Are we all going about this the wrong way?
So, I just got off the phone with my nephew...he's been working in the marketing business for years. I told him about my plans to give affiliate marketing a go, and his response was, in short, "don't do it".
Is it really the right choice to be putting so much time and effort into marketing someone else's products with absolutely no marketing experience whatsoever? (...please don't tell me that I am the only one on this site without direct marketing experience...) What is the advantage over buying a product from China and getting affiliate marketers to do the marketing for you? It seems that shipping the product takes way less time and effort than marketing it. I do have an online store that sells scrapbooking embellishments and jewelry supplies, so I am familiar with the amount of work that entails.
I am feeling rather bummed out at the moment. After being laid off from a good paying job as an engineer two years ago, I thought I had finally found a path forward instead of still mourning my loss, but now I am not quite so sure...
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I've run both types of businesses. Shipping the product is never easier, I've had both physical inventory and have used warehouses. Affiliate Marketing is amazingly automated. The power of Affiliate Marketing is tapped through a lot of content, every piece of content means potential income, which is why it is so limitless. And automated :)
Added to what I said in chat, and to what MHainsworth has said.
Many members here have used the training to do other Internet related things. I myself have a couple of clients with websites I upgraded and now maintain. Some have membership sites that offer services such as counselling (via Skype and the like).
There are lots of avenues to explore and the training here covers many aspects of an online business. :)
Hi - I know it's not an easy option but affiliate marketing is also different from owning your owns goods because of what extra services you can give to your potential clients. You are in a unique position of being able to move about with your products, represent services and goods from across the globe and you're not tied into the marketing approach of one company that feels like it owns you. It also provides you a space to branch out and explore what potential products you could sell whether it's an ebook or a blog about what's important to you. The biggest draw of affiliate marketing for many people is the freedom to work for themselves, so don't lose sight of why you chose this route and hopefully the community here will give you more positive feedback.
Thanks for the comment. I have picked a really fun and easy subject to write about, so if nothing else, I am learning to build a better website while enjoying doing it :) I think my definition of success is also a little lower than my nephew, so I must keep that in mind. Thanks again!
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go with your heart, this is not going to cost much, give it ago for a while, if you don't like it you can always leave, but it suits me and a lot of other people here too best of luck cheers Helen