To sell now or to sell later?

by pepper81 Banned
15 replies
Is it always best to build your list first, develop a relationship with your subscribers and then offer your affiliate links?

Does anyone have success with making sales by just having your affiliate links placed throughout your site?

If you focus entirely on building your list first and then trying to develop the relationship and then trying to make a sale, wouldn't you be missing out on the opportunity to sell to people who might visit your site, like your content but never sign up to your mailing list for whatever reason?

I personally visit a lot of different sites on a regular basis because I think they have great content and a lot of useful information but I don't necessarily sign up to all of their newsletters. If they were to make a recommendation in one of their posts I would definitely go check it out based on the fact that I respect their opinion and that's the reason why I keep returning.

So back to the question, should I be focusing on building the list first, developing the relationship and then making the sale? Do you think it is possible to make sales without having to build a list?


Thanks.
#sell
  • Profile picture of the author theemperor
    It's going to depend on a lot of things we don't know about - the niche, the kind of people visiting the site, the traffic source etc.

    The only way to find out is to TEST. You can split test an opt-in vs. direct linking. You can split test different types of direct linking. You can try having both the opt-in and affiliate links on the same page. You can survey your list for more information. You can have a look at what your competitors are doing, especially the ones who can consistently afford paid advertising.

    Personally I have found no harm in mixing opt-in forms and affiliate links. Some visitors want to opt in, and others are fed up of having too much email, or are scared of getting a virus or something but may be happy to just click the link to the product and purchase.
    Signature
    Learn to code faster, and remove the roadblocks. Get stuff done and shipped! PM me and I can help you with programming tutoring, specialising in Web and the following languages: Javascript ~ HTML ~ CSS ~ React ~ JQuery ~ Typescript ~ NodeJS ~ C#.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6010636].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lotsofsnow
    Originally Posted by pepper81 View Post

    Do you think it is possible to make sales without having to build a list?
    Yes, absolutely. That is actually the correct way to do it:

    Sell something and keep the names of your customers. What you then have is a list of customers. Everything else is most of the time just crap.
    Signature

    Call Center Fuel - High Volume Data
    Delivering the highest quality leads in virtually all consumer verticals.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6010909].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Manoj V
    Offer them something of value and they will take it whether it is paid or free. Once they find value and stay on your list you can promote a variety of products in or outside your niche.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6011529].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Noel Cunningham
    There are pros and cons to this...

    Sure you could be missing an affiliate sale, the visitor might just click on your site once and never again return...But the % of visitors on your site that will click the link and then buy the product will be very small.

    Why not do both and offer them the sign-up aswel? Once their on your list you have the chance to make not just one sale to them but multiples over time as the relationship grows...

    I operate in both of these examples. Some sites are there to capture emails while others are just niche sites that I make affiliate commissions from. It really just depends on your business model and what you want out of it...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6013640].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Troy_Phillips
    If the reader's butt is on fire .. stop .. drop .. and roll doesn't need to be offered via opt in.

    If you can't string together some relative products .. a list might not be for that niche.

    Other than immediate need and thin niches .. build a list.

    Don't confuse building a relationship and a friendship. Do you really want a relationship that is limited by how long you can give away the farm?

    You can set the relationship in the first email

    Hello,

    My name is Troy. I test make money from home products and services and report back to you my findings. In today's market it is getting harder and harder to find a true nugget but I feel we have found such a winner in (insert link here)

    Thank you
    Troy Phillips

    You introduce yourself ... let people know what you do .... send them a link ... it better be a good product or ... the next one won't get opened.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6014139].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    Everyone says that you need to build a list in order to make the most money online.

    I really think that it is OK to send all of your traffic that you may be paying for or getting free to the product itself. Your conversions may be higher then you expect. For someone new, I would encourage that.

    Most of the time, the product owner that you are affiliated with might have their own follow up system in place so your main goal is to get as many people see that offer first.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6014278].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Troy_Phillips
      Originally Posted by talfighel View Post


      I really think that it is OK to send all of your traffic that you may be paying for or getting free to the product itself. Your conversions may be higher then you expect. For someone new, I would encourage that.

      .
      Why suggest this to someone new? The biggest thing most seasoned marketers would do different if starting over again is build a list from day one. IN almost 15 years online I have found very few niches that respond well going in cold to a sales page.
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6016027].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Cataclysm1987
    I'd rather sell immediately, even if it's a small conversion so I know I am dealing with an action taker.
    Signature

    No signature here today!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6014376].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tadresources
    Obviously it depends on the niche, but generally I think that building your list, gaining their trust and then offering products is a good method. The more you are trusted as an authority the more likely someone will trust your recommendations, IMO.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6014388].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sanwacik
    Originally Posted by pepper81 View Post

    Is it always best to build your list first, develop a relationship with your subscribers and then offer your affiliate links?

    Does anyone have success with making sales by just having your affiliate links placed throughout your site?

    If you focus entirely on building your list first and then trying to develop the relationship and then trying to make a sale, wouldn't you be missing out on the opportunity to sell to people who might visit your site, like your content but never sign up to your mailing list for whatever reason?

    I personally visit a lot of different sites on a regular basis because I think they have great content and a lot of useful information but I don't necessarily sign up to all of their newsletters. If they were to make a recommendation in one of their posts I would definitely go check it out based on the fact that I respect their opinion and that's the reason why I keep returning.

    So back to the question, should I be focusing on building the list first, developing the relationship and then making the sale? Do you think it is possible to make sales without having to build a list?


    Thanks.
    I think this really all depends on what the persons true intentions are with what they really want to achieve with their website, reputation, etc.

    Building a list is vitally important. When I first started out in this business I had to ask myself, "am I an opportunity seeker or am I someone who cares about helping others." I then asked myself, "What is the most ethical approach?"

    Building a list AND placing affiliate links throughout your website go hand in hand.

    Building a list first should be the number one objective, because you have to let your list know that they can trust you with not only the content that you send them but also with the products that you recommend via affiliate links.

    And when building a list, a person shouldn't be jamming a product down the subscribers throat every other day in the follow up email.

    It's important that your list AND your readers of your website know who you are and what kind of person you portray yourself as. Relationship marketing is the new true currency in this business and very few understand exactly how it works or they just can not be bothered to put any caring effort into what they actually do best.

    There's nothing wrong with placing affiliate links throughout your website and, you can make sales without building a list but it's very, very difficult to get good results let alone a loyal following of subscribers and customers if that is the only method you use.

    You have to have a balance of both opt-ins and affiliate links throughout your website. Utilizing both will go a long way. Keep placing affiliate links throughout your website while at the same time building and nurturing your list.

    Offering good valuable content to your list AND on your website will pretty much guarantee potential customers in the future. It's time well invested.

    And - if you are using affiliate links throughout your website - you must make sure that the product you are promoting is valuable and works. You don't want to promote something that you yourself have never tried. If you do and that product is nothing but garbage - then kiss your reputation and future customers goodbye.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6014830].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ivan84m
    I'd start right away. Just make sure you start your e-mails with free tips and end up with the selling. This applies to the Influence principle of reciprocity (Robert Cialdini).
    Signature

    Need a logo for your business?
    Click here => www.extraordinarylogos.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6014939].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gasman
    It is most definitely possible to make money without building a list. I have never built a list for anything I have done, because I do my best to stay clear of email marketing. That's just my preference and many people make most of their money building lists, but you should be making money well before you have a good list established. As others have stated test test test!
    Signature
    READY SET COMEDY PODCAST

    Bored? Need a laugh? Find us on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6015092].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Try both; sell now and later. In all of my niches building a list of buyers has proven to be far more effective for conversions than trying to sell to casual or even incentivized optins. But your mileage may vary, so split test.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6015140].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Sell now. Train your prospects how to buy from you. This will become important later on down the line when you offer backend products to them.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6017799].message }}

Trending Topics