Stop limiting yourself to affiliate marketing

by Zodiax
35 replies
I see so much advice here telling people to build a list and build a website.

But, list-building and website creation are only two ways to make an income on the internet, although both can be supplementary to another strategy.

Look, I don't think marketing and sales is for everyone- and even people who may have some aptitude for it might not want to do it.

The internet is not just some limited place where the only people making money are those who have niche websites with lists of 50,000 people. There are virtual consultants, programmers, graphic designers, video editors, writers, and the list can go on and on.

There is something on the internet that fits everyone's individual skill-set and interests. In my very honest opinion- limiting yourself to just affiliate marketing is a recipe for disaster.

You should never put all your eggs in one basket- and as much as people will disagree and hate me for saying this, shiny-object syndrome is good to have. Not all opportunities are created equal, and sometimes(moreso now), it's best to jump ship on to the bigger, better, and higher paying opportunities.

What's the point of sticking to niche websites just to avoid 'shiny object syndrome' if you run your business into the ground. Many people in the days of article marketing preached the same mantra, and ended up losing their shirts due to pride, stubbornness, and inflexibility.

Look, I get the idea of hanging on in there until you see success- but some if not most of the opportunities here- frankly suck.

Be open to trying new money-making strategies, and don't get too stuck on trying to force one way to work.

Don't try to fit a square in a peg.

-Zodiax
#affiliate #limiting #marketing #stop
  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    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
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    • Profile picture of the author Zodiax
      Originally Posted by discrat View Post

      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
      Thank you.

      What would be best to clarify?
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

    The internet is not just some limited place where the only people making money are those who have niche websites with lists of 50,000 people. There are virtual consultants, programmers, graphic designers, video editors, writers, and the list can go on and on.
    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
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  • Profile picture of the author danieldesai
    Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

    Look, I don't think marketing and sales is for everyone- and even people who may have some aptitude for it might not want to do it.

    There is something on the internet that fits everyone's individual skill-set and interests.
    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
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author katrim
    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
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  • Profile picture of the author Zodiax
    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....
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    You should never put all your eggs in one basket- and as much as people will disagree and hate me for saying this, shiny-object syndrome is good to have. Not all opportunities are created equal, and sometimes(moreso now), it's best to jump ship on to the bigger, better, and higher paying opportunities.
    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.
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    • Profile picture of the author kilgore
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      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.
      Exactly right. This is a case of something that sounds good on paper, but not necessarily holding up when you try to apply it in the real world. It's not surprising that this advice is coming from someone who's having a hard time actually making money.

      The fact is that there are really good reasons why it does make sense to put "all your eggs in one basket" -- at least when you're starting out. Capacity, the Pareto principle, and the logarithmic growth potential of the internet all come into play here. It's almost always best to do just one thing really, really well than try to do 10 things half assed.

      As your business grows and your capacity to do great things grows with it, you might diversify. But keep in mind that even with a company like Google, 90% of it's revenue -- yes, 90%!!! -- comes from advertising.

      So rather than worrying about putting your eggs in one basket, find your competitive advantage, exploit it and then figure out how to exploit it some more.
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  • Profile picture of the author spazz896
    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
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  • Profile picture of the author chyan007
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

    I see so much advice here telling people to build a list and build a website.

    But, list-building and website creation are only two ways to make an income on the internet, although both can be supplementary to another strategy.

    Look, I don't think marketing and sales is for everyone- and even people who may have some aptitude for it might not want to do it.

    The internet is not just some limited place where the only people making money are those who have niche websites with lists of 50,000 people. There are virtual consultants, programmers, graphic designers, video editors, writers, and the list can go on and on.

    There is something on the internet that fits everyone's individual skill-set and interests. In my very honest opinion- limiting yourself to just affiliate marketing is a recipe for disaster.

    You should never put all your eggs in one basket- and as much as people will disagree and hate me for saying this, shiny-object syndrome is good to have. Not all opportunities are created equal, and sometimes(moreso now), it's best to jump ship on to the bigger, better, and higher paying opportunities.

    What's the point of sticking to niche websites just to avoid 'shiny object syndrome' if you run your business into the ground. Many people in the days of article marketing preached the same mantra, and ended up losing their shirts due to pride, stubbornness, and inflexibility.

    Look, I get the idea of hanging on in there until you see success- but some if not most of the opportunities here- frankly suck.

    Be open to trying new money-making strategies, and don't get too stuck on trying to force one way to work.

    Don't try to fit a square in a peg.

    -Zodiax
    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
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  • Profile picture of the author chyan007
    Banned
    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
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    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.

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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author art72
    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
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  • Profile picture of the author GetPLRhere
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author socialsite
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    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
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  • Profile picture of the author cyberdenizen
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author jengkoil
    solo ads also can be profitable
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    • Profile picture of the author perlaking
      Originally Posted by jengkoil View Post

      solo ads also can be profitable
      do you do solo ads ?
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      • Profile picture of the author imkingcash
        My opinion, the best thing to do is build your audience first. Don't worry about making a profit, making residual income, or anything like that. Here's why I say build your audience fist.

        If you have life-changing content that has helped a lot of people on your list over a course of time (six months or more), you have a recipe for success. Let's do a little math.

        Let's say you have 50,000 people on your list. For a course of one year, you have helped people on your list with excellent advice, helped them make money, helped them lose weight, or whatever it is that you do. You have a product that cost $297. Being that your content has changed their lives, there may be a higher conversion rate (I'm talking possibly in the double digits). Let's say you have a 10% conversion rate. so 5,000 people on your list buys that $297 product. You just made $1.485 million.

        If that product changed their lives, you can come out with another product the next year (I don't see anyone blowing $1 million in a year). This product can be a membership site that you charge $50 a month. Even if you put up one piece of content per day (or create all the content at once and drip feed it to your members each day) you're doing less work than the average IM. If you want, you can even hire people to run the membership site for you. It doesn't even need to be content you create. It can be a service that people can use.

        With all this being said, I think people need to stop chasing the dollar and start building an audience. I learned this the hard way. I had to go back to basics and now this is what my goal is.
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  • Profile picture of the author naffynaff
    You created such a great thread.

    I totally agree with everything that you mentioned above.

    Thanks for sharing your insights.
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  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
    Hmmmmm when did Claude let you out??
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    • Profile picture of the author Zodiax
      Originally Posted by Regional Warrior View Post

      Hmmmmm when did Claude let you out??
      I bribed him with a donut.

      Worked like a charm.
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

        I bribed him with a donut.

        Worked like a charm.
        Man,talk about obsessions with the avatar centered around the Wooster vacuum cleaner king... does Claude know about this ??
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        • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
          Originally Posted by discrat View Post

          Man,talk about obsessions with the avatar centered around the Wooster vacuum cleaner king... does Claude know about this ??
          Bromance Rob will end in tears

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  • Profile picture of the author BIGTRIN
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author fredi
    Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

    I see so much advice here telling people to build a list and build a website.
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author jongang
    build list

    send offers

    thats all
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  • Profile picture of the author TobiasThomsen
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

    Stop limiting yourself to affiliate marketing
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rory Singh
    Originally Posted by Zodiax View Post

    There is something on the internet that fits everyone's individual skill-set and interests. In my very honest opinion- limiting yourself to just affiliate marketing is a recipe for disaster.
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author zettiniqabis
    so beside affiliate marketing, what else do works now ?
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  • Profile picture of the author Devilfish168
    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.
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