25 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
25 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Help! Want to start Affiliate marketing through Amazon but low on funds

by kriger
23 replies
First off, I know I will have to spend money to make money and that's all good I can work with that; I just want to be clever with what I have got.

what I'm wanting to do is create a site/blog for people who want to start learning drums. this will be my first proper commitment into affiliate marketing and I really want to get it right. The way I see it, I have two options:

1.) Start a blogger account and push product reviews + helpful things about drumming to get a following and make some sales through Amazon

2.) actually bite the bullet and find a good bluehost affiliate discount and make the site proper with wordpress themes etc. only needing >10 pages to get it off the ground and get some traffic going.

I understand option 2 would be more beneficial in the long run but I eventually want to generate enough to make a drumming supplies 'store' that essentially makes amazon a drop shipper e.g. an azon authority kind of deal. I have done a lot of research but now its time to grow a pair and commit. I'm just after a bit of advice before I do so.

Please let me know if you guys think I am even going down the right track at all with this and if I am; what I am better off investing in. Ironically, the majority of my funds have to come from selling my drum kit so I don have a lot of chances at this before slowly putting money from my job away and giving it another go. Thanks in Advance!!
#affiliate #amazon #funds #low #marketing #start
  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    Well, you can start with blogger to cut your teeth in AM

    Know the ropes

    Get some sales

    Reinvest

    Remember, you earn income in 2 forms: money and EXPERIENCE

    When you're learning something new, EXPERIENCE will be your main compensation.

    Get ready to learn and have FUN!
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11026487].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John Cage
    I recommend option 2. You will have enough money and experiences, then you can do option 1.
    If you want to start with option 1, can you wait around 6-12 months to see your first succeed? Will you not give up? Just answer these 2 questions and make your decision!
    Good luck
    Signature

    Before you GIVE UP, think about why you STARTED.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11026523].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SiteNameSales
    Off topic, but you might want to add banners from the Learn Legacy Learning Systems Affiliate Program. They have a Learn And Master Drums Course with a 20% commission payout. Will help you monetize above and beyond Amazon.
    Signature
    Borrow my Business!...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11026722].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    I wouldn't even consider Amazon.

    The best music company in the world is Musicians Friend. People trust them and they have the lowest prices. I've been ordering from MF for over 20 years.

    Affiliate Program | Musician's Friend

    Also, blogger is fine for practice, but build a site on your own hosting and domain and be sure to build a related YT channel.

    Brent
    Signature
    Get Off The Warrior Forum Now & Don't Come Back If You Want To Succeed!
    All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11026731].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Andrew Hurst
      Just excellent! Enjoying this link!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11044697].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kriger
    Thanks Guys! Keep em coming!

    At this point I'm considering starting out writing about drums and offer support for people who want to learn. I like the idea of the learn and master drums course and musicians friend affiliate program as well so I could probably do that as opposed to amazon. if Musicians Friend is far more trusted and cheaper (I Live in NZ so have never heard of them); it will probably be easier to get some comish.

    blogger is always so damn ugly as well haha, I suppose most of it is that I am being looked after by daddy google on blogger and out on my own in the big bad world with my own site. While my kit sells I can always create content then unleash it out into the world. As for youtube, I'm planning on getting an electric kit with what's left, making recording so much easier.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11026813].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    The best music company in the world is Musicians Friend.
    I second that - have spent a few thousand dollars on that site!
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    Live life like someone left the gate open
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11026841].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      I second that - have spent a few thousand dollars on that site!
      My latest purchase from MF:


      I broke my left index finger about 18 months ago, so can not play my guitars anymore. I already have six songs down using mostly three fingers.

      $50 and free shipping! Awesome little noise maker.
      Signature
      Get Off The Warrior Forum Now & Don't Come Back If You Want To Succeed!
      All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11026886].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    That's cute! Bet it's fun to play. Don't you have to wear a grass skirt?
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    Live life like someone left the gate open
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11026911].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      That's cute! Bet it's fun to play. Don't you have to wear a grass skirt?
      I tried, but they are so damn scratchy!!
      Signature
      Get Off The Warrior Forum Now & Don't Come Back If You Want To Succeed!
      All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11028501].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author wentzco
    I see others have already mentioned the LearnAndMaster affiliate program & Musicians Friend. There are other music instrument merchants listed at CJ and Shareasale. Besides Amazon - don't overlook the eBay partner network. You can link directly to the percussion instrument category at eBay. I say promote them all.

    I see you say you are selling a drum kit but I guess I don't understand exactly what that is. Building drums? Teaching drums?

    There are some great drummer videos on YouTube you can embed into your sites for extra content. Some may send some viral traffic to your site if the blog post is shared by others. (example - Epic Drummer Solo Videos)

    I say bite the bullet & get your own site up. Start your own newsletter too.
    Signature
    - Resellers Needed For 6TB Backup/Storage (Earn 200% Month One, Residual & Override Commissions)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11026919].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Gary Chapple
    Brent Stangel has given you one great method, I would have recommended that myself being a musician.
    Here's another YouTube, I just don't get why WF members are not using it enough. If a guitarist wants tabs for a song he'll find it on Youtube.

    So do the same for drums, build a channel about learning to play the drums with a link, it will be a slow burner but trust me on this, give them plenty but save the best on your link. Yes there are the freeloaders but there also those that will pay for 1 to 1, yes it can be done worlds apart., I teach trading via large screen Skype to 7 countries.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11026921].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    Originally Posted by kriger View Post

    First off, I know I will have to spend money to make money and that's all good I can work with that; I just want to be clever with what I have got.

    what I'm wanting to do is create a site/blog for people who want to start learning drums. this will be my first proper commitment into affiliate marketing and I really want to get it right. The way I see it, I have two options:

    1.) Start a blogger account and push product reviews + helpful things about drumming to get a following and make some sales through Amazon

    2.) actually bite the bullet and find a good bluehost affiliate discount and make the site proper with wordpress themes etc. only needing >10 pages to get it off the ground and get some traffic going.

    I understand option 2 would be more beneficial in the long run but I eventually want to generate enough to make a drumming supplies 'store' that essentially makes amazon a drop shipper e.g. an azon authority kind of deal. I have done a lot of research but now its time to grow a pair and commit. I'm just after a bit of advice before I do so.

    Please let me know if you guys think I am even going down the right track at all with this and if I am; what I am better off investing in. Ironically, the majority of my funds have to come from selling my drum kit so I don have a lot of chances at this before slowly putting money from my job away and giving it another go. Thanks in Advance!!
    It sounds like you have a decent idea for a start, but make sure you bite the bullet and get your own domain and hosting! (do not use the free services for this)
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11027054].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Laksh
    Option 2 is best & no doubt abt that. But if your visitors are more from YouTube or Facebook, you should still be able to make option1 work. Try to have your site link in the description & not called in the video directly (if you have to... jst use any editable URL shortners). This will help you when you change your mind blog/wix/weebly/Wordpress vs blue host.
    Signature
    Setup Profitable Bing Ads PPC Campaigns | Get FREE Traffic from Youtube
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11028701].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kriger
    you have all given me some awesome advice, so thank you! yeah what I will do is get the domain + hosting and direct it at beginners or people who want to start drums, incorporate it with youtube tutorials and drum covers (real basic stuff to start), then send people down to my site for more info and recommendations for products etc. easy!

    My next question is for something like this, when should I start building an email list? is a mailing list worth it for what I am planning on doing? sorry for the 20 questions, its just nice to have a community that understands most of this and knows what to do!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11029326].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    You really need your own domain and hosting if you are truly trying to build business. You can use free resources like Blogger, but they should be used to help promote your main website and not be your main site.


    You can get a .com domain name at NameCheap.com for about $10 a year and hosting for a few bucks a month. I understand money can be tight, but it does take a minimal investment to start a business. And hosting and a domain name probably won't be everything you'll want or need.


    When starting a business you need some sort of a business plan, which includes a budget and financing. If you don't have the money for a domain name and hosting now, plus a few other things, the first step of your business plan should be how to come up the money (cash flow) to start your business.


    Online businesses are usually much less expensive than off-line businesses, but this doesn't mean they are totally free.
    Signature
    Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
    Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11029339].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author kriger
      I totally agree with you there, a business/budget plan is definitely something I have overlooked so I will go from there. I have my head around most things and the 'why' is an absolute no brainer, there was just a few kinks in the how that I needed/need to sort.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11029403].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hardworker2013
    I think you should forget amazon with there low 4% commissions, try googling music
    affiliate programs and earn higher commissions.
    Signature
    CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE FAST
    >>GET YOUR PIECE OF THE TRILLION DOLLAR AMAZON PIE!<<
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11029407].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    As a drummer for over 40 years now, you need to include videos (instructional as well as flat out rad ones of some sick chops to get gawkers as well )


    - Robert Andrew
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11030485].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Xavier Berthod
    guys affiliating with the big player when you are small doesn't bring the stake at home. become an affiliate with companies that exist for long time but just started affiliation is worth! check out the offer of lCG.com. 1000$ CPA per client. it's real !
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11034589].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author enstinemuki
    Hey Kriger,
    You are surely up with something great and a poor start could mean a poor foundation for your online expansion.

    I'd recommend you embrace option 2, with a bit of option 1. Do product reviews as that seems an indisputable way to boost sales
    Signature
    How I Made Up To $6,574 today with SwissCoin!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11034600].message }}

Trending Topics