The Biggest Mistakes I Have Made in Affiliate Marketing

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Hi Warriors,

I just wanted to share withyou some info that might probably help point others in the right direction.

Here is a list of mistakes I made as a newbie affiliate
  • Set up too many sites at the same time
  • Poor keyword research
  • Wasted time reading to success strories on various forums - its funny how these stories are so interesting to read.
  • Got too distracted by looking at various programs/systems instead of sticking to one and following it through
  • Spent too much time on the internet and wasn't really taking action on my sites
  • Paid too much for a writer. Didn't realise I could find cheaper options in the warrior forum!
My question to you warriors is, what mistakes have you made as an internet marketeer?

cheers,
zenji
#mind warriors #affiliate #biggest #made #marketing #mistakes
  • Yeah, all of the above, but most of all NOT laying out a clear, written down, pen to paper, plan of attack to help with time management

    But, in answer to the title question:
    The Biggest Mistakes I Have Made in Affiliate Marketing ...
    ... are also some of the biggest learning experiences I have had

    Steve
  • I could be a mistake that i have learned and tried at my own without any proper guidance but i have learned a lot. So i don't seriously consider it as a big mistake.
  • I think that aside from paying to much for a writer (I do all my own writing / re-writing, which now when I think of it might be a mistake by itself ) I've done all of the above.

    Thanks for posting - good to know I'm not alone and there is a light at the end of the tunnel
  • My mistake? Being impatient and wanting to give up at the slightest discouragement.

    I am very easily discouraged and prone to panicking and currently that is a particularly bad thing for me to be.
    • [1] reply
    • Well shared. I share the same sentiments.
      Biggest mistake: In my earnest to get started, I am often distracted by the swarming of "new techniques" and often it diverted my focus.
  • All the ones I've left above, but the biggies were Poor Keyword Research and not having a full suite of marketing / webmaster tools that would allow me to start building a list properly right from day 1 - a lack that cost me thousands in my first year online, and a mistake I still see a lot of people making.
  • A big thanks for the warriors who have been open and told others about their mistakes. Its nice knowing that even after the mistakes we can still succeed.

    cheers warriors,
    zenji
  • I bought too many ebooks and guides for intermarketing and tried to implement too many techiniques at a same time. Can't deny that those guides helped me a lot during my initial years in internet marketing. Now i am following a system and am quite happy about it.
    • [2] replies
    • Atleast you have now found a system that you are happy with.

      All the best

    • Yeah I was in the same boat, always buying the "new" product in the search of the magic bullet
  • I am a newbie. I made a lot of mistakes. Otherwise, mistakes makes you smarter. There where every lesson comes from. Most important is how we learn from our mistake and do better day by day.
  • Not starting to build a list earlier... That's one of the biggest mistakes you can ever make as an affiliate marketer... As I always say... the best time to build a list is yesterday
    • [1] reply
    • @richgrad..please explain to this newbie, what list? the newsletter list?

      thanks.
  • One big mistake I've made in the past is listening to 'too many' mentors. That's a lot of different ways of looking at things, if you're listening to every successful person you look up to in this game. Talk about confusion!
    • [1] reply
    • Lisa this is very true and happens to many newbies.

  • hi

    i made lots of mistakes over the last 12 months from listening to too many get rich schemes, taking on too many programs, my advise now is to stick and concentrate on 1 program .
  • Could your pinpoint exactly why this was a problem for you? I know a lot of people like to read a "feel-good" story, hence why these stories exist in the first place. I also know that most people feel motivated after reading such articles or posts. What was the problem you were having?

    Was it the social aspect of internet marketing that was hampering your actual internet marketing practices or was it the creation of a delusional "reality" where you would read other people's success stories and then doubt your own marketing efforts?
  • I agree as well. My biggest thing was wanted to do so many programs at once. It was almost like I didn't believe in the prior one and just thinking that I will just make more money by having more. I changed once I read two books that were recommended to me. The first one was Acres of Diamonds by Russell Conwell and second The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

    Read them if you get a chance.

    To Everyones Success Through Learning!

    Dan
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Hey, wow, this is a great idea for a thread. We should get some more going on all sorts of things:
    • PPC
    • Copywrite
    • Landing Pages
    • Squeeze Pages
    • Article Submissions
    • SEO
    • Etc..
    This could be really helpful to get people from making the same kinds of mistakes. I'd start some, but I think it'd be more appropriate if someone with more expertise and experience did.
    • [1] reply
    • SilentX,

      Thanks for suggesting this.

      I will take time to write about my PPC mistakes in a new thread.

      Look out for it,
      cheers,
      zenji
  • Banned
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  • Let's broaden the definition:
    Affiliate marketing indicates two things:
    1- Promoting other people's products
    2- Getting other people to promote your own products

    When I was getting started, I promoted products I knew about
    and in which I had personal interest. I then created a few products
    ( great ones that have sold several hundred units each with only two
    BS requests for a refund -not bad! )

    My mistake was going after small niche markets.
    NOW I TRY TO SELL WHAT PEOPLE ARE BUYING
    as well as making niche products such as the one in my sig
    but my big earners are ones that I created or promote to
    big search volume.
  • I have definitely committed these mistakes. Trouble is, I'm not sure I have yet learnt them. Some self-analysis is needed here. But in terms of building too many sites, I am still doing this although keenly aware of the need to capitalise on websites I've already built. Thinking about it, the desire to build one sites might be a belief that it'll be easier to rank for and make money with the new one. Another major mistake I've made was buying too many domains, only a handful of which are any good. I have definitively learnt my lesson here.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • This is a good one and could be a list a mile long.
    Believing too many sales letters and not doing enough research on the product was my mistake. You can find out much information on the person making the offer using google search, facebook, youtube etc. So you are a more informed buyer.
    What goes along with that is the keyword search. Be more specific with the keyword and also thinking out of the box on keywords which can be a lot less expensive. Ask yourself, what long tail keyword will focus in on the person I imagine buying the product.Use tools like Alexa and Quantcast for detailed information and a smarter campaign.
    The last big mistake was not taking action quick enough once a decision was made. Then to stay with it, with continue updates to refine the campaign for better results.
    By slowing down the pace you speed up the results if you continue to take deliberate steps forward.
  • Banned
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    • [1] reply
    • There is no mistakes only feedback...to reach your goals..
      One commun remark is that we are looking for new method, new ways to do that or that, to win $$$ or $$$...to read this ebook, buy this, buy that...read post again and again - ask some questions again and again - want to be at the end of the road before to take the road...

      But we forget to take ACTION...

  • Banned
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  • my mistakes are :

    1. I am not focus
    2. I want tobe master in everything
    • [1] reply
    • Here is a list of my mistakes:

      • not taking action after learning something new
      • not being consistent
      • not starting outsourcing earlier
      • not treating my sites like a real business
  • Jumping from one thing to the next trying to learn everything and end up doing very little. Best advice is to decide on one set of sdvice to follow and follow it ignoring everthing else, you can add to it later, but get successfully up and running first.
    • [1] reply
    • My mistake is to have to much information (scripts, ebooks, blog...) and can not decide where to start.
      Still couldn't find out what is the right way for me.

      But time will show me my way....
  • Mistakes always lead me to right way, The one major mistake i have made is spending too much time on internet but not focused on my work, just lurking here and there finding new methods without putting more efforst in previous projects.
  • A mistake would be to not recognize the mistakes you are making.

    Every plan we create is just a plan. We need to track results and make corrections to the plan as we go. When we do that, there are no mistakes only unsatisfactory results that call for a correction in course.
    • [1] reply
    • I've made all of these except for the first one. I have never concentraited on more then 2 sites at a time.

      I would also like to add, spending too much time questioning myself. If I'm making progress I should just keep at it instead of woundering if what I'm doing is really going to keep working in the long term. I worried about more competition, Google Penalties, etc. Instead I should just keep at it because it is working now.
  • My biggest mistake was getting into a niche that i wasn't passionate about. I definitely didn't fail, just learned.
    • [1] reply
    • That's the way to think about it. You'll never fail at anything, but you will pay for education with either time or money at some points.
      • [1] reply
  • Prior to promoting something of 'value' I feel it's also good to promote affiliate products that have residual income (i.e monthly subscription) .

    To your success,
    Chucks
  • I think we all can bow and say that we have learned from our mistakes. I have learned from many. So no worries, it is just how we get to the road to success.
  • I think getting distracted in the worst of all. just concentrate on one thing and do it well. I think this is the most important of all for anybody.
  • The biggest mistake for me in IM career is i was alwys searching for the next big product that makes me couple of 1000 $ in hours .Lol I finally get understand that there is no product .

    There is only one product or thing is just TAKE ACTION what you have learned and that makes money for me .
  • Banned
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  • I bought a lot of wso, tried to implement all at the same time. lol the list goes on and on and i still keep making mistakes I don't think the mistakes will stop but then again never will learning from them.
  • My biggest mistake was to try to set up everything myself at the start. From wordpressblog, content writing, building backlink and etc... There's so much work to do. So, I kept putting them aside.

    To be frank, setting up a campaign isn't an easy task for a newbie.

    Over time, I have figure out how to leverage other people's skills and set up an effective campaign fast.

    Tips for Starters:
    Do NOT spend all your time trying to figure out how to do the technical bits.
    You are a MARKETER, your task is to learn and implement strategies, not doing the technical bits.
    • [1] reply
    • I'd suggest that the above post ought to be re-read. The more details you're involved in, the more likely you'll get bogged down in them and have your energy drained by them.

      Like can you imagine a millionaire internet business person registering at sites to get profile links? It's so cheap to get technical stuff done by others and puts speed, power and momentum into your hands to actually develop your business. One good site I've used for backlinks is fivrr.com, where everything costs $5.

      In other words, get some altitude above your business. Everything looks so much clearer and its like managing a process instead of getting overwhelmed IN one.

      Good luck all!
      • [1] reply
  • I too am a newbie in the aspect of finally sticking to one method. Thank you all for your honesty and sharing your mistakes.
  • how! what a great topic specialy for newbie. for mee i was a newbie few months ago but i have leraned a lot in a short span of time. when i was first introduced to online marketing i was easily got convinced by those get rich quick scheme and a lot of scams i'd even epent hundereds of dollar for those. having interest on many programs and want to do it at the same time got me confused and gave me a deadlock time. i also spent a lot of time reading success story and got motivated on them but it wasted a lot of my time instead of making a move to get started but thanks for them they helped me much. now i got it going in the right track and seeing some result, hope so. warrior forum helps me a lot, thanks guys.
  • Another big mistake newbies like me face is that we donot schedule our time.

    I recently realised that if you put together a time table and set of tasks to do everyday, you actually do alot more than just jumping onto your laptop/pc and "driving along"

    I now formulated a time table..
    Say 6 - 8pm: Article writing
    8 - 9pm: Backlinking
    etc

    I do this everyday day and set this all out before going to my day job in the morning.

    That way I keep track of how much time I spend on every activity.
    Try it, its effective!

    Atleast you can avoid that mistake.

    Zenji
  • Distraction is a killer!

    Focus on something, and you'll eventually get there, if you don't give up.
  • Banned
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  • Trying to control all the elements and micromanaging to the point of standing still... too many things with not enough time.

    Tried to tackle too many niches at once instead of focusing on learning through one main site first.
  • Getting excited making 33 dollars only to realize I lost 300 by setting my google adwords campaign limits too high.
    • [1] reply

    • I think setting AdWords limits too high is a serious reason for failure from the outset. From what I've learned so far, you don't need to set your PPC limits high in order to receive more clicks!

      I think the art of most PPC affiliate campaigns is to create as many diverse ads and keywords as possible for the offer your promoting. This gives a good picture of what's working and what's not, from there you start to fine tune the campaign and concentrate on your most yielding.

      Am I right?
  • My biggest mistake while promoting affiliate products was not knowing when to give up.

    By giving up I mean, when to stop promoting a product. Not all products are great and are worth promoting.
  • This is a great thread, and imo should be stickied, so others can see that this is a definitely an issue in this field. I myself have actually been victim to some of these issues, yes it was a learning mistake, however if I would have had someone tell me this early on it would have saved me thousands of dollars and man hours.

    That was a few years ago when I fell into this trap. However times haven't changed you read about this on various forums day in and day out. History repeating itself with the next generation of internet marketers.
  • Banned
    For me, it's been forgetting the 90/10 rule. 10% of your customers / clients are 90% of your revenue. I've strayed from that too much before, which has cost me.
    • [1] reply
    • My biggest mistakes:

      1. Working on too many sites at the same time. Most of them end up half-finished.

      Solution: To work on them in a more organized way, implement Getting Things Done techniques (contexts, next actions). Use project management and time management tools to put things in order. Also hired an extra hand who does the repetitive tasks, giving me more time working "on the business"

      2. Stopping work on some affiliate sites at the peak of their success. The pressure of having to deliver new content on a regular basis, push new products and keeping up with the latest trend can take a toll on your time and energy.

      Lesson and solution: Learn to deliver under pressure. Don't just leave the kitchen because it's hot. Also use tools that aggregate and route information into "containers" so you don't feel overwhelmed by information overload.

      3. Not building a list early. Relied too much on RSS subscribers, not being able to followup on site visitors via newsletters.

      Solution: Started to build email lists with MailChimp. Subscribed to popular and successful newsletters to observe how they do it.

      4. Too many tools and too many resources.

      Solution: Just stick to a few that actually get the job done and become a master at them. Learn to balance time spent on learning and time spent on actually doing what you learn.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • My biggest mistake was clearly starting 5 things and not finishing one. Once you justsit down and do it, it gets better. Later I have been asked by someone: "How do you think you can be successful in 3 things at the same time when you can't even get one of them to work?". That's very true...
  • Thanks for sharing!
  • My biggest mistake was not properly following the system and try too many things.
    But now i have learned from my mistakes.
    • [2] replies
    • What i think is that the failure to have a proper plan and to have the commitment and discipline to push through the plan is certainly very important. Most of us who first started affiliate marketing will have still been new to it and hold a full time day job. The discipline to be able to commit a fix number of hours per day to take action on internet marketing is the most difficult. Also, not following the right mentor and sticking to what you learn from one person.
    • My biggest mistakes were having too many things on the go too early. No clear plan. I mastered none and became just average in all.
  • Yeh, the above also - the biggest is not taking keywords seriously enough. When I did then my posts started ranking, what a surprise! Reading too much advice and staring at the computer screen thinking about outta space.
  • My absolutely biggest mistake in Internet Marketing has been a LACK OF FOCUS! I get way too many things going at once, and then instead of taking action on one particular project until it is operational, I'm constantly jumping back and forth between various projects.

    Jusiam said he did the same thing, but is now using one system. I'd love to know the details of his system.

    Thanks,
    Paul Allison (pallison11971)
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Been there done that

    Thanks for your post. The mistakes I originally made are similar to yours:
    • getting distracted on too many different systems that promise the world and seem 'magic' money making tools. There is no magic, just focus and work!
    • Not actually following a single system because I was too disctracted by the 'better and greater' ones that are coming out all the time. Not that they are bad, but you actually have to stop reading about making money and start putting the work in.
    • Not being organised enough. I tried to do too much on the IM side of things and let all my other things slip (looking after a child, cooking, doing housework, etc), then I'd have to catch up on everything else and the IM stuff just died down for a bit, and then it is harder to pick it up again. BALANCE is really important.
    • Sleep depriving myself spending too much time on the internet at nights, then not being able to function properly during the day, and get too tired and cranky and discouraged.
    It is really all about balance and focus and not wanting to do too much too quickly, AND the right MINDSET -- that really is the first thing to fix about yourself, and success then starts coming almost automatically. It is a wonderful feeling

    So if you are struggling to keep going, just slow down and stay focused and take it one step at a time.

    Also, check the thread on the book called Think and Grow Rich. It is an invaluable resource.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • This is a very good thread. I'm a newbie and from I'm reading it seems like their are a number of systems out there that work but the key is to learn one system well and build on it.
  • This is a very good thread. I'm a newbie and from I'm reading it seems like their are a number of systems out there that work but the key is to learn one system well and build on it.
  • Trust me I've made the exact some mistakes in the past and honestly you can't imagine how much I regret those times. I wish I can go back and start all over again. The funny thing about this is some people before they just start and before doing any mistake they are exposed to great IM gurus and they hear good advices from them that if they have followed from that time I am sure no one would do all those mistakes but in reality most people just IGNORE what they hear from those successful people in IM.
  • One of those short yet immensely valuable posts. Thanks. To me it was giving up too early when I first started IM 6 months ago (I would've been getting a tan in Monaco by now if I stuck with it)
  • i'm newbie and what i read from your story.. that is exactly i experiences now... thanks i found this forum ... it give me a lessons... too many tools and resources...
  • Banned
    My major weakness is the second reason (keyword research). I made a lot of mistakes due to distractions, virtual assistant job (writing articles + submissions = exhausting!) and managing our family business on internet cafe. I cannot quit my managing job for now (even my dad don't pay me coz' I am his son) because he wants me to take over when he retires. We'll, I don't give up on anything as I take my time to research again, especially on using proper keywords with low competition and good monthly search volume.
  • I think my biggest mistake in the early days was not being social enough. Most of the big money is made from juicy nuggets of information you pick up from personal relationships. I'm not talking about info you read on the forums but from face to face meetings, phone calls, personal emails. Get out there and be social. Don't be so shy.
  • The biggest mistake I've made (not any more) is not having a clear plan that included what results I wanted, how I was going to get them and what actions I would take on a daily basis and a end date by which I would achieve mu goal.

    I
  • Thanks for the tips,I wish you every success!
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  • Opps...Another mistake!
    I hired one person to write articles for all my sites and now she has decided to quit. Its stressing given that I now have to find someone else.
    A tip for others hiring outsourcers - its risky! Hire your own workers who you pay on a monthly basis and they should only be working for you.

    Back to hiring my next worker!

    Dennis
  • Thanks for sharing those mistakes, now I know why I am taking so long to make money,
    thanks zenji, thanks guys.

    I just sign up minutes ago and already find the forum useful. I hope in time to come I will have much to share.
  • Are you a newbie? Do yourself a BIG FAVOUR - join the warrior forum members room TODAY and you will avoid making the same mistakes that I made!

    Dennis
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  • Another MISTAKE !
    Rellying too much on few keywords across various niches. Just learning the hard way as sales are down across my money words.
    I have now learnt to always have lots of keywords for every niche. I used to focus too much on buying keywords as as you know not many really exist so I had a few that were bringing in the big bucks.
    Lesson learned - diversify and have as many keywords as possible. When a word is profitable, just go on to search for others and keep the same trick until you have hundreds of keywords on page one!
    Don't make the same mistakes!
  • Covey said it best: Put the Big Rocks in first, or they'll never fit.
    Let the stones, the sand, and the water fill in however they want.
    Resist "urgencies" and give proper deserts to the "important," whether urgent or not.

    (Note: "deserts" is spelled properly. It's an interesting etymology: http:// www .phrases .org .uk/ meanings/ just-deserts .html --excuse [and remove] the spaces.)
  • Banned
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  • There is a common theme I see when "big time" marketers offer advice on how to make thousands a month and I'm finally beginning to listen.

    They start a campaign and milk it for all it's worth. In other words if they are making some sales or getting clicks from AdSense or whatever, they will stick to that campaign and get traffic, traffic, traffic to that site/landing page.

    I am guilty of building too many landing pages w/o working more on the most important thing...traffic.

    This leads me to my next mistake that I am "learning." DOING more than looking. I guess it's our natural curiosity that keeps us looking for the next best thing, but the millionaires know better. The basics still work and will "always" work. Find a method you like and works, then copy what they do.
  • Some of the mistakes i made was

    1.Not having a mentor who has produced the kind of income i wanted to create to keep me accountable

    2. Although i was focused at the beginning but as i bought more products , I had really bad follow through with the products to get results

    3. Not having an habit of creating new products and or services

    4.Not acting on information : Because i spend most of my day listening to motivational speakers or reading success stories , I mostly do not act on the advice and things did not change

    5 . Not using leverage : leverage gives you an advantage over your competition . Levearging other people skills , customer s , automated software to explode your productivity and build your business faster

    6.Not building a solid dream team : My biggest excuse what that i could n't afford to build a team

    7. wasting time on productivity thing : going on fb , checking my emails first thing everyday , chatting on skype and doing all the activities that don't make me any money

    8. Wasting my traffic to affiliate offers and not building my list of buyers
  • Being a Newbie, I have found that the biggest mistake I can make is:

    Working too hard at not making mistakes!
    Those of you who are procrastinators know what I mean. You want everything to be perfect before doing anything. You don't provide yourself the opportunity to learn weather a strategy, technique or system is useful or has any value to your bottom line.
    Post that review. So what if you haven't finished putting together that squeeze page yet. You can get that done later. Post the review. Get 'STARTED' already!!!
    That is a sample dialogue I have with myself. Can anyone relate?
  • i made some of your mistakes too... and it seems that most of new internet marketers has some kind of a "newbie IM disease" ... just always stay cool and focus

    cheers!

    aji
  • Great post! Really helpful....Thanks a lot for sharing!
  • Here is mine:

    I developed strategy and took a very long time to imagine, the things I am going to do will be beneficial for our company or not. And when I see a weak or confusing point at any phase of my business plan, I drop it and start thinking about another. The main mistake I have done is- I waste my time in more thinking and none action.
  • [DELETED]
  • I would say spending too much time researching and less time taking action....sometimes you gotta just jump in and do it
  • Great thread!

    Mistakes: Didn't get an accountability partner early enough and avoided leaving my comfort zone with attempting new huge things . . .

    That is behind me now, however, because Carol is on the move!

  • My mistakes were....
    - not making any Clickbank sale and then abandon my account for 1 year in hopelessness....(I don't know if I'll be charged a fee next time for this sin ).
    - signing up to too many marketers' email to hope they'll teach me for free and becoming freebie hunters
    - getting too distracted to many marketing sales letters (but that's where I learned copywriting from ) even I never bought one.
    - too complicating things + information overload
    - not joining Warrior Forum earlier
  • The Biggest Mistakes is SIMPLY, I didn't start sooner.

    Jing Quimpo

    "When we have nothing to worry about we are not doing much, and not doing much supplies us with plenty of future worries"
  • That is simply an eye opener expecially to any of us new to this forum.
  • I have made all the same mistakes apart from that last one... I have never really paid much for a writer.

    On the other hand, I have paid a lot for some systems which in the end I would say I have hardly used.
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