"Boon or a Bust"

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Every time you turn around it seems you see another ...
which promises you vast riches. They give you all thesales material you need and even throw in a free web page.
Howcan I loose, one Every time you turn around it seems you see another affiliateprogram which promises you vast riches. They give you all thesales material you need and even throw in a free web page.
Howcan I loose, one might think. Everything is all set up for me,and all I need is get a bigger PO Box to handle all the checksthat will roll in.
Your web site will be carried by the searchengines, you have the "pre-written" ads ready to go - how can youloose?A few ads are placed here and there, and the responses "tricklein" but there are few, if any sales. Time for a reality check.If you have seen one affiliate web site for a particular product,service or opportunity, you have seen them all.
There are anumber of affiliate programs, which have thousands of people whohave bit. Why should a person go to your site when they knowfrom the URL (address of your web page) what it is already?They won't.
Am I saying that affiliate program don't work?No - I am saying that the tools they provide "don't cut themustard". It is a proven marketing fact that it takes 5-7exposures to your ad before someone might purchase from you.
Ifyou have a "canned" web site, what are the odds of them comingback to you to buy? Slim to none.So how does a person who is serious about marketing an affiliateprogram get you to buy from them? First, they "deep six" theaffiliate web site as their primary web contact, and create theirown. On their web site they provide content which is interestingfor anyone who stops by.
They also change the content on aregular basis to keep them coming back, and let them know when itdoes change. They also provide a link to their affiliate website.The next step is to try to get a listing on the search engines.Now, think about this.
There are most likely several thousandpeople who have an identical web site to the one you get as anaffiliate. What do you think the odds are of someone "stumblingacross" your site when surfing the web? Again - slim to none.But if you have your own site, your chances take a giant leapforward.
The link to your affiliate site is a minor part of yourweb site, even though it is where you want them to eventuallywind up.Now - can you use a site that is not your own domain? While notthe preferred route to take, it is "head and shoulders" above thelink you get from the affiliate program. Most ISP's give you webspace free.
Learn a little HTML code and you're in business.Or, if push comes to shove, hire someone to do it for you. Let'sface it, if I see a URL that I recognize as an affiliate program,and I've been there before, I will simply "click away".The old saying, that if a "salesperson sells themself first,the sale of their product or service follows shortly thereafter"is certainly true.
Establish yourself on the web and in thenewsletters/ezines as someone who can be trusted, and isknowledgeable in their field. If people get to know and trustyou, your recommendation to join your affiliate program willcarry a lot more weight.Now that you have control over your web page, you should have aguest book that visitors can sign.
Now you have their emailaddress. Folks, these are literally worth their weight in gold.You can now send them email about upcoming events on your website, and not be accused of spamming.Run a contest on your web site - the prizes don't have to be offthe wall.
An ebook (and there a number available free) can beyour prize - and again more email address. Write a freenewsletter/ezine and publish it on a regular basis - even moreemail addresses.
As long as there is content of interest, theywon't mind a gentle reminder to visit your web site.Consider a "non-competing" partner to help you with the site orto write articles for the ezine. It makes no difference to youif there is another link to another affiliate program on yoursite.
If they are willing to share the work in return for thelink, it is to your advantage. The key here is "non-competing".So - are affiliate programs a "boon" or a "bust"? If you simplyjoin and sit back waiting for the money to flow, it is the later.If you are a "take charge" type of person and are willing to worka little, it can be a great opportunity.
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