Stop limiting yourself to affiliate marketing

There is some validity to what you say, But could you expound a little more in detail ( you did mention a few in passing) of these money making techniques that people can utilize


- Robert Andrew

maybe be a little more descriptive with the list you mention above. Take one or two and just add more specifics of how you can enter them and how you can be profitable with them.

P.S. Not trying to be demeaning at all. Just want to stir up constructive conversation that's all

Definitely have to agree with you on this, and I also agree with you about never putting all your eggs in one basket.

Of course, when it comes to spreading your effort across multiple businesses, you should only do that when you're at least competent in one, and producing steady income (even if it's not much).

Then again, some people just aren't willing to discipline themselves enough to be successful at any business, not just affiliate marketing.

Regards,
Daniel

I get your point, but I have to disagree that "Shiny Object Syndrome" is good.

To me, SOS isn't about making a considered change to a new opportunity. It's more about jumping from one thing to another, to another, and another, ad infinitum ad nauseum.

I think one company I worked with had it right. They devoted ~80% of their resources - man hours, budget, equipment, etc. - to maintaining and growing their core business. and the other 20% to trying new things. Why? Because most of the new things they tried didn't work.

A true case of SOS sees people start something and drop it before completion because they jump to the next thing. They never find anything that works because they never finish anything. Eventually, they fizzle out and complain that there's no way to make money online, and that IM is a scam.

If someone has the means to support experimentation and the discipline to avoid full-blown SOS, have at it trying new stuff. Otherwise, stick to one thing until you know it works or it doesn't work for you.

Great post!

I think there's a distinction between "shiny new object" and doing more things at a time and seeing which one has potential. Even if that "thing" means trying more niches in the same time.

The way I see it, the most damaging thing you can do (as a newbie, but not only) is to try things one at a time, invest all your time, money and energy into it for a while only to let it die because "it didn't work."

If it didn't work, there sure must be a way to fix things. Find it, check it, fix it, test it, tune it. Whatever.

So I think shiny projects ARE very dangerous. They are a chain of failures, the other (which I think you're suggesting) is diversification and working smartly to find your better fit.

How to make sure you're on the right side? Always build a list and keep in touch

To expound on the list above:

Here is an acronym you can use to start a business in any industry

Specialization- What is your specialty? A good way to figure this out is to think of what it is you are most good at. What is that one thing that you can do that will put you in the top 20% of the population? Note that everyone has something that they are good at. Think at the things that people compliment you on the most. Ask ten friends what they think you are good at. If a large percentage of these people give you the same answer, than you have your answer of what you should specialize in on the internet.

Once you figure out what you are good at, make it your aim to focus 100% of your energy on that one thing. This is what you will become known for, and how you will become respected over time.

Differentiation- What are you going to do differently than the competition? You need to have a good unique selling proposition. A good unique selling proposition needs to have two qualities. It must be easy to understand and concretely beneficial to your customer. A good example of a good unique selling proposition that meets both of these qualities- if you cannot think of anything very creative go with price. Look at the average price of what your competitors are offering and offer your service at half the price.

Many top company use comparison charts that demonstrate that they provide the same amount of value for much less the price.

If you really want to offer something really helpful and different than your competition. You can do a survey. There are many services that offer to send out surveys targeted to the demographic that you are trying to sell. If you don't have the funds to do a paid survey- Do a simple search on Google for different forums based around the people who purchase the type of product or services from your competitors.

Segmentation- Who is your perfect customer? What is their age? What is their gender? Where do they hang-out? What are their education statuses?

This is probably one of the most important parts of the steps you can implement. There is nothing worse than offering a product to someone who doesn't need or want what you have to offer.

There are many ways to do this- but the best way if you have no experience is to use alexa and enter in websites of competitors that offer the service or product you are offering on the marketplace.

Concentration- Target and focus all of your energy on the demographic you segmented.

Facebook ads are great for this- as they allow you to get super-duper specific.


More to come....

No one hates you for saying something - but as you've posted recently about NOT making money - not being able to keep a job, etc....I hope people take your advice with some health skepticism. You have a better understanding of IM theory and methods than many here do....but I don't think you apply it yourself. Am I wrong?

It doesn't help if you have a dozen "baskets" - if they are all empty.

I agree, shiny objects can open your eyes to new ways of doing things. But personally, I have no self-control when it comes to that, haha. So I limit myself to 1-shiny object a year.

You really do need to focus on the new idea for several months for it to really get traction. and thats where the big problem lies, most people stall after a couple of weeks and they just quit and start a new shiny object project.... and the loop never ends....

You've got to take it very seriously and go All-OUT... My most successful times was when I took massive action, i.e. bought 3 dedicated servers, bought hundreds domains, software.... Either for PPC, PVV, or SEO.....

You are right in finding what works for you, I've learned alot about my strengths and weaknesses, when to outsource and when to do it myself by chasing all the shiny objects.

My 2 cents. lol

Well you r on a mission mate ,but what you said has very less validity

Can you be clearer ,did you say stop being an aff marketer and start doing programming

well i have done both ,I left programming because of aff marketing

Little more clarity is required

and if you want to do programming or coding yo an do

apply to an ad ,If you know it someone will take you for sure

Chyanit

Ahhh, such a fascinating philosophical debate. I can chime in, since I've devoted much of my life to being an independent publisher, and an affiliate.

There are nuances to both models that most people overlook.



If you're an email marketer, there's one major pro, and one major con of affiliate marketing.

If you rely solely on affiliate marketing, you'll eventually dilute your email marketing list... Meaning, each time one of your subscriber buys something, they'll be added onto another organization's list. In some cases, many lists in one fell swoop.

On the other hand, affiliate marketing is so easy. All you have to do is make a plain referral, or at most create some marketing material to promote that content.

On the other hand... In the world of developing your own products...

It's much more work. If you're not creative and fecund in your creative output, a situation upon which you have nothing to promote can result.

On the other hand, you're being much more protective with your email list. Your subscribers are yours, and yours alone.

I think, there's a happy medium that makes the most sense, in a perfect world.

Just my two cents, after promoting more affiliate products, publishing more of my own products, and sending more promotional emails than most humans on the planet.

If you believe the link in his sig, he's moved on to armed robbery. Now there's a WSO for you - how to make $15,236 in under three minutes without selling anything.

Zodiax, I hope that's supposed to be a joke.

While I believe; there are far more benefits in building your own assets, then just focusing solely on affiliate marketing... it really is the easiest way a newbie can get their feet wet, learn the ropes, and start earning while they refine their skills and find direction.

As far as 'shiny object syndrome' - if you are collectively exploring various componets of the systems that make up the more effective marketing strategies to formulate a foundation of knowledge... Yeah, I believe that is heathy.

But... If your buying every WSO and bs get rich quick gimmick out there... You're of the buyer mindset, not the seller mindset, which is very unhealthy.

I've never had a problem with SOS, my issues started while making sales as an affiliate and realizing... How little I really knew about creating "assets" - such as an email list, loyal subscribers, books, products, intellectual properties, building a brand, building a name, credibility, respect, and trust.... And all that really goes on... in addition to learning the tech stuff like - automating sales, creating recurring revenue, and managing to work less, earn more, and have time to keep building new assets.

So, I think anyone new needs to start with affiliate marketing... As it's easier than building from a blank sheet of paper or flying blind.

And, if buying product after product seems necessary, I think the person needs to re-evaluate what they are trying to accomplish online?

I've bought a few things I didnt need, sure... But, in the end the only things really needed are;

- A domain
- Hosting
- Autoresponder
- A product or service offering

All the rest, is free...

- FTP client
- Affiliate networks
- Training (here and YouTube)
- W3Schools (basic HTML)
- Gmail account(s)
- WordPress
- PayPal

If you really think about it... The rest is all fluff and preference. I mean I have expensive programs too... Photoshop Master Suite CS6, Camtasia, OptimizePress, among a few other gizmo's and gadgets... But nearly all of what I buy is "TOOLS" - not shiny objects!

So, although I understand what your saying, I actually disagree... Anyone looking to make fast and easy money online... Is better off with affiliate marketing, rather then trying to master it all... for that can take many, many years!... Trust me on that one, I've stuffed so much into my brain it's almost paralyzing... Trying to find time to use it all!

But, being an affiliate is easier than selling services, and unlike services, a good affiliate referal can create recurring commissions... Getting paid by the gig, always requires getting another gig...unless, you've got it automated, of course.

Just my 2 cents...

Art

Very well said, although I've been in the internet marketing since 2005, I've seen many fads, but affiliate marketing is not one of them. Anyone who is starting out here and wants to dabble in affiliate marketing, first thing to do is research the market and see if people are buying the products that you want to promote. There's no sense of throwing darts at the board when the information is available at the affiliate marketing platform.

I agree with you on not limiting yourself. That's why I do both internet marketing and also make traffic software as well. By making traffic software it allows me to sell it to everyone that needs sales. So no matter what your selling pills, potions, juices, avon and you name it my software will help everyone.

There is a ton of money in affiliate marketing (A TON)..

The challenge is you aren't creating assets, with the snap of a finger, a campaign could disappear and your income dry up..

While I do agree it's good to diversify, I think see value in affiliate marketing as part of the diversification

Affiliate marketing isn't the only way to make money online. You can offer your services and use your website to advertise your expertise. You can sell products and hold webinars for a fee. You can also sell products. You can even offer advertising space if your site has a ton of traffic. But affiliate marketing does offer a nice residual income

I don't think we need to find "loopholes" and "groundbreaking" techniques to make a decent income online. Just learn the basics of copywriting, social media, marketing, SEO, etc. Do some research and find out what your target market really needs. Learn how you can reach them. Above all, provide topnotch customer service and you'll stay ahead of the game.

solo ads also can be profitable

You created such a great thread.

I totally agree with everything that you mentioned above.

Thanks for sharing your insights.

Hmmmmm when did Claude let you out??

Well people who only stick to that stuff just arnt that good overall. So I say that they do stick there otherwise they will get eaten up. But yes you should always hit many things, but to build a brand is where you want to be and building a brand online means doing everything in the book.

I totally disagree with this statement. I don't think it is important that you should have a list and a website to make money from Affiliate marketing. I am making good amount of money from Affiliate marketing by using only Facebook. Facebook is a great source of targeted traffic. So if you can promote your product on Facebook effectively, you will be able to make a good amount of commission.

build list

send offers

thats all

It's about having assets and multiple flows of income.
I think affiliate marketing is an excellent way to start getting capital to start other projects, but I would never depend on it.

Hey, gotta make a living somehow.

Affiliate marketing is worthwhile IF you're promoting something where you earn money monthly that's based on a recurring income. Examples are porn, membership sites, webhosting services, etc. If you're just selling a one-time $50 product.. .where you only get 50% commission... it's not worth it. You might as well create your own product and create backend products also to make more money from your customers.

I feel that we should pick ONLY (1) niche that we resonate with and that we can actually get results with. Sure when people are new they may have to 'tryout' a few but people should be using their common sense and actually find a suitable 'match' for an opportunity that will work for them.

Spreading your 'focus' in too many places makes for that Jack of all expression.

so beside affiliate marketing, what else do works now ?

for me I keep simple..and yes I put some money on the table...I don't have auto responder...
I don't build list.

I more trying to build real followers for my FB page which link to my site.

I more into Adsense , click bank , amazon are just add one , but getting a sales or few is already more than my Adsense earnings no doubt about it.

I also sell product in Jvzoo but one thing is " hard to say ...if the affiliates have bad list " you will at lose ..because a lot charge back .

because Jvzoo don't protect vendor , Pay Pal will surely refund back to the buyers. ( because some IM are suckers , they got your product and than ask for refund. )

the main concern is more on CryptoCurrency. Hope by the end of the year is good which the coin I have , the value will increase.