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Goodbye Affiliate Marketing..

by JackPowers
42 replies
Wellcome selling my own products

So, today I made my first sale of my new ebook. I had promoted a similar ebook on Clickbank for ages, so eventually I thought: "Why am I paying this guy half of my commission" (I know it's the other way around, but that's what it felt like).

So, I took the advice of Warriors and set out to create a product of my own.

I bought a domain.

I hired a ghostwriter on Elance.

I got a landing page designed and copy written.

I wrote a bunch of articles pointing at the domain, ready for the launch.

Then came launch day..

1000 visitors - 0$ sales

That sucked, I was almost ready to go back to Clickbank and look for new products to promote, but I decided to give it another shot.

So, I took down the sales page, designed a new one myself (it's not pretty but it works), wrote the copy myself and found an Adwords voucher in my inbox.

Today.. FIRST SALE!

Does that ever feel good! It was only $27, but it was all me and I made that sale from start to finish. I am telling you, selling my own product feels ten times better than being an affiliate.

Now of course, to sell 40 more copies and then I'm in the green, yeah baby!
#affiliate #goodbye #marketing
  • Profile picture of the author aaallday2010
    Congrats!!

    Yes, I remember my very first sale from my own product. It is a GREAT feeling.

    But let me ask you... what major changes did you make to your sales page?

    Just curious because I am in the same boat as you.

    Justin
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    • Profile picture of the author JackPowers
      Originally Posted by aaallday2010 View Post

      Congrats!!

      Yes, I remember my very first sale from my own product. It is a GREAT feeling.

      But let me ask you... what major changes did you make to your sales page?

      Just curious because I am in the same boat as you.

      Justin
      Well, first of all I had to do something to keep my visitors on the page. 96% of them bounced, so i figured the graphics were not right. With not right, I mean they were not targeted, the quality was fine. I couldn't know that for sure though, could have been the headline/hook, so I just changed to a very basic, no graphic header sales page.

      The bounce rate continued to be attrocious, so I figured I had to change the header AND the copy. I took a very basic header from a previous website in the same niche, with very low bounce, and put on. It didn't look good, but it worked.

      Then I went ahead and wrote the copy. It took me three hours or so for the first draft. I used my own articles as inspiration, because I thought 'Hey, these guys clicked trought the article, I know them better than a copywriter'.

      Anyway, there are plenty of things to optimize, I am sure.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kim Standerline
        Cool

        It's called testing and obviously worked for you. Interesting to see your no header page worked better

        Kim

        Originally Posted by JackPowers View Post

        Well, first of all I had to do something to keep my visitors on the page. 96% of them bounced, so i figured the graphics were not right. With not right, I mean they were not targeted, the quality was fine. I couldn't know that for sure though, could have been the headline/hook, so I just changed to a very basic, no graphic header sales page.

        The bounce rate continued to be attrocious, so I figured I had to change the header AND the copy. I took a very basic header from a previous website in the same niche, with very low bounce, and put on. It didn't look good, but it worked.

        Then I went ahead and wrote the copy. It took me three hours or so for the first draft. I used my own articles as inspiration, because I thought 'Hey, these guys clicked trought the article, I know them better than a copywriter'.

        Anyway, there are plenty of things to optimize, I am sure.
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        • Profile picture of the author havplenty
          Originally Posted by Kim Standerline View Post

          Cool

          It's called testing and obviously worked for you. Interesting to see your no header page worked better

          Kim
          It's the dirty little secret that not many people like to talk about. Big crowdy headers kill conversions. The first thing you want your visitors to see when they hit your sales letter is the headline. Made the same change to a sales letter and conversions went up 40%.

          Good job to the OP, keep it up.
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          • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
            Originally Posted by havplenty View Post

            It's the dirty little secret that not many people like to talk about. Big crowdy headers kill conversions.
            This is true about one of the most common misconceptions out there. People with sales or squeeze pages need to ignore fancy headers. Get to the meat and skip the bells and whistles. It's just a distraction. I've had squeeze pages with fancy headers get 30% fewer opt-ins vs. the same page without the header.

            John
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            • Profile picture of the author zaki
              Congrats. i had the same feeling when i started creating my own info products and start making sales. Its hard work but with persiverance and determination, you will get there.

              Alusine Sesay
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            • Profile picture of the author Tom B
              Banned
              Originally Posted by Zeus66 View Post

              This is true about one of the most common misconceptions out there. People with sales or squeeze pages need to ignore fancy headers. Get to the meat and skip the bells and whistles. It's just a distraction. I've had squeeze pages with fancy headers get 30% fewer opt-ins vs. the same page without the header.

              John
              Yep, same here.

              I get better conversions without headers. Maybe it is a hair thing?
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              • Profile picture of the author Diana Lane
                Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap View Post

                Yep, same here.

                I get better conversions without headers. Maybe it is a hair thing?
                Or maybe you're just blinding visitors with reflected dazzle and they're hitting the 'buy now/subscribe' button in their confusion as they fumble around trying to get out again

                Congrats to the OP - I hope your success is the first of many
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                • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
                  Originally Posted by Diana Lane View Post

                  Or maybe you're just blinding visitors with reflected dazzle and they're hitting the 'buy now/subscribe' button in their confusion as they fumble around trying to get out again
                  Shut it, you!

                  BALDIES UNITE!!!
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                • Profile picture of the author Tom B
                  Banned
                  Originally Posted by Diana Lane View Post

                  Or maybe you're just blinding visitors with reflected dazzle and they're hitting the 'buy now/subscribe' button in their confusion as they fumble around trying to get out again

                  Congrats to the OP - I hope your success is the first of many
                  I was hoping it was my charisma.
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      • Profile picture of the author alsmith1
        This is great to hear, I, too will be promoting my own product in the near future. I believe it will make me feel more ownership and accomplishment once I make my first sale like you, thanks for sharing.
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  • Profile picture of the author BonganiS
    Congratulations! I am just imagining how good that feeling is. I will also be promoting my own products in the near future. Good job and good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author thebitbotdotcom
    Cool! I'm so jealous...
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  • Profile picture of the author simonlcroft
    Way to go, well done.

    Just in the middle of writing my own product as well so will be looking at what you have done and see if i can get the same results.

    Regards

    Simon
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  • Profile picture of the author Crew Chief
    Originally Posted by JackPowers View Post

    So, I took the advice of Warriors and set out to create a product of my own.
    Jack what you have done and where you are headed is phenomenal paradigm shift and I can see it literally reshaping and adding a sweet stream of income to your repertoire once you get the system down.

    I'm working like a mad man to clear my plate to do the exact same thing.

    You've probably already taken a look at: http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...templates.html

    If not, I would strongly consider implementing Jessica's system for your ebooks.

    To your success!

    Giles, the Crew Chief
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  • Profile picture of the author elyshemer
    Congratulations!

    Yes, it sure does feel great! I remember my first....
    It still feels good every time someone buys it
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    • Profile picture of the author E-supreme
      Good work, setting up my own product was the first thing I did when I started and its the best thing I ever did.

      For the people leaving your site you should use an exit splash script and collect emails or even divert them to the other clickbank offer.

      The key is to split test your landing page.
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  • Profile picture of the author Janice Sperry
    Very inspiring! It is great that you did not give up too soon and kept tweaking. I particulary liked this part of you post:

    Then I went ahead and wrote the copy. It took me three hours or so for the first draft. I used my own articles as inspiration, because I thought 'Hey, these guys clicked trought the article, I know them better than a copywriter'.
    That is a valuable line of reasoning that I had never really thought about. The people you had already pre-sold liked something about your writing style or content. Just give them more of what they liked since they were about as "targeted" as you could ever want.
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  • Profile picture of the author sarafina
    May I ask, how much did you pay to get an ebook ghostwritten?

    Also, instead of making little changes here and there and guessing what made an impact I would suggest you use google website optimizer instead.
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  • Profile picture of the author Galactus
    Congrats! ye I know the feeling too motivation!
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  • Profile picture of the author Danny Cutts
    Well done,

    I am also i teh middle of my first product launch... the copywriting for me is the hardest part... maybe I should just run with what I have got....lol

    Well done on the first sale

    Danny
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  • Profile picture of the author ranee1122
    Great !! Congrats !

    Feeling your enthusiasm I desire to sell my own products though I am still working on affiliate and earning also.

    Its really good. I am inspired.
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  • Profile picture of the author rayfloyd
    Totally well done Jack !
    Nice progression and you obviously know (very well) what you are talking about, it is very inspiring to those of us still cutting our teeth.
    Onwards and upwards mate

    step wisely
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Excellent ... I thought this was one of those I quit threads that go on and on and they never really quit. lol. Congratulations. I'm sure you'll sell more. Just keep promoting and making whatever tweaks necessary.
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    • Profile picture of the author TimG
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      Excellent ... I thought this was one of those I quit threads that go on and on and they never really quit. lol. Congratulations. I'm sure you'll sell more. Just keep promoting and making whatever tweaks necessary.
      I was thinking the same thing and was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a Warrior that has taken the bull by the horns and now joined the product creation club.

      Jack - You are right, it is a great feeling and now once you recoup the costs associated with launching the product it becomes all profit.

      Some valuable knowledge you gained during the tweaking process.

      Congrats!!

      Respectfully,
      Tim
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  • Profile picture of the author bronnamdi
    I am very jealous of your success and I applaud you for making me jealous of your achievement; I am not the jealous type.

    Congrats and tell us when you make your next and subsequent sales for if you can sell once, you can sell dozens of times.

    I am looking forward to the day I can say bye to affiliate marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author sambakker
    Woop Woop, good on ya! I remember my first sale, I was so excited all I wanted to do is sit at the comp and wait for the next...
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  • Profile picture of the author higginb3
    Now you should have the affiliates at Clickbank help you sell it.. develop your affiliate tools for the site.
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  • Profile picture of the author OrionWeb
    Congratulations on your first sale, we are looking forward on your future success. Keep us updated so that we can have hint and follow your leads.

    Orion
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  • Profile picture of the author createyouwealth
    Congrads on your success of your first sale and future sales in the near future. Keep up the good work and remember don't give up. Just keep driving traffic to your website and have affiliates help you promote and there will be no stopping you. All the best.
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  • Profile picture of the author n8
    That is awesome! Nothing like being the king of the mountain! Your Product=Your Profits! Now go get some people to sell your product
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  • Profile picture of the author Victoralexon
    Keep tweaking and testing and you can hopefully make more sales more often.
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  • Profile picture of the author annlight72
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    • Profile picture of the author XToni
      Congrats JackPower, that's the way to go. I think the right way of making money online it's by having your own product. Affiliate Marketing it's profitable only when you have a big targeted mailing list.
      If you want to learn how to make "big bucks" just study how those "guru" are earning their income. Some of them are making affiliate marketing also, but their main focus it's on developing fresh, quality and very tempting products and services.
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      • Profile picture of the author Hackbridge
        First of all congratulations on your first sale, very well done

        Can I ask you, what your system of traffic generating is? You mentioned articles based on the subject but how many directories have you submitted them to?

        It's such a simple way of marketing and I'm curious to know how many people are visiting the sales page based on your articles.

        I'm keen to emulate you, and do the same.

        Kind regards

        Brian
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  • Profile picture of the author warriorpa
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    • Profile picture of the author jasonl70
      Originally Posted by havplenty View Post

      It's the dirty little secret that not many people like to talk about. Big crowdy headers kill conversions. The first thing you want your visitors to see when they hit your sales letter is the headline. Made the same change to a sales letter and conversions went up 40%.

      Good job to the OP, keep it up.
      Originally Posted by Zeus66 View Post

      This is true about one of the most common misconceptions out there. People with sales or squeeze pages need to ignore fancy headers. Get to the meat and skip the bells and whistles. It's just a distraction. I've had squeeze pages with fancy headers get 30% fewer opt-ins vs. the same page without the header.

      John
      Originally Posted by Thomas Belknap View Post

      Yep, same here.

      I get better conversions without headers. Maybe it is a hair thing?
      add my agreement to these guys'.. graphical headers are a distraction.
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  • Profile picture of the author babarapho
    I felt the same way you are feeling when I made my first sale on my product. I say congratulations
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    • Profile picture of the author Fran_C
      Hey Jack, congratulations! I'm just getting started on the path to launch my first ebook so
      I'm even more interested in what you accomplished and how you went about it ... how about
      adding your product sales page in your signature so we can see it or even buy it!

      Fran
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  • Profile picture of the author Giggle
    Congrats on your first sale. I'm sure that much more sales will come making that a profitable venture.
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    • Profile picture of the author Intrepreneur
      My first was.

      Crap looking sales page.
      Crappy PLR products.

      Sold 3 and never sold anymore again after spending lots of time doing the same things I was already doing to promote them.

      So don't get too high on hope after only one sale.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dean Shainin
        Congratulations! Nothing like your first sale when it's your own product.

        Is your product set up to be taken on by affiliates?

        A single affiliate might have a list of say 2,000 or more and you might make more money when you have dozens of affiliates promoting for you.

        After creating dozens of products I'm still doing affiliate marketing. It might be wise to still consider doing both. There's also nothing like making residual income from affiliate marketing... To this day I'm shocked to see monthly residual sales from affiliate products I've promoted a few years ago.

        Cheers,
        Dean
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  • Profile picture of the author reynoldscorb
    Great story!

    That's what I like to hear, especially before I launch my new product in two weeks!

    I've been working on my affiliate tools so others can promote the product as well. I would recommend setting that up like others have mentioned.

    It's actually a lot easier than you think (create a few banner ads on Adobe Illistrator/Photoshop and write an email or two). There's no need to go and pay someone $500 to do it.

    But either way, I guarantee you'll be happy if you have some others promoting it.
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  • Profile picture of the author RylanClayne
    This is an awesome turnaround and certainly something I would like to follow in the future. Currently affiliate marketing is more my thing simply because it pays the bills and I dont have much outlay.

    I guess the real goal would be to do it all both sell products and be an affiliate like the pros. Good Luck with the ebook sales though and well done!
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