What are some of the BIGGEST affiliate marketing mistakes that negatively impact profits? This intel is to help everyone to make their Internet marketing venture more profitable. Whether you're an Affiliate Marketer or a full-fledged Internet Marketer who owns & controls product your own product - keep an open mind because you just may learn something here.
There's several mistakes that I can think of right off the top that Affiliate Marketers make (myself included at times but I'm getting better;)
Let’s kick things off with…
1) Tracking: Many Affiliate Marketers leak tons of time, money and effort because they neglect to track their advertising results. True enough it can be a tedious process, and of course some things will warrant more detailed tracking than other - but you definitely should do it IF you're serious about improving your marketing - and thereby increasing your profit!
There are plenty of free tracking programs available, as well as affordable paid versions with more advanced features. The good thing is that many of the best affiliate programs already included a solid tracking system which can measure basic things like where your results are coming from, how many people clicked on your link, etc…
2) Checking Links: Sometimes links can end up dead or broken. This is due to several factors, usually because a program has changed or discontinued. Therefore, it is good to check your links on a regular basis to insure that they’re still working properly. I usually make it a habit to do a link check at least twice a month.
3) Deleting Links: If you use a program or system to redirect or cloak/mask your links - Don’t Ever Delete A Link that you have widely circulated if you can help it. You might change the inserted link to redirect to a different program or landing page – but deleting it can cost you. I made this mistake several times and when visitors clicked those links they ended up on a desert island with nothing there. I have learned from that mistake and try my best to avoid these problems nowadays.
4) Too Many Affiliate Programs: Trying to juggle too me affiliate programs could spread you so thin that you will make little to no money in any of them. This is why it’s best to focus on one or a few, and work to make those create profit for you – then gradually add on others to your portfolio.
5) Relying On 2nd Tier Affiliates: If you just relying on your second-tier affiliates to rake in the profits for you - you’re sadly mistaken. Many 2nd tier affiliates don’t do a darn thing. Therefore it is best to keep promoting your programs yourself instead of relying on them. Also you’re leading by example and if your sub-affiliates see that you’re putting forth promotional efforts – this could motivate them to follow your lead.
6) Too Many Banners: Studies have shown that text links greatly outperform banners. Many visitors consciously or subconsciously look at banners as IN-YOUR-FACE advertising. This makes them shy away from clicking. Being that text links are more subtle and weaved into the content, this technique comes across more natural and motivates the visitor to want to CLICK your links.
Now I’m not saying that banners should be completely banished, but you should definite think twice before you decide to slap up another one. Depending on the market they could work well, but generally speaking banner results pale in comparison to text links.
7) Using the Same Ole Landing Pages: Affiliate programs typically come along with replicated sites - and that’s not so good. Just think about... How will you separate yourself from every other affiliate out there promoting the same replicated site??
That’s like going to a job interview and everyone has the same exact resume! Nothing separates anyone. It would be better if you write your own webpage or website and then PREsell your affiliate programs first, and then visitors can click-thru to your replicated affiliate landing page.
8) Being a Bandwagon Marketer: If you market the same ole affiliate products/services as everyone else - the competition will be much too stiff. Usually the only ones who win in these highly competitive markets are those who get in early - and “Gurus” who have major funding to dominate these markets.
It is much better to steer clear of these overly saturated markets - and find new and unique areas to tap into. By locating underserved or even untapped niche markets, you could etch out a nice quiet profitable place for yourself:)
9) Unclaimed Money: Have you checked ALL of your affiliate accounts lately? If not you may be leaving money on the table! A few dollars here, $5 over there, perhaps $10 or more somewhere else…this can all add up really quick - and you may be able to cash it all out right this moment.
What I do to avoid the "missing money" syndrome is make an excel spreadsheet listing every affiliate program/network I’m registered with. This has definitely helped me keep better track of your earnings. Perhaps you would like to adopt this system too.
10) Expecting Overnight Riches!!! I’m sure we’ve all heard the stories about people raking in tens of thousands of dollars practically overnight. But be advised that this is the exception not the rule. Truth is that the most affiliate marketers never earn a dime.
To avoid becoming just another statistic, be sure to approach the Affiliate Marketing Business with realistic expectations - that’s exactly what affiliate marketing is: A BUSINESS! And as with all businesses, it takes time to grow and profit.
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Contributor's Note
No doubt there is great money in affiliate marketing, and some are good at earning it faster than others, but just don’t get too carried away with all of the HyPeD-UP CRAP on the Internet!
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