Amazon Tricks of the Trade

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Why9999

I am doing some Amazon affiliate marketing on my blog. It's a blog with small medium traffic in a niche that specializes in middle and senior age guys. However, I know I have a fairly diverse audience, including a lot of females and younger people.

I've got a gut feeling that I could make some decent money with Amazon but don't know how to do it. Anybody got any threads/ideas that they'd be willing to share?

Btw, I'm specifically interested in Amazon for a variety of reasons such as 1) I'm not impressed w/ CJ due to poor delivery of ads, 2) respectable name, 3) it's common to post an Amazon link as kind of "reference", etc. So I'm really int'd in nifty ways to boost your Amazon sales.

Also, I have tended to use a subtle approach because my site is an authority site. So my links to products have been text only and non-pushy.

But I'm open to any ideas someone might have. I've got some unused real estate on my site that is just waiting for something Amazon I feel!

What type of blog do you have? The more detail you give the more we can help.

Thanks
1 reply

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traceye

14 years ago

Probably the best thing to start with is to find a product on Amazon that you think your audience will like and write a review on it. Use a plain text link and/or clickable image to take them to Amazon via your links. No need to trick them or anything, just a hyperlink on the product name or a 'click here to buy from Amazon' should suffice.

I wouldn't bother with banner ads or widgets in the sidebar as these tend to be poor performers.

Thanks
3 replies

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Anna_O

14 years ago

There are several people on this forum who have had impressive success with Amazon who offer training and coaching.

Search the WSOs and the Reviews sections, find the successful marketers, and follow what they teach.

Choosing bestselling products and providing product reviews is a common way to affiliate market for Amazon products.

Best wishes,
Anna

Thanks
1 reply

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Why9999

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Anna_O

There are several people on this forum who have had impressive success with Amazon who offer training and coaching.

Search the WSOs and the Reviews sections, find the successful marketers, and follow what they teach.

Choosing bestselling products and providing product reviews is a common way to affiliate market for Amazon products.

Best wishes,
Anna

I'm not sure if this is what you are saying, but I did a search on WF and saw a few good suggestions. For example, one person suggested carefully looking over all the Amazon product offers. Another more recent thread suggested using a Firefox plug in to find what people are buying.

Those are good, but I still feel like I'm missing something....

Thanks
1 reply

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Anna_O

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Why9999

I'm not sure if this is what you are saying, but I did a search on WF and saw a few good suggestions. For example, one person suggested carefully looking over all the Amazon product offers. Another more recent thread suggested using a Firefox plug in to find what people are buying.

Those are good, but I still feel like I'm missing something....

What I meant are that there are at least 3 Warrior members who make between $60,000 and $120,000 per year as Amazon affiliates. Each of these individuals has a WSO advertising their courses/formulas for how to profit with Amazon and/or their coaching services.

I don't think I'm allowed to put in links or names to their courses if I'm an affiliate for them

Best,
Anna

Thanks
1 reply

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LynnM

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Why9999

Anybody got any threads/ideas that they'd be willing to share?

There are some extremely useful tips and plans in these threads:

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ing-money.html

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...print-you.html

Thanks
1 reply

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Why9999

14 years ago

Originally Posted by LynnM

There are some extremely useful tips and plans in these threads:

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ing-money.html

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...print-you.html

There are some excellent ideas in there.

One thing I can't figure out though is how to sell products that don't have to do with my niche. I mean it doesn't make sense to review something that doesn't have anything to do with my site. I need for Amazon or something to do the selling for me.

Any ideas how to do this?

Thanks
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LynnM

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Why9999

There are some excellent ideas in there.

One thing I can't figure out though is how to sell products that don't have to do with my niche. I mean it doesn't make sense to review something that doesn't have anything to do with my site. I need for Amazon or something to do the selling for me.

Any ideas how to do this?

Are there words within the articles on your site that can tie in with an Amazon product? Then you could simply add a text link to that product. Would your readers click on the links though? Maybe some testing needed.

Thanks
1 reply

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Why9999

14 years ago

Originally Posted by LynnM

Are there words within the articles on your site that can tie in with an Amazon product? Then you could simply add a text link to that product. Would your readers click on the links though? Maybe some testing needed.

I've essentially already got that and it is working.

Thanks

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Why9999

14 years ago

Originally Posted by traceye

Probably the best thing to start with is to find a product on Amazon that you think your audience will like and write a review on it. Use a plain text link and/or clickable image to take them to Amazon via your links. No need to trick them or anything, just a hyperlink on the product name or a 'click here to buy from Amazon' should suffice.

I wouldn't bother with banner ads or widgets in the sidebar as these tend to be poor performers.

Thank you. I've already though of reviews and have even bought one product myself to test it. But I appreciate the idea.

Thanks

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Why9999

14 years ago

Originally Posted by traceye

Probably the best thing to start with is to find a product on Amazon that you think your audience will like and write a review on it. Use a plain text link and/or clickable image to take them to Amazon via your links. No need to trick them or anything, just a hyperlink on the product name or a 'click here to buy from Amazon' should suffice.

I wouldn't bother with banner ads or widgets in the sidebar as these tend to be poor performers.

I thought that widget was so cool, but I tried it on a side bar and found just what you did: no one clicked on it!

Thanks

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Paul Coleman

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Why9999

Also, I have tended to use a subtle approach because my site is an authority site. So my links to products have been text only and non-pushy.

I believe the sky is the limit for you. You can add your own guides to your site, and you can break those guides out into multiple products. Check my sig. ;-)

Paul

Thanks

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Bookpumper.com - The Kindle Revolution

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JoeSteyn

Banned 14 years ago

[DELETED]

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Soflyy 14 years ago

There are lots of ways, but I've heard from the hundreds of people using my software (I think I'm a fairly credible source... see my signature) that the most important thing is your traffic. There aren't very many secrets. The most important thing is targeted traffic in "buy mode" - i.e. looking to buy something from Amazon, even if it's not necessarily what you are advertising on your site.

Also, you can use duplicate content (i.e. taken directly from Amazon) and still easily make sales, but as a general rule, writing your own detailed reviews of the products you are selling will dramatically boost your conversion rate.
- Thanks
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Michael Franklin

14 years ago

Why9999,

Similar to what others have said, simple is the way to go! No distractions that will prevent your visitors from checking out your content. I've experimented with various setups and I will tell you that a short, yet informative product review style site seems to convert best!

Lots of great threads on the forum that can give you specific insights into various aspects of marketing with Amazon Associates.

Good Luck!
Michael

Thanks
1 reply

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Why9999

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Franklin

Why9999,

Similar to what others have said, simple is the way to go! No distractions that will prevent your visitors from checking out your content. I've experimented with various setups and I will tell you that a short, yet informative product review style site seems to convert best!

Lots of great threads on the forum that can give you specific insights into various aspects of marketing with Amazon Associates.

Good Luck!
Michael

Well, okay, but again here's where I get bogged down. I looked at the advice on another thread and it said to monitor the Amazon affiliate specials. Well, let's take gift cards. I've got an authority web site that is technical in nature. Now how am I supposed to get someone to buy a gift card? I can't really do a review on a gift card, etc.

As you can tell, I'm not much of a marketing guy, but I still don't see a natural, non-hypster way of doing something like that...

Thanks

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bluenetworx

14 years ago

I think the advice above it good, and I am finding that Amazon converts very well, so just getting people over there can makes sales of things you never imagined. I promote a few Amazon products and often check my sales to see all sorts of other things in there!

Thanks
1 reply

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Why9999

14 years ago

Originally Posted by bluenetworx

I think the advice above it good, and I am finding that Amazon converts very well, so just getting people over there can makes sales of things you never imagined. I promote a few Amazon products and often check my sales to see all sorts of other things in there!

Okay, but as I stated above, how do you promote things that have little or nothing to do with your site?

From what I've seen and read, banners and widgets don't convert well. Is there a trick?

Thanks

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Thamisgith

14 years ago

Check out the "bestsellers" lists to get an idea of what is selling well on Amazon. It will also tell you how long a particular item has been in the top 100. It's well worth watching for any rapid risers - something that is in the top 10 (say) but has only been in the top 100 for a few days might be a new hot fad.

You say your website is technical in nature. Maybe you could find something in the bestsellers list for electronics (and its various subcategories), software etc.

Once you find a likely looking product - that fits in well with the theme of your site - write a decent review of it and put that on your site. There's no particular need for hype. If you write a thorough review (you can quote Amazon user comments if you like) then people will read it and may click through to Amazon.

Make sure to give them plenty of options to click through to Amazon - both text links and images. At least three for a decent length of review - one above the fold, one halfway down and another one right at the end.

Thanks
1 reply

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Why9999

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Thamisgith

Check out the "bestsellers" lists to get an idea of what is selling well on Amazon. It will also tell you how long a particular item has been in the top 100. It's well worth watching for any rapid risers - something that is in the top 10 (say) but has only been in the top 100 for a few days might be a new hot fad.

You say your website is technical in nature. Maybe you could find something in the bestsellers list for electronics (and its various subcategories), software etc.

Once you find a likely looking product - that fits in well with the theme of your site - write a decent review of it and put that on your site. There's no particular need for hype. If you write a thorough review (you can quote Amazon user comments if you like) then people will read it and may click through to Amazon.

Make sure to give them plenty of options to click through to Amazon - both text links and images. At least three for a decent length of review - one above the fold, one halfway down and another one right at the end.

You gave me some ideas here - thank you very much.

But how do you guys review high dollar items that you can't actually afford to order? I guess you do what you said above and include comments of other reviewers??

I appreciate the advice on the three different links as well.

Thanks
1 reply

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GameVoid

14 years ago

Christmas shopping season pretty much starts tomorrow. Sure Halloween is in there too, but Christmas is where Amazon and her affiliates make the big score.

Your goal for the next three months is pretty much just to get your visitors to Amazon and let Amazon do the rest.

Product comparison articles might work well on your site, explaining why one is better than the other and then linking the reader to Amazon to get more information.

Banners might not convert well, but they DO give your users a mental link between your site and Amazon, a well known and trusted e-tailer. Once your readers start realizing that you just might be trying to sell them something, you want them to know that you are selling it via Amazon and not out of your garage and the banners can help with that.

Thanks
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Why9999

14 years ago

Originally Posted by GameVoid

Christmas shopping season pretty much starts tomorrow. Sure Halloween is in there too, but Christmas is where Amazon and her affiliates make the big score.

Your goal for the next three months is pretty much just to get your visitors to Amazon and let Amazon do the rest.

Product comparison articles might work well on your site, explaining why one is better than the other and then linking the reader to Amazon to get more information.

Banners might not convert well, but they DO give your users a mental link between your site and Amazon, a well known and trusted e-tailer. Once your readers start realizing that you just might be trying to sell them something, you want them to know that you are selling it via Amazon and not out of your garage and the banners can help with that.

Good point. Another reason to get a lot of little links to increase my conversion rate. I actually had quite a few links but pulled them off to test whether or not that was affecting my SERP.

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Not exactly a plug-in, but this sounds like the one you want...

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...s-promote.html

As far as doing reviews on things you haven't used, it takes a combination of research skills, a pretty decent BS detector, and a little practice writing.

Read the product reviews on Amazon and other retailers, looking for and noting both the things people liked and didn't like. Read real reviews (as opposed to affiliate flogs), like those you'll find on newspaper and magazine sites. If it's a physical product, visit the manufacturer's site and look through what they have to say. Look through support materials and FAQ.

Your review will be more like a survey of what the important points to consider are, and how a particular product fits those. Mention the pluses and minuses - if you picked a good product, the pluses should far outweigh the minuses. Since we're talking Amazon here, mention that the product is available on Amazon (give your aff link) and any perqs like free shipping.

Tell them (truthfully) that you are a happy Amazon customer, and that they have a great rep, great service, yadda, yadda, yadda...

That link was it - thx!

And thx for all the tips. I appreciate it.

Thanks

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JohnMcCabe

14 years ago

One of the harsh truths is that, while one can just about always find something on Amazon that will sell, some sites are better suited for it than others.

You wrote, over a couple of posts, that you have a blog about a highly technical subject aimed at middle-age and older guys. Unless there are books, products, and such which also fit that profile, you might have a hard row to hoe without going off-topic.

Text links and picture links within posts have been the most effective for me, so you're already doing that right.

Here's something to think about. Most people, including me, advise people to use books and digital downloads to build up your unit numbers and increase your commission percentage, as the commission on these items is generally quite low.

You may be sitting on an exception to that rule. You can find some pretty expensive reference materials and specialized reports on a variety of technical areas. What's the difference whether you get a commission on a $100 handbag or a $100 reference book?

Thanks
1 reply

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Why9999

14 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

One of the harsh truths is that, while one can just about always find something on Amazon that will sell, some sites are better suited for it than others.

You wrote, over a couple of posts, that you have a blog about a highly technical subject aimed at middle-age and older guys. Unless there are books, products, and such which also fit that profile, you might have a hard row to hoe without going off-topic.

Text links and picture links within posts have been the most effective for me, so you're already doing that right.

Here's something to think about. Most people, including me, advise people to use books and digital downloads to build up your unit numbers and increase your commission percentage, as the commission on these items is generally quite low.

You may be sitting on an exception to that rule. You can find some pretty expensive reference materials and specialized reports on a variety of technical areas. What's the difference whether you get a commission on a $100 handbag or a $100 reference book?

I've shied away from books because they just don't sell from what I've seen.

Of course, I haven't pushed them as hard as I might nor done reviews, so I'll have to think about that.

As far as an expensive reference book, it's a great idea but nothing jumps to mind. I'm definitely going to think about that one!

Thanks

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Why9999

14 years ago

Does anyone know the URL or thread title of the Amazon thread where someone suggested using a Firefox plugin to find out what was actually hot on Amazon in a completely unbiased way or something similar? I believe it was from a few days ago.

I want to read over that thread again....

Thanks
1 reply

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JohnMcCabe

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Why9999

Does anyone know the URL or thread title of the Amazon thread where someone suggested using a Firefox plugin to find out what was actually hot on Amazon in a completely unbiased way or something similar? I believe it was from a few days ago.

I want to read over that thread again....

Not exactly a plug-in, but this sounds like the one you want...

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...s-promote.html

As far as doing reviews on things you haven't used, it takes a combination of research skills, a pretty decent BS detector, and a little practice writing.

Read the product reviews on Amazon and other retailers, looking for and noting both the things people liked and didn't like. Read real reviews (as opposed to affiliate flogs), like those you'll find on newspaper and magazine sites. If it's a physical product, visit the manufacturer's site and look through what they have to say. Look through support materials and FAQ.

Your review will be more like a survey of what the important points to consider are, and how a particular product fits those. Mention the pluses and minuses - if you picked a good product, the pluses should far outweigh the minuses. Since we're talking Amazon here, mention that the product is available on Amazon (give your aff link) and any perqs like free shipping.

Tell them (truthfully) that you are a happy Amazon customer, and that they have a great rep, great service, yadda, yadda, yadda...

Thanks

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Amazon Tricks of the Trade

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