15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Copywriting For Affiliate Marketing

by Harlan
12 replies
Does anyone know of someone who has created a course on copywriting for affiliate marketing?

Specifically, in the area of a blog post, getting someone to purchase a specific product being offered.

Thanks.
#affiliate #copywriting #marketing
  • Profile picture of the author Steve Hill
    I haven't seen any courses per se, although Copyblogger has a bit of content specific to the subject, and there are various blog postings elsewhere discussing it.

    There are plenty of books, seminars, etc. associated with how-to in affiliate marketing, including what to put in the pages but not really addressing copywriting itself, at least not that I've seen.
    Signature
    Learn more - earn more: Books for Copywriters
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6200497].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
      I think you're thinking of content marketing, which is slightly different. You'd be writing to give information away probably 80% of the time or more, and selling only a little bit of the time. People don't read blogs for sales pitches. If you're into content marketing, Copyblogger is definitely a great place to start.

      Bottom line, though - blogging is not a place for hardcore selling. And hardcore selling is what copywriters do, which is why you don't see many copywriters offering blogging services.
      Signature

      Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6200756].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Steve Hill
        Originally Posted by angiecolee View Post

        I think you're thinking of content marketing, which is slightly different. (...) Bottom line, though - blogging is not a place for hardcore selling.
        That's true - but I think that's what Harlan was getting at. It's the fine art of selling without appearing to do so. Affiliate marketers ultimately do want people to buy the products they are reviewing, but without pressuring them. Applied subconscious techniques could be very useful in this context.
        Signature
        Learn more - earn more: Books for Copywriters
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6200846].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IM Gourmet
    It's very dependant on your traffic source. Are you going to be doing organic-traffic review sites, email lists, PPV popups?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6200747].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
    Not exactly a full course, but I think Ben Settle might have an audio of something you might find useful.

    It's part of a bigger buy, but it's worth it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6201299].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Nicola Lane
    You might try looking at Warrior View Profile: Paul Hancox

    and his presell Mastery:

    Presell Mastery - Pre-Selling Strategies And Techniques by Paul Hancox

    Hope that helps.
    Signature

    I like to keep an open mind, but not so open that my brains fall out

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6201975].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Shadowflux
      Copywriters don't only do "hardcore selling", it's just that copywriting is obviously more sales oriented than content writing.

      I do often get requests from clients for sales oriented content. It's a bit of a combination of both an article and sales copy. It looks and reads like content but it acts like copy. There really is no reason why you shouldn't try to sell in your blog if you have a writer that can pull it off.

      For example, an article dealing with how to fix a bike chain could be a great place to promote an ebook guide on bicycle maintenance. An article about photography could be used to promote photoshop plug ins.

      In the end, I suppose you could call it "persuasive content". There are plenty of articles and blog posts meant to promote something. Just learn to write well, learn to be persuasive, then apply those two skills however you'd like.
      Signature
      Native Advertising Specialist
      Dangerously Effective
      Always Discreet
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6202080].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author angiecolee
        Originally Posted by Shadowflux View Post

        Copywriters don't only do "hardcore selling", it's just that copywriting is obviously more sales oriented than content writing.

        I do often get requests from clients for sales oriented content. It's a bit of a combination of both an article and sales copy. It looks and reads like content but it acts like copy. There really is no reason why you shouldn't try to sell in your blog if you have a writer that can pull it off.

        I didn't say copywriters only do hardcore selling. Many copywriters focus on money-generating sales pieces like long form sales letters or squeeze pages, because those are money makers. I know that blogs are good sources of income and a great place to sell.

        My point was that you don't keep readers long if every blog post is a pitch - people tire of that quickly. It's typically gotta be more bicycle chains and other informative stuff than "here's how my product can help you". Selling through blogging is relationship building, which takes much longer and requires consistent quality content.
        Signature

        Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6202178].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Shadowflux
          Originally Posted by angiecolee View Post


          I didn't say copywriters only do hardcore selling. Many copywriters focus on money-generating sales pieces like long form sales letters or squeeze pages, because those are money makers. I know that blogs are good sources of income and a great place to sell.

          My point was that you don't keep readers long if every blog post is a pitch - people tire of that quickly. It's typically gotta be more bicycle chains and other informative stuff than "here's how my product can help you". Selling through blogging is relationship building, which takes much longer and requires consistent quality content.
          It's ok, I'm not trying argue with you.

          I think the idea that copywriting is only for sales pages and content writing is only for blogs is a popular misconception that a lot of people have. If you're looking to monetize a website then you need to consider how each aspect helps make you money.

          I think there are a lot of website owners who leave money on the table because they neglect to consider sales when ordering content. I think sales oriented content is even more important since the last Google update as keyword heavy SEO content is becoming less powerful.

          Think about it this way, if the majority of your traffic is going to your blog then this is where your customers are. If they actually read your content but you aren't trying to promote something then you're basically missing out on all that money.

          So, like I said, I'm not arguing with you, just trying to clear up a misconception which I think is fairly prevalent.
          Signature
          Native Advertising Specialist
          Dangerously Effective
          Always Discreet
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6202288].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author wizozz
    Make your site sell or make your content pre-sell from Ken Evoy of Site Build-it?

    Make Your Content PREsell!

    Make Your Site SELL!

    (no affiliate links)

    I think he is one of the first (if not THE first) to use the term pre-sell for affiliate marketing, and his free ebooks are very good for beginners.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6608888].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ThomasOMalley
    Harlan,

    I second using Paul Hancox's Preselling Mastery course to create blog posts for affiliates to sell products.

    Best,

    Thomas O'Malley
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6611016].message }}

Trending Topics