|
Author: Shannon Emmanuel Article source: http://www.thinehost.com/. Used with author's permission.
"What's the Buzz About?"
"I made $5,000 in one week"
"I quit my job and spend more time with my kids"
It sounds too good to be true, but if you're serious about working from home and you don't have a lot of money to start than keep reading…
"What IS an Affiliate?"
Basically, an Affiliate is an individual that is willing to market and promote another company in exchange for a commission.
An affiliate is NOT an employee of the company. There are no guarantees of earnings in most cases, and there are various methods of determining payments.
In most cases, the company presents the affiliate with a link to its site that has a special code. When this link is promoted and customers click on that link, the company can trace any sales or leads back to the affiliate. Commissions can be made either way depending on the nature of the business. Good affiliate programs will offer a period of time in which, if the customer does not purchase the first time, but comes back within that period (even through another link) the original affiliate gets the credit.
"How Do I Choose a Program?"
Typing "affiliate program" or "affiliate program directory" into a search engine will give you millions of suggestions. Some directories can give you advice or recommendations. If you are new to affiliate programs, it may be wise to stick with the free applications. Don't worry, many, if not most, are free to join.
Select a program you are interested in yourself. If feasible, try the product or service personally. It always makes for a better sale if you can give personal testimony to the offer. Try testing its popularity by checking the 'keywords' at Overture, http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion/. By typing the words you think a person interested in your product or service would use when searching, you can see how many people have actually searched for it.
"How Do I Promote It?"
Easily!
1) List your company (being sure to use your affiliate link) in free classifieds. Again, these are easily found in the search engines. Try for 20 and keep adding on.
2) Determine who your market is…business people? Mothers? Car enthusiasts? Or those interested in health and fitness? Look for forums (public chat areas) or sites that cater to these individuals. Forums are great for connecting with people and building rapport, but be very cautious. Read some of the posts before making one of your own. In many cases there are strict rules about advertising, and you should respect that. View it as a social gathering and keep it light. This is where a personal recommendation would go over much better.
3) Write an article about the topic. A brief article 500-1000 words is perfect. Avoid advertising too blatantly. Some ezine (Electionic Magazine) submission directories will not allow articles that are too obvious. Creating a 'How To' or '10 Ways to…' would be a good way to start. You can then either incorporate your affiliate link in the article, or more likely, at the end when you create your author's credits. Submit your article to ezine directories (try for at least 50). For more information on writing ezines go to http://affiliate-start.com/ezine1.htm.
4) Join a traffic exchange program like TrafficSwarm. You can join for free and create a classified style add with a link to your site. By clicking other people's links you will collect points. Your points will mean your ad is being shown to others in the program who will view it. To see how it works go to http://www.trafficswarm.com/go.cgi?287887.
5) Search for newsletters catering to your market (see #2). Search for "business newsletter" etc. Subscribe to several and if you feel they are appropriate, contact them offering either your article for their use, or to check out the process for advertising in their newsletter. This method can reach thousands of people that have enough interest to subscribe and read a newsletter about that topic.
"A Word To the Wise"
Be very careful to avoid 'spamming'. This means advertising to individuals through their email when they have not given permission. This includes email 'blasting' and safelists. This can potentially include newsletters too, so verify their methods of getting subscribers before advertising.
"Enjoy Your Success"
If you follow these five steps, you should be certain to draw a handsome commission from your chosen program. We wish you success! Cyprian and Shannon Emmanuel run several online business and share valuable tips and recommendations on starting a home business at http://www.Affiliate-Start.com.
Starting a Home-Based Pet Related Business
If you're contemplating the idea of starting a home-based business here are some facts you should know:
Anti-aging Health, Anti-aging Nutrition
Stop that clock! Get younger with anti aging nutrition supplements!
Small Cabin Plans - Finding a Great Log Cabin Plan Online
Small cabin plans - how do you find that special log cabin plan that is just right for you? Before the internet, you would buy some cabin plans books and look...
Take Time For Yourself
We are all busy. But we need to tale time to live all of the "lives" in our life.
Feedback - Confirming the Good News
If you see or hear something you do like - you tell the team member about it. If you see or hear something you don't like or feel could be done better - you tel...
Managers: Heres a PR Template for You
Point to remember: the work you do BEFORE you use PR tactics will determine the success of your public relations effort.
You Can Apply For a Personal Loan Online Even If You Have a Bad Credit Rating
Apply for a personal loan online even if you have a bad credit rating. Use recommended credit companies online. What can you do with your income and expenses to...
How using RSS will attract and maintain visitors
There are nowhere near the amount of webmasters using RSS that there should be. There is more exposure about RSS than there has ever been but take up of RSS sti...
The Face of Deceit
The face of deceit is not always an ugly one sometimes it comes in the form of a smile, a wave, an angel of beauty and glorious appearance. Sometimes it com...
No Weight Gain For Me This Christmas - How About You?
You can have control over your weight within the next six weeks which means you can forget about a problem with your weight this Christmas. What a boast!
Five Ways to Stay Motivated During Your Diet
So, you started a new diet or found a plan that is actually working for you. Here are some tips to keep you on track.
Country Christmas Idea: Milkweek Pod Poinsettia Ornaments
Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia Ornaments At first glance, milkweed plants and poinsettias don't seem to have much in common. If you live in an ...
True Success Secrets Revealed
You can find the secret to true success as you embrace four
new types of reading:
How to Get Targeted Search Engine Traffic Quickly
Helping customers find you on the web.
The Need For A Website Emetrics Audit Before Major Design Changes
Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. An analysis of how a site is performing before any major changes are made not only provides a benchmark to measur...
How PR Makes a Managers Life Easier
Things are pleasant for many business, non-profit or
association managers when their public relations people
deliver newspaper and talk show mentions, informa...
Las Vegas Comps and Online Comps
Las Vegas comps or casino bonus extras from an online casino are the best way to get free rewards just for playing. Las Vegas casino comps can get you free room...
Deriving Due Care Practices from HIPAA and GLBA
Companies are finding that they will pay the price for not maintaining strong security controls and protecting their customers' information. They must proactive...
Time to Quit the Rat Race?
North American businesses are full of employees who are bored, frustrated, and looking to do something more rewarding both financially and mentally. In this ar...
How to Easily Increase Your Affiliate Commissions in Two Days or Less?
Clearly, the people benefiting the most from affiliate programs are the companies running them. My goal here is to help you - the affiliate - earn more money. I...
Slot Machine Basics 101
Basic strategy for playing casino slots...
Foolproof Customer Service Strategies (That Only A Fool Would Try!)
Ever notice how customer service varies from store to store? You walk into some stores, and before you can say "Buzz off!" a salesperson asks "May I help you?"...
Innovation Problems and The flow of Thought
The most progressive Think Tanks, Brain Trusts, research facilities in companies and government, etc. do their best work by allowing free thought to flow. If th...
Side Effects of Some Drugs that Are Lowering Blood Pressure(part One)
Lowering blood pressure is a condition that is below the normal expected for an individual in a given environment. Blood pressure differs deeply with activity, ...
|
Print this page