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"Direct Linking" vs. "Multi-Step" affiliate method...

by kwamster
17 replies
Is it still possible to make good affiliate commissions using just the "direct linking" method (linking directly to the sales page) or is using the multi-step method (using a squeeze page first) the only viable way to do it nowadays?
#affiliate #direct linking #method #multistep
  • Profile picture of the author Kalednet
    Both work.

    But capturing contact information is better for long term business success. You can contact buyers later and sell more products. If you send them directly, you might sell to them -but only once.
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    • Profile picture of the author kwamster
      I definitely understand and agree that it's much better to capture a visitor's email address and build a list that can be marketed to repeatably for years to come.

      However, I'm simply posing the question from the standpoint of somebody who doesn't necessarily want to "manage" a list but just wants to advertise directly and "reap the rewards" of his or her work on a daily basis.

      If that person was able to advertise effectively and say make a $1,000 per day, would it really matter if he or she passed up on the additional long term profits that would come from using the multi-step method (It may be foolish but at a $1,000 per day would it really matter)?

      I mean less face it, if someone was making a thousand dollars per day using the "direct linking" method, I don't think that they would be that concerned about the money that was "left on the table"!

      Or... Perhaps both methods could be employed at the same time. One for fast or immediate profits and the other for long term and sustainable income.
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      • Profile picture of the author Black Hat Cat
        Banned
        Originally Posted by kwamster View Post

        Or... Perhaps both methods could be employed at the same time. One for fast or immediate profits and the other for long term and sustainable income.
        Just because you're building a list doesn't mean you can't earn "fast and immediate profits" at the same time. People can still buy fast and immediately after they opt in to your list.

        That said, yes, direct linking still works fine if you have a traffic source that allows it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Devin X
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Kalednet View Post

      Both work.
      Ehhhh that strongly depends on how you define "work". Direct linking doesn't work as a business model anymore. Between 2001-2006 you had all sorts of people making big money by just doing that. Nowadays? Forget it, you'll make a few hundred, maybe even a few thousand, but that's the cap right there.

      Originally Posted by kwamster View Post

      Is it still possible to make good affiliate commissions using just the "direct linking" method (linking directly to the sales page) or is using the multi-step method (using a squeeze page first) the only viable way to do it nowadays?
      It's possible to make some money. Notice that I stress the some part. Now, like BH Cat said, you can mix the two, but you should be building your list and utilizing a strong sales funnel which maximizes the user's experience and drives sales into your accounts.

      What do I mean by integrating both? When someone opts into your list, you can re-direct them to a sales page. Or you can include an affiliate link within their confirmation email. Either is an example of direct linking while doing the multi-step method.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ismael Zarruqui
    I can't stress enough how important it is to build a list ,you are leaving money on the table if you are linking directly to the sales page..
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    • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
      You can still make affiliate commissions by using the
      direct linking method, but I would NOT recommend it.

      Instead, even as an affiliate, focus on building YOUR
      list so that you grow an ASSET that you can leverage
      now and long into the future too.

      You'll make more money long-term that way.

      Then, later on in your IM career, you may want to
      create your own product and you'll have your own
      list ready and willing to buy from you.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
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      .

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  • Profile picture of the author Mark72
    This can work IF you catch somebody at the right piont in the buying cycle in the right niche and they're just looking for some additional information to help them justify the purchase.

    BUT... you will make a lot more money if you focus on capturing the lead (email address) and developing a follow up sequence to pre-sell them before sending to the offer.

    Note that it can take up to 7 exposures to an offer before somebody decides to buy.
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    • Profile picture of the author nhynes57
      Definitely capture contact information first, then send them to affiliate site.
      I resisted doing this for years and missed the opportunity to build a big list.
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      "There is no spoon"

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  • Profile picture of the author retsced
    How many times do you have to see an offer before you buy? Followup is crucial.
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    Strong Men and Women put themselves in harms way
    for the freedoms weak people give away for safety
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  • Profile picture of the author JabMonkey
    Be patient and use a squeeze page. The rewards are much bigger in the long haul.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by kwamster View Post

    Is it still possible to make good affiliate commissions using just the "direct linking" method
    No. Not "good" ones. You might make the occasional semi-random sale, that way, if your traffic's really well targeted enough, but even then it would be terribly wasteful, compared with building a list.

    Nobody's making serious money by direct linking, in my opinion. To all realistic intents and purposes it's simply "not an option" at all.

    If you're thinking of "ClickBank-type products" or anything equivalent to that, this little thread might help you to answer your question: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post6737670

    Originally Posted by kwamster View Post

    I mean less face it, if someone was making a thousand dollars per day using the "direct linking" method ...
    It's unreal. Nobody is. Nobody with the ability and skills to earn $30k per month would be silly enough.
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  • Profile picture of the author Greedy
    Either work, but I almost always use a landing page with even the simplest CPL offer.
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  • Profile picture of the author yonaswedo
    Without landing pages, we (affiliate marketer) will not have enough earnings to maintain the website. It will simply be a waste of money and time.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ahmed Auf
    If you want some quick cash to get you motivated then use direct linking, however building a list is a better long term business.
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    Free Report Reveals The Exact Systems & Softwares A Newbie Used To Make $421.86 In 24 Hours and Build A Red Hot Email List!
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Multi-step method. Lead generation/email marketing preferably.
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    ==>> Free book reveals how to make money with affiliate marketing
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  • Profile picture of the author jcss
    Hello.

    I know this is an old thread ,but I found it on G results and want to know can I use squeeze pages first to get visitors email address and then redirect them to merchant's site in Adwords or Bing adcenter ?

    Where can I find good squeeze pages ?

    Regards.
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  • Profile picture of the author Thomas Michal
    You always want to do some sort of pre selling IMO.
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