Pitfalls of Affiliate Marketing

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As a new affiliate marketer here are a few tips I learned over the years.

Text links are often better than using graphic banners

Banners and buttons provided by the Vendor are useful tools, however they may not be the best choice for your product and marketing approach.

Banners seldom generate as many clicks as a good product review or recommendation that has a personal touch to it.

Promote one vendor or product line, when starting out

There is a temptation to join a large number of programs when getting started.

This makes it impossible to keep up with them all. Only sign up for those you are committed to support and take action on.

Selecting one program, to start with, will allow you to learn the affiliate marketing techniques, before using those techniques on other opportunties.

Promote additional products, once established

Do not fall into the trap of a single product line, for long periods of time.

While it's good to have focus in the early stages, expanding your offerings will create greater income potential.

Mutliple income streams are possible and can be very lucrative.

Explore different methods of promotion

When you discover an approach that generates affiliate sales, don't stop exploring other options.

There are many different ways to promote your affiliate links.

Experimenting and being creative will generate a lot more income than sticking with a single method.

Read the fine print

Be sure you understand what is allowed and what is not allowed.

Each program publsihes a set of terms and conditions, which vary from program to program.

If you don't bother to read them, you may be removed from the program after spending months developing an opportunity.

Usually a ban is instant without warning ... it is not your right, to be an affiliate, you need to earn that status, by complying with the rules.

Spamming

Avoid spamming your links and message at all cost.

Sending out unsolicited emails, and posting links on Social Media without permission, will get you in trouble more quickly than anything else.

Regaining the trust of your potential customers, is nearly impossible once you have spammed them. It is a one strike your out scenario!

As well you may be instantly blocked by your internet service provider, social media platform, your web host, and/or the search engines (and possibly even the law). There are seldom warnings for infractions, you are expected to know the rules and abide by them.

Take time to learn about what spam is and how to avoid these issues.

Getting blocked by Facebook or other social media platforms is not the end of the world, but be cautions, repeated infractions will result in your account being blocked from posting.

Follow the rules and take your time ... engage with those who follow you, on social media.

Best wishes for a successful business venture ... hope these tips help!

Allan Curtis

"Awaken Your Potential"

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Recent Comments

37

Thanks Allan, useful information. It is so easy to make an error without realising you are breaking the rules. just like I did in my local town last week, .... drove into town, turned left, went into the bus lane, .....then....coming home turned right, crossing the bus lane again.
Today in the post I received two penalty tickets....for going into the bus lane too early when making the turn..grrr,

I now have deep resentment to Brighton & Hove District Council. Even though the fault was entirely mine... 🙁

sometimes not knowing is no excuse.

That error cost me £60

It’s the WA family who ensure I don’t make online errors, if only I ensure I read all the golden nuggets...

Thank you 👍

Hi Cordelia ... yes being held accountable can generate feelings of anger, resentment and frustration. While being mindful and in the present moment, can help to avoid these situations.

As negative as that experience was, I will bet this is not something you will ever do again ... :) Lesson learned?

Being banned from Facebook feels somewhat the same ... learn from your mistakes, after all, that is what made us who we are!

Allan

quite right when you make a mistake you tend to learn and remember... sometimes more so than successes...:)

Hi Allan these are great tips. I have heard that before that text links seem to work better, and I am using more of them. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Jenny ... glad you found it of interest.
Allan

Thanks Allan, so many good tips here!

Appreciate them :)

Thanks Judy, happy to help, even a little!
Allan

I wish I could have read this when I first joined!

Never too late, Cathy ... LOL
Sometimes the lessons learned the hard way stick with us ... :)
Allan

It’s great being new to get this kind of insight
Thanks
Tim

Thanks Tim ... appreciate your feedback.
Allan

Thanks, always great stuff.

Thanks Jeffrey ... all the best!
Allan

Some good a valid points to keep in mind. Taking it step by step makes sense or else it will overwhelm you. Make it work, then scale it up.

Yes, exactly ... once you have successfully implemented one, the rest are simply as pie!
Much less stressful than trying to get multiple opportunities successful at the same time.
Allan

Thank you, Allan--we have to crawl before we walk. I can see exactly where it would be mass confusion with so many different affiliate programs. I read many members posting about all the ones they're applying for, and it made me wonder. Thanks for the frank clarification!

Jeff

My pleasure ... I have done the same thing ... the mind goes into hyperspace just looking at all the opportunities!

The pitfall is that you become the master of none! Spread too thin to do well in any of them!

Allan

Nice information, I will be following this advice ,

Hi Eoin .. had you found it interesting.
Best wishes ...
Allan

It's always good to read something like this👍 especially why I'm writing content for my site.

Hi Albert ... good to know it is helpful to you.
Best wishes,
Allan

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