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Concerning Clickbank's new refund policy...

by Meinkraft
12 replies
I'm just starting out being an affiliate (yes I know I should create my own products and that I'm making someone else rich) and I'm going to try the IM niche since it's something I actually enjoy writing about. I know some say that you shouldn't start in this niche, but what the heck, I'll try it and if it doesn't work out, I'll try another niche. But I think I should at least give it a long, dedicated shot before I move on.

Anyways, my question is this: Clickbank's IM/MMO products are not something I think I should promote with their new refund policy. Many buyers in this niche already know about CB and their refund policy, so it could leave me with some hefty fines. What are some vendors that actually promote QUALITY IM products, traffic, list building tips etc. that I would be proud to sell to my list?

If the IM niche really is that terrible to start in, or even go for with any experience, be it beginner or advanced, please stop me now. :p
#clickbank #policy #refund
  • Profile picture of the author wfhblueprints
    Originally Posted by Meinkraft View Post

    I'm just starting out being an affiliate (yes I know I should create my own products and that I'm making someone else rich) and I'm going to try the IM niche since it's something I actually enjoy writing about. I know some say that you shouldn't start in this niche, but what the heck, I'll try it and if it doesn't work out, I'll try another niche. But I think I should at least give it a long, dedicated shot before I move on.

    Anyways, my question is this: Clickbank's IM/MMO products are not something I think I should promote with their new refund policy. Many buyers in this niche already know about CB and their refund policy, so it could leave me with some hefty fines. What are some vendors that actually promote QUALITY IM products, traffic, list building tips etc. that I would be proud to sell to my list?

    If the IM niche really is that terrible to start in, or even go for with any experience, be it beginner or advanced, please stop me now. :p
    Clickbanks refund policy hasn't changed....its been like that for years. However what they are now implementing is tiered structure penalizing accounts with excessive refunds etc.

    If you are going to promote in the IM niche make sure its a product that does not have a high refund rate. Yes there are a number of serial refunds and the IM niche is notorious for it, but there are a small number of very high quality products that do not have ridiculously high refund rates.

    If you are looking at the IM niche perhaps Warriorplus and JVzoo might be a better source of reliable products for you...

    Regards,

    Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author Rodney Gold
    Banned
    If you have a decent product then you shouldnt worry about wicked high refunds on clickbank!

    Their are people who refund even though they like your product and those people wont ever make and real money online.. So its whatever.

    But clickbank is great for other niches too other than the internet marketing niche.

    If you want to go into the IM niche then JVzoo is perfect. If you want to get in with the warrior forum then I suggest W+.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    If you're going to go the affiliate route... you should probably stick with a non-IM niche. Even though you like writing about it, doesn't mean you have a strong marketing plan behind it. The bottom line is that whatever you choose to sell, make sure your marketing is on point.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Meinkraft View Post

    I know I should create my own products and that I'm making someone else rich
    Yes, people do say that sometimes. That doesn't necessarily make it sensible, though.

    Originally Posted by Meinkraft View Post

    I'm going to try the IM niche since it's something I actually enjoy writing about. I know some say that you shouldn't start in this niche
    Some (and they tend to be the more experienced, more successful people here) put it a little more strongly than that, and say that it's probably the single commonest mistake that beginning marketers can make, and the single commonest reason for people failing.

    Originally Posted by Meinkraft View Post

    I'll try it and if it doesn't work out, I'll try another niche.
    That's a healthy attitude, anyway.

    Originally Posted by Meinkraft View Post

    Anyways, my question is this: Clickbank's IM/MMO products are not something I think I should promote with their new refund policy.
    From my perspective, it has little to do with the new refund policy (which isn't even in play yet, though it will be in January).

    The primary reason for not promoting IM/MMO products on ClickBank is that you don't get paid for many of the sales you make, because a significant proportion of those products' potential customers are themselves already ClickBank affiliates, and they're hardly going to buy it through your affiliate link when they can perfectly lawfully buy it through their own, are they? :confused:

    This is the very first point on my own list of criteria for product selection: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post2161932

    Originally Posted by Meinkraft View Post

    If the IM niche really is that terrible to start in, or even go for with any experience, be it beginner or advanced, please stop me now. :p
    I tried, anyway. I wish you good luck either way, but if what I've pointed out above doesn't stop you, I don't know what will. :p
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    • Profile picture of the author yesacpow
      Let me ask you a question:

      QUESTION: Would you let someone who doesn't know how to swim teach you how to swim in deep waters?

      I'm sure your answer is NO. So then how can you teach someone how to make money online if you haven't made any or much yourself? (from the fact that you are just starting out with this niche)
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      • Profile picture of the author Meinkraft
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        I tried, anyway. I wish you good luck either way, but if what I've pointed out above doesn't stop you, I don't know what will. :p
        Thank you for linking that other post of yours, that's really helpful. Though, you mentioned that you stay away from high gravity products...why is that? This is probably a naive question, but a higher gravity means a lot of people are earning with that product, so shouldn't you be as well?

        Originally Posted by yesacpow View Post

        Let me ask you a question:

        QUESTION: Would you let someone who doesn't know how to swim teach you how to swim in deep waters?

        I'm sure your answer is NO. So then how can you teach someone how to make money online if you haven't made any or much yourself? (from the fact that you are just starting out with this niche)
        Thank you. I didn't even realize this...and it makes me wonder how many people in the IM/MMO niche actually take action on what they preach that actually works "for them".

        I think I'm convinved now...the IM niche isn't a good first choice for me. Now for finding another niche which suits me...not sure how I'll do that, but I'll start browsing through CB I suppose.
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Meinkraft View Post

          you mentioned that you stay away from high gravity products...why is that?
          The short answer: it's a personal preference.

          The longer answer          : my reasons are explained in these posts/threads ...
          http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post2495251
          http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post7002369
          http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...k-gravity.html

          Originally Posted by Meinkraft View Post

          a higher gravity means a lot of people are earning with that product
          Alas, no.

          There are many products with high gravities which are not being promoted by any affiliates at all, let alone with many affiliates earning anything from them.

          Don't forget that a distiributor buying one copy for himself through his own hoplink, and an affiliate selling 10,000 copies of a product both add the same 1 point to the gravity figure. And a vendor selling the product through a large number of different accounts, or using a "service" which does that for him in order to "massage" the gravity, adds a lot more to the gravity figure.

          There are many products with single-figure gravities consistently selling far better than other products with three-figure gravities.

          Originally Posted by Meinkraft View Post

          it makes me wonder how many people in the IM/MMO niche actually take action on what they preach that actually works "for them".
          Indeed.

          On "my own subject" of article marketing, in particular, beginning internet marketers seem, collectively, far more interested in taking the advice of people who are making their livings from "selling information about article marketing" than the advice of people who are making their livings from "doing article marketing" themselves. It doesn't surprise me if the same is true of many other aspects of IM, as well.

          Originally Posted by Meinkraft View Post

          the IM niche isn't a good first choice for me
          Agreed. Truly, it would stack the deck against you.

          Originally Posted by Meinkraft View Post

          Now for finding another niche which suits me...not sure how I'll do that, but I'll start browsing through CB I suppose.
          That's what I've always done. Good luck!
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      • Profile picture of the author DBracey
        Originally Posted by yesacpow View Post

        Let me ask you a question:

        QUESTION: Would you let someone who doesn't know how to swim teach you how to swim in deep waters?

        I'm sure your answer is NO. So then how can you teach someone how to make money online if you haven't made any or much yourself? (from the fact that you are just starting out with this niche)
        Great advice.
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      • Profile picture of the author THK
        Originally Posted by yesacpow View Post

        ... how can you teach someone how to make money online if you haven't made any or much yourself? ...
        This argument is not valid in this case. He is starting out as an affiliate. Not teaching anyone anything.

        It is more like recommending a swimming coach to someone who is also looking for a coach.

        Tanvir
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  • Profile picture of the author Gavin Abeyratne
    Honestly, unless you REALLY love IM there are way easier niches to tackle.

    Simple direct response marketing in most other niches is so much easier, but if you love IM then become an expert in a subniche and provide a ton of value!
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  • Profile picture of the author AmandaT
    My best suggestion is to avoid ClickBank if you are going into the IM niche. Not only do most IMers know about how ClickBank refunds work, but many just sign up and buy through their own affiliate link. If you're going for the IM niche, look into another affiliate platform. There are some great products on JVZoo. I'd suggest starting there.
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  • Profile picture of the author kencalhn
    good to know it re gravity weighting, Alexa, thanks -- your posts are great as always. I never sold via clickbank before, though i might do a low cost info product just for lead gen eventually... interesting to read everyone's take on it.
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