Affiliate marketing has been an internet staple for quite some time. It is the most popular tool for internet entrepreneurs. The reason it is so popular is that you can quickly get a business up and running without breaking your budget. Even with all its popularity it seems there is a large sector of the population who know little or nothing about it. Newcomers who have just found this business assume that they will make a lot of money fast they are mistaken.
This is not a business that supports getting rich quick over night. It is more of slow and steady wins the race. There will be a lot of trial and error with advertising and even the affiliate programs themselves. Think of it more like an ongoing proposition, learning the field and what merchants are hot or not!
Another common misconception is that more is better. What is meant by that is some people think that they need to sign up and place as many banners on a niche site as they can. You may think that this would be a great idea, more banners gives more choices. The fact is people who do end up on a site like this may feel like they are walking down the Vegas Strip. Flashing signs and light everywhere will turn visitors away by the hundreds! It is ok to offer more than one banner link but try to keep it to three or four links that are compatible with your site.
Others may think that adding affiliate links to their site will mean instant cash. Wrong again, your affiliate life rises and falls upon your advertising. You will have no success with affiliate programs if there is no one seeing them. Drive the traffic to your site where your affiliate links are placed. The more traffic you have the better your chances for a click through.
If you have already tried affiliate programs and not gotten a good result, you may want to find a mentor. They can help you figure out where you are going wrong and what steps to take to fix them.
A mentor is defined as a trusted and wise teacher or counselor. The prime candidate should be an expert in the field you want to be involved with. When they are experts their advice will be as well, that is the kind of person you want supervising you. An affiliate-marketing mentor should be a person who has made affiliate marketing their passion. They should have already had good success in the field of affiliate marketing and be willing to share that knowledge with others. That is why this site was built; it is aimed at giving others just this type of support.
The first lessons an affiliate mentor may teach are the theories and generalities in the field. At the same time, they should be knowledgeable about what the current trends are and what types of things to do if that trend changes. A mentor should be a great source of information for their clients and the first one to teach you how to reach new levels in affiliate cash. It is important for a mentor to be well versed on both sides of the affiliate equation, both the affiliate marketer and merchant. As you teach others to grow their affiliate business you too will benefit, their success will be your success.
There are publications that say to be successful in affiliate marketing you must have persistence, patience and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. As a mentor, your job will be to assist people in developing these character traits. At this point, it will be much easier to take them to the next level. They will understand that triumph will come from them expressing blood, sweat and tears as well as a good chunk of their time. With these traits firmly in place, they will be less inclined to quit.
Finally before you begin training your client in the key elements of affiliate programs you will need to master them your self. Things like search engine optimization, link exchanges, email marketing and advertising in forums are all key elements you will need to become proficient in. Without your expertise to guide them, they will have a much harder time of things. Be sure you have the expertise necessary before you commit to mentoring anyone. Will being a mentor be more difficult than succeeding in affiliate marketing? Yes, it is but it also a more rewarding especially when you know that you were the one to guide another person to affiliate wealth. Similarly if their success is yours then so is their failure. Do your personal best to share what you know, you will win some and lose some but in the end, you will know it was worth it. That is what being a mentor is all about.
24 Comments
Mathew
November 16, 2008Hi Reed,
I am Mathew Matang one of your subscriber from a very tiny Atoll Kribati.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=kiribati+map&btnG=Google+Search&aq=2&oq=kiribati
Where you can find it on Google Search.
Anyway, I have been following your every technique that you sent me on Website building, How to build your List etc.. but firstly, I thank you so much for everything and mainly for My first website which now on from sometimes in July by your advise or a free ebook sent by you. I have 4 product website swinging and one of them is also my Optin Free like you also advise. I am ready to freely open to you if you could assist me and allow me to pay you later for any of your service. Honestly, I spent everything for nothing, Reed.
Now, I in advance thanking you for Affiliate Lessons which I really hope to get something out of it.
For your information Reed, I think that I am the only person from my tiny Country on this type of program or IM and I have been over 2 years without receiving any payment notification but only paying for everything which I have spent over $2,000.00 not even a cent. Reed, I now humbly request you if you could kindly assist me on some ways for me to become your great Affiliates.
I admire all your lessons, Articles and advise you always giveaway and everything else from you, even your smiling face.
I thank you very much again and I beg you to kindly accept this personal humbly request.
Best regards,
Mathew Matang
Secrets of Success
November 16, 2008Mentors can be expensive so are not the answer for everyone at the start, but you can learn a lot from being on their list and watching what they do. Save their emails, study their websites to see their methods.
There are some little-known but successful internet marketers that are approachable and will give you straight answers to your internet marketing questions if you ask them politely. You will find out who they are after a while.
They tend to be not so well-known but they are worth following.
Marianne
November 16, 2008I have given many “lessons” on affiliate marketing. It is tough because everyone wants instant money. I didn’t see you mention any affiliate marketers to follow, I have always liked Willie Crawford and Mike Paetzold. They leave off the hype and offer good products.-YOU too of course!!
Mariannes last blog post..Blogging, Article Marketing on STEROIDS
Frankie Teo
November 16, 2008Hi Reed,
You are absolutely right with what you mentioned on Affiliate Programs, Traffic & finding a Mentor.
Unless you know what you are doing or where to start, you definitely need a mentor to get yourself taking ACTION to see results.
I have been testing & twitting for nearly 2 years now & I know how if feels like jumping from programs to programs & just signing-up with Affiliate links, expecting to make money ??
Focus & Action is the Key !
To Everyone Success,
Frankie
http://www.affiliatemillionsmarketingsystem.com/
normz2
November 16, 2008Good post again. I have over 300 affiliates so far. I am still experimenting on what works. I am finding that some of the affiliates are quite helpful, giving good support. It is a waiting game to find what is the most effective.
lily
November 16, 2008Did you get a copy of prosperity for Gods steward it is my book if you did not it is free
and has my links to my hubs and blog s in it.
I was here as you requested If you would like the red hot off the press copy email me Ill send it to you .lily
lily
November 16, 2008You should follow the mentor who communicates with you the best . The one who you fell is going in the same direction as you. For a cart unevenly yoked does not travel as well as one who is pulling together it cost less to ask and stay then it does to get lost in the haze.
Lucille
November 17, 2008Hello Reed, Another very good Blog as usual!!
Reed, How is everyone doing?? Fine, I hope.
We have a dusting of SNOW on the ground, I have got to get some of my Websites up and running. I am going to need all of the money that I can get. We heat with Propane Gas and it is $2.2o a Gal.
How did Torger like the Skate Pond?? I bet he loved it. I am Subscribing to your RSS. Maybe I may learn something from it!! Keep up the good work Reed. Thanks, Lucille
Jane
November 17, 2008I think we all take on the position of “mentor” when we post on our blogs and build our websites.
It is our job to “be the expert” in our niches and as such we become mentors to those who are following the information we post online.
There are so many out there who struggle to even earn that first $1 because they have been either misguided or not guided at all. A mentor can help eliminate many of the initial struggles that newbies go through.
P.S. I like the part where you talk about those who built the “Vegas Strip” style websites. It’s a hoot whenever you arrive at one of those.
Hope the little one had fun at the water park.
Thanks Again,
Jane
200 Niche Adsense Templates With Matching WordPress
Janes last blog post..“Take Action Today” Generate Traffic And Sales With…Article Marketing
Ari Lestariono
November 17, 2008It seems affiliate marketing looks easy on the surface, but when first time I tried myself as an affiliate and taking many advice from IM master’s all I get is big disappoinment, you know why? because I was learning myself and not even have enough guidance, face to face.I suggest for newbies, instead of wasting time get a real mentor or master and stick to it’s program and check your progress weekly or daily, I suggest if your going for affiliate you should have your own websites, that way you can generate many ways to get traffic.
Timothy Millar
November 17, 2008Hey Reed,
Having a Mentor is a must in this business and that is why I am here now, getting
mentored by the Master of Affiliates ! Have a
wonderful day and Thanks. Timothy Millar
Timothy Millars last blog post..Paid to Read update #3 Jacob mails
Paul Livingston
November 17, 2008Great tips Reed, thanks!
Here’s a question for you: How does one get clients to listen?
So, know any good mentors out there?
PV Reymond
November 17, 2008Hi Reed,
Great point.
Everybody needs a mentor even Gurus have mentors because nobody has all the answers.
A mentor will short cut your learning curve and will accelerate all the process because he will help you to avoid mistakes and will tell you exactly what to do.
A mentor will put pressure on you and this will help you to avoid procrastination.
You will benefit a lot if you work with a mentor.
Thanks,
^PV Reymond
http://www.startup-internetbusiness.com
PV Reymonds last blog post..Internet Marketing For Newbies… The First Step
Richard
November 17, 2008Absolutely right, Reed. Success doen’t come overnight (despite the wild claims accompanying many affiliate programs (with the usual disclaimer in very small print at the bottom of the sales page).
As someone who’s been involved in sales for some 20 years I soon learned that it’s much better to focus visitor’s attention on 1 product at a time – people find it difficult to make a choice when given too many options at once.
Geoff Dodd
November 17, 2008Reed, I don’t think it’s YOU writing these articles, because you would go direct to definite strategies a lot faster. As I would. Excuse my directness: This ghost writer speaks a lot of generalities. An entrepreneur worthy of the *SuperAffiliate* tag is Ewen Chia and his pdf ebooks are very helpful. He has the Affiliate Money Machine training pdf at:
http://www.home-business-residual-income.com/money-machine.pdf
Now he was one of the first to grow lists of prospects for purely Affiliate products and to follow up and to offer prospects One-Time-Offers. A complete system where he turned affiliate marketing into a whole business.
Ewen always won International competitions and that’s why I am recommending his teaching via .pdf ebook. Singapore has produced some really top flight entrepreneurs – like Ewen, a silent Mentor.
Geoff.
Anna Kindler
November 17, 2008Hello Reed. I for one am thankful for any info you can offer on affiliate marketing that helps this granne newbie learn and understand this business better. Thanks again for a good article. Anna
admin
November 17, 2008@Matthew Unfortunately I won’t be able to do that for free due to other commitments. But I can give you this video http://youtube.com/watch?v=OQhehu1KqcE you also may be interested in being in my home study course/mentoring program http://thejvbootcamp.com/
@Secrets they are expensive but it’s much more expensive to figure it all out yourself. Mentors don’t have to work with you one on one they can give you free information like a blog like this or you can buy a book or a product from them.
@Marianne thanks this article was meant as more of what I’d look for.
@Frankie agreed focus and action are key
@normz2 thanks keep up the good work
@lily got it haven’t looked at it yet. Good analogy
@Lucille thanks doing well.
@Jane yes we are putting ourselves into a position of authority when we have our own sites. Zachary pretty much slept through the entire celebration.
@Ari a lot of people jump from program to program and idea to idea and that’s what slows down their success
@Timothy Thanks 🙂
@Paul keep giving them great content it isn’t your fault if they don’t take action. It’s in our nature to not take action. Giving you mentors to follow is really hard as I don’t know where you are at in your business or what you are trying to do. Look for people who live the lifestyle you want and do it in a way you’d want to
@PV big time shortcut 🙂
@Richard Yeah a lot of people have a hard time with that.
@Geoff yes my ghostwriter wrote this one. Please see my response to Paul just two above this one as to why.
@Anna you’re welcome keep reading this blog.
Wayne Bell
November 17, 2008Good stuff Reed. My wife and I where lucky enough to find a top notch mentor when we first got into affiliate marketing over five years ago and we still stay in touch. Without his help I would still be working 12 hour days for peanuts.
Regards – Wayne
Health, Happiness And Success
Wayne & Susan Bell
BELL’S HOME PROFIT NETWORK
“Searching The World To Bring You The Best Online”
http://bellshomeprofitnetwork.synthasite.com/
Jussi Koiranen
November 17, 2008Another great post! Mentors and masterminding is important to growing your own expertise and keeping you up-to-date. I for one have gained a lot of simple reminders and clarifiers from your blog, crucial ones for that matter.
Christine Imamshah
November 18, 2008Hi Reed,
I to came to this post expecting that you would be naming some good mentors to follow.
I have a few that I have narrowed it down to, such as Willie Crawford, you obviously as I am here quite regularly, Yaro Starak when it comes to blogging information.
I, too, like to follow those who talk straight and avoid the hype. Hope these 2 that I have mentioned will help your followers too.
Regards,
Chris
http://www.fastinternetmarketingtips.com
admin
November 18, 2008@Wayne congratulations
@Jussi glad to help
@Chris thanks for mentioning them.
Pat Gunning
November 19, 2008Once again Reed a clear indication of your wisdom and clarity. The roles in this relationship are crucial.
My wife Gina Sprenkle-Gunning is a veteran marketer and mentor. Her drive for high achievement in both areas is clearly a classic example of your terrific essay.
These posts are a great place to send any newbie to get a look at the foundation of their new business.
admin
November 26, 2008@Pat thank you 🙂
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