This lesson is going to be pretty short and simple since the last lesson was packed with a lot of information. Nevertheless, following the advice in this message is a vital step in building a successful internet marketing business - you'll fail in internet marketing if you don't follow this one simple rule.
A lot of people getting started in this industry think affiliate marketing is as simple as posting an affiliate link, driving traffic through that link, and giggling all of the way to the bank.
It's not that easy. Not remotely.
This myth was started by crappy affiliate marketing programs all over the internet, but the real way you make money in this industry is by delivering valuable content. I mentioned that in the last lesson too, but what does that actually mean?
Rather than trying to make money off of your subscribers, focus on making their lives better. Deliver value to your subscribers and they will follow you anywhere you go. That's the kind of email list you want, not just a quick "one-off" where you make $20 or $30. Don't treat your email list like a piggy bank.
You can NEVER stop delivering value in your emails, articles, or blog posts. The first time you do, you risk that subscriber never opening another email from you. You can't build your relationship with a subscriber if they never open your emails, which means you'll never convert that subscriber into any sort of revenue. But that shouldn't be your focus.
This means don't ever create, "Check out this great new product" emails or blog posts. They'll stop opening your messages and visiting your website in no time. Only send emails that add value to your followers' lives and teach them something that they need to know.
If there's a great product that TRULY makes their lives better (not just because it makes you money) send it to them and explain to them how much it's improved your life and why it will improve theirs.
Your blog posts, articles, and emails will probably be lessons of some kind. For example, if you're running a site in the diet niche you may send out an email that explains how calorie counting works, how there are 3,500 calories in a pound, and simple passing up on 350 calories 10x per week will shrink your belly by 4 pounds a month.
If you're in the golf niche, maybe you send a "5 Ways to Improve your Swing and Hit the Ball an Extra 100 feet... OVERNIGHT" email. If you promise it, you HAVE to deliver it otherwise you're letting your followers down and losing a little of their trust. Make sure all of your content creates an "Aha!" moment for your followers, and you'll be making money in this industry in no time.
Remember, don't treat your followers like a check you're trying to cash. Add value to your lives and focus on long-term relationships. Every once in awhile you'll come across a product that truly helps them and improves their lives, and recommending it to them (after you've already helped them with several tips, awesome lessons, and valuable content) is almost a sure-fire commission if you've done everything correctly.
Add incredible value with your blog post or don't publish it. Add extraordinary value with your email or don't send it. It's as simple as that.
Run your business by this one simple rule and you'll make it sooner or later.
That's it for this lesson! It's a simple one, but burn it into your mind and don't ever lose sight of it.
A lot of people getting started in this industry think affiliate marketing is as simple as posting an affiliate link, driving traffic through that link, and giggling all of the way to the bank.
It's not that easy. Not remotely.
This myth was started by crappy affiliate marketing programs all over the internet, but the real way you make money in this industry is by delivering valuable content. I mentioned that in the last lesson too, but what does that actually mean?
Rather than trying to make money off of your subscribers, focus on making their lives better. Deliver value to your subscribers and they will follow you anywhere you go. That's the kind of email list you want, not just a quick "one-off" where you make $20 or $30. Don't treat your email list like a piggy bank.
You can NEVER stop delivering value in your emails, articles, or blog posts. The first time you do, you risk that subscriber never opening another email from you. You can't build your relationship with a subscriber if they never open your emails, which means you'll never convert that subscriber into any sort of revenue. But that shouldn't be your focus.
This means don't ever create, "Check out this great new product" emails or blog posts. They'll stop opening your messages and visiting your website in no time. Only send emails that add value to your followers' lives and teach them something that they need to know.
If there's a great product that TRULY makes their lives better (not just because it makes you money) send it to them and explain to them how much it's improved your life and why it will improve theirs.
Your blog posts, articles, and emails will probably be lessons of some kind. For example, if you're running a site in the diet niche you may send out an email that explains how calorie counting works, how there are 3,500 calories in a pound, and simple passing up on 350 calories 10x per week will shrink your belly by 4 pounds a month.
If you're in the golf niche, maybe you send a "5 Ways to Improve your Swing and Hit the Ball an Extra 100 feet... OVERNIGHT" email. If you promise it, you HAVE to deliver it otherwise you're letting your followers down and losing a little of their trust. Make sure all of your content creates an "Aha!" moment for your followers, and you'll be making money in this industry in no time.
Remember, don't treat your followers like a check you're trying to cash. Add value to your lives and focus on long-term relationships. Every once in awhile you'll come across a product that truly helps them and improves their lives, and recommending it to them (after you've already helped them with several tips, awesome lessons, and valuable content) is almost a sure-fire commission if you've done everything correctly.
Add incredible value with your blog post or don't publish it. Add extraordinary value with your email or don't send it. It's as simple as that.
Run your business by this one simple rule and you'll make it sooner or later.
That's it for this lesson! It's a simple one, but burn it into your mind and don't ever lose sight of it.
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MarieC
Premium
Just completed your training, Ian. Boy, was it well-done, too! I am amazed at the level of instructional prowess you and other WA trainers possess. Your teaching points were very clear, well-organized, and very applicable to my niche website experiences thus far.
You suggested offering my visitors a useful opt-in incentive such as an ebook. I found a couple of plr ebooks related to my niche and downloaded them. One of them (Bird Watching for Beginners) is excellent and I will use it right away. The other, (Making Money Online from Your Hobby) unfortunately, was not as good. It contained a multitude of grammatical errors and fluency issues, making it unsatisfactory for my readers. I'm considering writing my own ebook on the same topic, incorporating the information and knowledge I've gained from WA over the past couple of months into the manuscript. I think I'm finally up for that big task!
Finally, I will continue to strengthen my niche website by continued application of your 7 steps -- in particular, using solid data to drive my improvements. Analyzing my data from Google Analytics is becoming much easier for me as I learn how to interpret all of the facets involved (visitor behavior, page content stats, bounce rates, referral sources, conversions, etc...).
Thank you for providing us with such excellent instructional support. Now I'm off to apply more of what I've learned from you today!
~Marie
You suggested offering my visitors a useful opt-in incentive such as an ebook. I found a couple of plr ebooks related to my niche and downloaded them. One of them (Bird Watching for Beginners) is excellent and I will use it right away. The other, (Making Money Online from Your Hobby) unfortunately, was not as good. It contained a multitude of grammatical errors and fluency issues, making it unsatisfactory for my readers. I'm considering writing my own ebook on the same topic, incorporating the information and knowledge I've gained from WA over the past couple of months into the manuscript. I think I'm finally up for that big task!
Finally, I will continue to strengthen my niche website by continued application of your 7 steps -- in particular, using solid data to drive my improvements. Analyzing my data from Google Analytics is becoming much easier for me as I learn how to interpret all of the facets involved (visitor behavior, page content stats, bounce rates, referral sources, conversions, etc...).
Thank you for providing us with such excellent instructional support. Now I'm off to apply more of what I've learned from you today!
~Marie
pribs
Premium Plus
I just saw your review, and thank you so much! That helps people know what to expect coming in. I'm so happy that I've helped you, and very much look forward to hearing how it helps you expand your business in the future!
And don't worry, I know it's exhausting. I actually wrote them as a set of courses that's spread out over two weeks to my email list, so covering it all in one night is no small feat. You're a trooper!
And don't worry, I know it's exhausting. I actually wrote them as a set of courses that's spread out over two weeks to my email list, so covering it all in one night is no small feat. You're a trooper!
