Home Business Success
2005-01-04 20:22:05 UTC
What Puts The "Super" In Super Affiliate?
By Elizabeth McGee
To be super at anything means to excel beyond the scope of average or
achieve superiority status.
Super affiliates do just that. They are ordinary people achieving superior
status in what they love. They devote their time, talents and resources to
making their dreams a reality.
Let's take a look at ten strategies that have helped ordinary affiliates
become "super" affiliates.
1. Find Your Passion
Finding a product or service to get started in is often a difficult task. I
find it's always best to start with what interests you or what you are most
knowledgeable in. For some, what you are most knowledgeable in might not be
your passion or vice versa. In this case, my advice is do the thing that
most excites you. If you need knowledge, go and find it. Learn as much as
you can, become an expert.
2. Look for a niche
Once you've found a product or service that you are interested in see if you
can narrow it down to a smaller niche. For example, you may choose to sell
dolls. Since dolls come in many varieties and types, you might narrow it
down to only porcelain dolls. This will be your opportunity to grab the
smaller niche and specialize in the share of the market that the larger
companies don't care about.
Finding a niche also helps eliminate competitors and can help build
referrals. Competitors often refer clients to those that can best serve the
needs of the customer. If their need is your niche, you've got a winner.
3. Create a web site
Affiliate marketers often send their customers directly to affiliate
websites. While this type of marketing can work for some it won't help you
achieve the "super" affiliate status.
Pre-sale has become the term du jour. It focuses on building trust and
credibility when making a sale. There's very little sales effort and trust
built when you simply send someone to a site to buy something. If your
viewer is not familiar with that site or the products how can they trust it.
Building a website introduces the products and introduces you. It sets the
stage and whets the appetites of your visitors. A well designed website will
allow your visitors to become comfortable with what you have to say and they
will begin to trust your recommendations. A "super" affiliates best friend
is gaining trust.
4. Create an opt-in mailing list
This is an important key to obtaining "super" sales status. Your mailing
list establishes a following of readers that want to hear what you have to
say and offer.
It's important to build on that relationship by sending helpful tips,
strategies and information that will help your readers. Don't bombard them
with flashy ads and constant sales information. Offer them recommendations
on products that you have used. Provide them free tips and strategies. Run
contests and provide motivation. Build friendships and trust and you'll soon
build sales as well.
5. Know the products your are selling
Don't try to sell things that you are not familiar with. It's difficult to
describe to someone how wonderful a product is if you don't know exactly
what makes it so wonderful.
When selling a product you should examine it carefully, detail all of its
features and benefits. List exactly what you liked about it or don't like
about it. How did you benefit from the product and how might it benefit
others. Don't be afraid to mention some less positive aspects of a product.
As long as it doesn't discredit the product your audience will appreciate
your candor.
6. Write product reviews
Product reviews are an excellent way to achieve sales. It sums up the
highlights and provides your readers with a personal touch that describes
the finer details of a product they may not otherwise be aware of.
A good review will include a product overview, features, benefits, a
personal review, accolades and costs. For installation products you should
also include product format, installation requirements, and specify if free
trials are available.
7. Offer free bonuses
Everyone loves to get something for free. When you walk into a store and
they give you a free sample or offer a free t-shirt, doesn't that make you
want to shop around and see more?
The same principle works on the internet. It's a good will gesture that
entices your viewers to see what other goodies of interest you may have.
It's also an excellent way to entice viewers to sign up for your newsletter
or online form.
8. Make yourself available
Allow your visitors to contact you either by email or phone. It's also a
good idea to include your address on your site. This helps add to your
credibility and shows your visitors that you are a real business.
Encourage feedback and invite questions and suggestions. Always respond to
your viewers in a timely manner and be courteous and helpful. People
appreciate it when you can take the time to respond to them. You may even
reap a reward or two in sales.
9. Chose your affiliate programs carefully
Not all affiliate programs are created equal. There are several things to
look for such as how often you will get paid? What is the minimum payout?
How much commission does it pay? Is there credit for recurring sales? Will
you be rewarded for bringing in new affiliates? Are cookies used to track
sales? etc. These are just some of the options you need to investigate.
Don't make the mistake of signing up with an affiliate program that does not
contain an affiliate agreement. Always look for, read and understand the
agreement carefully before signing up. It may protect the affiliate merchant
but it also protects you.
10. Maintain patience and persistence
Patience and persistence is my motto. You won't get far in this business
without it. Nothing on the internet happens overnight. It takes hard work,
good planning and a persistent desire to be successful.
Don't give up when things are moving slow. Stay focused on what you can do,
not on what you can't do. Don't be too anxious and above all, stay
persistent.
About The Author
Elizabeth McGee has spent 20 years in the service and support
industry. She has moved her expertise to the world wide web specializing in
affiliate sales. Elizabeth remains dedicated to helping businesses find
trusted tools, enhance customer service, build confidence and increase
sales. You can visit Elizabeth's sites at:
http://www.pro-marketing-online.com
http://www.homenotion.com
PERMISSIONS TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in its entirety
free of charge, electronically or in print, provided it appears with the
included copyright and author's resource box with live website link.
Courtesy of http://hombyz.com
By Elizabeth McGee
To be super at anything means to excel beyond the scope of average or
achieve superiority status.
Super affiliates do just that. They are ordinary people achieving superior
status in what they love. They devote their time, talents and resources to
making their dreams a reality.
Let's take a look at ten strategies that have helped ordinary affiliates
become "super" affiliates.
1. Find Your Passion
Finding a product or service to get started in is often a difficult task. I
find it's always best to start with what interests you or what you are most
knowledgeable in. For some, what you are most knowledgeable in might not be
your passion or vice versa. In this case, my advice is do the thing that
most excites you. If you need knowledge, go and find it. Learn as much as
you can, become an expert.
2. Look for a niche
Once you've found a product or service that you are interested in see if you
can narrow it down to a smaller niche. For example, you may choose to sell
dolls. Since dolls come in many varieties and types, you might narrow it
down to only porcelain dolls. This will be your opportunity to grab the
smaller niche and specialize in the share of the market that the larger
companies don't care about.
Finding a niche also helps eliminate competitors and can help build
referrals. Competitors often refer clients to those that can best serve the
needs of the customer. If their need is your niche, you've got a winner.
3. Create a web site
Affiliate marketers often send their customers directly to affiliate
websites. While this type of marketing can work for some it won't help you
achieve the "super" affiliate status.
Pre-sale has become the term du jour. It focuses on building trust and
credibility when making a sale. There's very little sales effort and trust
built when you simply send someone to a site to buy something. If your
viewer is not familiar with that site or the products how can they trust it.
Building a website introduces the products and introduces you. It sets the
stage and whets the appetites of your visitors. A well designed website will
allow your visitors to become comfortable with what you have to say and they
will begin to trust your recommendations. A "super" affiliates best friend
is gaining trust.
4. Create an opt-in mailing list
This is an important key to obtaining "super" sales status. Your mailing
list establishes a following of readers that want to hear what you have to
say and offer.
It's important to build on that relationship by sending helpful tips,
strategies and information that will help your readers. Don't bombard them
with flashy ads and constant sales information. Offer them recommendations
on products that you have used. Provide them free tips and strategies. Run
contests and provide motivation. Build friendships and trust and you'll soon
build sales as well.
5. Know the products your are selling
Don't try to sell things that you are not familiar with. It's difficult to
describe to someone how wonderful a product is if you don't know exactly
what makes it so wonderful.
When selling a product you should examine it carefully, detail all of its
features and benefits. List exactly what you liked about it or don't like
about it. How did you benefit from the product and how might it benefit
others. Don't be afraid to mention some less positive aspects of a product.
As long as it doesn't discredit the product your audience will appreciate
your candor.
6. Write product reviews
Product reviews are an excellent way to achieve sales. It sums up the
highlights and provides your readers with a personal touch that describes
the finer details of a product they may not otherwise be aware of.
A good review will include a product overview, features, benefits, a
personal review, accolades and costs. For installation products you should
also include product format, installation requirements, and specify if free
trials are available.
7. Offer free bonuses
Everyone loves to get something for free. When you walk into a store and
they give you a free sample or offer a free t-shirt, doesn't that make you
want to shop around and see more?
The same principle works on the internet. It's a good will gesture that
entices your viewers to see what other goodies of interest you may have.
It's also an excellent way to entice viewers to sign up for your newsletter
or online form.
8. Make yourself available
Allow your visitors to contact you either by email or phone. It's also a
good idea to include your address on your site. This helps add to your
credibility and shows your visitors that you are a real business.
Encourage feedback and invite questions and suggestions. Always respond to
your viewers in a timely manner and be courteous and helpful. People
appreciate it when you can take the time to respond to them. You may even
reap a reward or two in sales.
9. Chose your affiliate programs carefully
Not all affiliate programs are created equal. There are several things to
look for such as how often you will get paid? What is the minimum payout?
How much commission does it pay? Is there credit for recurring sales? Will
you be rewarded for bringing in new affiliates? Are cookies used to track
sales? etc. These are just some of the options you need to investigate.
Don't make the mistake of signing up with an affiliate program that does not
contain an affiliate agreement. Always look for, read and understand the
agreement carefully before signing up. It may protect the affiliate merchant
but it also protects you.
10. Maintain patience and persistence
Patience and persistence is my motto. You won't get far in this business
without it. Nothing on the internet happens overnight. It takes hard work,
good planning and a persistent desire to be successful.
Don't give up when things are moving slow. Stay focused on what you can do,
not on what you can't do. Don't be too anxious and above all, stay
persistent.
About The Author
Elizabeth McGee has spent 20 years in the service and support
industry. She has moved her expertise to the world wide web specializing in
affiliate sales. Elizabeth remains dedicated to helping businesses find
trusted tools, enhance customer service, build confidence and increase
sales. You can visit Elizabeth's sites at:
http://www.pro-marketing-online.com
http://www.homenotion.com
PERMISSIONS TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in its entirety
free of charge, electronically or in print, provided it appears with the
included copyright and author's resource box with live website link.
Courtesy of http://hombyz.com