This lesson is not an easy one to master but, with practice, you'll become better and better.
The core to this lesson is to remember our last lesson: always make sure you're focusing on adding value over making commissions. Building a brand as a credible, expert source and developing relationships with your followers will ALWAYS be more valuable than a few one-off $30 affiliate commissions.
As you create content, opportunities to pitch a companion product will arise. For example, if I'm teaching a lesson on niche research and I point you toward the industry's best, absolute hands-down most valuable keyword tool then you're very likely to buy it (given my lesson on niche research is eye opening and extremely helpful).
Here's a tip though: if you have a choice to direct your followers to a paid resource that makes you an affiliate commission, but there's a free resource that teaches them just as much and works just as well, refer them to the free resource. Yes, you're going to miss out on some affiliate commissions but again, it's much more valuable to build your relationship than anything else.
Over time you'll have longer lasting, MUCH more profitable subscribers on your list following these strategies than any other. Think about how many lists you've unsubscribed from in the past. You unsubscribe when they stop adding value, and that company will likely never sell you anything again.
So as you develop highly valuable, powerful content that truly adds to your followers' lives don't forget to refer them to helpful resources whenever you can. But follow these rules:
1) Don't overdo it. Not every article or email needs an affiliate link in it.
2) Always refer to free resources as long as they're as good as the paid options.
3) Don't refer any of your followers to something just for the commission.
Also, you should try the products you're recommending to make sure they're of value before you recommend them. People ask me about this all of the time and if you haven't tried it, there's no way for you to know whether or not it's of any value.
Focus on your content, but link to great tools and resources here and there. If your content is valuable and helpful, your followers will view you as a credible source and trust any recommendation you give them.
And THAT is why posting a link and driving traffic through it isn't a valid business model in affiliate marketing. You're not adding any value and the person doesn't have any idea who you are! Create value, build trust, and the sales will come.
There are just a couple of lessons remaining. I hope you're still finding them valuable. Even if you're overloaded right now, trust me when I say all of this will be unbelievably valuable to you over the coming weeks, months and years.
Next lesson we're going to talk about earning traffic, which is arguably the most important aspect of running a successful internet marketing business
The core to this lesson is to remember our last lesson: always make sure you're focusing on adding value over making commissions. Building a brand as a credible, expert source and developing relationships with your followers will ALWAYS be more valuable than a few one-off $30 affiliate commissions.
As you create content, opportunities to pitch a companion product will arise. For example, if I'm teaching a lesson on niche research and I point you toward the industry's best, absolute hands-down most valuable keyword tool then you're very likely to buy it (given my lesson on niche research is eye opening and extremely helpful).
Here's a tip though: if you have a choice to direct your followers to a paid resource that makes you an affiliate commission, but there's a free resource that teaches them just as much and works just as well, refer them to the free resource. Yes, you're going to miss out on some affiliate commissions but again, it's much more valuable to build your relationship than anything else.
Over time you'll have longer lasting, MUCH more profitable subscribers on your list following these strategies than any other. Think about how many lists you've unsubscribed from in the past. You unsubscribe when they stop adding value, and that company will likely never sell you anything again.
So as you develop highly valuable, powerful content that truly adds to your followers' lives don't forget to refer them to helpful resources whenever you can. But follow these rules:
1) Don't overdo it. Not every article or email needs an affiliate link in it.
2) Always refer to free resources as long as they're as good as the paid options.
3) Don't refer any of your followers to something just for the commission.
Also, you should try the products you're recommending to make sure they're of value before you recommend them. People ask me about this all of the time and if you haven't tried it, there's no way for you to know whether or not it's of any value.
Focus on your content, but link to great tools and resources here and there. If your content is valuable and helpful, your followers will view you as a credible source and trust any recommendation you give them.
And THAT is why posting a link and driving traffic through it isn't a valid business model in affiliate marketing. You're not adding any value and the person doesn't have any idea who you are! Create value, build trust, and the sales will come.
There are just a couple of lessons remaining. I hope you're still finding them valuable. Even if you're overloaded right now, trust me when I say all of this will be unbelievably valuable to you over the coming weeks, months and years.
Next lesson we're going to talk about earning traffic, which is arguably the most important aspect of running a successful internet marketing business
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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!
