Newbie Question: Do these things really sell?

yako · 11-16-2011, 08:22 PM

Hello everyone!

This is my first "real" post. I am happy to be part of the forum as I found really valuable and inspiring information. Thanks for that.

I am also new to IM, but not to marketing as I work at an agency were we do work for some really big brands, therefore my question below.

I decided to start and try out CPA marketing, so I joined ClickBank (I know it is not the best option, but it was fast to apply) and I started looking at the landing pages (tons!) of the products to promote...and I can't really believe those pages actually convert to real sales. Maybe I am totally missing the point on how IM works (I sure am as I am new) but I am used to pay extreme attention to the details in my work (big brands are a pain, a real pain!), and I see most of the landing pages are really basic, with poor design and image qualities. Most of the ones I visited don't even give me the confidence to actually put my credit card on.

After all that, my questions:

1) The obvious one, do those pages really convert to sales? When I look for a product to promote then the landing page they create is as important as the product itself, right?
2) Is it possible for me to create my own landing page and then link that to the checkout page?
3) If I use PPC to promote the products, it is ok to link to the landing pages?

I think thats all! Once again thanks a lot for your time!

HonestAffiliate · 11-17-2011, 05:31 AM

Hi Yako,

welcome on board.

Clickbank (CB) is the most obvious choice for many affiliates,
and while most fail to generate commissions (I think up to 95%
of affiliates does not make commissions), it is still probably
the greatest money maker among affiliate programes. But you
need to be in those upper 5 %.

CB will not pay you until you 1) reach the minimum threshold
2) get orders from 5 different buyers
(to prevent you ordering from your card just to test different
programs for yourself and getting commissions from them at
the same time -however you can buy through your link as long
as you make those 5 orders)

Do CB offers convert?

Clickbank offers definitely DO convert, but make sure you choose
the right ones. The top guys there are making 6 figures monthly
and they have tested and tweaked every copy.

Remember, conversion is numbers game. If you get 1-2% conversion
from untargetted traffic(random visitors) - (10-20 vistors out of 1000),
then you will probably be making money with the product.

Sending targetting traffic (people from your email list,etc) can convert
even higher.

Remember, at CB Marketplace you can sort products according to
"Gravity" - this means how many different people are making money
with the particular affiliate offer and is strong indicative that the
product is really competitive. Top money making programs have
gravity even above 500, but that does not neccessarily mean they
are the best or that they actually help those who buy it (this is
usually the case where you have a better sales copy than the
product - big bald promises, no work required, push button solutions.

As far as niche products (other than Internet Marketing), in most cases
gravity 50-100 should be enough for a competitive product.

2) Is it possible for me to create my own landing page and then link that to the checkout page?

Definitely, once you know the ropes, you can use your own landing pages
and just send people to checkout (I am not sure, however, if you do not
need vendor's permission)

3) If I use PPC to promote the products, it is ok to link to the landing pages?

No, most likely no. There are a few vendors who allow it, but the real reason
here is that Google (I do not know about other ppcs) would slap your account
immediately for linking to affiliate offer (especially in Make Money, Health, Lose
Weight) and it would also hurt the vendor's site rating.

Hope that helps

yako · 11-17-2011, 07:34 AM

Thanks a lot, it really does help!

I have one more question regarding PPC, I want to understand the correct way of using PPC with CPA.

The problem is not linking to an affiliate offer but the offer itself right? Or is it any form of affiliate linking banned from Google AdWords?

Thanks again!

webdave · 11-17-2011, 09:47 AM

First of all Clickbank is not CPA. Clickbank is an affiliate network where you get a portion of revunue from selling someone else's product. CPA is cost per action where you actually get paid when someone performs an action-meaning that you can earn even if someone does not buy anything. It can be as simple as someone entering their e-mail adress.
With regards to Google and affilate marketing. If you use adwords you must send them to a landing page that provides some type of quality to the user and then link that page to the offer. Check googles guidelines for landing pages and go from there.

yako · 11-17-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webdave

First of all Clickbank is not CPA. Clickbank is an affiliate network where you get a portion of revunue from selling someone else's product. CPA is cost per action where you actually get paid when someone performs an action-meaning that you can earn even if someone does not buy anything. It can be as simple as someone entering their e-mail adress.
With regards to Google and affilate marketing. If you use adwords you must send them to a landing page that provides some type of quality to the user and then link that page to the offer. Check googles guidelines for landing pages and go from there.

Thanks, I just started testing CB because it was easy to get it, I am applying to CPA networks now.

Regarding AdWords and CPA I understand that if I link to the landing page from my "content rich" page it will be OK.

pacelattin · 11-17-2011, 10:43 AM

That is an incorrect explanation.

CPA is a term that refers to any marketing terms that requires an action to be paid. In fact, the terms CPA was actually first used exclusively for merchant sales of products, the action being selling the product.

Source: Me, I've been covering the industry for almost 15 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by webdave

First of all Clickbank is not CPA. Clickbank is an affiliate network where you get a portion of revunue from selling someone else's product. CPA is cost per action where you actually get paid when someone performs an action-meaning that you can earn even if someone does not buy anything. It can be as simple as someone entering their e-mail adress.
With regards to Google and affilate marketing. If you use adwords you must send them to a landing page that provides some type of quality to the user and then link that page to the offer. Check googles guidelines for landing pages and go from there.

yako · 11-17-2011, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacelattin

That is an incorrect explanation.

CPA is a term that refers to any marketing terms that requires an action to be paid. In fact, the terms CPA was actually first used exclusively for merchant sales of products, the action being selling the product.

Source: Me, I've been covering the industry for almost 15 years.

Actually I thought of that too, "buying" is also an "action", but as I am new to this world I guess I thought I was wrong, thanks for correcting the definition.

GeorgR. · 11-17-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

I decided to start and try out CPA marketing, so I joined ClickBank (I know it is not the best option, but it was fast to apply) and I started looking at the landing pages (tons!) of the products to promote...and I can't really believe those pages actually convert to real sales. Maybe I am totally missing the point on how IM works (I sure am as I am new) but I am used to pay extreme attention to the details in my work (big brands are a pain, a real pain!), and I see most of the landing pages are really basic, with poor design and image qualities. Most of the ones I visited don't even give me the confidence to actually put my credit card on.

This is exactly what i thought when i started with IM! I read this "Rich Jerk" ebook many years ago where he said how great it is to sell digital products, i simply could not believe than ANYONE would buy that stuff...

But CB has the advantage that it has many, many products and many different niches...so even it would have 80% junk it still has 20% interesting products. Just keep doing it. Focus on "hungry" niches, stay away from "make money" and "weight loss"...provide products which provide a solution for a problem!

(And yes, CB is not CPA actually)

TopKat22 · 11-17-2011, 10:58 AM

Welcome to the forum and to IM.

It seems you got all your questions answered above so what I would add is that as you mentioned CB has really low quality pages.

They also have a high refund rate.

I like to offer different products from different networks so that all my eggs aren't in one basket. If someone changes the rules, you don't want that to be your only source of income.

You have the right idea about putting up your own landing page and building your own list.

Then you can promote other products.

I like commission junction. I also like recurring items that get sent on auto ship.

So I find a niche that fits that criteria, put up landing page, build a list and promote affiliate products that have a recurring monthly fee in something that the person is not likely to stop any time soon.

Good luck.

P.S. Join the War Room -- lots of great free stuff in there and the one time lifetime fee is so worth it. Also, check out free ebooks in the Make Money Online forum here, no opt in is required to get the ebooks in that forum is the rule. You can get a lot of advice on stuff in those two forums and a whole lot more.

yako · 11-17-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgR.

This is exactly what i thought when i started with IM! I read this "Rich Jerk" ebook many years ago where he said how great it is to sell digital products, i simply could not believe than ANYONE would buy that stuff...

But CB has the advantage that it has many, many products and many different niches...so even it would have 80% junk it still has 20% interesting products. Just keep doing it. Focus on "hungry" niches, stay away from "make money" and "weight loss"...provide products which provide a solution for a problem!

(And yes, CB is not CPA actually)

Thanks GeorgR! I was hoping to read someone who felt the same way I do!

I guess that there is something I have to learn if I want to be in this business, and it is that "The fact that I would not buy it/do it doesn't mean nobody will"

For example, I have never, ever clicked on an AdWords link...and yet Google makes millions out of it...

I have to open my mind.

yako · 11-17-2011, 11:05 AM

Thanks! I definitely have to get into other networks and see the kind of offers that are actually there to promote.

I will also join the War Room as I have read a lot about it...right now, as I said, I am trying to get past the stage of "..does this really work!?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopKat22

Welcome to the forum and to IM.

It seems you got all your questions answered above so what I would add is that as you mentioned CB has really low quality pages.

They also have a high refund rate.

I like to offer different products from different networks so that all my eggs aren't in one basket. If someone changes the rules, you don't want that to be your only source of income.

You have the right idea about putting up your own landing page and building your own list.

Then you can promote other products.

I like commission junction. I also like recurring items that get sent on auto ship.

So I find a niche that fits that criteria, put up landing page, build a list and promote affiliate products that have a recurring monthly fee in something that the person is not likely to stop any time soon.

Good luck.

P.S. Join the War Room -- lots of great free stuff in there and the one time lifetime fee is so worth it. Also, check out free ebooks in the Make Money Online forum here, no opt in is required to get the ebooks in that forum is the rule. You can get a lot of advice on stuff in those two forums and a whole lot more.

BezVrska · 11-17-2011, 05:46 PM

Try maxbounty, they are great

Search their offers, you can find way more better things then clickbank. Let's say you make 1 sale on CB and get $20... $200 on maxbounty for the same time only with email/zip offers.

ChrisBa · 11-17-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yako

Hello everyone!

This is my first "real" post. I am happy to be part of the forum as I found really valuable and inspiring information. Thanks for that.

I am also new to IM, but not to marketing as I work at an agency were we do work for some really big brands, therefore my question below.

I decided to start and try out CPA marketing, so I joined ClickBank (I know it is not the best option, but it was fast to apply) and I started looking at the landing pages (tons!) of the products to promote...and I can't really believe those pages actually convert to real sales. Maybe I am totally missing the point on how IM works (I sure am as I am new) but I am used to pay extreme attention to the details in my work (big brands are a pain, a real pain!), and I see most of the landing pages are really basic, with poor design and image qualities. Most of the ones I visited don't even give me the confidence to actually put my credit card on.

After all that, my questions:

1) The obvious one, do those pages really convert to sales? When I look for a product to promote then the landing page they create is as important as the product itself, right?
2) Is it possible for me to create my own landing page and then link that to the checkout page?
3) If I use PPC to promote the products, it is ok to link to the landing pages?

I think thats all! Once again thanks a lot for your time!

Welcome to the site and wonderful world of affiliate marketing!!

1 - YES! they do convert! There wouldn't be people doing this if they didn't

2 - YES! For most offers you can do this

3 - This will also vary offer by offer, however many do allow this

yako · 11-17-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisBa

Welcome to the site and wonderful world of affiliate marketing!!

1 - YES! they do convert! There wouldn't be people doing this if they didn't

2 - YES! For most offers you can do this

3 - This will also vary offer by offer, however many do allow this

Thanks a lot! To be absolutely honest, before finding the forum and all this information whenever I read all those "make xxxxxx money online" ads, or "you can make xxxx money from your house" I was very skeptical... even to the point to think that all those numbers in sites like CB were just an invention, a lie.

I still need to see for myself if I can make conversions online, but at least I know someone can, (lots of you!), so I am happy to try.

Thanks again!

ConduciveStrategies · 11-18-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yako

Hello everyone!

This is my first "real" post. I am happy to be part of the forum as I found really valuable and inspiring information. Thanks for that.

I am also new to IM, but not to marketing as I work at an agency were we do work for some really big brands, therefore my question below.

I decided to start and try out CPA marketing, so I joined ClickBank (I know it is not the best option, but it was fast to apply) and I started looking at the landing pages (tons!) of the products to promote...and I can't really believe those pages actually convert to real sales. Maybe I am totally missing the point on how IM works (I sure am as I am new) but I am used to pay extreme attention to the details in my work (big brands are a pain, a real pain!), and I see most of the landing pages are really basic, with poor design and image qualities. Most of the ones I visited don't even give me the confidence to actually put my credit card on.

After all that, my questions:

1) The obvious one, do those pages really convert to sales? When I look for a product to promote then the landing page they create is as important as the product itself, right?
2) Is it possible for me to create my own landing page and then link that to the checkout page?
3) If I use PPC to promote the products, it is ok to link to the landing pages?

I think thats all! Once again thanks a lot for your time!

Yes those pages really convert to sales, just all depends on your approach for marketing. The lander is definitely important and if you don't feel comfortable or testings do not show solid conversions, then you can definitely create your own.

Yes you can link to the landing pages via PPC.

11-16-2011, 08:22 PM	#1
yako Active Warrior Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 32 Thanks: 36 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Newbie Question: Do these things really sell? Hello everyone! This is my first "real" post. I am happy to be part of the forum as I found really valuable and inspiring information. Thanks for that. I am also new to IM, but not to marketing as I work at an agency were we do work for some really big brands, therefore my question below. I decided to start and try out CPA marketing, so I joined ClickBank (I know it is not the best option, but it was fast to apply) and I started looking at the landing pages (tons!) of the products to promote...and I can't really believe those pages actually convert to real sales. Maybe I am totally missing the point on how IM works (I sure am as I am new) but I am used to pay extreme attention to the details in my work (big brands are a pain, a real pain!), and I see most of the landing pages are really basic, with poor design and image qualities. Most of the ones I visited don't even give me the confidence to actually put my credit card on. After all that, my questions: 1) The obvious one, do those pages really convert to sales? When I look for a product to promote then the landing page they create is as important as the product itself, right? 2) Is it possible for me to create my own landing page and then link that to the checkout page? 3) If I use PPC to promote the products, it is ok to link to the landing pages? I think thats all! Once again thanks a lot for your time!

11-17-2011, 05:31 AM	#2
HonestAffiliate Honesty & Marketing Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 51 Thanks: 7 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Newbie Question: Do these things really sell? Hi Yako, welcome on board. Clickbank (CB) is the most obvious choice for many affiliates, and while most fail to generate commissions (I think up to 95% of affiliates does not make commissions), it is still probably the greatest money maker among affiliate programes. But you need to be in those upper 5 %. CB will not pay you until you 1) reach the minimum threshold 2) get orders from 5 different buyers (to prevent you ordering from your card just to test different programs for yourself and getting commissions from them at the same time -however you can buy through your link as long as you make those 5 orders) Do CB offers convert? Clickbank offers definitely DO convert, but make sure you choose the right ones. The top guys there are making 6 figures monthly and they have tested and tweaked every copy. Remember, conversion is numbers game. If you get 1-2% conversion from untargetted traffic(random visitors) - (10-20 vistors out of 1000), then you will probably be making money with the product. Sending targetting traffic (people from your email list,etc) can convert even higher. Remember, at CB Marketplace you can sort products according to "Gravity" - this means how many different people are making money with the particular affiliate offer and is strong indicative that the product is really competitive. Top money making programs have gravity even above 500, but that does not neccessarily mean they are the best or that they actually help those who buy it (this is usually the case where you have a better sales copy than the product - big bald promises, no work required, push button solutions. As far as niche products (other than Internet Marketing), in most cases gravity 50-100 should be enough for a competitive product. 2) Is it possible for me to create my own landing page and then link that to the checkout page? Definitely, once you know the ropes, you can use your own landing pages and just send people to checkout (I am not sure, however, if you do not need vendor's permission) 3) If I use PPC to promote the products, it is ok to link to the landing pages? No, most likely no. There are a few vendors who allow it, but the real reason here is that Google (I do not know about other ppcs) would slap your account immediately for linking to affiliate offer (especially in Make Money, Health, Lose Weight) and it would also hurt the vendor's site rating. Hope that helps
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11-17-2011, 07:34 AM	#3
yako Active Warrior Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 32 Thanks: 36 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Newbie Question: Do these things really sell? Thanks a lot, it really does help! I have one more question regarding PPC, I want to understand the correct way of using PPC with CPA. The problem is not linking to an affiliate offer but the offer itself right? Or is it any form of affiliate linking banned from Google AdWords? Thanks again!

11-17-2011, 09:47 AM	#4
webdave Active Warrior Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 61 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Newbie Question: Do these things really sell? First of all Clickbank is not CPA. Clickbank is an affiliate network where you get a portion of revunue from selling someone else's product. CPA is cost per action where you actually get paid when someone performs an action-meaning that you can earn even if someone does not buy anything. It can be as simple as someone entering their e-mail adress. With regards to Google and affilate marketing. If you use adwords you must send them to a landing page that provides some type of quality to the user and then link that page to the offer. Check googles guidelines for landing pages and go from there.

11-17-2011, 10:58 AM	#9
TopKat22 Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,871 Thanks: 403 Thanked 391 Times in 325 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Newbie Question: Do these things really sell? Welcome to the forum and to IM. It seems you got all your questions answered above so what I would add is that as you mentioned CB has really low quality pages. They also have a high refund rate. I like to offer different products from different networks so that all my eggs aren't in one basket. If someone changes the rules, you don't want that to be your only source of income. You have the right idea about putting up your own landing page and building your own list. Then you can promote other products. I like commission junction. I also like recurring items that get sent on auto ship. So I find a niche that fits that criteria, put up landing page, build a list and promote affiliate products that have a recurring monthly fee in something that the person is not likely to stop any time soon. Good luck. P.S. Join the War Room -- lots of great free stuff in there and the one time lifetime fee is so worth it. Also, check out free ebooks in the Make Money Online forum here, no opt in is required to get the ebooks in that forum is the rule. You can get a lot of advice on stuff in those two forums and a whole lot more.
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11-17-2011, 05:46 PM	#12
BezVrska $5 SEO Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Newbie Question: Do these things really sell? Try maxbounty, they are great Search their offers, you can find way more better things then clickbank. Let's say you make 1 sale on CB and get $20... $200 on maxbounty for the same time only with email/zip offers.
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