Let’s take a look at what affiliate marketing is and some of the things that you can do to become a highly successful affiliate marketer.

Affiliate Marketing In a Nutshell

Affiliate marketing basically means that you are marketing for other people and businesses in exchange for a commission. The typical commission runs between 30 and 75% with 50% being the average.

When you first join an affiliate program you are given an affiliate link that goes to the website of the product owner.  This special link is encoded with your unique affiliate id, and when you send someone to the product owners’ site through your special link and they make a purchase, you receive a commission. This works out great for both you and the product owner, because you make a nice paycheck and the product owner makes more sales and cuts down on advertising costs at the same time. One of the main things that make affiliate marketing so great is that having or creating your own product isn’t necessary.  Along with that, there are the added perks like not having to deal with customers support, complaints or refunds.

The only thing that an affiliate needs to be successful is some basic internet marketing skills and the desire to succeed.  Don’t panic if you don’t know anything about marketing online, because there is plenty of fantastic information available on the subject all over the internet.

Tactics to Increase Your Chances of Success

There are some simple tactics that affiliate marketers can use to increase their chances of success, which are discussed in detail below:

Web Pages

One great tactic to increase your chances of success as an affiliate marketer is by using unique web pages to promote each separate product you are marketing.  It’s very important not lump all of your chosen affiliate programs together on one web site just to save some money on web hosting. It is best to have a site or at the very least a sub domain focusing on each and every product and nothing more. This way you can streamline and target your marketing efforts for better results.

I use HostGator for my web hosting needs.  HostGator provides you with unlimited disk space and bandwidth, plus with the intermediate and advance plans you are able to host unlimited websites for one low flat rate.

Another thing you can do is to include product reviews on the product web pages you set up, so visitors will have an initial understanding of what the product can do for those that buy them. When possible collect and include testimonials from users who have already tried the product and add them to the web pages.  This really helps increase credibility and convert more visitors into buyers.  Including articles that you write or with reprint rights that highlight the uses of the product and posting them on the web site as an additional page, will also help increase your free search engine traffic and chances of success.

Be sure to make the pages attractive, compelling and include calls to act on the information.  Each headline should attract the readers to try and read more, even contact you. Highlight your special points. This will help your readers to learn what the product is about and will make them want to find out more. That is when they will click on your affiliate link and help you make more commissions.

Auto Responders

Next let’s talk about collecting contact information by offering free reports to your prospects. This does two important thing for your affiliate business. It allows you to further educate your prospects and follow up with them in the future with more information on the products you offer.

For this to work you will need a good auto-responder service. You will want to create a short report and series of seven to ten auto-responder messages that will be mailed to people who sign up to receive your free report.   I use AWeber Communications as my auto-responder service.   AWeber’s e-mail marketing platform is top notch, and their customer support is great.

Did you know that according to research, a sale is usually closed on the seventh contact with a prospect? Hence the reason you will want to create a series of follow up messages. When you are creating your content focus on important points like how the product can make things easier and more enjoyable for people who purchase it.

Include compelling subject lines in the email. As much as possible, avoid using the word “free” because there are still older spam filters that dumps those kind of contents into the junk folder before anyone reads them. Do your best to convince those who signed up for your free report that they will be missing something big if they don’t take the time to at least check out the product or service you’re recommending. Be sure that the content is directed toward specific reasons to buy the product.  Don’t make it sound like a sales pitch. Keep in mind that by providing useful information to your prospects you will increase your chances of making a commission.

Getting Targeted Traffic by Writing Articles

Another tactic that you can use to increase your chances of affiliate marketing success is getting traffic –the kind of traffic that is targeted to your product.  Just think about it this way, if the person who visited your website has no interest whatsoever in what you are offering, they will be among those who move on and never come back.  One of the best ways to get this kind of traffic is by writing articles for submission and publication. A good rule of thumb it to try to write a minimum of 2 articles per week, with at least 300-600 words in length.

By continuously writing and submitting these articles to you can generate as many as 100 targeted prospects to your site in a day. That may not sound like much for all of the work you put in but statistics show that 1 out of every 100 people are likely to make a purchase. If you can generate a 1,000 targeted hits for your website in a day, that means you can make 10 sales based on the average statistic and the best thing is that the articles will continue to work for you even after you have moved on to another product. None of the tactics that we have discussed today are very difficult to do, if you think about it, it just requires a little time and an action plan on your part.

Social Network Marketing

It has never been easier to connect with potential buyers as it is with social network marketing.  You get instant access to your target audience and the ability to monitor what your market is currently interested in.

When it comes to generating exposure for your business, social networks can help you effectively locate potential buyers.  You can even conduct niche research to determine current buying patterns, trends and overall demand.

With Facebook, you can customize your ads so that they are shown only to potential customers based on age, gender, location, or even interest. Facebook allows you to advertise using pay per click (CPC) or impression (CPM), and can schedule your ads to run for specific times.

Creating a Facebook fanpage is a great way to get targeted and interested visitors for your niche.  You can even market directly to your fans without getting their e-mail addresses.

If you are a subscriber to my newsletter and have not yet downloaded your free copy of the Elite Social Marketing e-book, now is a great time to do so as it provides you with all you need to get started with social media marketing and a list of the various social networks out there.

Solo Ads

A solo ad is when you pay to have your offer e-mailed to a safe (opt-in) list on your behalf.   There are numerous solo ad providers online some great and some are mere spam dispatchers.  When using a solo advertiser, be sure to check that they have an opt-in list and are fully CAN SPAM compliant.  Also, you need to verify that the offers you are promoting may be sent via e-mail as some vendors do not allow their products to be promoted via e-mail advertising.  If you are watching your budget, check out 10DollarSoloAds.  I have used them in the past and have gotten good results from their mailings.  They also provide you with a guarantee and tracking of your e-mail open rates.

 Lastly

Once you have completed the process for one affiliate program you can move on to the next and you will end up with a good source of income along with a thriving affiliate marketing business.

Good luck!

–Lois Miller

There are innumerable tips and advice for new entrepreneurs; some good, some great, and some impractical.  I have compiled a list of some of my favorite tips — I found these to be very helpful in my business pursuits.

1. Keep it simple

Zero in and focus on what sells and what works.  Don’t be distracted by too many things at once.  If you try to micromanage everything, you will only drive yourself nuts.

2. Keep Learning

One of the things you should know before starting a business is how much time you spend learning – it is constant.  It will range from self development, to business basics, to social media.  As an entrepreneur, you will be wearing many hats.  Thankfully, you won’t need an MBA in each area to be successful.

3. Focus on Yourself As Much As Your Business

In order for your business to grow and be successful, you have to grow as a person and learn how to adapt quickly and easily.  When you are performing optimally, you make great decisions and understand which risks are worth taking.  Your business is a reflection of you so prime yourself for success.

4. Do Not Rely on Anyone Else

Whatever you do, do not rely on others to grow your business.  We all hope that networking and referrals will help our business skyrocket, however, if this is your sole source of generating business, you are very likely to be disappointed.  Assume full responsibility for getting new clients and making sales.  Don’t wait around hoping that things will happen and you will get lucky.  Go after what you want – make your own luck!

 5.  Seek Advice from Other Entrepreneurs

The most valuable advice you can get is from those like yourself who are actually going through the daily grind.  Make it your duty to seek out successful entrepreneurs and find out what nuggets of wisdom they have to offer.

6.  Never Put Your Life on Hold

While you wait for your venture to take off, do not put your life on hold.  Spend time with your family and friends, attend social events, go on vacation.  After the years have passed, you do not want to look back with regrets.

7.  Prioritize Tasks and Goals

One of the most important things you need to know is how to prioritize tasks and goals based on the order of importance.  It is quite easy to get carried away doing small mundane things but not really accomplishing anything.     Learn how to identify and focus on the important things and do them even if it takes you outside of your comfort zone.

8.  Be Patient

Don’t expect results instantly. You will only get frustrated when things didn’t work the way you planned.  In order to be successful at a venture, you do not want to make the mistake of quitting too soon.  You should not instantly think that something is wrong with a program because the money doesn’t start pouring in.  Sometimes you just need to make minor changes, measure the effectiveness, and be patient.  Give it a chance to work.

9.  Be Passionate

C’mon, where is the love?  You need to have some level of passion to be persistent and to succeed.  While every day might not be pure bliss, having passion for what you do will make the good days even better and the bad days tolerable.

Last Word

Understand that success is less about the idea and more about the execution.  You don’t have to wait around for the perfect idea or plan to get started.  Is important is that you get started!

I enjoy watching Bob Parsons’ video blog.  Bob is the CEO and Co-founder of Godaddy.com.  I find his Vlog both entertaining and inspiring.  Check it out here:  http://www.bobparsons.me/archive.php?ci=21430

–Lois Miller

The Data Express

You’re doing it.  For years you’ve wanted to work from home and you are finally doing it.  You are no longer an employee who has a “J O B”; you are now a business owner, self-employed, ruler of your own destiny AND you have inherited all the responsibilities that come with owning a business:

*  You are the manager

*  You are the marketer

*  You are the service provider/widget maker

*  You are the bookkeeper

And the list goes on.  We often get so busy running our businesses that we forget why we started them in the first place.So what does a small business owner do to stay motivated while working from home?

1.  Remember the “why”.

Take a step back to remember the reason you went into business in the first place.  What was your inspiration?  It helps to focus intently on how you felt when you first realized you wanted to be successfully self-employed.  For me, it was the sense of freedom and independence that I knew would come with success as an entrepreneur.

2.  Give yourself a deadline.

If you’re procrastinating about a project, you may be motivated by the self-imposed pressure of a deadline.  Try giving yourself a deadline that you won’t want to back down on: send an email to friends announcing a new product launch, email your client with a due date for that big project you’re working on, take reservations for your first teleclass, you get the idea.

3.  Maintain a support system.

One of the hardest parts of being a solopreneur can be the sense of isolation.  When things go right (or wrong), we no longer have the “water cooler” to go to.  Be sure there is someone who you can share with, someone who is available for a quick motivational chat when you need one.

4.  Keep the goal in sight.

A simple, yet effective motivational tool is to keep your goals in sight – literally.  I’ve taken a picture of my dream house and made it the background wallpaper on my computer.  One glance at it is a megadose of motivation for me!

 5.  Take a nap.

As counterintuitive as it sounds, taking a powernap is one of the best ways to rejuvenate your body AND mind.  So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or low, slowly and intently read each of your goals and then go take a powernap.  Let your subconscious work on ways to manifest those goals while you rest.

When you wake, you’ll be raring to go!

6.  Reward yourself.

When faced with a large project, unpleasant task or anything that overwhelms you, plan a reward for once it’s done.  The reward can be as simple as a quiet bath with candles or as exciting as a professional sporting event.  Just be sure to plan a reward that YOU want and will enjoy!

7.  Take a break.

You’ve most likely never worked harder than when you are first starting your own business.  In addition to actually “doing” all the work, you need to work on marketing, invoicing and other overhead or “non-billable” tasks.

Don’t get caught in the trap of “all work and no play”.  Be sure you take days off and breaks throughout the day to rejuvenate and gain some perspective.  Whenever I’m stuck on a project, I grab one of the dogs and go for a walk…by the time I return to the office, things have usually sorted themselves out in my head.

It doesn’t matter how successful your home business is or how much you love to work from home; both new and established entrepreneurs face the motivational dilemma at some point and while some of the above motivational strategies may seem conflicting on their face – giving yourself a deadline versus taking a break for example – they all have their place in the life of a successful entrepreneur.

Copyright 2006 Sandra P. Martini

Okay, so you’ve decided to become a member of the online business world.  However, the million dollar question lingers.  What exactly should you do to make some money?

In this segment, I will be providing you with some pointers to help you choose an online business venture that suits your specific needs.  However, do not become too rigid or hung up on getting it perfect the first time.  Give yourself a bit of wiggle room and allow for some learning through trial and error.

Hopefully, you have had a chance to read your free e-book “7 Ways to Make Money Online”.  Now that you are armed with that information, take a moment and consider the following:

• What type of online business are you interested in?
• How much money are you planning to make?
• How much time can you invest in your online business each week?
• How much money do you have to invest?
• What steps do you need to take to get started?

What type of online business are you interested in?

Your personality, skills and general interests will likely play a huge role in determining this.  For example, a person who likes clothes and shopping may find that he/she has a whole closet full of great items that are just collecting dust.  This is a perfect opportunity to list these items for sale on e-Bay, and with some research you could eventually source in-demand merchandise and grow a profitable online business.

Another example would be someone who is skilled at marketing and writing sales copy.  Affiliate and e-mail marketing would be a great choice for you.  There are many marketplaces that allow you to sell other people’s products for a handsome commission.   You could also create and sell your own product that teaches others how to be effective marketers.

Now, not everyone can turn his interests and skills into an online money making opportunity.  In that case, I would recommend you choose an opportunity that you believe you can actually succeed at doing.  There are no hard and fast rules to dictate which venture you should choose, providing it is legal.

In the e-book “7 Ways to Make Money Online” there are some practicable ideas of how to make money online.  All of which are actually tried and proven to generate an income.

How much money are you planning to make?

The desire to make money is most likely what drew you into seeking an online income opportunity in the first place.  Your personal circumstances will likely dictate how much money you are planning to earn from your business.  When you are considering a venture, always do some research to find out the income potential.  Some ventures may provide you with a sustained recurring income stream, while others may generate cash occasionally.

If your primary venture does not seem to fit the revenue bill, don’t be in a hurry to scrap the idea.  Consider what additional ventures you could pursue to help supplement the income and help you reach your goals.

How much time can you invest in your online business each week?

As with any business venture, making money online requires some amount of time and effort.  True, you may need to invest less time than you would in an offline venture, but you will need to invest some time, nevertheless.  Do your research to find out how much time you would need to invest in your online venture in order to reach your financial goals.

The good news is that there is greater flexibility in scheduling your time when working online.  Look at your daily schedule from Sunday to Saturday.  Identify any pockets of free time you usually have.  Calculate the total hours to get a good idea of how much time you are able to invest.  Now, if you found that you only have one or two extra hours per week to invest in your online business, freelancing as a Virtual Assistant on Odesk.com or eLance.com may not be the best fit for you.  Affiliate sales may be a more practical choice.

How much money do you have to invest?

Again, like most other business ventures, many legitimate online business opportunities require a financial investment.  Whether it is to purchase software, e-books, gaining access to training videos, or becoming a member of a forum, etc., you are likely going to have to invest some capital.  How much money you spend and what programs you choose will depend on your budget.

When deciding to invest your hard earned cash, always bear in mind that there are risks involved in doing any business venture. Be sure to check the refund policy of the vendor or marketplace to which you are making payment in order to help mitigate your risk.

Now, if you have no money to invest in an online venture, don’t be discouraged.  There are numerous legitimate opportunities available that do not require any money to get started such as affiliate sales or freelancing on work forums such as Odesk.com, Elance.com or Fiverr.com –to name a few.

What steps do you need to take to get started?

Every legitimate online business offer should have a getting started guide.  You are almost always provided with this information when you sign up for the program.

As soon as you have chosen your venture, it is time to go online to sign-up.  Depending on the business you chose, a payment may be required to get started.  I strongly recommend that you take some time after registering to familiarize yourself with the information provided in the back-office/members’ area.  Be sure to bookmark important pages to refer back to later.

It will be critical to your success to carefully go through any training videos or material provided by the program provider.

Last Word

Although it may take some time and consideration to find a lucrative online opportunity that works for you, the reward is well worth it.  Remember, knowledge is power so you have a greater chance to succeed by arming yourself with the relevant information and by keeping your eyes open.

Hopefully, you are now equipped to take on the task of selecting a legitimate online business that will bring you great rewards.  When you have found it, cherish it.  You certainly earned it!

–Lois Miller

I have seen so many scams floating around in cyberspace, it is nauseating! Ironically, there are even some online money making scams which conceal themselves within the information warning you to beware of scams.

This may lead you to wonder if there are any legitimate online money making opportunities available. My answer is an unequivocal “YES”, but you have to look around to find the legitimate offers.
Let me share with you some quick tips that I use to weed out the scams. This list is not exhaustive, but will definitely help you to keep your sanity and your hard earned cash!

1. Follow your gut. If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. This old cliché is my first and most fundamental bit of advice to you. We are intelligent beings, and we know when something doesn’t look, feel, or sound right. Whenever this happens, you have a duty to follow that trail of suspicion to unearth the truth before investing your money. If you do not have time to do your research, stay away from it until you do.

2. Stay away from push button software claims. Maybe you have heard “With the push of a button…” or “With just three clicks, money will start pouring into your bank account” Sounds great, doesn’t it? Well, I have been doing online research for years, and I have never found a software or system that did that. Needless to say, that sort of nonsense only works in fantasy land.

3. Don’t buy into claims of “You don’t need to learn anything about making money online to succeed”. The truth is that even if you didn’t know much when you purchased the system, you are going to have to learn something fast in order for it to be effective – if at all it is.

4. Search online for reviews from other users who have tried the system. See what others are saying about their experiences with a particular product. This will give you a good sense of what you are getting into.

5. Always read the refund policy for an offer before buying. Stay away from web sites that sell online money making systems but do not offer you a money back guarantee. Many information and software products online are digital so you will not hold a tangible piece of property when you purchase. If ever you are dissatisfied with an online money making system, you will not have a physical item to return. However, the online vendors’ refund policies are as legally binding as if you bought from a physical store so be sure to read and inform yourself about their policies.

6. Never open e-mails promising you money — well, unless you find them entertaining. When I get these e-mails, I instantly flag them as spam. However, a friend of mine would actually open these e-mails and read them just to have a good laugh. What can I say—he had a strange sense of humor. However, there are many unfortunate persons out there who actually fall for this stuff and end up losing their life savings. Don’t become one of them.

7. Never make a purchase for which payment is via wire transfer. Many crooks still try to lure folks into using this method of payment because they can actually take off with your money without a trace.

8. Don’t believe the hype. Most sales pages and videos are full of it. (…I mean hype). Unfortunately, even some legitimate offers are sold on hype. Earnings are exaggerated; flashy pictures are presented, etc. Remember, hype is only geared toward getting your attention and your money.

Always look past the hype to see what exactly is being offered.

In conclusion, when trying to make money online, you are only successful if you learn, plan and execute. Invest in acquiring relevant, applicable knowledge in your areas of interest. There are endless resources available online in the forms of e-books, newsletters, software, forums, and videos that can help you empower yourself toward being successful.