Building a list only as an affiliate..

19 replies
I've come to the realization that what I'm doing may not be very ethical or effective.. I've yet to start driving traffic, but I'm starting to feel a bit conflicted and would love to hear from other people who do this.

Basically, as I'm sure many of you have already done, I'm building a list (outside the IM niche) and I'm only promoting other peoples products as an affiliate. I don't have a blog or a product of my own,however, I do offer access to me through email basically as free coaching. I feel that I have a good amount of experience and knowledge in the niche I'm in, but my problem is that I feel like I'm not offering anything of over-delivering value.

All I have is a newsletter promoting other peoples products and giving helpful tips and free content as well...

I've researched many other newsletters in this niche (which is dating btw) and they all are pretty much doing the same thing, so I feel I am providing at least a little more than they are, but I was wondering if anyone else follows this method of only promoting as an affiliate or do you think this is a bad idea?

Thanks in advance!

Cory
#affiliate #building #list
  • Profile picture of the author Sharpay
    If you're not over-delivering, then don't talk as if you are. That makes it perfectly acceptable and ethical.

    Promoting as an affiliate is fine, but if you really want to work on quality you need to ensure the quality of the products you're promoting. If it's a sketchy, crap-quality but high converting product then that's okay in and of itself, but that is going in an entirely different direction.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dyer402
    The products I promote are products I review personally. I always try to obtain review copies and give my own information and tips that compliment the products I'm promoting.

    I basically just didn't know if this is really enough or if I should really be working on a blog or my own product..
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  • Profile picture of the author samphelps
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    • Profile picture of the author Dyer402
      Originally Posted by samphelps View Post

      i think its shady to build a list using someone elses product.
      Even if you're providing free content that supports the product?
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    • Profile picture of the author retsced
      Originally Posted by samphelps View Post

      i think its shady to build a list using someone elses product.
      This only applies to building a list, yes? Affiliate marketing outside list building is fine then? What if I create a crappy eBook and use that to build my list, and then offer them affiliate products, would that be okay? What a load of tripe.

      To the OP. Building a list and promoting quality affiliate products is what most people in this industry do. You can create your own product further down the line if you so wish, but it's not necessary in the beginning. Heck, it's not necessary to at all for a lot of very successful marketers.

      Take a look at all the millionaire marketers out there now. Do you think they jumped online one day and created their own product? Nope, they became affiliates and progressed to the stage they're at now.
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesColin
    Banned
    That's what I'm doing too as I don't have my own product, so I start like this. But ultimately I'll have products of my own to sell, even starting with a paid membership to a site with more content/tools inside.
    What you can do is inviting the people subscribed to your list to tell you their specific things they're currently struggling with in your niche. Just send a broadcast and include the question in the confirmation email (the first one once they have confirmed) for future subscribers.
    So that you'll gather inside information about what are the problems they're facing, and if you spot a trend, a common problem, then you have an idea for producing more content/email with free tips and even an idea for producing your own product.
    So let's say this phase of having affiliate offers only is only temporary as we grow and learn.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dyer402
      Originally Posted by JamesColin View Post

      That's what I'm doing too as I don't have my own product, so I start like this. But ultimately I'll have products of my own to sell, even starting with a paid membership to a site with more content/tools inside.
      What you can do is inviting the people subscribed to your list to tell you their specific things they're currently struggling with in your niche. Just send a broadcast and include the question in the confirmation email (the first one once they have confirmed) for future subscribers.
      So that you'll gather inside information about what are the problems they're facing, and if you spot a trend, a common problem, then you have an idea for producing more content/email with free tips and even an idea for producing your own product.
      So let's say this phase of having affiliate offers only is only temporary as we grow and learn.
      Thanks James. That's pretty much what I had in mind, I just didn't know how effective trying to promote affiliate products only would be. I think I just needed to hear it from someone else who's gone through it already.

      Really appreciate the tip with the confirmation question.
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  • Profile picture of the author brentb
    There is no problem sending affiliate offers. Lots of people make lots of money as affiliates with lists and no products or services of their own. I personally know people who dont have and never had a product, service or even website who make almost 100k per month sending affiliate offers via email.

    If you are looking to learn in this space of email affiliate marketing, the key is finding the best way to build your list (co reg, affiliate offer, ppc to landing page, buying lists - not cheap junk but buy people going out of business for example, etc) and also emailing out cheaply with great deliverability using a good bulk service like Amazon, sendgrid or doing it yourself (not recommended unless you learn a lot first or take on an experienced partner).

    Then just target/sort people like crazy on top of whatever you already have done. ie these people converted on entertainment offer, put in entertainment list. These people convert on IM offer, put in IM list etc... until its highly targeted.
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  • Profile picture of the author gpwilson
    It is not a bad idea until it works. Another thing is you should not over do or over shadow anything. At the end of the day it would not well accepted.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dyer402
    The way I'm setting it up now is to send them first to my lead capture page and then redirecting them to a sales video. I follow up with them to make sure they were able to see the video and introduce myself and explain what the newsletter is all about. I then follow up with additional tips, entertaining/educational content, videos, articles etc. and offer my service as a consultant through way of email. I also continue promoting the front end product and then move into a mix of content and promos.. Sound pretty standard?

    If anyone is willing to give a critique you can check out my squeeze page at
    pick up artist trainer | It's Time For a Transformation. Start Here.

    I'm ONLY including that for a critique. Not trying to promote it. Just let me know what you think..

    Thanks a bunch guys. I love this forum

    Cory
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    • Profile picture of the author JEasy
      Originally Posted by Dyer402 View Post

      The way I'm setting it up now is to send them first to my lead capture page and then redirecting them to a sales video. I follow up with them to make sure they were able to see the video and introduce myself and explain what the newsletter is all about. I then follow up with additional tips, entertaining/educational content, videos, articles etc. and offer my service as a consultant through way of email. I also continue promoting the front end product and then move into a mix of content and promos.. Sound pretty standard?

      If anyone is willing to give a critique you can check out my squeeze page at
      pick up artist trainer | It's Time For a Transformation. Start Here.

      I'm ONLY including that for a critique. Not trying to promote it. Just let me know what you think..

      Thanks a bunch guys. I love this forum

      Cory
      Sounds like a great strategy to me. You don't need your own product to make $$$, and sending a regular newsletter is enough work in and of itself. The service you offer is probably just as good as offering a digital product.

      So you've got affiliate income as well as a consulting service to offer...both potential money makers.

      You're on your way to 10K/mo.
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  • Profile picture of the author GuyDon
    I think Alexa Smith is doing this for a long time...she her threads, full of info if you want to do it properly
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Nothing is wrong with selling as an affiliate. Building a list is a good thing... especially if you can join an affiliate program that offers recurring income (monthly billings).
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  • Profile picture of the author Dyer402
    Thanks a lot for all of the advice guys. I no longer feel like a scumbag :p
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  • Profile picture of the author paul nicholls
    promoting products as an affiliate is fine but you would be much wiser to create a product in the niche yourself

    that way you can get affiliates to send you traffic so that you can build your own list of buyers
    rather than always building someone elses buyers list

    Paul
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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Hugall
      Originally Posted by paul nicholls View Post

      promoting products as an affiliate is fine but you would be much wiser to create a product in the niche yourself

      that way you can get affiliates to send you traffic so that you can build your own list of buyers
      rather than always building someone elses buyers list

      Paul

      Couldn't agree more Paul. I like a good mix of both evens it out nicely.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tkyles1009
    Definitely not a bad idea. My Advice if any is to simply get behind products and promote products of value.

    Don't say to your self this product can make me a lot of commission say I think this product is really going to be valuable to someone.

    If you don't feel this way about the product you're providing then I wouldn't risk my financial future with it.
    Best of luck
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  • Profile picture of the author mrdnf5m
    Hello Cory,

    First off, there is nothing "wrong or shady" with what you are doing. It is a valid and ethical approach to building an online income and business.

    By building your list first and focusing on one thing (affiliate marketing) and not trying to do 5 different things at one time (adsense, cpa marketing, amazon, etc, etc...) you actually stand a better chance at getting really good at it.

    Later down the road you may choose to create your own product and you will already have a list of buyers to market to on your own blog (if you feel the need to create a blog).

    Most people do not realize that there is a very simple road map that can be followed to achieve online success over the long haul and that process is the one which you are on that goes as follows :

    Step 1.) Build a list of interested prospects.

    Step 2.) Develop a good relationship with your list by providing them with useful content.

    Step 3.) Monitize your list by promoting high quality, related products.

    By doing these 3 simple steps consistently, you are setting yourself up for online success within the next 3-5 years, at the most.
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    Click here and learn more of the basics of affiliate marketing => Online Affiliate Marketing Info

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    • Profile picture of the author Dyer402
      Originally Posted by mrdnf5m View Post

      Hello Cory,

      First off, there is nothing "wrong or shady" with what you are doing. It is a valid and ethical approach to building an online income and business.

      By building your list first and focusing on one thing (affiliate marketing) and not trying to do 5 different things at one time (adsense, cpa marketing, amazon, etc, etc...) you actually stand a better chance at getting really good at it.

      Later down the road you may choose to create your own product and you will already have a list of buyers to market to on your own blog (if you feel the need to create a blog).

      Most people do not realize that there is a very simple road map that can be followed to achieve online success over the long haul and that process is the one which you are on that goes as follows :

      Step 1.) Build a list of interested prospects.

      Step 2.) Develop a good relationship with your list by providing them with useful content.

      Step 3.) Monitize your list by promoting high quality, related products.

      By doing these 3 simple steps consistently, you are setting yourself up for online success within the next 3-5 years, at the most.

      Appreciate that. That's exactly what I am trying to do. I have yet to focus on something that will ONLY make me money. I've really been thinking about how I can help people that sign up for the newsletter and make sure they accomplish they're initial and future goals.
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