Many people who have started their online business will tell you that they didn't know what email marketing was before starting it. In fact, many of them would rather not have gotten into this line of work at all because they don't understand why anyone would want to promote anything through emails. The truth is that there's no reason to fear or shy away from using email as a promotional tool if you learn about how it works.
In order to use email effectively as part of your affiliate marketing efforts, however, you'll first need to create an email list where you send targeted messages to specific individuals. As such, learning to make sure that you're building up the right kind of email list (and doing so without wasting time) is essential. If you aren't careful enough when creating your email list, you could lose money by sending irrelevant offers to random people instead of those who actually care about your product or service.
The good news is that even though building the perfect email list takes some effort, it doesn't take much to begin generating results. Let's explore exactly how you should go about making one while also looking at some options for getting more subscribers.
There are two ways to get an email list – either buy one outright or sign up on someone else’s site. Buying lists can cost anywhere between $10-50 per month depending upon which company you choose to subscribe to. It isn't necessary to pay every single month unless you plan on promoting lots of products over time. You may be able to save money in the long run if you opt to wait until you've amassed thousands of subscribers before buying a new mailing list.
On the other hand, signing up on another person’s website requires nothing more than filling out a simple form. These kinds of programs often come with a 100% money back guarantee and allow you to keep any profits earned by sending traffic to these sites. Many of these sites offer special deals on a monthly basis, allowing you to try out different services without having to commit. This type of program allows you to see which ones deliver high quality leads. There are several popular companies like AWeber, Constant Contact, and iContact among others. Once you've found one that suits your needs, simply follow the instructions provided and you'll soon be ready to launch your own campaign.
Once you've decided on a way to acquire your list, you then need to decide how you intend to grow it. One option is to just send regular newsletters to existing customers once in awhile. This approach has been shown to produce better conversion rates than traditional advertising methods, especially since most businesses tend to ignore this tactic altogether. Another option is to focus on growing your list organically, meaning that you won't use paid advertisements to bring people in. Instead, you'll rely solely on content that appeals to its readership.
If you prefer to advertise your products via email, remember to only include relevant information within each newsletter. For example, if you sell fitness equipment, you shouldn't spam everyone in your database with links to weight loss websites. Focus on providing useful tips and advice based around the topic of interest.
While acquiring a large number of subscribers is important, it's equally vital to nurture relationships with people already on your list. Sending consistent updates helps you increase your chances of gaining new clients. Some marketers recommend sending five pieces of content per week, although the frequency really depends on your niche. Whatever the case may be, you should ensure that each piece contains valuable information that relates to the subject matter covered previously.
You should also consider adding value to existing members' inboxes by offering exclusive discounts, additional resources, and helpful guides. By regularly interacting with your current followers, you demonstrate that you respect their opinions and trust them to share your message. Your goal is to turn loyal fans into repeat buyers.
One of the biggest challenges faced by internet entrepreneurs today is finding interested consumers willing to purchase whatever they're selling. While it's possible to market directly to potential customers, this method is generally very expensive due to the costs associated with paying for ad space and maintaining servers. Email is a cheaper alternative that provides access to audiences across multiple platforms.
With a little bit of preparation, you can easily set up campaigns to reach hundreds of thousands of potential customers instantly. To help you accomplish this task, we've listed some proven strategies below that will show you how to build an effective email list for affiliate marketing.
1. Create compelling headlines that pique curiosity. People love to read interesting stories. When writing headlines, avoid being too vague and overly broad. Try to capture attention with something unique and memorable. Also, avoid including keywords in titles. Write catchy headings that describe the main idea behind your article without repeating the same words. Avoid using clichés like "the best", "a must" or "your next step".
2. Add call-to-action buttons to encourage action. Make sure that your headline includes clear directions regarding what your visitor should do after reading the email. Include CTA buttons to let them download materials, join your webinar, check prices, etc. Use images to enhance the presentation. Be sure that your email looks professional and appealing. Don't forget to add contact info for quick replies.
3. Promote your brand. In addition to encouraging visitors to take immediate actions, you can also entice them to visit your page again. Encourage them to click on social media sharing icons to spread the word. Offer incentives like coupons, contests, giveaways, and free gifts. Remember that personalization plays a huge role here. Send personalized emails to prospects who bought your product recently. Or, give special treatment to those who signed up for your newsletter.
4. Provide useful articles. Writing informative and entertaining content attracts more readers. However, don't think that you can write tons of copy and still succeed. Quality counts. Keep your text short and sweet. Only publish material that answers questions and solves problems. Give detailed explanations whenever possible. Never repeat yourself. Always link related topics together.
5. Test everything thoroughly. Before launching a big campaign, test various parts of your design to determine whether they perform well or not. Optimize your landing pages and forms carefully. Run split tests to measure the effectiveness of your ads. Check your analytics and report on trends.
6. Track your performance. Tracking metrics gives you insights into how your promotions performed. Analyze data to identify areas where improvement is needed. Look at open rate, clickthrough rate, bounce rate, average revenue per lead, and conversion rate. Take note of the factors affecting success and adjust accordingly.
7. Measure ROI. Measuring return on investment (ROI) lets you evaluate the profitability of your campaign. Calculate the amount spent vs. amount generated. Compare the results against similar campaigns. Based on the numbers, you can improve your strategy and continue to drive sales.
8. Set goals. Setting realistic expectations is critical. Know your target audience and stick to them closely. Define the minimum number of recipients to meet your objectives. Determine how many conversions you expect to achieve. Then estimate the total cost of a successful campaign. Finally, calculate the anticipated gains. Comparing these figures to your actual outcomes shows whether or not you succeeded.
9. Identify the best channels. Each channel presents distinct opportunities. Choose wisely and allocate your budget appropriately. Consider targeting users who fit certain demographics or exhibit particular interests. For instance, you might want to focus on sending emails to women aged 18-24 years old. Or, maybe you'd like to target men in their 30s who live near major cities.
Remember to always monitor feedback and adapt your strategy based on user behavior.
Affiliate marketing is a lot easier to master than most people realize. With a few basic skills and tools, you can quickly become a productive affiliate marketer. Here are some practical ideas to get you going:
1. Find a niche. Selecting a profitable niche means you can devote all of your energy toward it. But, choosing a crowded field with lots of competition is risky. On the other hand, focusing on a smaller group of interested customers makes it easy to attract them to your offers.
2. Build authority. Building credibility means demonstrating expertise in the area you cover. That's why you should never talk down to your audience. Instead, strive to make them feel valued and respected. Share useful knowledge about your niche. And, provide support whenever requested.
3. Establish connections. Connectivity matters. Not only does it boost your reputation as a leader, but it also increases your visibility. Start networking with colleagues and industry leaders. Invite them to events hosted by you or yours. Join groups dedicated to your chosen topic. Participating actively in discussions will increase your exposure and broaden your network.
When starting a new business or even just getting into one, it's important that you know what your options are. The internet has made it easy for people from around the world to connect and work together. If you're looking at building a website, you'll probably want to have some kind of online presence. This could mean having a blog or writing articles about your niche, which will help drive more traffic back to your site.
Affiliate marketing is another option for those who don't necessarily have their own websites up and running yet. Instead of paying someone else to promote your products, you can instead pay them money if they send other customers over to yours! You earn commissions by selling the product yourself through emails, banners, videos, etc., and this is where most affiliate marketers begin.
If you've never done any type of marketing before, then affiliate marketing may seem like something completely foreign to you. It's not hard to learn, though, so let's get started. To make sure you stay motivated throughout the process, here are some tips on how to create an effective affiliate marketing strategy.
To succeed as an affiliate marketer, you first need to understand what affiliate marketing is and why anyone would choose to use it. When you sign-up with an affiliate network such as Amazon Associates (affiliate link), you agree to give away 30% of every sale generated when visitors click your links and buy the advertised item.
For example, say you wanted to sell a book called "The Affluent Blogger" -- well, you'd write an article describing all the cool things you learned while working towards becoming an influential blogger, and include a link to your sales page. Anyone who clicks the link gets taken directly to your site, where they can purchase the book.
You can also put banner ads on your website, which usually take up the majority of your space. These allow advertisers to place small images within each ad unit. As soon as someone clicks on the image, they'll go straight to your website.
As long as you abide by the rules set forth by the affiliate program, you can benefit from the commission fees that come along with these types of campaigns. A lot of companies offer bonuses if you refer others to join, so you might see a big increase in revenue if you can successfully advertise their services to potential clients.
Of course, there are plenty of downsides to using affiliate programs too. For starters, you won't always get credit for the sales you generate. Some networks only reward affiliates after a certain number of referrals have been purchased. Others only consider conversions when the visitor actually makes the purchase themselves.
This means that sometimes you'll end up making less than expected because no one buys anything from your store. However, many affiliate programs compensate this issue with generous referral bonuses. So, if you do decide to pursue this route, keep track of everything that occurs during the campaign.
It's worth noting that affiliate marketing isn't limited to the above methods. There are countless ways to gain exposure without ever leaving your computer screen.
Once you've decided that affiliate marketing is right for you, there's still lots to think about. Before you can start promoting your products, you'll need to figure out what you want to sell.
There are literally thousands of different items available for you to try and promote, and it's best to focus on a few niches that interest you. Once you've chosen the ones you feel comfortable promoting, search online for other resources related to your topic. Write down keywords related to your area of expertise, and look for blogs written by expert authors.
Take note of sites that rank high in Google for similar searches. Keep tabs on the top 10 results, and research each company thoroughly. Look for reviews posted by previous users, and check out their customer service sections. Then, pick two or three brands you really believe in, and use them as templates for creating your own content.
Don't forget to add relevant hashtags to your social media posts - especially Twitter and Instagram. Hashtags allow you to group your messages together, allowing you to reach a wider audience. They also enable you to share posts on multiple platforms simultaneously.
Finally, once you have enough information to move forward, it's time to start sending emails to prospective buyers. Your goal is to convince readers to visit your website, and ultimately buy whatever it is you're trying to sell.
Some affiliate networks will automatically block accounts used to spam other members. If your account doesn't receive approval, don't worry -- simply ask for reconsideration. Many affiliate managers will happily accept requests sent via personal contact forms or phone calls. Remember to remain professional at all times.
Keep your emails short, compelling, and simple. Don't bombard your subscribers with unnecessary promotional junk. Try to stick to one subject per message, and make sure the tone matches the style of your brand. Be honest and upfront about the fact that you're hoping to convert the reader into a buyer.
Try to refrain from using the same copy/paste format across all of your emails. Make individual variations based on your intended target audience.
You shouldn't spend much time worrying about whether or not you qualify for the affiliate program. Most marketers aren't required to pass strict tests proving their knowledge of the industry, and most affiliate managers tend to be pretty lenient when deciding whether or not to approve your application.
However, it's vital that you follow the terms outlined by the affiliate program manager. Don't promise incentives that you can't deliver, and make sure you adhere to the policies listed in the agreement.
Like most aspects of life, there's always room for improvement. In order to maximize your chances of success, it's wise to employ several strategies and tactics. Here are five common mistakes that lead to failure among affiliate marketers, and how you can overcome them.
Spamming is one of the worst offenses you can commit against the vast network of marketers associated with a given affiliate program. Spammers typically flood inboxes with endless promotions for dubious products, leading to angry responses from frustrated consumers.
In addition, spammed emails often contain malware hidden under layers of distracting text designed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links. If you're concerned about spam filters, it's recommended that you opt for paid hosting solutions rather than free hosts.
Another common mistake is failing to properly optimize your landing pages. While your emails should direct traffic to your main website, it's crucial that the conversion rate remains competitive. That way, you'll continue receiving payment checks, without spending a fortune on advertising costs.
One final tip involves tracking your efforts. Keeping records helps you analyze the effectiveness of particular campaigns, helping you to improve upon your performance moving forward.
Make sure you document each step of the process, including the date, source, and title of every post. By recording the data, you'll notice patterns and trends that could otherwise be overlooked. With this extra insight, you'll have a better idea of how to approach various situations going forward.
Overall, affiliate marketing requires persistence and dedication. Not everyone enjoys dealing with rejection, but the rewards outweigh the risks. Ultimately, you'll enjoy higher profits, greater authority, and a large community of friends willing to support you. Just remember to practice good judgment, and you'll eventually become successful.
If you are looking for a way to make money online through your own website or blog, then you have probably heard of the term "affiliate marketing". It is one of those buzz words that makes many marketers very excited about it because they think it is easy money. However, if you don't know what you're doing, then this could end up being more trouble than it's worth. The truth is, no matter how good your product is, unless you have some sort of marketing strategy behind it, you will not succeed in making a living from it.
To help you get going, we've put together a short guide on building an email list using affiliate marketing strategies so you'll know exactly what to look out for when choosing an email provider. We also recommend starting off by signing up for AWeber which has been proven again and again as one of the best providers for getting started with affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing doesn't come cheap - especially when you consider all the expenses involved in running a successful business. If you want to take full advantage of the potential earnings you may see, you should invest in a high-quality web hosting package (we use Bluehost) and domain name. You shouldn't expect to recoup these costs over time though, so they aren't really required if you just want to test the waters.
A lot of newbies try to jump right into selling products straight away without having enough knowledge or experience first. This isn't necessarily a bad idea if you enjoy learning something new and feel like you are ready to commit yourself fully to growing your brand. On the other hand, if you only want to earn passive income, then waiting until you have built up a solid following before launching your own product would arguably be better.
The key thing here is to avoid wasting too much time trying to sell things before you actually have anything worthwhile to offer. As long as you keep focused on improving your skills instead of focusing on sales, you won't go far wrong!
One reason why most people who start affiliate marketing fail is because they forget to create a decent landing page. They spend hours designing their site, writing content, adding images and videos, creating callouts etc., but never give any thought to where visitors land after clicking on their link.
Many sites simply send them back to the homepage, while others are designed in such a way that they force users to scroll down to view the rest of the information. Some even ask users to register before giving them access to the content. These tactics are sure to turn you off pretty quickly, and you certainly wouldn't want anyone coming across your site and feeling frustrated or annoyed with everything they have to do before they can learn more about your niche.
It is important to remember that building traffic to your site is vital to success with affiliate marketing. Without regular visitors, you won't be able to convert leads into paying customers. In fact, if you haven't already done so, now would be a perfect opportunity to check out our article How To Build Traffic For Your Website With Social Media.
In order to successfully market your affiliate offers via emails, you must ensure that your subscribers trust you enough to buy from you. You can achieve this by sending messages that offer value and show that you care about each subscriber personally. Here are some tips to follow that will help you to build relationships with your readers:
1. Be personable and friendly. Remember that the internet is personal – nobody wants to deal with someone who seems unapproachable. Avoid sounding cold or impersonal at all cost. Make sure you include relevant links within your emails and let your audience know how valuable your service/product is by mentioning specific features. Don't bombard them with irrelevant info either. Limit your emails to around 3 paragraphs maximum, and always proofread every single word.
2. Give useful advice. People love receiving helpful articles and guides that solve problems for them. Tell them how you solved similar issues and how you came to the conclusion that your solution was superior. Use testimonials to validate your claims and prove that you know what you are talking about. Always encourage open dialogue and feedback from your readers.
3. Offer bonuses. Everyone loves discounts and promotional items. Offering something extra for taking action is likely to increase conversions significantly. Consider offering special deals for subscribing to your newsletter, purchasing certain services or buying certain products. Try to avoid asking for payment upfront though. Instead, offer incentives such as exclusive reports or bonus materials to entice readers to subscribe.
4. Keep it simple yet interesting. No one likes reading boring lists of bullet points and plain text. Take the time to write engaging titles and subheadings that capture attention and intrigue readers. Include pictures whenever possible to add visual appeal.
5. Provide support. Let your readers know that you care about their needs and that you are willing to answer questions promptly and professionally. Offer live chat sessions during working days or weekends and respond to comments left on blogs and social media pages. Ask your followers to share and reblog posts containing your links, and thank them publicly for spreading the word.
6. Create scarcity. By announcing limited availability, you can drive demand and motivate buyers to act fast. Set deadlines for purchases or signups, and reward loyal fans with special gifts or contests.
7. Focus on quality over quantity. When promoting affiliate offers, focus on providing top notch products rather than low-cost ones. Quality products deliver consistent results. There is no point spending thousands of dollars advertising something if you cannot guarantee its effectiveness. Stick to well established brands that produce reliable goods and services.
8. Encourage referrals. One of the easiest ways to generate additional revenue is to invite existing clients to refer their friends to you. Send personalized newsletters to previous customers and prospects thanking them for their loyalty and encouraging them to pass along your contact details to their friends. Invite them to join your mailing list and receive updates directly.
9. Follow up consistently. Once you establish a relationship with your subscribers, continue to nurture it by sending targeted emails periodically. Remind old contacts of past promotions and remind current subscribers of upcoming events and specials.
10. Have fun! Treat your job as a hobby and treat your readers as valued members of your community. Never underestimate the power of humor and entertainment. Think outside the box and experiment with different styles and formats.
11. Test, test, test! Before releasing your next campaign, run several small tests to determine whether your efforts were effective or not. Measure conversion rates, track visitor behavior and identify common pitfalls. Learn from mistakes and incorporate improvements based on findings.
12. Automate repetitive tasks. Email marketing automation software can save countless hours per month and allow you to concentrate on generating fresh ideas and maintaining strong relationships with your followers.
13. Track progress. Keeping tabs on metrics related to your campaigns gives you invaluable insight into how your work is progressing. Monitor statistics regularly to measure performance against goals set beforehand. Identify trends early and adapt accordingly.
14. Promote offline. Even though Facebook is a fantastic platform for driving organic traffic to websites, you still need to reach out to prospective customers face to face. Attend networking meetings, conferences and meet ups to network with experts in your industry. Networking is crucial in today’s world as it allows you to connect with potential partners, investors and mentors.
15. Advertise on multiple platforms. While you should definitely target Twitter, Facebook and Google+, you should also advertise on forums dedicated to your topic. LinkedIn groups, Reddit communities and Quora are excellent places to gain exposure and attract genuine interest from real individuals.
16. Write compelling headlines. Headline copy plays a huge role in determining clickthrough rate. Research shows that clickbait headlines tend to perform considerably worse than less sensationalistic versions of the same message. Choose catchy phrases that catch reader's eyes immediately and stick in mind for later.
17. Develop a unique style. Each individual has his or her own voice and personality. Find yours and develop it further. Experiment with different approaches and techniques. Do research and read books to expand your understanding of topics relating to your field.
18. Stay organized. Having a clear plan helps you stay motivated throughout the process and ensures consistency between various aspects of your business. Document processes and procedures clearly and communicate with team members often.
19. Share knowledge freely. Helping people grow is essential to achieving happiness and fulfillment. Contributing to the development of others and helping them become self reliant is rewarding beyond compare. Sharing knowledge with others promotes growth and awareness and creates opportunities for collaboration.
20. Enjoy the journey. Affiliate marketing requires patience and persistence. While it does pay off eventually, it takes time to build momentum and profits. Just keep plugging away and don't lose sight of your ultimate goal.
21. Be patient. Successful businesses rarely happen overnight. Building a profitable affiliate program involves constant improvement and refinement. Patience pays dividends and rewards effort spent.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.