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Is it a good idea to publish Monthly Income Reports to increase Affiliate sales?

by Francisco PIW
9 replies
I've seen many bloggers out there creating these Monthly Income Reports in where they report every single cent and where it's coming from.

All followed by the affiliated link to the products they are promoting and "using" for their success.

What do you think about this practice? Does it increase trusting with your readers or is simply a waste of time?
#affiliate #good #idea #income #increase #monthly #publish #reports #sales
  • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
    My instinct tells me that if you have built an image of someone who is trustworthy and honest, then yes, it could work. (Provided you tell them that buying the product does not guarantee them that they'll achieve the same results, of course.)

    My problem would be that in the IM/MMO niche, it's typically difficult to do this because for every honest marketer, there are 10 who would sell their mother for a slightly better conversion rate. As a consequence, establishing yourself as someone who's honest is much, much more difficult, and "bragging" about your success and how product X, Y or Z can help the reader achieve similar results might trigger the dreaded BS alarm in some folks.

    So my recommendation is to proceed with caution. In other words, if you're doing most of the selling through autoresponder emails, try building the relationship first without using this tactic (i.e. by selling the regular way), and after you think they got to know you better, you could give this approach a try.
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    • Profile picture of the author shaunybb
      hey there,


      Yes a lot of websites and blogs are doing this because I personally think it increases the trust factor and shows people stuff.


      People are wary of stuff online anyways, so if people open up a bit and let us view some more of their personal stuff...its form trust!
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    • Profile picture of the author Francisco PIW
      Originally Posted by Lucian Lada View Post

      So my recommendation is to proceed with caution. In other words, if you're doing most of the selling through autoresponder emails, try building the relationship first without using this tactic (i.e. by selling the regular way), and after you think they got to know you better, you could give this approach a try.
      I really like your answer, and I totally agree with you 100%. But let me explain you my case,

      I created my blog 3 months ago and I started publishing Income Reports since the beginning. My first report was $74, the second $110, the third $160 and the last one around $225. I explain all the techniques and tools I used for it.

      Do you think starting reporting since the beginning when you don't have anything to show off might increase the trusting of my readers?

      PD: I don't share the link of my income reports just in case it can be considered as spam
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      • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
        Originally Posted by Francisco PIW View Post

        I created my blog 3 months ago and I started publishing Income Reports since the beginning. My first report was $74, the second $110, the third $160 and the last one around $225. I explain all the techniques and tools I used for it.

        Do you think starting reporting since the beginning when you don't have anything to show off might increase the trusting of my readers?
        You mean from the inception of your website, when you weren't making much money? Well, given that the amount of money made each month is small, I don't think you would run into problems. The issue is with people claiming to make thousands (sometimes tens of thousands of dollar), and implying that if the readers buy a certain course or e-book, they would be able to replicate the success.

        In other words, take a step back and think if it sounds too good to be true. If it does, you'll probably turn off many people. But in your case, as I said before, I don't think it would be a problem. And if you promote services like Aweber or hosting companies, which are more or less mandatory for an aspiring marketer, then I don't think you'll be perceived as a snake oil salesman.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by Lucian Lada View Post

      My problem would be that in the IM/MMO niche, it's typically difficult to do this because for every honest marketer, there are 10 who would sell their mother for a slightly better conversion rate. As a consequence, establishing yourself as someone who's honest is much, much more difficult, and "bragging" about your success and how product X, Y or Z can help the reader achieve similar results might trigger the dreaded BS alarm in some folks.

      So my recommendation is to proceed with caution. In other words, if you're doing most of the selling through autoresponder emails, try building the relationship first without using this tactic (i.e. by selling the regular way), and after you think they got to know you better, you could give this approach a try.
      I totally agree. I have to 'study' someone before I believe a word of it. Pat Flynn is a guy I have kept up with. And Im not 100% sure but I can say with a degree of certainty he is being Truthful.

      I think, for me at least ,you need to have a Track record for it to be effective.

      But of course the MMO crowd and newbies within it can be very gullible


      - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeVietri
    Well Pat Flynn, one of the most successful bloggers out there does this and I'm sure he has a good reason to.

    When he does it, he makes it more like a story,
    as if he is talking his readers through his life,
    not just his earnings report,

    and he presents it in a way that still provides value to his readers.

    On the other hand

    If you are just showing people how much money you made this month with no story behind it,

    then it really would not make sense, because readers would lose interest.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nico Puegher
    I think that will be better if you do it more casual, I would not like to see a monthly income with no story or a real topic, just to show how much money someone is making to sell something.

    Maybe you want to do it to share your experience and help others do the same and that's great, but do it just from time to time.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    People seem to really like this.. I personally am not a fan
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  • Profile picture of the author Rory Singh
    Successful bloggers lead with value first in order to 'establish' a good relationship with their audience. But I see nothing wrong with showing people profit reports. In the long run people are still more likely to buy from people who they like, know, trust and perceive as valuable to them.

    Some successful marketers never disclose sales and profit reports yet they still manage to do extremely well.
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