One month down and I'm on the bus
This is cool!
I'm really enjoying writing and learning and networking, sharing ideas, reviewing and being reviewed. It really feels like each step is in the right direction.
So today I joined CJ, my first affiliate site and then found I had to do a pile of extra work connecting finances, US tax form, link my bank details and now I'm waiting for them to give me the OK.
It was really interesting when I started looking at the many sites that offer affiliate programs, especially in my niche. A lot of them have really small margins. There are a few which are better, like software, but in general, it doesn't look super attractive so I am going to either have to do some serious searching, or start a second niche. But I really love my niche, which is about guitar accessories as I love playing, learning, writing and performing.
You need a track record to start and you need to start to get a track record
s know that header is way too long. I had an interesting experience when I decided to look at Amazon as an affiliate. They give you, from memory 2-3 months to prove yourself and get some sales, and they are more or less looking for a track record before you start. So I decided to get myself a track record and go back again later.
It seems a bit like the wannabe sales rep who can't get a job without being able to demonstrate experience and can't get experience without getting a sales job.
Being Downunder can be a Challenge
Some of the distributors I looked at were regional, but I want to be global. A lot of the branded product is still region protected. There is a particular product I want to sell, but it has different distribution in each country. It would be much easier to live in the US. I thought a lot of that protectionism was over, but it might even be going in the other direction if you are not with the big guys like Amazon. I guess it comes down to the niche and education.
Loss Leaders
There is a lot to learn beyond telling stories and getting people excited about products. Some allow you to make good money and some are perhaps going to be loss-leaders. For example, I have an affiliate account with Ali Express, but the products are so cheap that the only winner is the customer if the product is any good.
For example, I promoted an awesome guitar slide via a YouTube channel. It's one of my favorites, but it lands including delivery for under $6!
I'm wondering whether a loss-leader is a good idea or not. If someone gets really good and really cheap products that I found for them, will they expect that everything will be super cheap, or will they trust me and also buy more expensive items from me?
Anyway, I'm really enjoying the journey and making new friends and associates along the way.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Luigi
Recent Comments
6
Hi Luigi
It is always a good feeling to help out your customer and find them great deals. It is good to have a mix of products and prices to represent as an affiliate.
Your customers will trust you if you are an honest, personable seller. The price will not be much of a factor when you are a straight shooter.
Even when promoting a high cost item, it is helpful to have a lower cost item that is similar to compare. This will help inform your readers and show your honesty. You can show them how the higher cost item may be the better option.
You can do good promoting "Loss Leaders" when you keep in mind that you can recommend other products to the customer.
You have a couple options with this...
1) You can offer them a great review on a cheap product and still recommend a similar item that costs more but with more qualities.
2) You can also give a recommendation of other items to boost the cheap products value.
So for instance, with this cheap guitar, you can offer a cheap or free downloadable PDF file (written by you) with a few tips.
This is a good way to get the customers email.
You can provide an affiliate link to a book or DVD for a guitar lesson.
You can promote a guitar case or a basket of goodies like guitar pics/strings/stickers (affiliate products)
Those are just some ideas.
As a good rule of thumb, promoting products that cost atleast around $50 is usually a decent return for affiliate commissions.
Hope this helps :)
All the best to you
-Amelita
Thanks for your great advice Amelita, I appreciate the ideas and will follow them through. I also study poker and a lot of poker authors offer things like free training videos to people who buy their books and other offers. I like that idea because it adds value and builds the relationship and like the free PDF file you suggested, it's only one product that you give away multiple times. It only costs you your time once.
All the best
Luigi
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Good on You Luigi. It is great to read how you are progressing and I wish you every success going forward. Multiply that $6 1000 fold and you will be rocking it.
Absolutely Freisia, I value your support