based business in affiliate marketing, wanting to quit their job
• I then agitate the situation by telling of my of failing, my frustration with all of the scams and money grabbers
• I then offer a solution to their problem with starting a successful affiliate marketing business that I found and REALLY WORKS

PAS Is Simple To Use

With that solution, there is a link to solve the problem with a Solution, which in my case is the Worlds first All In One Digital Business Home Business Academy. 

PAS is simple to use, easy to create and works for finding customers to your products or finding prospects to your affiliate membership.

Best advice is to sit down and create several customer PAS and several affiliate opportunities PAS using your Avatar as your base line.

Once you have done a few, it will become second nature when ever you are wanting to make additional money with a product or new partners with your affiliate marketing business.

For me the PAS solved an issue with wanting a successful home base business.  The frustration, agitate with all the scams and money grabbers.  Then the solution with locating a system that actually works and affordable….Home Business Academy

Home Business Academy solved my PAS and can solve your PAS….give Home Business Academy a try…Okay!

Finally

Final words…..I said several times that marketing on the Internet requires WORK!

This so important that it need to be repeated…..Marketing On The Internet Requires WORK!

If you take anything away from this article it is the word WORK.  Marketing on the Internet is easy once you know the basic strategies.

Don’t be fooled by marketers saying they have the Secret To Marketing on The Internet or I Discovered The Secret To Marketing On The Internet.

There Is No Secret.  They may have a program, a system, a new way of marketing but all of these programs, systems or marketing does require you to Work.

Work The The Secret To Successful Marketing On The Internet.

Here’s to your success with the PAS System,

How To Become Successful At Affiliate Marketing and Why

There is so much to learn about affiliate marketing because it’s still growing and people are learning new things about how it works every day. Therefore it’s always good to keep an eye out for new ideas about affiliate marketing. Here are some helpful tips on How To Become Successful At Affiliate Marketing. 

Affiliate Marketing Programs

Something that all affiliate marketers should understand is that in order to make the most amount of money possible, you have to make sure you are dealing with reputable affiliate marketing programs. There are companies out there that are scams or here today and gone tomorrow. Do your research to find a company you can trust.

Two Types Of Affiliate Programs

There are two types of program you need to know before you start you business.

One type of program is to become an affiliate for an establish company.

Your interest is Baby Shoes.

There are companies that sell baby shoes that have an affiliate program.

Simply apply to become an affiliate for them.  You then promote their products and when a sale is made you make a commission.

There are a lot of companies that have affiliate program to join.

WalMart

Amazon

Nike

Target

and a host of others.

Here’s Why Should You Start Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a rapidly growing industry. By 2023, the spending reached around $8.2 billion in the United States alone, up from $5.4 billion in 2017.

Plus, the online business model is a win-win solution for company and you as an affiliate.

It helps businesses attract new customers and help your audience find the best products, income opportunity and services.

Here are additional reasons:  Is Affiliate Marketing Worth The Effort?

Affiliate Marketing Is Low-Cost and Low-Risk Program

Affiliate marketing doesn’t require a large initial budget. Unlike starting a conventional business like an online store, or a franchise, you won’t have to worry about the logistics and costs of product development, maintenance, and shipping.

One such company has all of that Done For You.  All the hard part of starting a business is already done for you.

More Later

While there might be a few upfront costs, mainly for creating a website, no further investment is expected once it’s set up.

It is also low-risk since there’s no penalty fee for unsuccessful sales.

Affiliate Marketing Scales Easily

There is no limit to scaling your affiliate marketing business. You can introduce new products while the existing affiliate content continues to generate profit.

You can also sign up for different affiliate programs to increase your income.

Affiliate Marketing is a Source of Passive Income

Affiliate marketing lets you earn a good income while also developing a steady passive income stream.

However, success is not always guaranteed. Investing time to establish promotional platforms, build an audience, and create traffic sources is necessary.

Nevertheless, once set up, your affiliate links have the potential to make money continuously.

Most Common Question: How Much Money Can You Make as an Affiliate Marketer

As an affiliate marketer, your earning potential depends on a number of factors:

How much time you put into your business

Training

The product type

The chosen program

The amount of traffic

Number of conversations

The average affiliate marketer makes around $55,000/year, with the lowest earning around $41,000/year.

Successful affiliate marketers may earn $80 – $200 thousands while top marketers may be in the millions.

Home Business

One of the best affiliate products you can sell is actually information on how to become an affiliate. Think of this like network marketing mixed with a little bit of basic Internet home business. This type of affiliate product can sell easily and earn you some big residuals in the process.

The more you learn, the more you have to use when you are making your decisions about affiliate marketing. Any and every tip you learn can help you in your affiliate marketing endeavors. Just remember to keep up to date with the changing market.  Keep learning, respect the business and mistakes will happen plan on it.

Here’s to your success

PS:  One of the Best Affiliate Programs Available with a passive income is Home Business Academy.  The All In One Business Model can put into profit quickly.  Many members saw their earning within several days and weeks.  With HBA, all the hard work is all ready done for you.  All you do is drive traffic and the rest is already done. Take a quick look and I think you will be impressed.

Online Marketing Made Simple | Bill Fletcher

In the world of marketing nothing can be simpler or more complex as Online Digital Marketing.  This short online marketing made simple by me, Bill Fletcher will outline some simple ideas.

As I said, this is a short article, but to the point on this complex marketing program.

Marketing Is Not Well Understood

Let’s first clear up marketing and sales.

Sales needs marketing and marketing needs sales.

Sales is NOT marketing as many believe.  Sales is a revenue producing entity, while marketing is the media to produce sales.

Watch a TV program and you will see Ads.  Annoying as they are, the ad does not produce sales.  The ad is the marketing that results in a sale.

Read a magazine.  In the magazine you will see ads.  The ads are the marketing part of the companies strategy to produce sales.

You see an ad about Hot Dogs.  The idea of the ad is the next time you go shopping you will pick-up that Hot Dog package.

The ad was Marketing.  The picking-up of the Hot Dog packaging was the sales.

While marketing and sales are not the same, they need each other to keep the business alive.

Getting a degree in marketing is using understanding trends, social media, and ads to create a sale.

Getting a degree in sales is learning how people act, how people purchase, different types of people, and the psychology of people.

Marketing and Sales Class

I was in a marketing and sales class with marketing and sales people, about 50 were in the class

The presenter asked all of us to write on a pice of paper the definition of marketing people and the definition of a sales person.

The results went like this:

Marketers defined sales people as extroverts, high priced suits, shirts, unlimited spending accounts, polished shoes, slick, and drinkers.

Sales people defined marketers as, nerds, wearing glasses, rolled up shirt sleeves, over sized pants, stained shirts, and a 9-5 worker.

Neither knew what the other was actually doing.

We Need Marketing To Produce Sales

In today’s competitive online environment, it is vital to stay at the cutting edge of marketing strategies.

The internet brings unprecedented opportunities for businesses, no matter their size, to reach out to new customers, showcase their products and services, and ultimately increase their sales.

Online or digital marketing is the combination of traditional marketing strategies such as advertising, search engine optimization, social media promotion, and content marketing.

Everything is done in order to help businesses increase their visibility and reach more customers and more sales.

How To Market Your Business and Produce Sales

As an Internet business you need to be both a marketer and a sales person.

Being both a marketer and sales, you must also understand the importance of creating good customer relationships.

It is essential to build your brand, create loyalty, and trust among your consumers.

This can be achieved by providing helpful content, understand how you can solve your customers problems, provide a solution, and engaging in dialogue with customers.

I wanted to introduce you to the vast world of online digital marketing and arm you with the tools and knowledge required to apply it to your own business.

Below, I’ve outlined some of the key elements for a successful online digital marketing campaign:

• Create a plan: Outline your goals, what you need to do to meet your goals as well as a strategy for achieving them.

• Analyze the competition: Understand what the competition is doing to reach out to customers, and how to differentiate your business and campaigns.

• Utilize SEO, and keywords: Use search engine optimization to help target potential customers.

• Craft well-written content: Engaging, and well-written content is essential for drawing in customers, and keeping them engaged.

• Leverage social media: Use social media to increase communication, and build relationships with your customers.

• Measure success: Track the success of your campaigns, and measure their effectiveness.

My hope this article has been helpful in introducing you to the exciting world of online digital marketing.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, I wish you the best of luck!

Happy Marketing!

Affiliate Marketing Is One Of The Fastest Growing Business Model

Introduction:

Affiliate marketing is one of the fastest growing business model to grow a profitable business online from the comfort of your own home.

Or if you like traveling, the affiliate marketing model will allow you to work from anywhere in the world as long as you have an Internet connection.

Picture yourself at a beach side resort taking a few minutes to work your business, and then taking a dip in the blue water with the family.

If the sun and beach is not to your liking, what about a ski resort.  Looking out the window to a mountain view can be breathtaking.

How about island hoping or traveling the world?

I have a boat.  I can operate my business while on the boat.

Whether you want to make a few hundred bucks part-time or build a multi-million dollar online empire full-time this business model will allow you the opportunity to do it.

I’ll show you how to get started in this lucrative affiliate business even if you have no technical skills or experience.

Why Do People Buy Stuff or Things? | Number 1 Rule

As the title says, Why do people buy stuff or things has many answers.

We buy things for amusement, to full fill a need, getting a good deal, fear of missing out, convenience.

A good example of full filling a need is a drill.

Problem:  You need a hole.  Have you ever gone to a store to purchase a hole?

You need a hole to “Bolt Two pieces Of Wood Together.”

Does Ace Hardware have holes?  What about Home Depot or Menards?  Did you check with Amazon for providing you with Holes?

To solve the problem, you buy a DRILL.  No One Has Ever Bought A Hole, They Buy Drills To Get What They Want….A Hole.

Solve peoples problems and you will get what you want.

To quote Zig Ziglar, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”

How To Set Goals | 4 Tips

So why the article?

Why Not A Goal?

• Goal setting is powerful because it provides focus. It shapes our desires, wants and dreams.
• Goals gives us the ability to hone in on the exact actions we need to perform to achieve everything we desire in life.
• Goals are great because they cause us to stretch and grow in ways that we never have before. In order to reach our goals, we must become better.

Jim Rohn has a must read article related to Goals:10 Tips for Setting Your Greatest Goals

Life is designed in such a way that we look long-term and live short-term. We dream for the future and live in the present.

Unfortunately, the present can produce many difficult obstacles.

But setting goals provides long-term vision in our lives. We all need powerful, long-range goals to help us get past those short-term obstacles.

Fortunately, the more powerful our goals are, the more we’ll be able to act on and guarantee that they will actually come to pass.

What are the key aspects to learn and remember when studying and writing our goals?

• Well first, Take time to think about want you want to accomplish?
• Second, Writing your goals is an important step to achieving your success, desires, wants and dreams.

As I said earlier, I don’t set goals.  I set plans…a road map to where I want to go and how to get there.

Here is an article on Success Comes With A Plan

Internet Marketing Is A Plan And Success Comes With  A Plan

Solution

As mentioned, people set goals.  We are instructed to set goals.  So with goal setting in mind,  here’s a closer look at goal setting with special attention on SMART goals.

1. Take Time To Think

The only way we can reasonably decide what we want in the future and how we’ll get there is to know where we are right now and what is our current level of satisfaction?

So first, take some time to think through and write down your current situation; then ask this question on each key point: “Am I Okay With My Current Situation?”

The purpose of this question is twofold.

1. First, it gives you an objective way to look at your accomplishments, your current situation, and your vision you have for the future.
2. Secondly, “Am I Okay…” evaluation give you a baseline to work from. The evaluation will show where you are today so you can determine where you need to go tomorrow.

Take time this week to evaluate, to take time to think about where you are and where you want to be.

See where you are and write it down so that as the weeks and months progress you can evaluation and reflection, on how much ground you’re gaining.

2. Define Your Dreams

One of the amazing things we have been given as humans is the unquenchable desire to have dreams of a better life and the ability to live those dreams.

We can look deep within ourself, and dream of a better life for ourselves and our families. We can dream of better financial, emotional, spiritual or physical lives. We have also been given the ability to not only dream, but pursue those dreams—and not just pursue them, but the cognitive ability to lay out a Success Plan and strategies to achieve those dreams.

Define your dreams and goals.

This isn’t what you already have or what you have done, but what you want.

• Have you ever really sat down and thought through your life values and decided what you really want?  If not, do it now.  Procrastination is the enemy of dreams.
• Have you ever taken the time to truly reflect, to listen quietly to yourself, to see what dreams live within you?  If not, do it now.  Procrastination is the enemy of dreams.

Your dreams are there. Everyone has them. They may live right on the surface, or they may be buried deep from years of others telling you they were foolish, but they are there.

Take time to set back and reflect.  In this busy world we live in today we don’t the time to Reflect about US!  We rush here, and rush there, and rush to get to work, and we rush to get home, and we rush to get the kids to school, while always constantly listening to all the noise around us.

We as humans were meant for quiet time—to peer deep within ourself. It is when we do this we are set free to soar and take flight on the wings to realize our own dreams.

Schedule some quiet, what I call “dream time” this week.

No cellphone. No computer. No Television.  Just you, your thoughts.  Have a pad, and a pen ready to jot down your thoughts.  If not now WHEN?  Procrastination is the enemy of dreams.

During this quite time, think about what really thrills you.

• What would you love to do today, either for fun or for a new lifestyle?
• What would you love to accomplish today or tomorrow or next year?
• What would you try if you were guaranteed to succeed?  No holds bared, Guaranteed To Succeed!
• What thoughts move you into a state of excitement and joy?

When you answer these questions you will feel uplifted, and you will be in the “dream zone.” It is only when we get to this point that we experience what our dreams are.

Write down all of your dreams. Remember, Procrastination is the enemy of dreams. Don’t think of any as too outlandish or foolish—remember—these are you’re dreams!  Now, prioritize those dreams.

• Which are most important?
• Which are most feasible?
• Which would you love to do the most?

Now make a DREAM SHEET, and put them in the order in which you will actually try to attain that dream.

Then create SMART Goals.

SMART goals is a new way of creating a goal that is specific to YOU.

3. Make Your Dream Goals S.M.A.R.T.

The acronym S.M.A.R.T. means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-sensitive.

To help you with your SMART goals, here is a templet to help you get started.  SMART Goal Templet.

Specific:

Goals are no place to be vague. Ambiguous goals produce ambiguous results. Incomplete goals produce incomplete futures.

Measurable:

Always set goals that are measurable. I would say “specifically measurable” to take into account our principle of being specific.

Attainable:

One of the detrimental things that many people do—with good intentions—is setting goals that are so high that they are unattainable.

Realistic:

The root word of realistic is “real.”

A goal has to be something that we can reasonably make “real” or a “reality” in our lives.

There are some goals that are simply not realistic. You have to be able to say, even if it is a tremendously stretching goal, that yes, indeed, it is entirely realistic—that you could make it.

You may even have to say that it will take x, y and z to do it, but if those happen, then it can be done. This is in no way to say it shouldn’t be a big goal, but it must be realistic.

Time:

Every goal should have a timeframe attached to it.

One of the powerful aspects of a great goal is that it has an end—a time in which you are shooting to accomplish it.

As time goes by, you work on it because you don’t want to get behind, and you work diligently because you want to meet the deadline.

You may even have to break down a big goal into different parts of measurement and timeframes—that is OK. Set smaller goals and work them out in their own time. A S.M.A.R.T. goal has a timeline.

4. Have Accountability

What is Accountability?  

When someone knows what your goals are, they hold you accountable by asking you to “give an account” of where you are in the process of achieving that goal.

Have someone you trust and interested in what you’re trying to do.  Ask him/her to be your ACCOUNT.  Let them look at your goals and ask to be your ACCOUNT.

Conclusion

Goal-setting is a long journey that requires an accumulation of progress over time, each small little things you do along the way contribute to the success toward the end. Small things add up and it gradually makes the most significant difference.

Keep your goals handy for review.

Follow the S. M. A. R. T.  plan. And be Accountable for your goals.

Be S. M. A. R. T and I’ll see you soon,

 

Are You Struggling With Your Online Business?

Introduction

Having an online business is a great way to earn a part-time or full-time income.  However, the question presented is: are you struggling with your online business?

Why the question?

A lot of online want-a-bes are struggling, even quitting and some keep at it in hopes that someday it will happen….success.

However for most…it never happens.

So the question remains, Are You Struggling With Your Online Business mainly an affiliate business?

Are You Doing Everything Right?

The 3 Pillars Of Success

The 3 Pillars of success are simple, easy to develop and the base line of every successful person.

What are the 3 Pillars?

1. Decide
2. Commit
3. Habit

This article will explore all 3 Pillars.

Pillar 1, Decide

Decide that this will be the best year of your life.

When you make this decision, you cannot just sit back and think that it will just happen. Good things in life rarely ever “just happen.” They are strategized, they are planned, laid out and then executed.

That’s why I created Planning-4-Success.

Planning-4-Success does not believe “Things Just Happen.”  Things Happen Because They Are Planned.

Planning-4-Success was founded on the principles of Planning.  You can plan to succeed or you can plan to fail or you can plan to be just average.

• You can plan to just be average….and that’s okay, if that’s what you want….Average
• You can plan to fail….and in my opinion that’s not an okay plan.  However if you plan to fail go ahead
• You can plan to succeed….success brings a lot of benefits.  For me it’s FREEDOM

Planning-4-Success is all about FREEDOM.  Freedom to make choices.  To change Amateurs to Professionals.

Amateurs Use Words Like “I’m Gonna”

• “Amateurs say. “When January comes I’m gonna kill it this year.”
• Amateurs say, “After I get this training, I’m gonna do it.”
• Amateurs say, “When I get my first sale, I’m gonna expand.”
• Amateurs say, “When this week (month, year) is over I’m gonna crush it.”
• Amateurs say, “If only I could XXX I’m gonna be rich.”
• Amateurs say, “Tomorrow I’m gonna start”

“I’m gonna” is a great way to explain why you’ll do it later…it’s one of the best procrastination excuses.

Don’t procrastinate to achieve your dreams.

Progress is Perfection

You don’t need to be perfect to start, but you need to start. You don’t have to have it all figured out, but you do need to take action. Taking a step is better than no action.

• Amateurs wait until it’s perfect
• Successful people begin right now.

They act, they don’t react. Taking that first step forward is how you achieve perfection.

Once successful people say yes to their dreams, they begin. They learn by doing. They learn by their mistakes.

They don’t try to plan everything out first. They tell the world to hold them accountable to those dreams.

So where do you begin?

Successful people do 4 things:

1. They say yes to their dreams
2. They make a plan
3. They take action
4. They figure it out as they go

Successful Entrepreneurs say, “Let’s do it now”

Amateurs want to figure everything out first. Why do they do this? Because they are terrified to fail.

Are you getting ready to get ready?

A lot of well intentional people spend time “Getting ready to get ready.”

I’m guilty of this procrastination technique.  “Getting ready to get ready” is the same as trying to make everything perfect before you start.

The easiest way to stop this procrastination is to Take Action…Just Do It…even if you’re still trying to figure it out.

You will learn as you go along.

Make a Decision

Decide. Decide you are moving forward no matter what.  You aren’t turning back to your old way of life.

You are going to burn the bridges and leave everything else behind.

Making a decision is hard, I know it, however take the first steps and moving forward.

Make a decision even if it’s wrong…you will learn and can make adjustments later.

Pillar 2, Commit

Commit:  “to pledge or assign to some particular course or use”

I like this Pillar…Commit…why?

Once you commit to something you will find the will to keep going even if it’s hard.

Remember as a kid trying to ride a bike.  Hard wasn’t it?

• How many times did you fall?
• How many times did you try to keep the handles straight?
• And how many times did your foot come off the peddle?

Hard wasn’t it?  But you made a commitment to ride your bike and you did it.

It’s Difficult to Get Better and Look Good.

Before you look good you will look bad.

You might look bad from time to time, and that’s OK!!

You might be embarrassed from time to time, and that’s OK!!

There are no good, or bad….there are only opportunities to learn.

So how do you get better?

Increase your experiences.

Good and bad experiences are irrelevant.

If you increase your experiences, you will get better.

A professional is not someone who is lucky, a professional is someone who has failed enough to know what not to do.

A person is a professional because they know what works and what doesn’t work because they have done it so many times, it has become a habit.

Take Action knowing you will make mistakes, knowing you will screw up.

If you take action you will separate yourself from everyone else.

“I Never Lose… I either win or I Learn.”

If you adopt this way of thinking you will never lose, you learn and you move forward.

Losers stop taking risks. They stop learning.

Successful people take every experience as an opportunity to learn and develop new skills..

Failure is not an option.!

Successful people don’t approach the situation with fear, they embrace it as a chance to learn.

They take fear out of the equation, and they learn.

Either way it is a win-win. If you don’t win you gain a new experience which adds to your knowledge and your learning of what not to do next time.

Make a decision

As mentioned in Pillar 1, Decide. Decide you are moving forward no matter what.  You aren’t turning back to your old way of life.

You have to DECIDE what this decision means for you.

– Decide that you are going to be a professional and not an amateur
– Decide you are going to excel by taking action
– Decide that you are going to be a successful business owner

This is about making a decision to go forward and not look back.

Once you make a decision, it’s pretty easy to take action.

Stop crossing your fingers and hoping to be lucky. Decide to be good and don’t worry about luck. Make a commitment to develop the skills, not just an awareness of them.

Pillar 3, Habits

Habits…did you know it takes about 30 days to develop a habit.

Developing a business habit is not that hard.  All you do is to Make a Decision, Commit, Take Action and Focus.

Come up with a baseline of daily habits that you can execute every day.

Here is my daily habit: 

I read for 30 minutes, I check my emails again for 30 minutes, I look at my DMO (Daily Method of Operation) plan, I act on my DMO for what I laid out for that day.

• Monday is my blogging day
• Tuesday is my email marketing (Autoresponder) and training day
• Wednesday is my create a YouTube and training day
• Thursday is my Facebook, Twitter and Social Media day
• Friday is my ½ day.  I review want I did this week and make changes if necessary

Can you commit to a daily habit?

When your “I’m gonna do that,” becomes your “I must do that,” it is now a part of who you are.

This is when your dreams will begin to take root.

But don’t allow distractions to steal your dreams!

Be aware of the “Shinny Object Syndrome.”

• Shinny objects are everywhere…stay focused.
• Distractions are everywhere…stay focused.

Here are some possible ideas of things to do daily (suggestions):

I use a clock to schedule my daily activities.  I spend no more than 1 hour on any given task.  Then stop for 20 minutes, then go back to complete the task.

• I review my DMO the first thing in the morning and mid-afternoon.
• I take a break at 12:00 o’clock and resume at 1:00 o’clock.
• I read for another 30 minutes.
• I end my day at 4:00 PM no matter where I am in my DMO.
• I take an hour and ½ to learn some new marketing strategies from my affiliate program

Do this daily and you will separate yourself from all the wannabes out there.

Primary and Secondary Focus

Everyone has a Primary and Secondary Focus in their life.

Primary:

– This is where you will spend your time, where your mind goes.
– This is where you develop your skills.

Secondary:

– This is your non-working time, your family time your TV, hobby time.

How do you make your dreams Primary

• Never just hope.
• Never to just try.
• Only take Action.

Engage in daily manageable little things that you can do.  Set up your DMO and follow it!

Develop your habits, commit, focus, and learn every day.

What are the simple habits that you can begin with?

1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________

Finally

The 3 Pillars of success is a baseline to start your journey to developing a great life style of freedom.

You have choices:

• Success
• Average
• Fail

These choices are in your own control.  Make your own decision on which choice you want.  Don’t allow someone to make those decision for you.  Then follow that decision.

Is Blogging DEAD | Should You Add Blogging To Your Marketing?

Here’s A Not-So-Secret, Secret Of Today’s Most-Successful Digital Internet Marketers…

If you’re not already building a brand and establishing your authority through a blog, then it’s time to get started today or you could get left behind.

And you don’t want that to happen…right?

There’s simply isn’t a more effective tool to convert traffic into leads, leads into customers, and customers into a sustainable, long-term business.

With that said, there’s an effective way to blog like a modern, 21st century digital Internet marketer…

And there are about a million ineffective ways to blog, which will eat up loads of time and get you nowhere.

So, before we dive into how to create an effective recruiting machine that drives real results, let’s get clear on the challenges you face starting out.

Here Are Today’s Blogging Stats…

….Today, over 4 MILLION blog posts went live.

There’ll be even more tomorrow.

Given these mind-boggling stats, it’s easy to think…

“How on earth am I supposed to compete when clearly the world doesn’t need another blog!”

Well, here’s the not-so-obvious secret of 99% of the content published today…

It’s useless, mediocre, uninspiring, inauthentic, impersonal, spammy nonsense NO ONE wants to read!

Ever heard the phrase, “content is king?”  It’s been around for years.

But what does that mean?

Well, a few years back when marketers got wind that content is the most effective way to generate leads on the Internet, they started producing content.

Millions of millions of useless, baloney. bunk. foolishness. garbage.”content.

But here’s the thing…

“Baloney, bunk, foolishness, garbage” content doesn’t work!

Search engines don’t like “baloney, bunk, foolishness, garbage”content, and even more importantly…

PEOPLE don’t want to read “baloney, bunk, foolishness, garbage” content.

Matter of fact, search engines are actually penalizing spammy marketers of “baloney, bunk, foolishness, garbage” content.

And no one’s going to share “baloney, bunk, foolishness, garbage” content.

The jig is up for spammers!

That calls for a celebration……HURRY!

What Is Spamming?

The term “spam” is internet slang that refers to unsolicited commercial email (UCE) or unsolicited bulk email (UBE). Some people refer to this kind of communication as junk email to equate it with the paper junk mail that comes through the US Mail. The most commonly seen spam includes:

• Popular and dangerous form of email fraud
• Foreign bank scams or advance fee fraud schemes
• Pyramid schemes
• “Get Rich Quick” or “Make Money Fast” (MMF) schemes
• Quack health products and remedies
• Offers of software for collecting email addresses and sending UCE
• Offers of bulk emailing services for sending UCE
• Chain letters
• Illegally pirated software (“Warez”)

The days of hiring freelancers on the cheap to churn out 200 blog posts in a week—“spinning” and thinly rewriting previously posted articles—are over.

This is great news for all of us who use blogging as our marketing tool.

Did You Know That There’ s almost ZERO Competition For Exceptional Content!

All of that crap content currently online creates the illusion of competition.

It’s Not!

Therein lies your opportunity.

Let me say again, “This is great news for all of us who use blogging as our Internet marketing tool.”

Contrary to popular belief,

You don’t have to blog every day, or every other day, or even once a week – especially if all you do is add to the pile of humdrum, mediocre, useless information that’s already out there.

As a matter of fact, if all you’re doing is blogging for blogging’s sake, hoping you’ll stand out from all the others, you probably SHOULDN’T be blogging.

Even if you think you’re creating “good” content.

Create Content That’s BEYOND “good enough”

I want you to read this popular thought:

“If a tree falls in the forest and there’s nobody around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

To make sound you must have the following 3 components…

1. A media in which the sound moves such as air, metal, water…
2. The source.  In this example it’s the tree falling…
3. The recipient.  If nobody is there to hear the sound then there is no sound because one of the 3 requirements are not met.

Okay that’s the theory.

Now apply that same thought experiment to blogging…

“If 4 million blog posts are being added to the Internet and nobody ever reads them, do they make any difference?”

Let’s apply the theory…

1. Media…the Internet
2. Source…40 blogs per second
3. The recipient…nobody reads them

Then in theory…they don’t exist.

The truth is that most of what’s published online goes unread.

They just set there taking up ones and zeros.

According to a joint study by Moz and BuzzSumo, analyzing over one million online articles, less than half of those articles received more than two shares on social media.

And if the blog posts are not read or consumed, “then in theory” they are useless.

The question now is….

How Is A New Blogger Going To Survive?

“exceptional content”

“EPIC content”

Content that…

• Is valuable, credible, unique information that establishes you as an authentic human being who can help solve real people’s problems
• Is well-researched, deeply-felt, interesting, useful – even remarkable – information that your visitors won’t find anywhere else
• Stirs an emotional response from your readers: joy, surprise, awe, admiration, or gratitude
• Answers a question or solves a problem in a unique way, and provides information, insight, or resources your readers will find exceptional
• Establishes you as someone your visitors can feel they know, like, and trust enough to do business with

Why?

Because exceptional content is what gets you noticed, generates traffic, and creates relationship with your visitors.

Exceptional content establishes your credibility and authority and positions you as a leader in your industry.

Exceptional content earns you a higher ranking in Google, Yahoo and Bing.

And exceptional content will become the backbone of your business and ensure your online survival.

Is It Easy To Create Exceptional Content?

In a word, NO!

Which is why almost no one does it.

There aren’t any shortcuts.

But here’s the Key To Successful Blogging…

It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Creating an exceptional blog will require time, commitment, research, Key Words, SEO, and some degree of creativity.

After all, your blog is your digital home – your digital resume, if you will.

It’s the foundation of all of your online marketing efforts.

You owe it to yourself to invest the time to fill it with extraordinary content.

Is all your blog content going to be exceptional from the start?

Probably not, but you have to start somewhere!

I look at some of my earlier blogs and laugh at all the mistakes, useless information and poor writing.

I look at my blogs today and see a lot of improvements.  Are they great?…Some are better than others.

Establish A Strategy For Creating Exceptional Content 

In the movie The Imitation Game, Alan Turing tells an old joke you might remember…

“There are two people in the woods, and they run into a bear. The first person gets down on his knees to pray; the second person starts lacing up his boots. The first person asks the second person, “My friend, what are you doing? You can’t outrun a bear.” To which the second person responds, “I don’t have to. I only have to outrun you.”

The moral of the story is this…

You don’t have to be a great blogger starting out.

You just have to be better than the next person.

 

Begin By Analyzing Your “Competition”

• Look at their blogs
• Subscribe to their lists
• Examine and analyze their content

Trust me, after you’ve explored just a few of your competitors, you’re likely to find that you can do much better.

In fact, you can use your competition for content inspiration.

Rand Fishkin, the co-founder of Moz, wrote an exceptional post where he offers a six-step process to help you analyze your competition.

1. Notice the questions that your competitor’s blog addresses. What did you search for to find them? How well did they answer or address your search?
2. What’s the quality of your experience in using your competitor’s site? Is it fast? Mobile-friendly? Easy to navigate? Is everything where you expect it to be, or do you need to click around to find the information you want?
3. Is the information detailed and thorough? Is it exceptional? Or is it “fluffy,” lacking in meaningful detail?
4. How well does your competitor’s site use visual content? Are there charts? Graphs? Diagrams? Video? Stock photos? Or just walls of words? What’s the readability? Are their strange fonts, colors, or other elements that interfere with your ability to see and understand the information?
5. Is the writing easy to read? Are there typos? Misspellings? Grammatical errors that make you stumble when reading? Did an obvious intern write it? The cheapest freelancer at Fiverr? Or an expert who took the time to write it well?
6. What is the quality of the data and information on the site? What is the source of the information? Are the sources credible, authoritative?

And once you’ve conducted your analysis, the next question is the most powerful question you’ll ever ask…

“What’s missing?”

Answering that question can lead you to creating truly exceptional content for your blog.

Create Exceptional Content That Earns Shares and Links

Remember what I said earlier about the illusion of competition?

The Moz/BuzzSumo study of over a million online articles mentioned earlier identifies a “sweet spot” for the kind of content that gets the most shares and links.

While more than 85% of the blog posts or articles online consist of less than 500 words, more than half of that content got fewer than two Facebook, Twitter, or Google shares.

In contrast, longer, more thoroughly-researched content of 1000+ words generates consistently higher numbers of shares and links…

• 3.4 shares on average for posts 1,000-2,000 words,
• 4.2 shares on average for posts 2,000-3,000 words, and
• 5.8 shares on average for posts 3,000-10,000 words

The most shared of these are “How To,” “Top XXX,” “Ask A Question”and “Why” posts.

Did you notice the title of this post I asked a question…Is Blogging Dead?

I could have titled the article as: “Why Blogging Is Critical To Your Success” or “Why Blogging Is Critical To Digital Marketing” or “Why Blogging Is Critical To Successful Marketing”

Write several titles and decide which best fits the article or blog post.

Most Internet Marketers Don’t Take The Time To Do Research

They are blogging for blogging shake.

There’s an opportunity.  Find the keywords people are searching for and use those key word to rank on Google.

There’s another opportunity.

Create a video, or design a graphic to post on your blog, ask yourself a few questions…

1. For someone to actually find this article online, what are they searching for?
2. What is the searcher’s intent? Is it to get a question answered or solve a particular problem? Is it to be entertained or amused? How urgently do they want this information?
3. Where can I find credible sources for the information I’m about to deliver? What research do I need to conduct to address the issue thoroughly?
4. Now that I know what’s missing, what can I do to provide useful, relevant information in a entertaining, authentic way?

Then get to work.

Remember: “You Don’t Need To Outrun The Bear”

You just need to outrun the other person!

Also remember: all that “competition” you think you’re seeing in the first page or two of Google might just be an illusion.

Most of what you see is worthless.

If you can devote your time, energy, and resources into creating not just good, but exceptional content, your blog will stand a good chance of ranking on the first page of Google.

But remarkable, exceptional content isn’t enough.

To turn your blog into an irresistible magnet for prospects, leads, and customers, you’re going to need one more thing…

Traffic.

Traffic from visitors who are already looking for you.

But just like the Google rules for content have changed, so have the rules for finding qualified visitors.

You can’t just spam social media with hard-sell promos, or copy & paste pitch your products by direct messaging your friends.

You’ll get booted off faster than you can say “spammer.”

So, you have a choice…

1. You could spend countless hours scratching your head over how to drive traffic to the exceptional content you’ve created.
2. Or get Google to find your ideal prospect or customer

Get Google To Tell You What People Are Searching For and Why

People are already telling Google what they want and like.

Try it.  Ask a question on Google or “How To” and you will come up dozens of ideas of what people are wanting.

Take that idea and find your Key Words to help answer their searches.  Then write your exceptional article.

Finally

Blogging is not dead, it has evolved into a powerful Internet tool.

But creating a blog article requires research, and quality content.

Make your blog unique.  Look at your competition and find the flaws, then write a blog article addressing those flaws and you will rank high on Google.

By creating quality content and staying true to yourself, you can develop a strong voice that will resonate with your audience.

Another great article:  Blogging On The Internet

 

Until next time,

Affiliate Marketing vs.Television and Cable TV

In this article, I will discuss the affiliate marketing business vs the television and cable TV.  We all love the television.  Television is entertaining.  We watch our favorite programs and tend to get into the program or movie with great excitement.  We are scared in horror movies, laugh at comedies, cry in dramas and intrigued in romance.

At one time radio was our go-to for news, weather and entertainment, however with the invention of the television in September, 1927 by Philo Taylor Farnsworth we now get our news from television, weather and sitcoms.

Television is great entertainment but there is a down side!

What is Normal…Are You Normal?

You maybe reading this article because you are DONE being normal or the title Affiliate Marketing vs Television caught your eye.

In the title you saw Affiliate Marketing, so this will be some what slanted to Affiliate Marketing.

I’m an affiliate marketer and have been for over 7 years.  As said, I will be slanting this discussion toward affiliate marketing and it’s advantages.

But what about Normal?

Being Normal is not a bad thing.  I choose not to be normal, seeing how so many are struggling and not knowing WHY?

In my opinion, when you take a look at normal…

• Normal is boring.
• Normal people are a pay check away from broke.
• Normal gets you poor results in terms of financial growth and personal satisfaction.
• Normal people struggle to pay their bills.
• Normal people have lots of debt that burdens them throughout their entire lifetime.
• Normal people are un-inspired and are living weekend to weekend.
• Normal people dread Mondays and live for Fridays.
• Normal people complain about their lives.
• Normal people spend 1-2 hours PER DAY in rush-hour traffic.
• Normal people watch a lot of television.

Home Based Business

Now I’m not saying that a home based business or a home based business opportunity is something you need to do to keep from being normal.

My next door neighbor and two other neighbors are normal.  They are cheerful, fun to be around, seems to be financially okay, nice homes and two cars.

And they don’t have a home based business or any other kind of business, yet I consider them to be normal.

But

I took the Normal bullets above to provide a starting point in why so many people today are looking for something else to get away from the typical normal habits.

Do you really need a home based business?  That’s completely up to you.  However, from my experience I don’t see home based business owners as being Normal.

There is a look in their eyes, the way they walk, the way talk, the way they look at life styles.  How they act and live.

Home based business owners are NOT NORMAL!

Many spend their time starting a new business, learning, growing and expanding their existing business.  They are learning new and exciting marketing strategies. They maybe teaching other how to be a business owner. They tend to be “out-go people”, helpful, encouraging, willing to get envolved and likable.

Again, does that mean you have to be in a business to keep you from being normal?  NO!  I’m using the term NORMAL as a metaphor for what I see in people who just set back and watch the world go by and complain about being where they are.

Let’s Look At What Normal People Do….

…again I’m using this as an example and not degrading anyone.

Normal people watch 4-8 hours of TV per day.  Some even have dinner in front of the television.  At one time you could even buy TV Dinners from the store.

Others schedule time to watch favorite programs.

If you ask them about the hours they watch TV, most will say, “Oh, I don’t watch that much TV”.  However, statics show the average watching hours to be 4-8 hours.

Well, someone is watching TV because the advertisers are still advertising and paying 10’s of thousands of dollars per minute.

The average American home has any where from 2-3-4 TV’s.

About 85% of households have a TV located in the living room, the master bedroom, kitchen, garage, entertainment room and even in the bathroom.

Go to Best Buy and you will see television in all different sizes.  The most popular are the Big Screen TV’s.

Television has become so popular that many companies are now in the television business.

Netflix, Hulu, Sling, Amazon, Disney, and YouTube plus dozens more saw an opportunity to get in on this popular opportunity.

Cable companies and satellite dish are a popular way of getting television into your home.

However, “Cutting The Cable” has now become a local word.

Hours In Front Of The Television

Binge-watching is the act of watching multiple episodes of a program in a single sitting.

A lot of us do it.  I have even been caught spending Saturday binge watching or Sunday during the football season.

This phenomenon of binge-watching originated in the Digital Age when streaming videos became easily accessible due to the advancement in technology and the low costs of unlimited bandwidth.

It was once said, “Watching television is like watching someone making money while you watch.”

Again, don’t get me wrong.  I watch my favorite TV program.  I watch movies on Netflix, Disney and now YouTube.

I watch sports, my most disturbing habit is football and baseball.

I am careful because I can get caught up in seasonal programs such as American’s Got Talent, Dancing With The Stars, Specials and a host of others.

My wife kids me about watching Judge Judy.

I Put Down The Remote And Did Something Out Of  The Norm

Let me restate….

Is normal okay?  Of course it is if that’s is what you want.  Is watching the television okay?  Of course it is.  Is Bing-Watching okay?  In my opinion….ha!

So as mentioned, I enjoy television.  I enjoy watching the TV with the family.  I enjoy sports, but for me television can become boring and monotonous.

About 20 years ago I did something out of the norm.  I went back to college to get a doctorate in Audiology.

I opened my own Private Healthcare Practice, Doctor Of Audiology.

This was a change from the corporate life that I was living.

This was a welcome change because I was now the boss.  I now controlled my own destiny.  I could work without someone telling me what to do.

But it came with a cost!

If the doors weren’t open…no income. No days off.  No sick days.  No vacation.  I did it all.

• Inventory
• Accounting
• Cleaning
• Hiring
• Marketing
• Selling
• Returns
• Insurance (very expensive0
• Paying the bills

Let me back-up.  My wife was my partner and she did a lot of the day-to-day tasks.

But still, I was opened every day no matter what and even some weekends and holidays.

Bad decision?   Not At All!

But it did take a toll on us over the years.

I Looked For Something Part-Time

I tried many part-time ventures:

• Network Marketing
• Franchises
• Personal Coaching
• Trade Fairs
• Coupons

None of these worked and ending up costing me money and wasted time.

It was during this time that I got caught up in television.

One day, I will remember it always, I was on the computer searching Google for something to do part-time with out leaving my practice.

I was not willing to give up my practice and didn’t want to be burden with Network Marketing, and lot of NO’s, Franchise in which I had to operate based upon their rules, Personal Coaching, Trade Fairs, and Coupon Selling.

Network Marketing

For me Network Marketing was a chore.

A lot of No’s.  You need an army of people to make any good money.  Trying to get someone to stop watching TV and build a business.  Making presentations, products, returns, explaining why my product was better than….

No, Network Marketing Didn’t Work For Me!

Franchise

I purchased a franchise in photography.  Sports photography.

This required weekends which was perfect.

However, it required a monthly fee even if I didn’t work.  It required inventory, shipping, selling, reshoots (sometimes during the day) and delivery of sport pictures to the coaches.

It worked but took time away from my main income, our practice.

Coaching, Trade Fairs, Coupons

These were personal.  Coaching healthcare, attending trade fairs on healthcare and trying to sell coupons to be redeemed at a discount for videos.

Difficult and not to my liking.

Affiliate Marketing

As mentioned, I was searching Google for something.  Something I could get my head around and still keep my practice.

I saw something but went on by.  Couple days later my interest started to peak and I tried to find what I saw a few days ago.

Lucky I found that link again.  The words sounded interesting.

“The 30 Minute Work Day Escape Plan”

Of course it wasn’t true.  Probably a scam or a lead to get me to buy more.

But 30 minutes.  I could do that if, and only if it was true.

But it also said this was a free PDF Ebook written by one of the top Internet marketers.

FREE….what did I have to loose…nothing.  I was not going to buy anything, get involved in anything, all I wanted was a Free PDF Ebook.

Long story short, I received the Ebook, and was amazed in the amount of information and how easy it was to break-down the basic principles of marketing.

I told my wife that this was 187 pages of pure gold.

The Ebook lead me into meeting Mike and Paul from the Home Business Academy (HBA)

What I saw with HBA, Mike and Paul was truly exciting, low investment, a lot of “Done-For-You” set-up, current training, and daily, weekly and monthly webinars with some of the top people in marketing.

Mike and Paul are real people.  Someone you want to know and be around.

Am I trying to sell you on HBA?  Of course, because I found this Home Business Academy program the best I ever looked at.

Once Again Normal

If I have a choice to work for myself or for someone else….

……get up at 5:30 am to an alarm clock (that jerks me out of bed) then, with glazed-over eyes, jump into my car with my coffee only to creep along in 10 mph rush-hour traffic for an hour, for 40 hours, for 40 years with people that I typically enjoy but could do without, a job that causing me to complain about, year in a year out, all so I can scrape by with no prospect of every really getting ahead,

I’ll join The Home Business Academy (HBA) anytime…given the choice.

Working 40-50 years at a job is a slow lobotomy that very quietly eats away at your spirit.

In most cases it kills whatever drive you had to grow and contribute. Now I know, this doesn’t apply to everyone, but it’s interesting to notice how many people complain about how much they hate their boss or their job.

I also find it interesting how many people complain about not having enough money or not enough time to spend doing the the things they want to do. The negativity that permeates a typical working environment destroys the human spirit over time.

Finally and a Commercial

It’s okay to buck the system and be different.

Home business owners are unique.  However, what appeals to one may not appeal to another.  No one is normal.  Normal is just a term.

But, I will say home business owners are different.  We like challenges, opportunities, working for ourself, independent, rewarding, unlimited potential for growth, and helping others.

Home business owners don’t require expensive degrees.

We think we have a better way of life.  We tend to have more fun.

In my Google search I came across the 30 Minute Workday Escape Plan and then the Home Business Academy.

Take a look at the 30 Minute Workday Escape Plan and enjoy 187 pages of pure gold and it is FREE.

Then look over the most advanced affiliate program ever devised, The Home Business Academy.

I promise you will not be disappointed.

Common Question About Affiliate Marketing

Introduction

In this article, I’ll attempt to answer some common question about affiliate marketing that I keep being asked.  I’ve had people come to me with the ideal of starting an affiliate business, or can I make money with affiliate marketing, but for some reason did not begin, or having issues or decided to quit or did not make money….WHY?

So to help, below I listed some of the common questions I’ve received over the years.

Just to let you know, the answers are going to be short with little in-depth comments.

I have articles that go into greater details.  So again, this is a quick Question and Answer session.

Most Common Questions

• What is Affiliate Marketing?
• How Do I get Started?
• Can You Make Money With Affiliate Marketing?
• Is Affiliate Marketing For Beginners?
• Does Affiliate Marketing Work?
• How Much Does It Cost To Start?
• Where Do I Get Affiliate Marketing Training?
• Is Affiliate Marketing The Same As Network Marketing?
• How Long Does It Take To Become Successful?
• I Heard Affiliate Marketing Is Hard Work?

These are some of the most common question.  Definitely not all the questions I’ve received.

Let’s now provide some quick answer these questions.

Question and Answers

• What is Affiliate Marketing?

I have a full article on this question.  Affiliate Marketing Is Today’s Top Business Model?

Answer:  However, Affiliate marketing is a process where you earn a commission by promoting a product or service made by another retailer or advertiser using an affiliate link. The you as the affiliate partner is rewarded a commission for providing a specific result to the retailer or advertiser.

• How Do I Get Started?

Again, I have a full article on Affiliate Marketing Business.  Is Affiliate Marketing Worth The Effort?   Affiliate Marketing Is Today’s Top Business Model

Answer: The first step to start affiliate marketing is to research a product or company you want to promote.  As an example: You want to become an affiliate with Amazon.

Simply sign up to Amazon Associates and you then get your own affiliate link to any product on Amazon.  The same for any other product or company you want to promote. Find their affiliate sign-up and request to be an affiliate.  You then receive an Affiliate Link you use to promote to your target audience.   Very Easy.

• Can You Make Money With Affiliate Marketing?

Answer: This is a difficult question to answer because everyone is different with different ideas and goals.  The answer is YES, however it does take time, effort, dedication and training.  Affiliate marketing is not a get rich program.  The more effort and time you devote in your business, the better your success.  What about NO!  A lot of people start a business, any business with great expectations only to become complacent and quit.

• Is Affiliate Marketing For Beginners?

Answer: Affiliate marketing is a great business model for beginners.  Easy to start, low cost, tons of training, all kinds of products or companies to choose from.  Some of the top experts were at one time beginners.  Is it easy?  No, but with proper training, effort, and time, affiliate marketing is a good program for beginners.

• Does Affiliate Marketing Work?

Answer: This is by far the most common question I get.  My quick answer is YES.  However, affiliate marketing works only if you work!  This is not a hobby!  If you are serious in building a successful business, any business, there is work involved.  The major problem is, a lot of people are not willing to do what is necessary to make it work.  If they don’t see money rolling in after a few weeks or months, they give up and quick.  Affiliate Marketing Does Work!

• How Much Does It Cost to Get Started?

Answer: The answer may surprise you.  It cost Nothing To Get Started. Becoming an affiliate with a company is no cost.  However, you need some basic tools.  You need a computer.  If your new, I suggest you get training.  You should have a website or blog site.  And if you join an affiliate marketing company, there is a membership cost.  Taking this into considerations, a laptop computer can run about $300 to $3,000.  Memberships can run from $250 to several thousands.  Be careful here.  You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars.  I spent $300 for a membership which was far better than one I spent $3,000 for…my mistake.

• Where Do I Get Affiliate Marketing Training?

Answer: Training is every where!  Google “affiliate marketing training” and you will come up with hundreds of sites. YouTube had dozens if not hundreds of affiliate training videos.  How about affiliate companies?  A Lot Of Companies.  However, this is were you need to do your research.  Some are good, some are okay and some are poor.  Some ask a lot of money to become a member, some will ask some money to become a member and some will ask for a few dollars.  Research is my best advice.

• Is Affiliate Marketing The Same As Network Marketing?

Answer:  Affiliate marketing refers to a sales model that uses affiliates, you and me, to offer products or service using online platforms and earn a commission from sales or leads made. On the other hand, network marketing, or MLM refers to a business model based on person-to-person sales by a network of distributors. It entails systemic strategies of recruiting, lead generation and management. The real money made in network marketing is not in the product but in building a team of people or what is referred to as a Downline.

• How Long Does It Take To Become Successful?

Answer: This again is a difficult question to answer. For some it takes years.  Others months.  And for a very few, weeks.  Why?  Time, dedication, focus, training and experience.  The more time you dedicate to your business the quicker the results.  Better training will result in quicker income.  Experience is by far the quickest way to be successful.  Experience comes from “Doing it” and “Doing it again.”  And then “Doing it once more.”  There is a great book written by a top marketer called The 30 Minute Workday.  The book is Free and provides 184 pages of pure gold. Click here for your Free Copy of The 30 Minute Workday.

• I Heard Affiliate Marketing Is Hard Work?

Answer:  I love this one.  To become successful in anything requires WORK.  Authors are not successful without putting in the hard WORK.  Movie stars are not top stars without putting in hard WORK.  Popular singers put in many hours of work before making it big, all that hard WORK paid off.  So is affiliate marketing hard WORK.  YES!  A good friend put in hours, weeks months and years of hard WORK.  Today he is earning 7 figures and has been for 15 years.  What I like about affiliate marketing is The Work You Put In Today Will Pay Off Tomorrow, Next Month, Next Year and for Your Life Time.  Yes it is hard WORK but it can be fun, rewarding and profitable.

In Conclusion

As mentioned in the Introduction, these are the most common question I get.  These are quick answers and not in-depth.  The purpose was to get these out of the way so that you can make an informed decision on if affiliate marketing is right for you.

This article is not intended to promote a business or affiliate marketing.  This is Questions and Answers only.

I have other articles that are written for more in-depth information.

Affiliate Marketing Part 1 How To Get Started

Affiliate Marketing Part 2 How To Get Started

Finally, Affiliate Marketing is my preferred business model.

Are You Fishing With Strawberries?

This is a crazy idea…Are You Fishing With Strawberries?  A lot of people are and don’t know it.

My hope is this article serves as an inspiration to change from strawberries to a Worm!

And no I have not lost my mind.

Introduction

The title says, Are You Fishing With Strawberries?….and your thinking “He finally lost his mind?” 

• “What in the world does strawberries have to do with fishing?
• Strawberries?  That’s crazy
• What is he talking about?!!!”

No I don’t think you will ever catch fish with strawberries on your hook, however having the right Worm might do the trick.

I’ve noticed a trend

Over the last few months, I heard Oprah Winfrey along with Robert Kiyosaki, Suze Orman, Tony Robbins and in Dale Carnegie’s book “How To Win Friends And Influence People” all saying the same thing, the #1 success ingredient is:

“Do something different, be creative, don’t follow the crowed, you can change to be the person you want to be, changing the world begins with you!

They might say it in a different ways, but at the heart of the statement is….

All About….YOU!

I’ve read lots of personal development books, The Secret (which is excellent), Think And Grow Rich, Jonathan Livingston Seagull and many others.

These authors try to get you to do something different, to better yourself, believe in yourself, you can be the person YOU want to be.

So I wanted to share this with you.

It’s likely you have some goals:

• Being able to pay your bills
• Be financially free of debts
• Large savings account
• Travel any time you want
• Being able to set your own daily schedule
• Eat at fancy restaurants and pay cash
• Sleep in every day
• Having more choices about what to purchase and when
• Having more flexibility, so you can be available for kids and family who need you
• Live anywhere you want
• Send your kids to the college of their choice
• You may even have desires to quit a job and become your own boss

and, you may even have some big things you want to purchase like:

• A vacation house
• Bigger house
• A new car every year
• A boat
• Even a plane
• or, taking a long vacation

As you read the list, did you start to smile? 

We have some things in Common

I’d bet the majority of us have some of the goals and wants I listed above.

And then there may be some with higher goals and some with lesser goals.  Everyone is different and that is a good thing because we are all unique.  We all want different things.

However, I firmly believe we are all born with a desire to have a life that is fulfilling, enjoyable, and fun based upon our believes.

My tag words are:  “Live Life Without Limits”

Let’s illustrate with this quote from Dale Carnegie, it says:

“I often fish up in Maine during the summer. Personally I am very fond of strawberries and cream, but I have found that for some strange reason, fish prefer worms. So when I went fishing, I didn’t think about what I wanted. I thought about what they wanted. I didn’t bait the hook with strawberries and cream. Rather, I dangled a worm or a grasshopper in front of the fish and said: “Wouldn’t you like to have that?” – Dale Carnegie

Now, of course, that was a parable, but a powerful one. Don’t you think?

To be successful, is not about what you want, but what they want.

Let me repeat that because it is a very important statement: “To be successful, it’s not about what YOU want, but want THEY want.”

Here’s another quote from a famous author and motivator to drive home what I am saying:

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”  Zig Ziglar.

How this Applies Personally and Professionally

As an example, we often go through scenarios where we want something while the another person wants something completely different–these scenarios can be simple or complex.

Simple situation of us wanting our kids to eat their vegetables while they would rather eat french fries.

It could be that we want someone to join our business opportunity while they would rather go fishing.

My wife wants a new kitchen and I want a new car.

These scenarios can also happen in professional settings like when we write a blog article and want someone to make a decision to follow us, make a purchase decision or be entertained.

The problem is, most of us bait the hook with strawberries.

We’re writing and thinking about OUR ultimate goals, rather than writing and thinking about our READER’S ultimate goals.

Again, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”  Zig Ziglar.

You need to do some quality thinking:

• Who are they?
• What are their current circumstances?
• What problem(s) do they have?
• How can we put ourselves in their shoes so we can sense (with all of our senses) what their circumstance must look and feel like?
• What motivates them?
• What’s it feel like on an emotional and physical level?
• What are their wants and desires?
• How can I solve their problems?
• What solution do they want or looking for?
• What would guide them to our solution?
• What can we do to get them from where they are today to where they want to go tomorrow?
• How do I change from strawberries to a Worm?

This is otherwise called “empathy”. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition is:

“the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner”

Getting Laser-Focused on Them

It’s important that we put THEM at the forefront of our thoughts or otherwise, we’ll look like the fisher who bait the hook with strawberries.

Fortunately or unfortunately, how we bait our hooks in terms of acquiring and retaining customers will directly correlate with our success in business.

How we bait the hook with our personal life also has a direct effect.

So, my take-a-way for you is to identify the worm in every situation: whether you’re dealing with your kids, your spouse, your friends, your readers, your customers and your prospects.

Bait the hook with the worm of their preference; not your’s, and you’ll find this one ingredient will shift the outcome quite a bit in your favor.

My Question for You

How are you going to bait the hook?

Are you going to use a strawberry because it’s want YOU want or are you going to use a worm and give them what THEY want?  The choice is yours.

Again, keep this quote next to you….

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”  Zig Ziglar.

Here’s to your success,

Home Business Academy | Good Business Model?

Todays article is about Home Business Academy and is Home Business Academy a good business model?

Introduction

Who Is The Home Business Academy?

Mike Hobbs and Paul Hutchings founded the Home Business Academy. This program teaches you how to start and grow an online business.

The Home Business Academy’s mission is “Freedom Through Principle-Centered Leadership.”

The main part of HBA is their Funnel Builder Academy, Premium Academy, and Financial Literacy Academy. FAQ and Affiliate Zone.

HBA is all about Don-For-You Funnels and Email Swipes as well as step-by-step training.

It’s a good thing about HBA is that it isn’t full of hype. Instead, they give step-by-step guides based on tried-and-true proven processes.

But let’s suppose that you REALLY want to work that laptop-entrepreneur lifestyle.  Is HBA a good lap-top entrepreneur business model?

It’s a great lap-top business as you will soon discover.

Every day and every month, Paul and Mike, together with other top community leaders, host coaching masterminds where you may get the most up-to-date training and personalized coaching you need.

HBA feature a funnel builder (tool) that is easy to use and configure.

This Home Business Academy stands out far above any other affiliate program and any other way to make money online, with your website, and/or with your personal business.

Why and/or your personal business?

You can promote Home Business Academy as a member and receive an 80% commission on their products. Or, you can promote your own products using the training, support and the Funnel Builder Academy.

Home Business Academy Premium

The HBA Premium Academy provides some essential training and resources that can help entrepreneurs who are building ANY business to hit their goals much faster.

The HBA Premium Academy is always evolving and growing, with new trainings being added regularly from top leaders who generously share the marketing strategies that are working for them right now, in real time.

The HBA Premium is a complete training course where you will learn:

• How to generate traffic and leads online using various traffic sources such as Facebook, Youtube, blogging, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) where you will be learning how to create your own website, write SEO-friendly content, create and rank Youtube videos,

• How to design high-converting funnels and landing pages,

• How to attract your customers and convert them into buyers through email marketing

On top of the core training course, you get access to a weekly coaching mastermind with the HBA founders, Paul Hutchings & Mike Hobbs as well as community support from the top leaders.

The cost to join the HBA premium is $125 per month.

The Freedom Launchpad

The Freedom Launch is just a simple video walkthrough on how to make money with affiliate marketing created by Nick Bramble.

In case you don’t know it, the Freedom Launchpad was a part of the 30-Minute Workday Escape Plan.

The 30 Minute Workday Escape Plan designed by Nick Bramble is downloaded file ebooks you can download for free.

Nick’s 183 page Escape Plan goes set-by-step describing how to use the various parts of finding and moving potential customers through, leads, welcome sales, and purchase.

The Financial Literacy Academy

This is finance and debt training that covers the following:

• Debt elimination,

• Tax strategies for US Business owners,

• Retirement planning and strategies,

• Records and bookkeeping with Quickbooks online,

• How to build long-term cash flow with rental properties,

• Stress-free property management,

• Asset 101,

• Business entity setup and maintenance, and more.

The cost of this program is a $1000 one-time fee.  However if you purchase the Financial Literacy Academy upon joining, the cost is $500 dollars.

Owning the program and promoting it, you receive a $400 dollar commission.

Finally

Is Home Business Academy a good business model?  NO!

The Home Business Academy a great business model designed by two top 7 figure earners and marketing masters.

The low cost to become a member is outstanding when compared to other programs.

As an example there is a well known program that cost $2,995 to become a member and only pays 30% commission.

With Home Business Academy you are in profit with only 2 sales…amazing.

A number 1 reason why I like the Home Business Academy is that it’s NOT a Network Marketing Company.

It’s strictly an affiliate program that pays 80% commissions per sale and you make that 80% from that one person you referred for every month they are in the program!

Final thought…today, making money from the comfort of your home without quitting your job is possible. And Affiliate marketing is one of the ways many entrepreneurs make money online by working from home.

The HBA owners, Paul Hutchings & Mike Hobbs did a great job by designing this business model to power people with the required skills to be successful in the online business.

Here’s to your success, and take a serious look at The Home Business Academy and the Funnel Builder Academy.

Cultivating A Positive Mindset

This is a critical article on cultivating a positive mindset.  Your mindset will dictate how you act, think, success, fail, family and so much more.

So what is Mindset?

A mindset is an “established set of attitudes, Regarded as typical of a particular group’s social or cultural values; the outlook, philosophy, or values of a persons frame of mind, attitude, and disposition. It may also arise from a person’s views or beliefs about the meaning of life.

Success and Disappointments

Let me begin by saying: “throughout your life, you will encounter a variety of experiences, including successes and disappointments. There will be times of progress and moments of difficulty.”

Throughout your life, adverse situations are unavoidable regardless of your background. It can be overwhelming to face the accompanying darkness and despair during these times. However, the accurate measure of character lies in our ability to transform these negatives into positives.

I personally don’t belive that “Sometimes you Lose.”  Every loss is a learning experience.

As an example:  I worked with a successful company whose customers were in telecommunications.  When this new field failed, the company learned from ONLY working with one area.  A year later, they came back stronger than ever with a new direction.  I learned from this failure, by changing my mindset in my personal business.  I discovered that there is alway a new path to take if you keep a positive mindset.

Transforming an adverse circumstance into a positive one requires more than just hopeful thoughts or unrealistic optimism. It requires a deliberate shift in mindset, an unwavering belief in our resilience, and the courage to take action.

By embracing this philosophy, we empower ourselves to overcome adversity, find hidden opportunities, and emerge more vital than ever.

It is natural to feel disheartened, disappointed, and discouraged however, dwelling on the negativity only perpetuates a cycle of despair. Instead, focus on the lessons learned, the growth potential, and the possibilities that lie ahead.

What Can I Learn?

Every day we are faced with decisions.

Everything from small decision to life changing decisions.

• In the morning, what should I wear today?….small decision.
• What should I make for breakfast?….small decisions.
• Driving to work, should I take my normal road or should i try a new way to work?…small decision.
• Should I get a college degree or just “wing it?”….life changing decision.
• Should I work for a company or start my own business?….life changing decision.

Small decisions are easy to make and really have little impact on either the day, week or months.

Life changing decisions are much harder to make and require a great deal of thought.  These life changing decision can have an impact over the days, weeks, months and even years.

With every decision, small or life changing what did you learn?

• This morning you wore jeans or pink dress to work….the jeans turned out to be inappropriate because of a staff meeting and the pink dress was also wrong.
• Breakfast was too long to make and now you are late to an appointment.
• You took Jasper road instead of your normal road and Jasper was under construction.
• You decided to just “wing it” and now your job opportunities are very limited.
• You decided to start your own company and now you are faced with new decisions.  By the way….great decision.

Your New Business

WOW, I’ve got my new business, and my business can grow or fail.

Change Your Mindset!

Think fail…and you will fail.  Think success and your business will grow.

Failure Is Not An Option!

When faced with adversity, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this situation?”

Adversity is one of life’s experiences: it’s impossible to avoid, no matter what path you’ve chosen to traverse.  At times it feels like a never-ending uphill battle. But those hard times prove to be learning opportunities and help you grow as a person.

When adversity strikes, and trust me, it will at some point in your life, you should have several things in mind.

The first is to let go of your expectations. Your previous plans are gone, and they aren’t coming back.

Holding onto them doesn’t help you move toward your goals: they only drag you down. Plus, you can’t expect that everything will work out as planned. Life is full of surprises, and sometimes they have a negative impact.

Taking action is a vital component of turning negatives into positives. It’s not enough to adopt a positive mindset or reframe challenges mentally; we must also actively seek solutions and make changes. A positive mindset can be an impetus for growth, pushing us outside our comfort zones and inspiring us to explore new possibilities.

Failure Is Not An Option

 1. Change your mindset

Your thoughts define you. When we expect failure or disappointment, we usually experience it. This is a psychological phenomenon known as the self-fulfilling prophecy. In other words, what you anticipate eventually happens.

Training your mind to view situations and problems differently can, and will, have a different result. While we don’t endorse the idea of, “Fake it until you make it,” there’s truth to the value of positive self-talk and visualization.

2.  Surround yourself with people who have a positive mindset

You can tell a lot about someone from who they spend their time with. You can be the most ambitious, resilient person in the world, but bright feelings can only last so long if you’re surrounded by negativity.

Human beings are social animals; we act according to others’ opinions and reactions. Focusing your energy on people with negative thoughts will inhibit your personal development.

Every setback holds valuable insights and teachings that can shape our future endeavors. By shifting our perspective from victimhood to a mindset of growth and self-improvement, we turn a negative experience into an opportunity for personal development.

As mentioned, Failure Is Not An Option,  History is filled with renowned figures who faced repeated failures before achieving greatness. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, famously said, “Instead of seeing my attempts as failures, I view them as learning experiences. Through trial and error, I have discovered 10,000 ways that do not work.

By viewing failure as a necessary part of the journey, we can embrace it, learn from it, and ultimately use it as fuel for future success.

According to Carol Dweck’s research, those who possess growth mindsets are more likely to be successful. The growth mindset stimulates one’s drive, willingness, and overall foundation of belief to achieve bigger and better outcomes. Our beliefs, conscious or unconscious, can either push you to become better or hold you back from advancements and improvements.

Finally

Cultivating a positive mindset is one of the most effective methods for turning a negative situation into a positive one.

Turning a negative situation into a positive opportunity is a powerful mindset and approach that empowers us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and determination.

By cultivating a positive attitude, taking action, embracing setbacks as stepping stones, we can transform adversity into growth, failure into success, and despair into hope.

“The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude.”  William James, American philosopher and psychologist

When faced with challenges, find a way to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and positivity. You might be surprised at how this can transform your life.

Thanks for reading and to your success,

5 Tips To Get Better Ranking In Google

I find that most people roll their eyes back when I say “Research” your market.  For some reason the word Research means a “lot of work.”

Any good marketer will tell you that you need to know who you are targeting with your product or services.

As an example:  You have shoes in your product line.  Shoes is a broad line.  If your market is kids, you need to research what kids need in the way of shoes.  So now your target market is Kids Running Shoes.

Since a lot of people avoid “Research” I like to use the word “Market Discovery” as my way of discovering who my target market is.

It is very important to research your marketing or again, what I like to call it market discovery.

Without market discovery is like:  Jumping into a swimming pool not knowing how to swim.

You have to know your target audience, what they want, what makes them buy, how you can solve their problem as well as the product or products you’re advertising.

Knowing your target audience and what they are searching for is the only way to know how to choose the right social media platform for your campaigns.

Your social media use by most potential customers are, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Blog sites and others.  Focus on these 4 sites and become a master in knowing how to use them for getting customers to you before going to others.

Now back to Market Discovery.

The best way to find what your potential customers are looking for is to use “Keywords.”

Use Google to get good idea for what people are searching for.

You can also use Keyword search tools such as JAAXY to get focused keywords.

Make sure to know the following about your target audience:

It’s been said hundreds of times, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

This saying exists for a reason. Along with videos, photos are the best way to draw your audiences attention on social media platforms.

Take your own browsing experience as an example. You’re more likely to stop on a Facebook post that has photos, rather than one with a single line of text.

Use product photos, or at least those related to the product, to best attract users.

Vague photos will only confuse or turn readers away from your contest.  It’s much better to use pictures, photos or videos that pique people’s curiosity to be effective in getting people to click on your link.

Again, use picture of your product if possible or related photos.

A good source of free picture for your blog or social media is Pixabay.

There are thousands of affiliate marketers online. You can form great partnerships by connecting with them and helping each other’s business.

But where exactly do you find partners?

The best place is…Social media!

A partnership allows you to share links and posts on their site as well as yours. You can cross-promote products and merge yours and their audiences.

If there are some competitors that impress you, just think about how it can transform your affiliate business if you actually team up with them.

It’s actually very easy to find these affiliate partners than you think.  There is also a plus side.  By partnering with a well known affiliate marketer, you become better known as well as producing more followers and possibly more sales.

Finally

Affiliate Marketing Tool Box

Introduction

You have an affiliate marketing business..right?  But the question is: “Do you have an affiliate marketing tool box?”

A automobile mechanic has a tool box.  A carpenter has a tool box.  A lawn care professional has a tool box.  Even a master chef has a tool box.

If all these professionals have a tool box, why don’t you?  Or do you have a tool box?

What is a Tool Box?  

Affiliate Marketing Tools

As an affiliate marketer as a minimum, you should have the basic necessary tool to either start a new business, grow your new business or expand your establish affiliate business.

Statement:  “Affiliate marketing is one of the best business models to make money online.  It is a proven model for beginners and professionals”

But what is Affiliate Marketing?

What’s great about affiliate marketing is that it doesn’t require a huge financial investment – you can start making an income passively with little to no expense.

• Let’s take a franchise.  Most major franchises require you to show your net worth. You need to invest thousands of dollars just to open.  You need to follow their business model.  High Cost
• Let’s take a brick and mortar store. You need to find a good location. Now you need to get the utilities set up, rent, products, employees?, operating hours. 50% fail in 5 years
• Let’s take a look at a lawn care professional.  You need mowers, shovels, rakes, trailer, truck, employees?  Several thousands of dollars to start, long hours
• In our example let’s take a look at a master chef.  A master chef need, uniforms, cook wear, knives, kitchen.  Couple thousands of dollars for good tools.
• Finally, let’s take a look at affiliate marketing.  Affiliate marketers needs a computer.  Good computer, $800 – $1,900.

Unlike the above examples, affiliate marketing can be a low cost investment, no employees, no physical goods, no store front, your own hours, success better than average and the best part, work from anywhere…home, beach, cabins, on a boat, resorts…..any where.

Time and Effort

Any business, say again Any Business requires Time And Effort and the Proper Tools

Affiliate marketing is no exception.

The more time and effort you put in, in the beginning will pay off over the years in the future.

It’s not unheard of that many successful top affiliate marketer put in 8-10 hours a day, 7 days a week and 2-3 years.  However, unlike the above examples, top affiliate marketers now work 3-4 hours a day, maybe 4 days a week and make passive income for many years.

Think of a author.  He/she write a book for many-many months.  They get it published and for years receive a passive income for years by putting in the Time And Effort in the beginning.

However, many affiliate marketing beginners never grow their income, because of not putting in the Time and Effort in the beginning leading them to give up and quit, because of low income, despite the low cost of getting started and growing the business.

Time and Effort is the Key To Successful Affiliate Marketing.

Proper Tools Makes a Successful Business

Affiliate marketing, actually is very easy. However, like other marketing ventures, it requires the proper tools.

Fortunately, there are many platforms available that can help affiliate marketers boost their productivity, growth, and income so they can achieve more in less time.

Without having the right set of tools, you won’t be able to start, grow and expand, no matter how to sound your strategies are and how to correct your strategies in the event of making a mistake.

This post is about TOOLS…. What Are Some Of The Affiliate Marketing Tools?

As mentioned above, mechanics have tools, carpenters have tools, lawn care professionals have tools and professional affiliate marketers have tools.

Here is a list of Must Have Tools that should be in every affiliate marketers tool box:

1. Keyword Search Tool
2. Sales Funnels
3. Capture Pages
4. Autoresponders
5. Blogging Site
6. Your Own Domain
7. Social Media Platforms

Sound like a lot of tools and it is, but these are really simple to grasp, easy to use and really easy to understand.

And remember, professionals use tools, these are the basic tools in your tool box.

Are there others?  As you become successful with the basic, you will need additional tools, however work with the basic tools before you expand.  If not, you could become easily overwhelmed.

1.  Keyword Search Tool:  Keyword research helps you find which keywords are best to target and provides valuable insight into the queries that your target audience is actually searching on Google.  The insight that you can get into these actual search terms can help inform content strategy as well as your larger marketing strategy.  A good Keyword Search Tool is called Jazzy.
2. Sales Funnels: The sales funnel is a visual representation of the journey your clients go through — from awareness to research to making a decision.
3. Capture Page:  Lead capture pages are pages on your website, blog, or even social media accounts, that are designed to draw your audience into a given sales funnel or campaign that will convert a subscriber into a customer.
4. Autoresponder:  Marketers use autoresponders to streamline their campaigns and cut down on the amount of work they do. For example, rather than emailing each individual who signs up for a newsletter, an autoresponder may send out a welcome email that other scripts have personalized.  Note the best autoresponder with the most email success is GetResponse.
5. Blogging Site:  There are plenty of benefits to blogging — it helps drive traffic to your website, it enables you to better convert that traffic into leads, it allows your business to establish authority in an industry, and it continues to help your business grow and attract new customers months and even years after publication.
6. Your Own Domain:  Domain names provide you ownership over your site’s address. Think of it this way: you have a home address so visitors can navigate to your home with the help of a GPS. Similarly, you have a custom domain name so your customers can easily find your site. One of the other benefits of a custom domain is that once you claim it, it’s off the market — no one else can use it.
7. Social Media Platforms:  Social media platforms facilitates the sharing of ideas and information through virtual networks. From Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube, social media platforms covers a broad universe of apps that allow users to share content, interact online, and build communities.

Affiliate Marketing Success

Who doesn’t love the idea of working from anywhere in the world without a set work schedule?

The top affiliate marketers don’t need to fantasize about this lifestyle – they have the option to live this way.

Affiliate marketing is becoming more and more popular every day as people trade in the 9-5 lifestyle for the opportunity to be their own boss.

The only issue is that many beginner marketers don’t purchase the proper tools to make their affiliate marketing a successful business.

So how do you build a successful affiliate marketing business?  As mentioned above….You start with the basic right tools.

• Autoresponder
• Domain name
• Keyword search tool
• Computer

No matter how popular social media and other methods of marketing become, email marketing is still at the heart of affiliate marketing campaigns. That’s why every affiliate marketer should also have an email marketing tool like GetResponse at their disposal.

GetResponse is an email marketing suite that meets the needs of affiliate marketers. It offers an easy-to-use interface and some great email templates to get started. You can also use it to create automated email campaigns. It also includes a landing page builder, a form builder, and a website builder. Getting started is free, and you can build a list of up to 500 leads with its free plan!

Every site including affiliate sites starts with a domain name. You, too, will have to find a good domain name for your site before you can even start building your affiliate business, and GoDaddy is one of several where you can purchase a domain name.

As a basic part of your tool box is a Keyword Search Tool.  Google is a good search tool.  There are many other good search tools, however, I found a good search tool that met and exceeded all my requirements.  It even has a unique name…Jazzy.  Try it, I think you will find it meets all your requirements.

Final Thoughts: How To Build an Affiliate Marketing Business With Basic Tools

Affiliate marketing is an easy business to start, easy to grow and easy to make money.  However, without the proper tools, affiliate marketing success is only a dream.

You can start a good home business with little investment.  For around $2,500 or less you can have all you need to get started and that includes a computer which you may already have.

At a bare minimum you need the following:

• No matter how popular social media and other methods of marketing become, email marketing is still at the heart of affiliate marketing campaigns. That’s why every affiliate marketer should also have an email marketing tool like GetResponse at their disposal.
• Every site including affiliate sites starts with a domain name.
• As a basic part of your tool box is a Keyword Search Tool.  Jazzy is an awesome tool, and a must have.

Thanks for reading and here’s to your success,

Online Marketing For Beginners | Where To Start

Online marketing for beginners can be an intimidating field to enter. With so much information out there it can be difficult to know where to start and which social media sites or strategies are best for your new business.

Being your own boss and having a business of your own starts with the decision to make the big leap.

If you’ve found your way here, you’ve already taken that crucial first step.

Congratulations!

Now you’re ready to learn how to start a business from scratch. But where do you begin?

Whether you already have a brilliant product idea or you’re just looking to build a future on your own terms, this article will help you establish your own online business.

One last word:

Online marketing has the potential to reach your target audience, attract new customers, increase your website traffic and even help you generate more sales. However, knowing which strategies to implement and how to do it properly can be overwhelming.

Where To Start?

There is a proven sequence of steps you should follow to guarantee your success when you’re starting a small business online. I’ve seen thousands of people start and grow successful businesses by doing the following 7 steps:

1. Find a need and fill it.
2. Write copy that sells.
3. Design and build an easy-to-use website.
4. Use search engines to drive traffic to your site.
5. Establish an expert reputation for yourself.
6. Follow up with your customers and subscribers with email.
7. Increase your income through back-end sales and upselling.

The first step in starting your online store is to determine a niche market you’d like to serve. One of the biggest mistakes new business owners make is not focusing on the three components of choosing a niche:

• Profitability: You want a niche that is profitable so you can see a return on your investment and build a profitable online store. If a product is too expensive to manufacture or purchase wholesale, it has a low potential for profitability. Similarly, a product might be too expensive to ship and may be better suited for selling in person.
• Searchability: The best e-commerce stores stock in-demand products people search for. If you’re looking to start an online store that sells dog leashes, for example, make sure “dog leashes” is a keyword you target. Use SEO tools to determine products people search for.
• Passion: Consider your passions. For example, what do you enjoy talking about or researching? When you’re passionate about what you sell, you’ll be more likely to stick with it when times get tough. Not only that, but you want customers to direct people to your store because you’re the expert in a particular field, product or service.

Your target audience is just as important as your niche. You want to make sure the products you sell will interest them and that they can purchase what you’re selling with no trouble. Don’t ask people for their opinion on your product if they’re not in your target audience.

Your Niche

Once you’ve determined your niche and target audience, it’s time to decide on your product or service line. This can be the hardest part of starting your online store. You want to make sure you’re not selling a product that’s too expensive to produce or that no one is searching for. It’s also important to make sure you have the resources, such as storage and shipping, to accommodate your products.

If you choose a product that’s already popular, how will you differentiate yours from the best? Can you improve on an existing product? How will you make sure your online store is the go-to source for this product?

Choose A Name

Once you know what you want to sell, the next step is to choose your brand or business name and create your brand assets, such as your logo. For some, this step might come very easy and for others, this can be very challenging. One way that businesses often weed through name ideas is by going to a domain name registrar, such as GoDaddy and searching for available domains. The reason is, ideally, you want your domain name to match your business name.

Have A Logo

If you’re not sure where to begin when creating your logo, Canva is a great place to start. It offers dozens of free and easy-to-customize logo templates. In case you don’t want to try your hand at logo design, you can always hire someone to do it for you from platforms like Fiverr and 99Designs.

Anyone Can Start A Business

Anyone, from newbie to seasoned online entrepreneur, can benefit from this process in learning how to start a business online.

The first step to becoming an online marketing expert is to understand the basics of digital marketing and its various channels. This includes organic search engine optimization, search engine marketing, social media marketing, and content marketing. To understand these concepts, one should start by doing some research on the various channels and familiarizing themselves with how each one works.

Once the basics are established, the next step is to start creating a plan for your online marketing goals.

For beginners, consider using tools such as Google Analytics and pull reports to track different metrics such as website visits, time on site, bounce rate and more. This can be done by setting up different goals on Google Analytics and tracking progress to see if you’re on the right track.

Social media is another great channel for online marketing and can be used to grow your brand’s reach and attract customers.

Beginners should start out by creating a strategy for the profiles you’re going to use and determine the kind of content they’ll be sharing.

Utilizing other social channels outside of your main ones can also help with exposure, including platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Don’t forget to interact with customers and engage with their comments to add to the conversation.

Another effective marketing tool for beginners is email marketing.

Start by building a contact list of customers or potential customers and determine what type of content they’ll be receiving. Then, craft emails to send out, utilizing A/B testing where appropriate. Just make sure to stay within the rules of email marketing by including opt-in forms and an unsubscribe button.

For this you will need an autoresponder.

Overall, online marketing can be an effective way to reach customers and generate sales.

It’s important to stay up to date with the latest trends and online marketing strategies, as well as track progress with the help of analytics tools.

Utilize the channels that best suit your business and be sure to create and execute a strategy that meets your goals.

With proper planning, anyone can become an online marketing expert.

Here are a few articles that may be beneficial:

Affiliate Marketing is todays top business model

How to start affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing..worth the effort

Want to succeed at affiliate marketing

Here’s to your success,

Affiliate Marketing Is Todays Top Business Model

Introduction

Affiliate Marketing Online or Internet Marketing is todays top business model for work at home entrepreneurs.

If your new to affiliate marketing, you may not know how this type of marketing strategy is a perfect fit for the home business entrepreneurs.

The good news is that, all you really need to know is a little bit of knowledge.  In fact there are only 3 basic steps.

1.  Have a product or service
2.  Invite them to take a look
3.  Make a sale

With that little knowledge, I promise you can get to where you may want to be.

To make it easier, there is a 180 page book called: The 30 Minute Workday Book written by a top Internet marketer with real word experience.

It’s a Free book.  Page 108 was my favorite.

The chart on the right was taken from the book and goes into great details on each item.

Here it is and it is FREE: Affiliate Marketing and 30 Minute Workday Day Book

Affiliate Marketing Is Really Easy

Affiliate marketing is actually quite easy once you know just a few simple “how to do it.”  The bigger problem is that most people approach it as a huge project instead of taking your marketing in little steps.

Think of Baby-steps.  Just put one foot in front of the other or in the case of affiliate marketing, learn the basic skills about affiliate marketing then apply this skill to your marketing strategy.

It’s not a big deal.

Just do the basics, learn, make mistakes, redo, learn again, and soon you will become a master.  However, don’t make the fatal mistake many amateurs make….They Try To Do TOO Much At The Same Time.

As mention, learn “what is affiliate marketing”, how to get started and your on your way.  Again, not a big deal.

Next learn about online marketing and how to do online marketing.

Then put the two of them together.

Your now marketing online!

Well there’s a little more to than that…but you get the idea.

Now here is a commercial for a free book > Affiliate Marketing and 30 Minute Workday Day Book…Click Here <

Simply Put One Foot In Front Of The Other

As mentioned, “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other” by become good at one social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and a host of others.  Once you master that “ONE” program, then and only then do you go to another.

Affiliate marketing is no different.  Master one strategy before going to another.  It is at this point that you put Blinders on and become laser focus on what needs to be done.

Affiliate marketing does have some major advantages.  Read those advantages in The 10 Rules article, but for right now let’s look at some basic starting points.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is constantly evolving, and there will always be new marketing strategies to learn.  Just apply Internet Marketing and Affiliate Marketing together and you can make a boat full of money.

With affiliate marketing, you have a product to promote such as Nike Shoes.  When someone purchases Nike Shoes from your website, you make a commission.  Another program is to promote an Affiliate Marketing Companies product.  When someone purchases from your website, you make a commission.

These two programs are identical in the basic business model.  The only difference, is your a member of the Affiliate Marketing Company, while your are only a affiliate to, Nike in this case.

Your job is to promote that product.  This simplifies your day to day activities.  All you have to do is put together a successful online marketing campaign.

Commercial…Here’s how you do that!

Any good marketing campaign begins with a lead capture page.  Your capture page will collect email addresses, name and in some cases phone number.

One word of advice here:  Many people will give you a “false or bogus email.”  Plan on it and move on.  I have received hundreds of fake emails only to receive my Free Gift.  When trying to follow-up, no email was found.  It happens.

Your capture page is valuable since you will be building a list of potential customers on your autoresponder. Once you have the mailing list, you can send out information about sales, promote certain items or even solicit feedback from customers and that’s how the Big Boy’s Do It.  Nothing can be more simpler.

Marketing Research

Market Research or as I like calling it “Market Discovery” is all about finding a need and filling that need. It is important to address problems or issues so that customers or potential customers see you as a source of information. Customers will tell others if they received excellent service from you, and word of mouth advertising is the best kind.

A lot of people in affiliate marketing, do very little Market Discovery and then wonder why they aren’t getting visitors or traffic.

Market Discovery sounds like you must have a MBA.  It really is no big deal.

Marketing Discovery is nothing more than to know who you’re targeting your products or services to and fulfilling their wants or needs.

Who wears shoes?  There is your market.  Not exactly….too broad.  Who wears running shoes?  Much better.  Now target those people with your Nike product.

Now there is one more item you must know and do.  This is what most affiliate marketers don’t do, and that is to find the most appropriate Key Words.

Keywords, are words people search for on Google or Bing.  Search “running shoes” and your there.  Search “Nike running shoes” and your there.  Easy..well almost, but you get the idea.

A good research tool and one I use exclusive is Jaaxy.  It is a awesome tool and one you should have in your business kit.

Internet marketing is an ever-changing field, so you will continually need to research latest techniques.

Powerful Strategy

Offer answers to customers problems or issues on your site. Most visitors come to websites to find information or how to solve a problem.  If you are unwilling to provide answers, you may be losing potential customers. Giving them detailed information both satisfies their curiosity and increases the likelihood that they will buy from you.

This is where your research comes in.  What are people looking for?  What are their issues?  What can you do to help solve these problems and issues?  Know Your Target Audience…important!

You might not know it, but you are already equipped with all the resources you need in order to be successful in affiliate marketing. You don’t need elaborate software or a wild, far-fetched scheme, you only need yourself.

Do your homework, make mistakes, learn from mistakes, find a coach, get experience and work hard to pave your own path to being a successful affiliate marketer.

If you want to succeed in affiliate marketing you need to know what your competition is up to. You can check your competition’s site to see what they have and how they are marketing their products. You can get a good idea of the number of visitors they are getting, and that can help you determine how you are doing.

YouTube is another great source of information.  What are people posting.  Look at how many people have viewed the YouTube post.  If you see hundred of views. there is your information on what people are searching for.

Forums, Facebook Groups are excellent ways to get valuable information on peoples pains and solutions.

Commercial…..Would you like a All In One Digital Program With Done-for-You Funnels and Emails?

Blogging

My favorite marketing strategy is Blogging.  What I like about a blog is that I only have to create a well written blog about my product, the product benefits, why my target audience needs the products, use a few well placed Keywords in the article and post it.

That article will be there for years and years.  I never have to touch it again.  In fact many successful affiliate marketers are receiving commissions from articles they wrote years ago.

Your site will rank higher in search results if you keep updating your blog every week with fresh content. You can easily accomplish this by writing about what you found in your Market Discovery.

Your blog should have good content addressing the problem, desires or wants your target market is looking for.  Also offer tips and advice.

Writing On Your Blog

It’s just about now that I start getting “push-back” on writing a blog post.

I hear: “I would like to write a blog, but I can’t write.” Or, “I’m not good at writing.”  Or, “I don’t know what to write about.”

All these are valid comments.

The last one first.  “I don’t know what to write about”

If you have a product, write about your product.  Write about the benefits, what it does, your experience, others experience…..Over time you will be writing like a professional.

“I’m not good at writing,” “I can’t write” Sorry for the comment…Baloney!

Anyone can write, anyone can become good.  It takes time, practice, learning and more practice.

Here’s an exercise:  What is your favorite movie?  Write two paragraphs about the movie.  What is the car you drive?  Write a few paragraphs about your car.  Do you have a pet?  Write a couple paragraphs about you pet.

Your Writing…easy wasn’t it

Now go back to those paragraphs read them.  Not good?  Rewrite.  Need more information?  Expand.  Missed the point?  Complete rewrite.

Remember, only you are seeing the paragraphs.  Do this on various subjects, and I guarantee you will soon find that writing is easy, in fact as you write one article, another one will pop in your head.

I typically will write two to three articles a week.  I don’t publish them, I just put down the idea. I leave those alone and go back to other articles I wrote last week and complete them. Or if the mood strikes me, I complete the two-three articles and publish.

Still need help?

How about having article written for you?  You determine what you want and the article will be written for you.  How many words?  Ask to write 300 words…500 words…1,000 words and it will be done.

How is this done?

It is called, the “Emerson Magic Content Machine.”

It is part of the Premium Academy package within Home Business Academy.

In fact most of this article was written with the Emerson Magic Content Machine.

Your Budget

A huge mistake many new marketers make is how to fund their business.  Any business requires some start-up money, and affiliate marketing is no different.

But the good news, you don’t need to take out a loan, or mortgage the house or offer your first born to fund your business.

I started my business for $125.  Actually $25 dollars and upgraded to the $125.

That was money well spent.  I made that back in 7 days.

Since then I have invested another $371 dollars in my education from money I made from the $125 dollar investment.

When someone tells me that they don’t have $125 to invest, I tell them, “Then you really need to start a part-time source of income.”  Or they may say, “I don’t have $125 dollars.”  These are just excuses!

I you want something bad enough, money is no object.

I look at it this way, they either need to do something to get the $125 (garage sale or sell their mountain bike) or their not motivated enough to start a home based business.

Again, excuses.

Also, keep your advertising budget from growing out of control. You shouldn’t spend your dollars on services that won’t properly benefit your business. Make sure that your money is being spent towards something that will benefit you.

Finally

Luckily, there is a lot of information that can help you with Affiliate marketing.  Remember, put one foot in front of another, in small baby-steps.

You can learn quite a bit from Googling and YouTube.

If you want to get started the right way, reduce the learning curve, avoid mistakes and start earning an income in less time than most affiliate marketers, do as I did and begin for $25 dollars.  That won’t break your budget.

This is the Worlds First All In One Digital Program with a lot of Done For You products which solves all the hard parts of marketing.

There is a BANNER below.  Click on the BANNER for your All In One Digital Program.

Okay, well here’s To Your Success

How To Make Money Online

Introduction

Are you looking for ways to make extra money, but don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home?  Then the internet has many opportunities for you to make money online. With the right tools and resources, you can make money online with ease. In this article, I will share with you some useful tips on how to make money online.

Do You Have Special Skills?

First of all, you need to have a thorough understanding of your current situation. Knowing exactly who you are and what you can offer is key to starting your online money-making journey.

Do you have any special skills or talents that could potentially make you money? Are you good at writing or coding? Do you have great marketing knowledge? Once you assess your skill set, you should create a portfolio and an online presence that showcases what you can do.

Once you have a good understanding of who you are and what you can offer, it’s time to start thinking about what kind of online business you want to pursue.

There are many different opportunities to make money online, such as affiliate marketing, creating a digital product, selling services, e-commerce, and freelancing. Take some time to do research and explore different options to figure out which one best suits your interests and skill set.

Once you’ve decided on the type of business you want to pursue, it’s time to set up a website or blog. This will serve as a platform to market your services, products, or skills to potential customers. Make sure your website is visually attractive and professional, and provides relevant information about what you do.

Social Media

Along with setting up a website or blog, you should also create a strong online presence.

Social media is a great way to gain visibility, followers, and customers. Utilize Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to promote your services/products, and look out for opportunities to run paid promotions. You could also join discussion forums, comment on industry-related blogs, or create helpful video tutorials to pique people’s interest.

It is also important to consider other income streams when trying to make money online.

Passive income sources, such as selling digital products on platforms such as Etsy, eBay or Amazon can provide additional income on top of your primary business. You could also create and sell an online course, write an ebook, become a web hosting reseller, or monetize your blog through affiliate links and advertisements.

The Key To Making Money Online

The key to making money online is knowing how to market yourself. Write content that is interesting, informative, and useful to your target audience and make sure your website is appealing and easy to navigate. Consider investing in online advertising, creating an email marketing campaign, or hiring a digital marketer to help you get the word out.

Here Are 8 Tips On How To Make Money Online With Affiliate Marketing

1. Find an affiliate program that matches your needs or skills

2. Decide which products you’re going to promote. Start by researching the top affiliate programs in your industry or niche

3. Learn the lingo. Familiarize yourself with the lingo and marketing strategies used by successful affiliates

4. Set up a website. Before you can promote products, you should have a website. Investing in a professionally designed website will help you stand out and attract more customers

5. Promote the program. Develop an effective marketing strategy and start promoting the program

6. Display affiliate ads on your website, share links to products on social media and write blog posts about why people should buy the products you’re promoting

7. Analyze performance. Use analytics tools to track the performance of your campaign and adjust your strategy as needed.

8. Make sure you’re also keeping an eye on your earnings to make sure you’re getting the most out of your efforts.

Summery

These are just some tips on how to make money online. It is important to remember that making money online requires research, hard work, and dedication.

You must also have a well-thought-out plan and stick to it. Dedicate time to building your business, perfecting your marketing strategy, and interacting with your customers. With enough time and effort, you may find yourself earning a good income from the comfort of your own home.

How about learning from a team that’s been there?

I did and it shorten my learning curve.

The Home Business Academy has 4 unique products to help you in first, establishing your business… second, growing your business…third, Done For You products and forth investing your earning to add additional income.

Want to know more?

See the BANNER?  Click on the BANNER…Enter your name and email…see a free Introduction Video

Decide if this is right for you or not.

Affiliate marketing is not designed for everyone.  So before you make a decision….check out the Introduction Video.

Goal Setting Is Crazy Hard And Is It Necessary?

Most people don’t know how to set goals because goal setting is crazy hard, and many others simply don’t accomplish the goals they set.  So is it really necessary?

How about the importance of goal setting?  or Personal goal setting?  Maybe what is goal setting?

However, the question today is: “Is making a Map (planning) the same as Goal Setting?”  Not at all.

Let’s take a quick look at both Goal Setting and Planning For Success.

By the way this is a 2-part series.  The second part is a proven program recommendation.

Problem

The problem with goal setting is that most goals want you to set a date.  And by the way you should.

Problem…if you don’t make your goal by that date, you can become discouraged and many quit whatever they were setting the goal to do.

Map

A Map can take a day a week, a month a year or more.  No pressure just a step-by-step course of actions to your destination.

What is the destination?  Your Goal!

Goal Setting

Many, books have been written about setting goals.  You can take courses on Goal Setting.  Attend seminars on goal settings, review YouTube.

Google “goal settings” and up will come hundreds of articles.  How do I know—I have taken many courses on:

• Effective Goal Setting
• Importance Of Goal Settings
• Setting goals to get What You Want
• Goal Setting 101
• Goal Setting Tools

Everyone who has written, or podcast goal settings are similar with minor variations.  If you have ever tried to set a goal is goes something like this:

“I will loose 45 lbs. this year.  I will cut back on fast foods.  I will eat healthy.  I will exercise daily.”

Or

“I will start a new business to make money.  By the end of the year I will have made $100,000.”

Now what is wrong with these goals?

Well first neither one has a start date and end date.  Neither one has any plans on how to accomplish this.  And neither has a review date (a date to review if they are on track i.e.: 6 months)

Finally, If your 250 lbs. and have been 250 lbs. for years, loosing 45 lbs. maybe too much.  Break it down to 20 lbs. in 3 months and 25 lbs. in another 3 months.

If you’re starting a new business, and expecting to earn $100,000 the first year, that is unrealistic.  It’s better to set a goal that is reachable i.e.:  $36,000.

Failing to meet a goal can be devastating.  Some people get very depressed when a goal is not met.

Setting a goal is an “Art.” 

Think about the goal.  Write it down, re-read the goal and re-write until it make sense and attainable.

Here is an example of one the books I read.

“Too many of us treat goal setting the same way. We dream about where we want to go,
but we don’t have a map to get there.

What is a Map?

In essence, a map is a set of written direction to get to where you want to go.

What is the difference between a dream and a goal? Once again, the written direction.

We need to do more than simply scribble down some ideas on a piece of paper.

Our goals need to be complete and focused, much like a Road Map, and that is the purpose
behind this article.

If you follow the steps, I’ve outlined below you will be well on your way to becoming an
expert in building the Road Map to your Goals.

1. Make sure the goal you are working for is something you really want, not just something that sounds good.
2. A goal can not contradict any of your other goals.
3. Write your goal in the positive instead of the negative. You can’t buy a $750,000 house if your income goal is only $50,000 per year.
4. Write your goal out in complete detail.
5. This is the most important, “write down your goals.”

Sounds great but many people just simply can’t write a goal even given the above guides.

Even more, once written many just simply don’t follow or lose focus and go back to everyday events of “hoping it happens.”

So how do we at Planning-4-Success look at Maps and how does it differ from Goal Setting?

Systemic Approach to Certain Results

Well in a nut-shell, Planning-For-Success is a systemic approach to reach a certain result.  The result is what ever you want it to be.

I like making a MAP with a GOAL as the result.

Let’s look at a Map

An airline pilot makes a plan (map) to fly from Chicago to Los Angles. He checks his equipment to make sure every thing is proper working order.

• He makes sure he has all the tools needed.
• He checks to see if his “team” is ready.
• He checks to see if there are any conditions that will make the trip unattainable.
• He has a start date and an end date.
• When all is set, he puts the plan in motion.

Step 1.  He starts the engines, and takes off.

Step 2. He fly’s west toward Des Moines, IA.  Then slightly SW toward Topeka, KS. Then west across Nevada and lands in Los Angles.

Step 3.  Along the way he may run into bad weather.  So he changes course to Dallas, TX west to Phoenix, AZ and lands in Los Angles.

• The pilot had a beginning and an ending.
• He made sure he had the tools.
• He had points showing his progress.
• When something interfered with his route he made alterations, with a coach (controller) and continued.
• He never stopped, looked back or changed his destination or the goal…Los Angles.

Unlike a goal, which is a series of paragraphs, a Map is a series of planned steps…Map.

When a step is completed move to the next step.  If something interferes, change that step only and move to the next step.

It’s simple, easy, direct, you design the Map, and anyone can do it.

Here is an exercise to show how to develop a MAP

Get a Road Map if possible.  If you don’t have a road map, open your computer and Google, maps.

When it opens plan a trip.  In this case I want you to design a map from Chicago to Los Angles.

If you have a road map, highlight your trip.

• Where will you be stopping along the way?
• What roads will you be taking?
• How long will it take to get to Los Angles?

On the computer, get a step-by-step directions.

All of a sudden something changes and you have alter your road trip to Dallas.  Redo your road map or on your computer.

See how easy it was to go from Chicago to Los Angles when you have a Map.

Now of course your Goal was “Los Angles.”

Planning-For-Success Example

Goal Statement:  I WANT $50,000 PER YEAR AFTER TAXES WITH MY OWN BUSINESS

Today, I make $65,000 per year working at a job, I want $40,000 per year after taxes with my own business (realistic).

• I have a computer, the necessary software, support material (tools)
• I have my business opportunity or identified business. (plane)
• I have an account with Facebook (or any social media you like).
• My team is ready (if you don’t have a team, add this as a goal).
• I have experts to ask for directions and support (control tower)
• I have my Start Date and my End Date (today 1/1/01 and end date 1/2/02)
• Is there anything that will stop me? (if yes identify and take care of it).
• $40,000 by xx,xx,xxxx (date)

Map out your steps.  Alter your steps if necessary (review the steps 2-3-6 months)

NOW BEGIN.

If you notice, it’s just a series of steps and corrections.  Use your coach and support team to help with the difficult stuffs.

Even with a MAP, many people will get Stuck

When you get stuck, this is where a good coach (health coach, family or support team) comes in to help identify where you’re stuck and offer help and advice.

One of the most valuable assets you have is that Support Team.

Planning-4-Success

Planning-4-Success can be your support.  We have various articles on tips, advice, suggestions, how to’s and recommendations.

Any of our recommendations have been evaluated, by our team for quality, support, trends, cost, legal, growth, good value to cost, and “does it actually work” or is it just a fad.

Planning-4-Success has many years of experience in marketing, business development, coaching and best of all…we specialize in making sound decisions through knowledge.

Planning-4-Success will never-ever Push or Pressure in making-a-decision.  We believe our readers are intelligent enough to make their own decision.

All they need is to be informed.

Planning-4-Success does have 2 recommendation that met or exceeded our reviews.

You can see them on the right or in various articles or under the TABS above.

Finally

• Are goals necessary? Absolutely
• Are goals difficult to create and keep? Absolutely
• Are goals part of a plan? Absolutely
• Is a Map better than a Goal? NO!  A Map has an imbedded goal.

Lay out your Map with an End In Mind.

Alter your Plan when necessary.

Meet your goal by completing every step in your Map.

When you complete a step, congratulate yourself by doing something you like (take a break for a day, go to the movies, dinner out, have a beer)

Start your Map (date) end your Map (date) Change your end date, if necessary (but not too often)

Enjoy, have fun, don’t stress out, relax and Do The Work…okay?

Here’s to your new MAP.

Network Marketing & Affiliate Marketing | Which Is Better?

I’m going to get into trouble with this article because both Network Marketing and Affiliate Marketing are great business models.  Having said that, which is better?  Both have advantages that the other does not.  In my personal opinion you can make money with either one if you: Work, Focus, Commit, Put in the Time and energy.

So why the article?  To compare the two business models and determine which has the greater potential for success.

For the beginner who is looking to start a home based business and asking, “How to make money with affiliate marketing for beginners?” or the beginner who is asking, “How to make money with Network marketing for beginners?”  I must admit that affiliate marketing is easier to start and has a better growth potential.

Affiliate Marketing is easy, in fact it is much easier to make money with Affiliate Marketing quicker than any other online business including Network Marketing.

For some that statement will cause Network Marketers to make a fist and scream NOT TRUE.  Here’s my reasoning.  This is my reasoning, so as you read the next few paragraphs, it’s my opinion.

What makes me qualified?  I have been in both Network Marketing and Affiliate Marketing.  I’ve enjoyed some…not great success in both.  After visiting with top people in both, I have come to the conclusion that it is easier to make money with Affiliate Marketing.

The differences can be summed up as…

In network marketing the focus is to build a team.  Until recently, the main focus was not Product but sell the opportunity.  Or Recruit people to Recruit people to Recruit people. Product was a by-product.  The model was to sell the Opportunity.

Many companies got caught up in this Recruitment only model.  Today the FTC have stepped in and “Scolded”  these companies or put them on notice to “Cease and Desist.”

Network marketing today is much more “cleaner” than yesterday.  But again, the main focus is to build a team.

The main difference between network marketing and affiliate marketing is in order to make money in network marketing, you need a team.  Yes you make a small amount of money by your personal sales (required) but your main source of income is over-rides from your team.  The more team members the more over-ride, which is really the main selling point of most MLM businesses (though this is a heck of a lot harder than it sounds in most cases).

MLM usually costs or has some sort of monthly minimum order, whereas affiliate marketing is free.

The biggest different between affiliate marketing and network marketing or MLM is one is based of your efforts while the other is based off of your team effort.

Affiliate marketing is different. You never sell products directly to someone. You are the bridge that tells people where to go and buy products. Affiliates make money when the person that they refer to a website buys something.

Network Marketing

In order to make money with Network Marketing you need to talk to an army of people (build a team) in order to build your organization to make a sizable income.  There are exceptions.

How do you get an army of people?  You need to talk to a lot of strangers, then teach those strangers how to talk to a lot of strangers.  On average, for every 100 people you talk to you will get 1 business builder.  Then you have to train that business builder to talk to 100 to get 1.

Again there are exception.  Some will build faster..some slower.  The discussion is an Average.

A good friend (I will call him Mike) make a six figure income from his Network Marketing business but it took him over 9 years and a lot of NO’s.  He had a lot of “drop-outs” and “quitters.”   Mike took a lot of angry comments like, “Network marketing is a pyramid scheme!”  or “My mother was in network marketing and it didn’t work!”  or “Network marketing it’s a scam!”

I actually need to defend network marketing.  Network marketing is not a pyramid, not a scam and will work if you work.  The reason he received these comments and more was because there is a lot of misconception about network marketing.

If you’re like many, you may be skeptical of the MLM businesses. Some of the leeriness is based on myths and misconceptions about network marketing, and fears of scams.

If someone became involved in network marketing and failed…they blamed the business…not them self.  “My mother, friend, neighbor or whoever…tried and failed” comments was probability because they didn’t work.  Most people get involved thinking that people will rush to join the business.

That is how the presentation is designed.  It goes something like this:  “Sign-up today, talk to everyone tomorrow, do the presentation, and sign them up, make money.”

I agree that a little simplistic, but the intent is the same….maybe a little more elaborate.

What Are MLM Success and Drop Out Rates?

In the early days, some well meaning people gave false impressions, high pressure tactics, inflated the earning potential just to get people to sign up.  They were invited to a “Party” or “Hotel meeting to learn how to make money”

Fortunately that was the past.  Today’s marketers are a lot more professional.

Going back to Mike, he is a true professional and because of that, today he has 10,000 people in his organization.

However if you talk to him, he will tell you, that he would not do it again because of the frustration.

If you take those 9 years, the first 3 were a struggle to break even.  The next 3 years he started to make money and the last 3 years is where the money started to come in.  Most people in Network Marketing will not last 9 years.

It is a frustrating business.  The failure rate as you saw above is close to 95%.

Is it a good business model?  Yes, but not for everyone.

Affiliate Marketing

That same friend, Mike has retired from his business and began an Affiliate Marketing business.  Again, if you were to talk to him, he will tell you that he started making money after 3 months.  Mike is an affiliate with 4 companies.  He has no inventory…he does not talk to people into joining his business…he has no recruiting…no rejections…and no training people to sell….He Has No Team!

Mike has no up-front money to become an affiliate with the companies he represents.  Huge advantage over network marketing.

His products are on Ebay, Amazon, his Facebook page, Twitter, YouTube and any other social media at his disposal.

Mike reports to his home office around 9:00 AM and quits around 2:00 PM.  He no longer conducts meeting, training sessions, company events…etc.

When someone purchased his affiliate product, the company sends him a commission check.

If he were to start over years ago, he would tell you to start an Affiliate Marketer business instead of Network Marketing.

In addition being an affiliate to the 4 companies, Mike also work with an affiliate training company.  In this case he does offer a sign-up package to anyone who wants to get into affiliate marketing.  But unlike network marketing, he give a free starter package to his visitors.

Today, he receives a passive income from the affiliate training company plus income from the affiliate companies, that many people would like to have.

The Affiliate Marketing Process

The process is very simple.  Google a search for a product or products you like or have an interest in.  Then see of the company offers an affiliate program.  If not, move on to another.  When you find a company with an affiliate program, all you do is sign-up, receive an affiliate ID and start promoting that product.

Simple and no money to join.

When a customer purchased a product that you have recommended, the company sends you a commission check.

The process is much more simpler than many people lead themselves to believe.

Using the latest techniques and tools, you can have a top-notch affiliate marketing program up and running quickly without exceeding your budget.

The question, “Is it really as easy as this?” The answer is Yes!  Well almost Yes.  Successful affiliate marketers use marketing strategies to promote.  They have learned the successful strategies over time or have taken a course on marketing.

Many successful affiliate marketers have joined affiliate training companies to learn the basics, and advanced marketing techniques.

Mike was no exception.

Concentrate On Your Affiliate Companies

Again I’m going to use the imaginary Mike for this example.

I mentioned that Mike is an affiliate with 4 companies.  He got those 4 companies by researching with Google for several weeks.  Many of the companies he wanted did not offer an affiliate program.

As he continued, he found the 4 companies he now represents. Mike now concentrates on promoting those companies using marketing techniques he learned from the affiliate training company.

To make the most of your marketing efforts, concentrate on the affiliate company that generate the most money and the most traffic, and ditch unprofitable ones.

For example:  Promoting baby shoes as one of your affiliates and promoting alarm clicks as another.  Which one is preforming best?  If baby shoes out performs clocks, drop the clock affiliate and move on to another.

Examine each of your affiliate companies on a regular basis to see how they are performing. If you remove affiliates that are not performing up to standards, then you gain room for new advertisers that can bring in more revenue.

Picking only the super hot products to promote may not help your affiliate sales. However don’t ignore hot products.  Typically hot products are around for a short time then they tend to loose out to another hot product.  While it’s hot you can make money.  Just stay on top, if you see sale to fall, reevaluate.

Another approach is to choose harder or unique products or popular products to advertise.  A unique or harder to find product can reduce your competition.  Popular products can be very stiff competition.

It is essential that you understand your audience if you are aiming to have success with affiliate marketing. Understanding their wants, and needs is a smart marketing move. Determine why they are visiting your website. What are they trying to find?

Internet Marketing

Both Affiliate Marketing and Network Marketing are ideal business for the Internet.  But to keep it simple, affiliate marketing is the ideal platform for the Internet.

You locating your affiliate company (Partner) through the Internet.  Become an affiliate and receive an affiliate ID.  You now start promoting your product through the Internet to find your customers.  The customer clicks on your recommendation.  They are taken to the company along with your affiliate ID.  When they purchase, you receive a commission check.

None of the three parties have ever communicated.  The Internet is doing all the work 24 hours a day 365 Days a year.

The Internet is a perfect addition to your business.

Savvy network marketers can use the Internet to find people who maybe interested in learning more.  By the prospect offering a name and email address the two parties can connect and the network marketer can offer the business opportunity to the prospect.

The Internet has made is simple for both Affiliate Marketing and Network Marketing to be an International Business.

Summery

Affiliate marketing is much different than the other great marketing idea, Network Marketing.  Affiliates never sell products directly to a customer, they simply recommend.  Affiliates make money when the person they refer to a website buys something.

MLM style is direct sales of a product.  MLM style is to sell a product to family, friends, neighbors, strangers or anyone who will want or need the product.  However the main focus is to recruit people who will sell like you but will also recruit people to sell just like them, building a team.

Unlike affiliate marketing there is one advantage, it is called time.

When a network is able to build a team there are more hours going into his/her business than the hours they are actually putting in.  Example:  Let’s say there are 6 people in the team and all 6 are working 3 hours a day.  That means there are 18 yours a day going into the business.  The team grows and there are now 20 people working 3 hours a day.  Thats a total of 60 hours per day going into the original network marketer.

Sounds like a great advantage but 95% of the original marketer will never get there because they have either quit or stop building and continue to use the products.

Affiliate marketing has a better return on investment (ROI), since to become an affiliate of a company requires no up-front money.  Any sale you make is immediate profit.

As a perfect home base business model both have it’s advantages and disadvantages.

If your okay with rejections, drop-outs and high priced products that you can defend, and success rate of 5% network marketing may be a good choice.

If your more of an introvert, which means your uncomfortable in approaching strangers and pitching business opportunities but would rather work for yourself on your own time and hours without recruiting people, affiliate marketing may be your choice.

Both can provide a good income if you WORK.

Great article on Affiliate marketing:  10 Rules to be a successful affiliate marketer

To your success,

PS: If you are serious about making money online you need to pick a business that offers you the best chance of making a significant income FAST. A business with a PROVEN plan you can follow to create wealth quickly. Click on the “BANNER” to get the information you are looking for.

A growing trend is “Affiliate Marketing.” There many advantages in Affiliate Marketing including Making Money buy offering “Someone Else’s” product and getting paid when they purchase. Easy to begin. Affiliate Marketing is how many Top Internet Marketer’s are making money today. Click on the “BANNER” below for more information.

About Bill Fletcher;

Bill Fletcher is a marketing expert and coach in the use of Social Media Marketing, Network Marketing and Affiliate Marketing. Based in the MidWest, he is the CEO and founder of Planning-4-Success, Master Marketing University and RiteBusiness. Bill’s main focus is helping home based business owners understand trends in marketing.

Internet Marketing Is A Plan | Success Comes With A Plan

In this article, I will discuss why Internet Marketing is a plan and Success comes with a plan.

I’ll outline:

• Write Articles
• Create Videos
• Post Articles
• Read Other Blogs
• Build Social Presence
• Read Your DMP

If you want to succeed at Internet marketing, then you need a plan, a DMP or Daily Marketing Plan.  It doesn’t have to be anything complicated.  Just create a plan of tasks you want to do each day to market your business.

You may want to choose to do different tasks on different days, or you may do the same tasks each day.  Whatever you decide, organize your plan and stick to it because a good plan will get you the momentum you need to automate much of your marketing.

As I said, the plan does not need to be complicated.  Create a plan and work the plan.  If you find that it need to altered…do so.  Remember, it’s your plan!

Below are 6 ideas to begin your plan.  These 6 ideas is what I have created for my business.  I try to complete these tasks each day. If I don’t complete each one every day, no problem…I have tomorrow.  However, by the end of the week everything in the DMP must have been done.  This makes a restful weekend.

Make sure you set aside a specific amount of time to complete each task. Otherwise, there won’t be enough hours in the day to get these things done.

I use a “timer” 

If I’m writing a blog, I will set the timer for 30 minutes.  If the blog is not completed, and the timer is up, I may sit back for a few minutes, maybe go get a coffee or even take time for a walk.

I do this for 15 minutes.  I then go back to my article with the timer set for another 30 minutes.

I can normally produce a blog article in 90 minutes.  If you are working part-time you may have to adjust the timer to fit your schedule.

The timer really helps me get the most from my marketing and gets my daily tasks completed.

Again the idea here is to have a plan, Success Comes With A Plan.

Blog. Facebook, YouTube or other social platforms

I’m going to make an assumption that you have a Blog or website.  Also you have a Google account so you can set up Google Search Console and Google Analytic.  With these two resources you can get valuable information on how your site is doing as well as clicks, keywords, Google ranking and more information.

I’m also going to make the assumption you have a Facebook, YouTube and other social media accounts.

Google Search Console may sound complicated..it is…but once you have done it, you will find that it really is easy to maintain while receiving some great information.  Just follow the steps in Setting Up Google Search Console.

Success at Internet Marketing is no accident

It is a strategic plan.  Benjamin Franklin said,  “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”  James Hope put it a different way, “If we fail to prepare we prepare to fail.

Let’s set you up with a plan…okay?

With that being said, let’s look at your DMP or Daily Marketing Plan:

1. Write one article each day

For best SEO results, plan on writing one article a day.  If you find that too difficult, produce three articles per week.  If you want to create long term traffic that will come to your blog site for years to come, nothing is better than writing quality articles.  Again, if three is too difficult, produce one high quality article.

I try to keep my article around 1,000 to 1,800 words.  Depending upon the subject matter this will vary.  The idea is to write an article.

Articles will help you brand your yourself, it can brand your business, it can build backlinks, help with Search Engine Optimization SEO, and provide value to your products and services.

Submit your articles to the top article directories, as well as smaller directories in order to build your link campaign. Also consider publications in your industry or niche, as well as guest blog posts.

Facebook is an excellent social site to post your articles.  Boost your article if you have the resources to do so.  If not that’s okay.  Just keep posting articles.

Other available social sites are:  Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Linkedin…..

2. Create a video per week

Video is now one of the most popular ways to market your business online and with good reason.

YouTube is the second most popular website on the internet, and it gets tons of traffic. Create video tutorials, product reviews, helpful tips, marketing ideas, “just for fun” video’s and anything else that will help others connect with your business.

Comment on other videos, as well as use your videos for replies, and don’t forget to post your videos on your site.

At this point, I normally get, “I not comfortable in front of the camera!”  Here’s an idea:  grab your mobile phone…got it?

Go to Camera and record a short one minute on yourself.  Then review it.  Don’t like it, delete.  Record another one minute video with yourself.  Review.  Don’t like it, delete and do it again and again and again, until you feel more comfortable.

The more you do it, the more comfortable you will become.  Remember just talk.  Talk about you or talk about trees…or your favorite car….or your favorite holiday….or your favorite travel spot.  Get the idea?  Talk about anything…you can alway delete the video.

3. Post articles on your blog every day

This goes along with Number 1, Write One Article Every Day.  Blogging is both a long term and short term strategy that allows you to connect with your targeted audience. It’s also a great way to build a blog with repeat customers or visitors.

A blog is like a Flyer.  The flyer remains out there for as long as you have a blog site.  There are countless bloggers who wrote an article years ago still receiving comments today.

You diffidently need a blog.  Here’s 10 reasons why you should start blogging.

Here’s an idea:  I write my article on Word.  In fact I may write 2-3 articles on Word in various stages of competition.

When I complete an article I will then paste it into my WordPress blog.  There, I will add images, tags, H1, H2, H3 headings and a compelling blog Title.

As you work on your blog…always…always…always “Save Draft.”  I can’t tell you how many time I didn’t and lost an article or corrections.  Always “Save Draft” while you are writing.

4. Read other blogs and make comments every day

If you want others to Read Your Blog, read others blogs.

Write insightful comments. It really doesn’t take that long, just four or five comments per day. Over time this will really build up a ton of links pointing back to your site.

The most important benefit is that other blog readers will read your comments, and the site owner will probably pay you a visit to and comment on your blog.

5. Build your social presence every day

Sites like Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and Linkedin can really drive a lot of traffic to your blog because they are some of the top sites in the social media world.

This is the place to meet and greet others in your industry, as well as connect with customers.

Seek out other sites, especially those in your industry. Find four or five industry related sites and get involved.

Work Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and Linkedin regularly. Make sure you complete your profiles for all these sites because you want to let others know what your business is all about.

6. Read your DMP every morning

In a busy world, it is so easy to become distracted.  It is easy to lose focus.  It’s easy to put the DMP aside and say “I’ll do it tomorrow.”

“Procrastination is the thief of time.” Edward Young

Internet marketing and success with Internet marketing is a PLAN

When you create an Internet Marketing Plan you never have to worry what task you have to do.  The plan it self will outline the day’s event or week events or even monthly/yearly events.

Refer back to your Daily Marketing Plan DMP, and you will never run out of time to do the necessary things to make your business successful and gain the financial success your looking for.

Incorporate all of the 6 steps in your marketing plan.  “Internet Marketing is a plan and Success comes with a plan.”

Success is about helping others 

Internet marketing is simple. It’s helping people.  If you have a business, find out what people are searching for.  If they have a problem…help solve the problem.  this can be in the way of a product or service.   Wake up every day passionate about what you do, and go to bed every night satisfied with what you’ve done.

Regardless of whether your day includes helping one person, five or hundreds, if one person reconnects to the world around them, if you have given them back the opportunity to be the best they can be, then consider the day successful.

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”  Zig Ziglar

Always be open to learning more

Internet Marketing is a plan and Success comes with a plan.

I’ve been in this industry for over 7 years, and in those 7 years, I’ve seen the way social media, Internet and marketing has changed drastically.

I’m saying this because you need to be a student in marketing, Internet and social media.

When ever I talk to season pros who have been marketing online, they tell me that today’s Internet marketing is nothing like marketing was even 3-4 year ago.  All of the pros will tell you to “Keep learning!”

The key to success is always be open to learning, or listening. Listening has helped improve anything we want to accomplish. You can either adapt with change and revolutionize your business, or you can be left behind.

Do these tasks regularly, and you will see success in your Internet Marketing Business.

Here are a few more articles you may find interesting:

Affiliate Marketing Part 1

Affiliate Marketing Part 2

Final thought:  Design your own daily marketing plan, DMP and stick to it. You will see results.

How To Start Affiliate Marketing | Part 1

This is a 2 Part series on How To Start Affiliate Marketing The Right Way Including Affiliate Marketing Strategies.

In Part 1 we’ll take a look at:

• What Is Affiliate Marketing
• How Does Affiliate Marketing Work
• How Do Affiliate Marketers Get Paid
• And the all important Why Be An Affiliate Marketer

In Part 2, I’ll examine,

• Common Types Of Affiliate Marketing Channels
• Tip To Help You Become A Successful Affiliate Marketer
• What Are The Top Affiliate Marketing Trends Today?
• I’ll visit on what Affiliate Marketing Strategies Should You Employ Today?

These are all very important topics.  Read Part 1 and Part 2 in order to get most benefit out of these two articles.

Before we begin, Affiliate marketing has been around for longer than you think.

It didn’t just start with the invention of the internet, although that is where it really started to gain ground and take off.  Let’s take a quick look at how affiliate marketing got started.

William J. Tobin

The patent for affiliate marketing as we know it today was granted to William J. Tobin in 1989.  Mr Tobin, pioneered affiliate marketing by starting affiliate marketing program for this company PC Flowers and Gifts.   Mr. Tobin ran his own lawn mowing business with equipment purchased for him by his mother.  He later joined the Army and afterward got a business degree from Adelphi University.  He went on to create several startup companies, which eventually led to PC Flowers & Gifts.

PC Flowers and Gifts soon gave way to the company we know today as FTD, Florists’ Transworld Delivery.  William J. Tobin created the framework for what is known as the history of affiliate marketing as well as modern day affiliate marketing. It has changed a bit over the years, but the basic concept is still the same.

What Is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is a really simple concept in marketing.  Simply stated, an affiliate earns a commission for marketing another person’s or company’s products. The affiliate simply searches for a product they like and enjoy, then promotes that product and earns a piece of the profit from each sale they make. The promoting affiliate has an affiliate link from the affiliate company in which sales are tracked via this affiliate links from the company to your site.

How Does Affiliate Marketing Work?

Affiliate marketing works by spreading the marketing responsibilities of the companies product across various individuals, the company manages to leverage the abilities of a variety of individuals for a more effective marketing strategy.  The company then is able to share some of the profit, from that sale to the referring affiliate.

In order for this to work, three different parties must be involved:

1. Seller or Company who has the product.
2. The affiliate partner or marketer’s advertising.
3. The buyer or consumer.

Jut how does this work?  Let’s look at these three parties…The Seller, The Affiliate Marketer and the Buyer.

1. Seller or Company Who Has A Product.

Let’s look at a simple example.  I’ve used Nike past example because it sets the example.  Nike developed a new product.  The want to market that new product to the public.  Their marketing strategy work in various ways, however in our example, they have many affiliate partners, one of which is you!

You provide the marketing for Nike’s new product to your customers.

So in this example, Nike is the seller, merchant or product creator with a product to offer to the public.  They have specify branded themselves to the public as a producer of high quality sports apparel.  They have created the “brand,” and advantage to the seller/company is that they don’t need to be involved in the actual marketing.

The affiliate marketer provides the marketing.  However, they may advertise the product or products which helps the affiliate marketer to better sell or market to the public.

The advantage to both seller and marketer, is that the seller reduces their marketing cost so they can create new products.  The marketer does not need to create a “brand” since this has already been done by the company.  The sell will make money when a product is sold, and the marketer will make money when the product is sold.

This is called, “revenue sharing” and it is the best part associated with affiliate marketing.

2. The Affiliate Partner or Marketer’s Advertising.

Also known as the marketer,  the affiliate partner can be either an individual, such as you and I or a company such as Amazon that markets the seller’s product to potential buyers.

In other words, the affiliate promotes the product to persuade buyers that the product is valuable or beneficial to them and through advertising, convince buyers to purchase the product.  If the buyer does purchase the product, the affiliate partner receives a portion of the revenue made.

Affiliates partners often have a very specific audience to whom they market, generally adhering to that audience’s interests. This creates a defined niche or personal brand that helps the affiliate partner to attract buyers who will be most likely to act on the promotion.

The affiliate partner has done several things…they have created a target audience…they have advertised to that audience…the audience has purchase the product through the advertising.

3. The Buyer or Consumer.

Whether the buyer knows it or not, they and their purchases are the drivers of affiliate marketing. Affiliates share these products with them on social media, blogs, and websites.

When the buyer purchases the product, the seller or company and the affiliate share the profits. Sometimes the affiliate partner may choose to be upfront with the consumer by disclosing that they are receiving commission for the sales they make. Other times the consumer may be completely oblivious to the affiliate marketers relationship with the company.

Either way, the buyer rarely pays more for the product purchased through affiliate marketings efforts. As mentioned, the affiliate’s share of the profit is included in the retail price. The buyer will complete the purchase process and receive the product as normal, unaffected by the affiliate marketing system in which they are a significant part.

How Do Affiliate Marketers Get Paid?

A quick and inexpensive method of making money without the hassle of actually selling a product, affiliate marketing has an undeniable draw for those looking to increase their income online.

But how does an affiliate partner get paid after linking the seller to the buyer?  The process is not complicated.  And the buyer doesn’t always need to purchase the product for the affiliate to get a commission.

Depending on the program, the affiliate’s contribution to the seller’s sales will be measured differently. The affiliate partner may get paid in various ways:  Pay per sale, Pay per lead or Pay per click:

1. Pay per sale.

This is the standard affiliate marketing structure. In this pay per sale structure, the seller or company pays the affiliate partner a percentage of the sale price of the product after the buyer purchases the product as a result of the affiliate’s marketing strategies. In other words, the affiliate partner offers the product to their customers and get paid or a commission when a purchase is made.

2. Pay per lead.

This is a little more complex.  This program compensates the affiliate partner based on the conversion of leads. The affiliate partner persuade the buyer to visit the companies website and complete a desired action.  This could be filling out a contact form or signing up for a trial of a product.  It could be subscribing to a newsletter, or downloading software or files.

In either case, the affiliate partner receives a commission based upon the “lead” and not necessarily the sale.

3. Pay per click.

This program focuses on incentivizing the affiliate partner to redirect buyers from the affiliate partners’s marketing to the seller’s website. This means the affiliate must engage the buyer to the extent that they will move from the affiliate’s website to the seller’s website. The affiliate is paid based on the increase in the seller’s web traffic.

Setting up your company in either marketing strategy is completely up to you.   I will tell you that the most popular approach is Pay Per Sale and less complicated.

Why Be an Affiliate Marketer?

What are the reasons to become an affiliate marketer?

Let’s begin with a real world discussion on why so many people today are looking toward affiliate marketing as a way to earn a good income either part-time or full-time.

Here is an example of many people’s life:

You wake up at an ungodly hour. Shower, get dressed have a quick cup of coffee (if possible), start the car on a cold or hot morning, drive to the office through total gridlock, streets jammed with other half-asleep commuters.  Greet your co-workers, slog through email after mind-numbing email until the sweet release at five o’clock.  In between, there’s coffee breaks, lunch, meetings, paper work and or working on the production floor.

We’re not done:  It’s time to go back home.  Remember the morning gridlock drive?  Your doing it again.  This time the streets are jammed with other people wanting to get home.  Some may have had a bad day.  So you get cut-off, honked at, rude comments, stopped by traffic and a combination of all.

Your home, tired and frustrated with day.  Then you hear, “Let’s go out for dinner or we need to go to the mall.”

Tomorrow you have to do it all over again.

Sound terrible?

What if, instead of dealing with the monotony and stupor of the rat race to earn a few bucks, you could make money at any time, from anywhere, with your very own company and work when you want — even while you sleep?

That’s the concept behind affiliate marketing.

Affiliate marketing is a popular strategy to drive sales and generate significant online income.  The strategy is extremely beneficial to both the company and affiliate marketers, the new push towards less traditional marketing tactics has paid off. In fact:

• 81% of brands and 84% of publishers leverage the power of affiliate marketing, a statistic that will continue to increase as affiliate marketing spending increases every year in the United States.
• There is a 10.1% increase in affiliate marketing spending in the United States each year, meaning that by 2020, that number will reach $6.8 billion.
• In 2018, content marketing costs were gauged to be 62% of traditional marketing schemes while simultaneously generating three times the leads of traditional methods. In fact, 16% of all orders made online can be attributed to the impact of affiliate marketing.
• In March of 2017, Amazon’s affiliate structure changed, offering rates of 1-10% of product revenue for creators, providing the opportunity for affiliates to dramatically increase their passive income based on the vertical they’re selling on.
• The affiliate marketing of Jason Stone, otherwise known as Millionaire Mentor, was responsible for as much as $7 million in retailer sales just in the months of June and July in 2017.

1. Passive income.

While any “regular” job requires you to be at work to make money, affiliate marketing offers you the ability to make money while you sleep. Now this won’t happen over night.  When your business is mature, it’s working 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

By investing an initial amount of time into a marketing campaign, you will see continuous returns on that time as buyers purchase the product over the following days and weeks. You receive money for your work long after you’ve finished it. Even when you’re not in front of your computer, your marketing skills will be earning you a steady flow of income.

2. No customer support.

Individual sellers and companies offering products or services have to deal with their buyers and ensure they are satisfied with what they have purchased. Thanks to the affiliate marketing structure, you’ll never have to be concerned with customer support or customer satisfaction.

The entire job of the affiliate marketer is to link the seller with the buyer. The seller deals with any consumer complaints after you receive your commission from the sale.

3. Work from home.

If you’re someone who hates going to the office, affiliate marketing is the perfect solution.

You’ll be able to launch campaigns and receive revenue from the products that sellers create while working from the comfort of your own home. This is a job you can do without ever getting out of your pajamas.

Learn Affiliate Marketing Strategies from people who are already in the affiliate business and your work from home skills will be greatly reduced.

4. Cost effective.

Most businesses require startup fees as well as a cash flow to finance the products being sold. However, affiliate marketing can be done at a low cost, meaning you can get started quickly and without much hassle. There are no affiliate program fees to worry about and no need to create a product. Beginning this line of work is relatively straightforward and very easy.

5. Convenient and flexible.

Since you’re essentially a freelancer, you get ultimate independence in setting your own goals, redirecting your path when you feel so inclined, choosing the products that interest you, and even determining your own hours.

This convenience means you can diversify your portfolio if you like or focus solely on simple and straightforward campaigns. You’ll also be free from company restrictions and regulations as well as ill-performing teams.

6. Performance-Based rewards.

With other jobs, you could work an 40-50-60-hour week and still earn the same salary. Affiliate marketing is purely based on your performance.  “You’ll get from your business what you put into your business.”  Honing your skills and writing engaging campaigns will translate to direct improvements in your revenue. You’ll finally get paid for the outstanding work you do!

Summary

Affiliate marketing is an ideal solution for those looking to gain control of their own income by focusing on performance-based revenue options. Working in tandem with a seller, a motivated affiliate marketer will be able to achieve a passive income from the comfort of their home without worrying about producing their own product or service.

Although the success of the business does depend on the affiliate’s marketing skills, it can prove to be an effective way to meet your income goals.

Developing skills and marketing along with advance marketing tactics is how affiliate marketers become financially independent.  As mention, this does not happen over night.

Time, honing skills and shorting the learning curve is how many successful affiliate marketers built a successful business.

You can now reduce the time frame, hone your skills, avoid mistakes and shorten the learning curve by getting help, advice and the latest marketing strategies.  HOW?

There are other articles in my site that will address various affiliate marketing ideas, tips and suggestions.

You can also look at the TABS above to look into some recommended programs such as Home Business Academy and Wealthy Affiliates.

Both programs are highly rated, quality and professional.

Here’s to your business success,

Smart Affiliate Marketing Strategies | 5 Suggestions

Congratulations, you found a product you would like to promote, and earn a piece of the profit for each sale that you make.  So now you have to do some marketing.  I have outlined a few smart affiliate marketing strategies that you might find helpful.  In fact here are 5 suggestions you can incorporate in your marketing strategies.

Before I outline the 5 suggestions, I can’t overlook the 2 most important rules.

THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT RULES FOR AFFILIATE MARKETING

Before I share the marketing strategies that I’ve used to generate affiliate commissions, there are two extremely important rules I use when promoting products that are not my own. You don’t have to use these rules in order to become an affiliate or be successful, but it’s what has helped me grow my affiliate income over the last couple of years:

1. I only recommend products as an affiliate that I’m extremely familiar with—preferably products that I’ve used and have helped me achieve some success. If I’m not confident in the product and I don’t feel it will positively help people, I will not promote it.
2. I never directly tell anyone to buy a product. I always recommend products based on my experience.

Keep these two rules in mind whenever you are promoting and affiliate product.

Here’s why so many people are going into affiliate marketing.

THE BEAUTY OF AFFILIATE MARKETING IS THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO INVEST THE TIME AND EFFORT TO CREATE A PRODUCT TO SELL. YOU CAN BEGIN OFFERING SOMETHING AS AN AFFILIATE AS SOON AS YOU HAVE A PLATFORM TO SELL IT ON.

EASY MONEY WITH AFFILIATE MARKETING?

While affiliate marketing can be incredibly lucrative it is important to know that affiliate marketing is not easy money.  Success with affiliate marketing relies upon numerous factors:

• traffic (high traffic helps a lot)
• finding relevant products (products you like)
• finding quality products (no fad, no cheap products)
• building trust with your readers (big one)
• having readers who are in a ‘buying mood’ (trust)
• you being able to write good copy (practice)

A word about good copy; if you are not a good copy writer…practice.  Learn how to write good copy.  It will take time and practice but believe me it is worth the time and effort.  I was not good at copy writing and even today, I learn something new.  Practice…practice….practice.

5 SUGGESTION ON SMART AFFILIATE MARKETING STRATEGIES:

1. Picking Your Niche

By picking your niche means to sell the products according to your area of interest. You should select a niche according to your expertise. For example if you are a landscaper you will be more comfortable to promote products associated with lawn equipment, lawn furniture, lawn care… rather than some off beat gadgetry.

2. Do Your Homework

Before signing up with any affiliate company you need to do your homework.  Who is the affiliate company?  Know the product or products you are promoting.  How is the commission structured? What type of support does the affiliate company offer?  Is their brand recognized?

If you are signing up with an affiliate marketing company, do they offer training/coaching?  Who are the leaders?  What are their background?  Are they growing?  Do they have a beginner package and advanced programs?  What type of training or coaching format do they offer?

__________________________________________________________

My personal recommendation on the top professional program available.

__________________________________________________________

3. Choosing An Affiliate Program For Your Blog

When choosing an affiliate program you need to make a thorough research in affiliate marketplace as to which affiliate marketing program is performing well basing on your blog style. It is also important to be aware of the latest products publishing in blogs of your niche. So that you remain updated with your blog.

4. Signing Up With An Affiliate Company

After selecting your niche, something you like and want to promote,  you need to sign up with the affiliate company who is offering that niche. Signing with an affiliate company, most will not have a cost associated with it.  Make sure you know what you are getting and if there are any restrictions.  Of course, you need to know your commission on the sale.

After signing you will receive a tracking line or an affiliate ID, and from then onwards while promoting that company’s product, you will offer that affiliate link to direct the buyer to the company’s website or product offering.

5. Are the Product or Products In High Demand?

It doesn’t make sense to offer a product that no one wants.  Like wise, offering a “fad” product may make you money in the short term, but long term?  Choose a product that has a high demand, easy to offer and appeals to many.  The broader your audience, the more sales and the more money you will make.

A word of caution:  Do not be too broad in your niche.  You want to narrow your audience to a “Buying Audience.”  For example:  Your niche is “Weight Lost”….way to broad.  Narrow weight lost down to “Weight Lost In Men”  “Weight Lost In Women” “Weight Lost Exercise for Men/Women”  “Weight Lost Foods for Teenage Girls”

Narrow your niche to a specific targeted audience.  Use the “Rifle” approach rather than the “Shotgun” approach.

UNIVERSAL APPEAL

After years of trial and error, I have found that the universal appeal are educational products, health related products, financial products and “How To.”  Security & surveillance equipment is on the rise.  Smart TVs, and smart hubs for Smart Homes.  Drones have really grown in popularity.  Virtual reality products are finally taking off.

Tips for the Future

Being an affiliate, you should always stay updated with the current market trends. Many of the products and services that you choose might have a short-lived trend and will soon become irrelevant. It is best that you keep a close watch on the viability of the products and the things that work best for your affiliate business.

More importantly, if you want to make things easy and validate what you see online, use tools like Google Trends or popular and best selling products on marketplaces like Amazon.

6th Marketing Strategy

If here were a 6th marketing strategy it would be Blogging.  Now don’t forget social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and others.  However, the power of a blog is that you can produce a well written blog today and that article will remain around for years.

In fact many professional bloggers will say that they still get followers and/or sales from a blog post they wrote many years ago.

AFFILIATE MARKETING WORKS WELL WITH BLOGS

Affiliate marketing and a blog is a great way to make money and a good blogger can be profitable with this format. Perhaps the biggest of these reasons is that affiliate marketing seems to work best when there’s a relationship and trust between the affiliate (you) and their readership.

I’ve found that as this trust deepens that readers are more likely to follow the recommendations that a blogger makes.

Of course this can also be a negative with affiliate marketing – promote the wrong product and trust can be broken.

Trust is extremely important.  Provide good well written sales copy to your readers will build trust you need to make a recommendation (Notice I Didn’t Say SELL).  That trust will result in sales and commissions.

A word about good sales copy;  If you are not a good copy writer…practice.  Learn how to write good copy.  It will take time and practice but believe me it is worth the time and effort.  I was not good at copy writing and even today, I learn something new every day.  Practice…practice….practice.

Do I consider myself a good copy writer?  NO!  However the more I write, the more I learn, the more I study copywriting the better I have become.

Just today, I learned some new tips on Alt Tags.

A STUDY IN BLOGGING

Take the blogger who is offering weight loss to their readers.  Do you think they would be interested in how to write good copy?  Of course.

How about the blogger who is just starting and needs information on “How To Blog.”  Do you think they would be interested in knowing more about how to blog?

What if the blogger wants to know more about on how to promote the product and blog on video.  Do you think they would be interested in a Video How To?  Of course.

Educational products have a universal appeal across many aspects of people’s interest.  The smart affiliate marketeer will have these type of products to offer to the readers.

Blogging and making mistakes go hand-in-hand.  Remember this an on-going learning method of marketing.  Learning from your mistake is a valuable lesson.

Here is how to avoid 13 common mistakes.

It is also worth nothing if your blog style or approach does not match the product or products you are promoting.  For example:  If your product is all about weight loss or how to lose weight or any kind of  weight lost programs, don’t blog about how to build a bird house (extreme example).

Your blog style and blog articles must stay with the theme of your products.

CONCLUSION

Affiliate marketing, with its unique set of advantages has brought many people into the affiliate business. This boom in affiliate marketing has resulted in record sales by people such as you and me.

There are rules to be a smart affiliate marketer.  The smart marketer will use proven tools and knowledge to build a Successful Affiliate Marketing Business.

In my years of marketing, I have offered various products.  Some were good and some were ????  But I found that I can always offer help and advice to a wider audience by using training, educational and “How To” products.

There’s also some risk associated with affiliate marketing in that if you push too hard or promote products of a low quality you can actually burn readers and hurt your reputation and brand.

With the low start-up, low overhead, starting part-time with a full-time income, ability to work form home and no product development to worry about, affiliate marketing is a perfect business.

— You do need to promote a product or products your interested in or have experience with.  Never “sell” a product, but instead “recommend”a product.

— You should promote a product or products that are in demand.  Use social media as part of your marketing strategy such as: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest….

— Blogging has many advantages, it is a flexible method of marketing and promoting your affiliate product with ease and comfort of your home at any time and your convenience.

— Affiliate marketing and blogging are a perfect fit.  Produce a high quality blog post or article and that article will be on the Internet for years.

However, to produce a quality blog post, you need to be good at copywriting.  How do you become good?  Practice…Practice….Practice….

Also pick of some good books or article on copywriting.

As I mentioned in the beginning of this article:  THE BEAUTY OF AFFILIATE MARKETING IS THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO INVEST THE TIME AND EFFORT TO CREATE A PRODUCT TO SELL. YOU CAN BEGIN OFFERING SOMETHING AS AN AFFILIATE AS SOON AS YOU HAVE A PLATFORM TO SELL IT ON.

Affiliate marketing is a win-win situation:  Your blog readers benefit from your recommendation on the product, the affiliate company benefits from the sale and you benefit with making money.  Thus, it’s a win win situation for all, the advertiser, the affiliate and the consumer.

Your advantage with affiliate marketing are many.  Here are just a few:

• No product development
• No Inventory to stock
• No shipping cost
• Low cost to start
• No risk
• Work from home
• Easy
• Good commission structure (do your home work here)
• No long term commitment
• More

Before starting affiliate marketing business its disadvantages should also be taken under consideration:

• It takes time and commitment.  Many amateur marketers are looking for a quick buck…affiliate marketing is not one of those.
• Choosing a niche is and can be difficult.  Choosing the wrong niche can be costly in your time commitment.
• Unfortunately there are affiliates that may engage in false advertisements to mislead the buyer only to get a commission.

Affiliate marketing with all its advantages and disadvantages is still one of the best home based online businesses. Its advantages can be overcome easily by taking simple security checks and measures.

My Affiliate Program just happens to be Wealthy Affiliate.  I found this program works for me since I like offering help and advice.  The commission program is excellent, the support and coaching is what I wanted and needed and the management team are the top people in the industry.

Wealthy Affiliate is known in the affiliate marketing community as the top learning program available, plus the only program to offer a FREE 7-Day Starter Package.

I have outlined a few smart affiliate marketing strategies that you might find helpful.  In fact I outlined 5 suggestions you can incorporate in your marketing strategies.

Your next article to read are:

Internet Marketing Is A Plan and Success Comes With A Plan

Why You Should Start Affiliate Marketing Business

Click this link to be taken to:  “Here Are 10 Rules To Be A Smart Affiliate Marketer.”

Click on the BANNER for your FREE Starter Membership

Here’s to your success with the  Smart Affiliate Marketing Strategies,

Wealthy Affiliate | Free Affiliate Marketing?

Free affiliate marketing from Wealthy Affiliate?  Sounds too good to be true…but you can get free training, website and more free!  HOW?  Let me explain.

I will start with a statement…“If you are seriously looking to make money online…You will not find a better training course than Wealthy Affiliate.”

If you want to know why I rate it so highly – and why it has been my #1 recommend course for many years now – I am about to share with you everything you need to know about Wealthy Affiliate free membership and how to make money with your very own affiliate business.

Before I get into the Free Affiliate Marketing part of Wealthy Affiliate program, I will tell you that there are two parts to their membership….Starter Program which is free and the Premium Package which is extremely cost effective.

However, since you click on this discussion, I explain the free membership and leave the Premium Membership for another discussion.

Wealthy Affiliate Is Unmatched

The value offered inside Wealthy Affiliate is unmatched – “anywhere” – and while this review will be as in-depth as humanly possible about the free membership, I am sure I will leave a lot of features and questions unmentioned.

However, the best way to really discover what Wealthy Affiliate is all about is to become a member yourself, there I’ve said it – but like I said, you can get started for free with their Starter Package.

Wealthy Affiliate has two membership levels….I’ve included a reference chart in this article.

With that being said, almost everyone joins at the free membership level.  With that membership, you get free basic affiliate marketing training, two free websites and free support.

Is The Free Membership Truly Free?

Yes it is.  You don’t need a credit card and no one will ask you for money. Your free membership is a gift. No strings attached.

The purpose of the free membership is to give you a full understanding of Wealthy Affiliate without risking a dime. When you join at the free membership level and go through the free training, you’ll understand what you must do to make money online.

Use the free membership to determine if Wealthy Affiliate is right for you and if you are ready to do the work.

When you are serious about making money online, you will want to upgrade to the paid membership level which is $49 a month. It’s considerably less if you pay yearly. Keep in mind, if you follow the training and implement what you learn, your online business should more than pay for itself within a few months.

Paid Membership

As I mentioned, this article is about the free Starter Package and not the paid program, however I would go you a great injustice by not mentioning the Premium Membership or The paid Membership.  This level gives you access to everything you need to build a profitable online business, secure hosting, tools, training and support.

The training is extensive and includes several strategies for making money online. Support is 24/7 and includes support from the community and one on one support. You will also get what I call warm fuzzy support, that is, you’ll always have cheerleaders encouraging you.

Is the Free Starter Membership WIMPY?  Absolutely not!!  Check out the chart and you will see that you will get a lot for free, even the ability to make some money online.

Don’t Get Scammed

I have seen a lot of “Get Rich Quick” schemes on the Internet.  All they want is your money.  I’ll go out on a limb by saying that over half or better are nothing more than a Scam!

Do your research or what I LIKE IS MARKET DISCOVERY, before you ever invest a dime.  And Wealth Affiliate is no different….do your research.

I’m convinced that the internet is the greatest opportunity most of us will ever have to be financially independent. The biggest hurtle is getting past all the scams to learn how to build an honest to goodness online business.

Another one is “Make Money While You Sleep”  Possible?  Sure is but many of the sites want you to invest in their program to learn “How To Make Money While You Sleep.”  Then once you pay for the program you soon will find out that in order to make the “Big” money they want you to invest more.

Then when you invest more, they will tell you the real secret to making money is to become a Master Marketer and that is more money.

How do I know?  I got sucked into a program that kept asking for more money to be a better marketer.  After several thousands of dollars, I had enough of the up-selling and quit.

Was I scammed?  Not really, I just found out that that program was not what I was looking for or ready to promote.

You have to protect your hard earned money, so falling for sales pitch will put a healthy dent in your wallet!

A lot of companies promise the world and advertise they have “the best” or “only” system to help you make money as an affiliate.

Should you believe these types of claims?

They are all over the web unfortunately. You may have even fallen victim, as I did.

That is why the Wealthy Affiliate free membership makes sense.

You won’t even need a credit card to get started!

Making Money Online

The truth is, making money online is not difficult once someone shows you how to do it right. That’s what Wealthy Affiliate does. Wealthy Affiliate shows you how to really make money online based on integrity, traditional business methods and the massive leveraging power of the internet.

Why not try the free membership and see if it’s right for you and if you’re ready to build a profitable online business?

There are two forms of membership with Wealthy Affiliate:

1. Free membership (No payment for subscription)
2. Premium membership ($47/month).
   1. Or First month premium for $19 per month
   2. Yearly membership at $359 per year

….First Month Premium offer ($19 for 1 month). If you accept this, you are automatically subscribed to the premium membership and the next month renews at $47. But you can reject this level and continue with your free membership until you are prepared to be a premium member.

….Yearly Membership ($359 per year). If you calculate the monthly subscription for premium membership at $47/month, a year would amount to $564. But if you decide to pay yearly, you save $205.

My #1 recommendation is the Wealthy Affiliate Free Starter Membership. There you will find top-notch affiliate training, tools, and thousands of helpful members from beginner to expert.

With the free Wealthy Affiliate starter membership you also get 2 free WordPress blogs hosted on their servers.

That means you can try affiliate marketing for yourself by gaining an instant online presence without investing anything up front.

This is a key difference between Wealthy Affiliate and other competing services.  Wealthy Affiliate wants you to try before you buy.  It makes everything easier and more pleasant for everyone.

No worries about not being sure what you are getting. Just try it for free and see if you like it.

You get access to the Wealthy Affiliate Premium features for the first 7 days. Then you can decide if you want to stay at the free level or upgrade to premium (which is very reasonable at less than a dollar per day).

Finally

Which ever way you decide to go, you can’t make a mistake.  My personal recommendation is the Premium, of course if your serious about affiliate marketing.  However the ultimate choice is yours and yours only.

Start for FREE then upgrade when the time is right.

Click on the BANNER to get started.

Anyway, here’s to your success,

10 RULES TO BE A SUCCESSFUL AFFILIATE MARKETER