Feeling a bit disappointed
I am feeling a bit frustrated and disappointed today. I have been working very hard on my website since coming back to WA in full swing last October. I have received lots of positive feedback for my blog. I am getting traffic - from WA, Facebook, and organic. However, it is not converting into sales. This morning I have woken up to an email from Amazon Affiilates to say as I haven't had a sale within 190 days I have had my account cancelled.
I have a number of posts that link to Amazon products - now they are useless so even if my traffic clicks I won't get the benefit. Just don't know what to do. They said I could apply again when I have traffic. Do I apply for the program and hope like crazy that I get conversions in the next 190 days or do I build up my traffic first? If I build up my traffic first and people follow the links then I don't get the benefit and I miss the sale. I am so conflicted as to which way to jump.
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Recent Comments
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I recommend you do extreme web traffic analysis and increase your web traffic in all ways possible. Do anylitics on ever high traffic site you can find including Google. Research HOW to increase clicks and click throughs on Google about Google for free and institute fast. Use of Tags is important!!! ..see Twitter
c.
I'm so sorry to hear that. I was in your situation too when I just got started with Amazon. You can always apply again, and I don't think Amazon will have problem accepting your application.
Just keep posting new content, it's just a matter of time before people will start buying from your site. I'm not an expert and don't make much money from Amazon, but I get sales every month from Amazon for the past 8 months now.
You can do this, you know what, English is my third language and making money from affiliate marketing is completely possible if you're doing it the right way, just follow the training here at WA and don't stop creating and posting new content.
Raynold
Hello Megan.
I understand. I do! It is frustrating to be investing time and energy into something We truly believe in. And when things don't go as planned, we feel 'out-of-air'. And that's totally fine. As You have every right to act upon that.
Luckily, there is a cure for this. But in order to do this, You must first take a deep breath, relax your shoulders ()maybe roll them a few times to let lose any tension.) And just relax for a minute or two.
When You're done with that, allow Yourself to let go of Your guard and embrace people to come look at Your business.
As You are now part of the biggest community for aspiring and successful entrepreneurs, doing the exact things You are doing. - You now have a brilliant opportunity to leverage it.
So I suggest that You take Your learning cap on and start to turn to those who can actually help You.
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You have now done the worst part, Megan. And you should really take pride in that. Kudos to You! I think You've done amazing!
You now have a bright future ahead of You!
But, it is important that You know that this is not enough to make sales. So, what are Your plans to captivate and engage with Your visitors from here?
In case you're unfamiliar with this, I have great news! - This is why You are stuck in this current situation, and that means You now can learn how to get out of this!
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What's the cure?
The cure for this is called "Lead generation". It's the skill to generate leads that will turn into quality sales.
It is the technique of which today's companies are using as a default to make results. And You need to learn to do this as well.
And I promise you that it is NOT hard.
I'm currently making an eBook on the subject, so I might be a little "damaged".
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Megan, based on Your post. - When going full machinery for quite some time, you tend to go in circles, not seeing what the problem is. But just by letting others in, You are multiplying Your chance of valuable feedback.
This would be a perfect time to exchange/deposit any WA Credits and head off to SiteComments and SiteFeedback. As this would involve other members of WA to take a deep look at Your set up.
And quite frankly, I'm confident to say that this is just temporary, and You WILL see a huge change very soon. I can almost guarantee it!
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Last, but not least...
If You think I'm onto something. I would like to offer You my hand. And exclusively take a look on Your business. In hopes of perhaps giving You some valuable directions on how to turn this around, using Leads Generation as the guiding star.
Is this something You would be interested in? If so, please let me know, down below.
Take care and don't give up! As it is only then You have lost.
It will turn, I promise.
Most sincerely,
Robin
First thought, Amazon doesn't care about you. They are a big business in business to make money. They don't want to carry a million unperforming people on their books. They are shutting out small mom and pop brick and mortar stores and even contributing to Toys R Us demise.
Second thought, why not have a friend purchase something that you or they would need through your link so that there is a sale. I know that's not totally legit (or maybe even ethical), and I certainly wouldn't do it if you don't have lots of traffic. I know lots of people that buy from Amazon, why not have them buy something through my link?
Megan I would definitely agree with Bryan, as I did exactly this. Id even go further to say I do consider it a legit sale because my friends should definitely be a portion of my traffic. That one sale gave me the motivation needed to continue working and now I am noticing more organic traffic! So hopefully more sales are to come!
Discouraging things happen from time to time, don’t let these obstacles stop your mission! Good luck Megan!
The only thing that I should have added was don't do it from your computer as they can, and do, track IP addresses! That would be a violation as is purchasing from your own link.
Hi Megan,
Sorry to hear about your Amazon Affiliate status. This is not unusual as it may take time to build up that traffic. As others have indicated there are other folks to sign up with for your products. I am looking at ShareASale and Rakuten to market more products for my niche. You can also use pay per click (PPC) options to monetize your site too. Take a look at these and others while waiting to go back to Amazon. You might be surprised by the products available with these other affiliate programs.
Wishing you success!
Are you using social media outlets to showcase your knowledge and products? Or are you having problems with lots of clicks but no sale conversions? (I am fighting this right now on one of my sites.)
I am about to be in the same boat, think I have maybe a month left to sell the required number of Amazon products. Is it three you need to sell? I can't remember. I'm thinking I'll get my partner to buy a few cheap things through my links just to keep my account.
They say around the 6 - 12 month mark you should be seeing enough traffic to make this work. I think we all just need to hang in there and trust in the system. I hope I'm right!
I know you do need to be careful about getting family/friends buying things as I remember reading on here somewhere that someone was banned from Amazon for that.
Send me your url in a pm. I am looking for a couple of things at amazon. The way i understand it even if you don't promote what i want if i go thru your site you get credit. I am not sure of this as i am not promoting amazon.
Oh my that's so generous of you. I will PM you and if you do need anything that would be most appreciated.
If it doesn't come from my IP why would it be a problem? Maybe my family and friends do want to buy something off my site?
As djefferds has offered below why couldn't be help each other out to get over the first few sales?
Dear Megan,
Do not feel frustrated. Register with other affiliate companies like eBay or Click bank and so many others you can register with, look for equivalent products and get new links from them. Try to get more traffic as you are building up your traffic you can reregister with Amazon company later
I have a number of other affiliates but not for these specific products. I'll have to look and see what else offers these - just more work when I already have so much to do.
Same situation here. I have 62 posts, my site is 6 months old.
I have over 600 comments. I am pretty much only getting traffic when I ask for comments.
My posts are anywhere from 1,200 words to 8,500 words on some of my "best of " posts. It's very frustrating. I am using very low QSR keywords as well.
I feel the same way, if I don't have traffic, my affiliate links are useless.
I know it's a matter of perseverance, but it's getting harder. Especially with all of the success stories from sites that are brand new.
As for Amazon, you can reapply, been there, done that.
Yeah I'm hearing you. I know I can reapply but it seems pointless at the moment as I could well be in the same boat in another 190 days :/
This is to both (Steve & Megan) of you, you're basically at a point when most people quit their blogs, don't let Google win. Google knows you guys will quit at this point, don't give in.
You BOTH must push on and continue writing that content with low hanging fruit. Your traffic will start to change soon.
The other thing I have to suggest is that you get your frequency up higher, do 15 posts a month like 3 a week like clockwork. 3 posts every single week for the next six months, and I know you will see results.
I publish 7 times a week and within 2 months of starting this my traffic started rising, and kept rising from then on along with my income.
I built up to this though, first 4 months were just 8 posts a month, then 12 posts a month, then 16, then 20, then everyday (after one year of doing this).
I'm not saying you need to do the same but you need to do 3 posts a week at least, consistently. You will see a difference, believe me. :)
I really hope you two will continue working on your sites, it'll be such a waste to stop now.
Leave your links the way they are, they'll be ready when you reapply (unless you have to reapply with a brand new account).
Thanks Grace. I have been posting 3x per week and I will try to increase that.
I realize I must keep going and usually, I have a great attitude :)
Hopefully, traffic will improve soon.
I feel like maybe I just haven't checked a box or something and I am an unchecked box away from Google finding me!
Hi Steve, I saw that in your six months you did 62 posts in 6 months, so that's what I thought you were doing about 10 posts a month.
If you've been consistent with that, you can stick with it longer if you wish instead of increasing it, but it only helps if you do. It's not wasted work because you really don't know what will rank.
I had read a post long while back that someone's site was making really good money just blogging 3 times a week for an entire year. My site do not have this kind of result and you have seen my progress.
Your first 12 months are the hardest. The next 12 months after that is huge if you can keep writing. :)
Your positive attitude will bring you to your goals!
It also sounds like you're doing Dylan's strategy (dylanrieger), you may want to have him check out your site as well.
"Josh From Oz" is also an amazon expert, he does very well as you can see from his profile, I would reach out to him as well for a review of your site.
Hi Megan, I can identify with this as I had the same problem. I just signed up again immediately and left my ads as they were. . I am still struggling to get Amazon sales though. I felt a little angry with Amazon because new sites are not going to get traffic straight away, it takes time.
All the best going forward.
I thought if we sign up again with Amazon they give us a new account and therefore all links have to be replaced.
It's a bit of a Catch-22. You need to sign up to Affiliates in order to have products to sell but you can't sell products without traffic which means the affiliates cancel you.
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Build a Logo + Website That Attracts Customers
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Hi Megan,
I have heard other members who had their account canceled by Amazon and I think many went back and re-applied immediately and got accepted. When you get accepted again, unfortunately, you will be given a new amazon affiliate link so this will mean going back to those posts to change the link.
I would just go back and re-apply immediately and see if they will accept you back. It would also be a good idea to check around for other affiliate programs you can join as a backup.
You can do this by going to your search engine and typing in, for example, 'scuba gear+ affiliate' (i.e 'yourniche+ affiliate) and see what other affiliate programs are available for your niche.
There is also ClickBank, CJ Affiliate, Rakuten...
Hope this helps,
Monica
Don't forget that you can also use Jaaxy to look for affiliate programs!
Hey Bryan,
OMG, I hadn't even used Jaaxy to look for affiliate programs.
Very helpful, I have been 'stuck' on what to write reviews on.
Thank you Bryan.
Monica
Monica, you're very welcome. Success can be yours. Just keep going and fighting for it. Wishing you tremendous success.
Bryan
Wow! Never knew that!