by Bruce Newman
Affiliate marketing is usually defined as the reward for each customer brought to a target website; in short, an Internet-based marketing method of driving traffic to a particular site. To clarify this further, let’s say I’m an affiliate for a website that sells pet products. For each customer who I bring to that website, I will receive some reward – usually money. (This may also require that they purchase at least one item.)
Is it worth my while?
The answer is both yes and no. It depends on the terms of the affiliate agreement and the amount of effort you are willing to expend. If it was so easy for these companies to just bring in business, they wouldn’t need an affiliate program. However, every company knows that generating new business is hard; it’s expensive, time consuming, exhausting and a slow process. They have calculated that it helps to have an unpaid (or minimally paid) sales force providing them with leads (and customers). The question for you to determine is, “Are the rewards worth my effort?”.
What is required from me?
Sometimes being an affiliate can initially be very easy and profitable. If you have a network of friends with a need for the affiliate product or service that you represent – such as pet supplies, you can easily make a few dollars. But what happens then? What is required for you to continue to provide new customers? And, how will you do it? These are questions you must be able to answer before becoming an affiliate of any program.
How much money can I make?
You can make a lot of money as an affiliate, particularly if you are an affiliate member for several websites and have an effective operating strategy. Having a solid networking tree is also quite helpful. Unfortunately, few affiliates fall into this category. Some affiliates enjoy a solid secondary income stream. However, most affiliates make little to no money, usually because of a lack of effort or difficulties with the company they are an affiliate for. We will discuss this further in another article.
Why become an affiliate?
Being an affiliate can supply you with a secondary source of income. Even if you are employed in a job, an affiliate income can make a significant difference in your total income. Possibly, as you continue to refine your strategies and affiliate agreements, it can even become a primary source of income. In any case, it requires work on your part. Just remember, money won’t come rolling in once you sign up as an affiliate without your effort.
Next week, we will discuss how to select an affiliate program(s) from the many programs currently available.
Bruce Newman is a long-term ETP Network member and Vice President at The Productivity Institute, LLC which matches the specific software products and services needs of companies to rated outstanding consultants who can meet those needs. It has an extensive and well-supported affiliate program that offers up to $225 for each company that registered by an affiliate which signs a contract with one of its referred consultants. Additional product and service information is available at: http://www.prodinst.com
Video Affiliate Marketing Part 1
Affiliate Marketing Can Provide a Secondary or Even Primary Source of Income
A Second Life in a Virtual World with Potential Profit in Real World Dollar$
Virtual Worlds Review Directory lists quite a few different types of virtual worlds to live by such categories as:
- Children
- Technocrats
- Free Access
- Tweens
- Virtual World Newbies
- 20 & 30 somethings
- Graphic Artists
- Trend setter Ages 40+
There was another story in the Wlall Street journal that asked the question "Is This Man Cheating on His Wife?". This is a bizzare question, because this man has a wife in real life, but has marrie
d and is playing house with his virtual wife in second Life. He has never met the actual woman in real life playing his virtual wife. He is maintaining his virtual marriage in Second Life by being on his PC up to 10 hours a day. Needless to say, his real wife is not a happy camper.Then there is the story about the 2 young ladies who are suing a man for copyright infringement. Their supposed claim is he stole the design of avatar clothes the women make and sell within the virtual world of Second Life. That's right. You have to purchase the proper clothing for your avatar in your virtual world to keep your appearance correct. People are making a decent amount of money selling "virtual clothes in these virtual worlds.
There is plenty of business opportunities in these virtual worlds. Second Life proves free enterprise can exist anywhere, if people are willing to put in the work, be creative and be serious about providing quality. Hey, that business approach is a proven formula for success in the real world too.
To get the latest skinny on virtual worlds, you can attend Virtual Worlds 2008 (VW08) taking place April 3-4, 2008 in New York City the at the Jacob K Javits Convention Center.
Network Coumputing has an interestig article on their Daily Blog which provides some inciteful information on the usage of wireless products. The results of a survey depict slow market growth due to concerns with security. It interestingly identifies 3 types of wireless users; wireless resisters, tactical adopters and strategic adopters. Security features were judged most important, followed by upgradeability of products to meet future standards, and centralized management.
Read more . . .
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Create a folder in your email system called "Waiting Room". Create a reverse spam filter which only allows email addresses in your Inbox from people you know. The same email filter should move all other email into the "Waiting room" folder. This will streamline being able to work smarter with responding to important emails. Later in the day, you can sift through the Waiting Room folder. If you spot an email from someone you know, place them in the reverse spam filter.
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"Success is where preparation and opportunity meet." -Bobby Unser
Think fast. What famous stadium is pictured in this satellite photo? I took this picture from my desk in Manhattan using Google's latest toy called "Google Earth". After downloading the free software, you type in a street address any where in the world. Voila, Google Earth allows you to look through the lenses of a satellite camera, taking you right to the top of the building. Imagine a satellite miles above earth providing a clear crisp photo of a building, like you're right next to it.
We are surrounded by opportunities with sound bytes of what's to come in the satellite business. It's in its infancy. Now is the time to prepare.
A recent Business Week article by Olga Kharif says " Everyone's Aiming at Satellite Radio. Rival technologies and services are popping up all over. Apple may even get into the game. The competition for ears will be deafening." The Olga's article goes on to state the 2 major players signed up 9.3 million paying users by the end of 2005, compared with fewer than 4.5 million a year earlier.
Occupational Outlook Handbook from U.S. Department of Labor indicates "The major threats to the radio industry, especially smaller, marginal stations, are from car CD (compact disk) players and from satellite radio, which functions like cable television with subscribers paying a monthly fee."
There is even a "Society of Satellite Professionals International". It's a nonprofit member-benefit society that serves satellite professionals throughout their careers. A quick glance at their membership application gives clues as to current and potential opportunities in the satellite industry. Take your pick of what career track suits you in the Satellite business. Some are obvious; teacher, engineer, manager and research & development. Some additional opportunities in satellite are finance, sales, consultant, operations, procurement, customer service and marketing.
Let's we not forget our terrestrial radio station engineers considering that career transition to satellite. There will be even more opportunity for dealers and installers of satellite entertainment equipment.
Heck, even people with blogs or web sites can cash in by becoming affiliates. Decent commissions are paid for new satellite radio subscribers bloggers recommend from their site.
Did you come up with Yankee Stadium in the satellite photo above?
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Before you watch or get involved with FiOS TV, I recommend you put your seat belt on. This technology is the Autobahn of lightening fast broadband services.
Wikipedia seems to provide the most accurate definition as "FiOS (Fiber Optic Services, though the carrier denies this is the source of the acronym in published news stories) is a fiber to the premises (FTTP) telecommunications service offered in the United States by Verizon."
According I4U News, outstanding user reviews indicate FiOS TV is delivering, as promised.
Before those of us who are savvy technology professionals get all dreamy eyed about the employment or consulting opportunities for this new technology, do your homework. Run your career like a business and perform "due diligence". Research the market. Verizon appears to be the only FiOS TV player. Check with the The Fiber Optic Association for referrals to certified training schools.
You will have to crawl (learn standard cabling technology) before you learn how to run (learn fiber optic technology).
For any Spanish speaking IT professionals in New York City, I know a school in the area that provides Free fiber optic classes only in Spanish, if they are a member of LISTA.
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SAVVY INTRAPRENEUR: Innovative Fund Raising Approach Using Technologylinks
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This past Friday I attended a post holiday party at a bleeding edge telecommunication cable studio. They gave a tour of their technology readiness for the coming sunami of Internet Protocol TV subscribers.
IPTV uses a two-way digital broadcast signal, sent through a switched telephone or cable network by way of a broadband connection. A set-top box is programmed with software to handle viewer requests to access a plethora media sources, with high speed delivery.
According to a new Light Reading Insider report, “IPTV: Where the Money Is,” technology vendors, and especially the likes of Alcatel (NYSE: ALA - message board; Paris: CGEP:PA), stand to make a killing.
There are significant drivers forcing telecom operators to adopt those defensive strategies, most notably the increasingly intense competition they're facing from ISPs and cable and satellite operators. As a result, the IPTV market is set to explode in the coming five years and beyond, finds the report.
By 2010, IPTV will have captured 65 million subscribers worldwide, predominantly in North America, Europe, and Asia. To deploy the systems needed to deliver those services, carriers will spend a total $21 billion in the 2005 to 2010 timeframe. Read more . . .
Stay on top of IPTV Developments:
Your IPTV and TV Over Internet News Resource
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I just came across this nifty little tool that's packed full of informational recsources for career professionals and business owners. This is definitely worth checking out. It seems to be updated with new resources pretty regularly. In adition to a cool pop blocker, it can be customized with other features, like adding radio stations to make your day go smoother.
I have installed many Blackberry Enterprise Servers for Lotus Notes/Domino. I'm also specialized in developing customized training seminars on using Blackberry handhelds. The synergy in combining the power of Lotus Notes' groupware with Blackberry handhelds is an extraordinary productivity marriage. Staff at home, traveling or in the office can now use their
Blackberrys for basic personal computer functions. People can access E~mail with Excel/Word/Adobe Acrobat attachments, send or reply to meeting invitations using the Lotus Notes calendaring feature.
Performing Internet research, Instant Messaging or even using a RSS Reader is a breeze with the easy viewing Blackberry screen. The Blackberry cell phone feature is icing on this very functional PDA cake.
As a Technology Consultant, I receive network/server alerts on my Blackberry from client sites. So I can proactively be informed and resolve problems, before clients are even aware there is a problem. I can quickly respond to helpdesk requests emailed to my blackberry from computer users. So a Blackberry is a great tool for client relationship management.
There are 2 Million Blackberry Subscribers and more people subscribing exponentially every day.
I Recommend 3 Things:
1. Investors should seriously consider adding Research in Motion (RIM) stock to their investment portfolio. RIM gets a piece of the action from all service providers that put their label on each blackberry (i.e. Cingular, Nextel, T-Mobile, Verizon etc. ). This gives RIM extensive worldwide distribution. It's traded as RIMM on the NASDAQ.
2. Companies should invest in this powerful productivity technology. It provides an excellent Return on Investment (ROI). Blackberry has already proven itself as a secure wireless productivity tool across many diverse corporate entities like the National Basketball Association, All Members of U.S. Congress and U.S. Senators, Royal Caribbean Cruises, IBM, CBS/Viacom, Ernst & Young LLP, New York City Fire Department, and many other Fortune 100 Corporations and government agencies (including the Department of Defense).
3. Exchange and Lotus Notes IT system administrators can increase their income by learning how to install and support the Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES). Training end users on using the Blackberry handhelds is another billable service to provide. BES is fast becoming a, specialty within a specialty, skill that is steadily growing in BIG demand.
Click here for Blackberry Documentation
You just met someone, but you're not sure if you should give them your actual email address. No problem. Give them a disposable email address. Check it online, later. You can give your real email address, only after checking what a person has to offer at the disposable email address. This eliminates spam, in case you do not want to communicate further.
An associate I recently met, named Tim Wilson of The Savvy Technologist , provides a very cool article on Disposable E~mail Addresses
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Really Simple Syndication (RSS) technology is a sleeper that is slowly creeping into the mainstream. There are plenty of articles on implementing RSS Technology. The question that still begs to be answered is "what's in it for me or my organization to implement RSS?".
The convergence of RSS technology with web logs or web sites is a powerful double edge sword for increasing market share. OK, profits increase too.
One Side of the Sword
The reason is fairly simple. RSS is a free and easy way to promote a web site or web log without the need to advertise or create complicated content sharing partnerships. Whenever your web log/site is updated, people are automatically notified of new content posted. This creates a "stickiness" effect for people to continously come back to your web site.
There are 2 caveats for making RSS technology work effectively. First, people must have their RSS reader tuned into your web log/site. Then they receive automatic update notifications. Secondly, your web site/log must be updated regularly. Something as simple as weekly updates to the "frequently asked questions" section of your web site is a good start.
RSS "enabled" Web logs/sites are indentified with little icon logos that contain XML, RSS or simply say Syndicate this site. This allows a person to right mouse click on the XML icon > select Copy short cut > and then add the web log/site to their RSS reader. Now the RSS reader is tuned in to that particular channel; your web site or web log.
RSS technology can even position Non-profit organizations to potentially increase funding by 1)attracting donation sponsors or 2)getting more referrals to increase clients served. Having a RSS enabled web site or web log can make this possible. Google lends a hand, with getting the word out about services provided by a non-profit, through its Google Grants Program .
The other side - Practical Application of RSS
One of several profit centers my business partner develops is event planning. So she tunes her RSS reader into various web sites that post marketing and event opportunities. With timely automatic notifications from the RSS reader, she saves time by not having to constantly visit those sites, until new opportunities are posted. Using the RSS reader has been very profitable for her. It allows her to beat competitors to the punch in contacting potential clients first. The RSS reader acts like a radar system.
As a consultant who focuses on client relationship management (CRM) to maintain or acquire clients, my RSS reader has been an invaluable tool. Depending on what type of industry a [potential] client is in, I tune my RSS reader to various web site channels. This allows me to quickly send clients timely informational articles that may impact their business. This good will effort has paid big dividends in client satisfaction and CRM trust, not to mention quite a few profitable referrals.
Other RSS reader applications could include receiving immediate updates on legal or regulatory requirements. News items are currently the biggest applications being used by RSS readers. Customers and employees can receive simultaneous updates on special company offerings. Customer service improves when employees can more intelligently answer customer inquiries, because they both receive the same information.
Although RSS definitely throws a monkey wrench into email spam, it is not meant to replace email. The monkey wrench is allowing people the freedom to choose which sites to tune their RSS reader. Unlike spam, RSS allows people to volunteer to be a captured audience. They opt-in or opt out, at will. When people unsubscribe to spam, there is not always a guarantee their email address is actually deleted from the mailing list.
Want to Test Drive Some Free RSS Readers?
Mozzilla's Thunderbird - This is a cutting edge program that combines email with an RSS reader.
RSS Reader - I use this RSS reader, because it uses low PC memory overhead and provides nearly unobtrusive news feeds. It also probes news feed web sites that require a password login.
Pluck - This RSS reader integrates with a web browser, like Internet Explorer. Allows creation of Perches (persistent searches) to continuously look for items on eBay, Amazon, Google or 5,000+ other web sources.
For those interested in using RSS technology to quickly increase market share, I recommend reading Guerrilla Marketing for Consultants: Breakthrough Tactics for Winning Profitable Clients by Jay Conrad Levinson
P.S. - Don't forget to add iTechSpeak to your RSS reader
Syndicate this site
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