Affilliate School House – Affiliate Marketing Education And Internet Marketing News

Commission Junction And Others Strike Back Against Internet Tax

// April 17th, 2009 // No Comments » // Affiliate Marketing

While checking my stats over at Commission Junction this morning, I noticed that they had a very bright graphic on the welcome screen that stated, “We oppose the CA internet retail tax!”

I had to click it because I agree that this internet taxation is a bunch of bologna, and well the call to action was beautifull designed – lol! I think it’s a weak attempt on behalf of state officials to penalize affiliate marketers and the businesses they run in order to dig themselves out of a bad situation. Shawn Collins, over at AffiliateTip.com, isn’t too happy about it either – read what he has to say over here. Anyways, CJ has posted up the submitted documentation that explains the potential pit falls of putting the nexus tax – internet taxation into place. This coalition is comprised of many powerful companies that are standing together in opposition of the proposed bill in the state of California. I applaud them all. It’s gonna be a cliffhanger for sure.

Here is the opening statement on behalf of the coalition against the proposed internet tax in California:
Threatens California Technology Sector Jobs and Harms California Online Marketplace
Companies, E-Commerce Companies, Small Businesses, Nonprofits, Many Others

The below-listed business and employer organizations and companies must respectfully OPPOSE AB 178 AND ABX3 27 (Skinner and Calderon) which we believe could harm highly-coveted California technology sector companies, such as online marketplace and other e-commerce companies, by placing them at a severe competitive disadvantage, nationally and globally.

AB 178 AND ABX3 27 would establish that California nexus is created when any retailer enters into any referral agreement with a California resident in exchange for compensation or commission, such as by a link, website, or otherwise, which generates referrals in excess of $10,000 in sales. “Nexus” refers to the U.S. Constitution’s requirement that an out-of-state retailer have a sufficient physical connection with a state before the state can force the retailer to collect the state’s sales or use tax.

Here is a snapshot of the businesses and employer organizations backing  the opposition.
See any companies you know?

Keep your eyes and ears open.

Preston
“The Dean” of Affiliate School House

Internet & Affiliate Marketing Etiquette

// March 18th, 2009 // No Comments » // Affiliate Marketing, Affiliate Marketing Foundations

Our lesson for today will include some very important Do’s and Dont’s when it comes to promoting your products or affiliate links on the web.

1. DO NOT SPAM YOUR PRODUCT LINKS OR AFFILIATE LINKS

How many times have you seen someone on Twitter or Facebook spam links all day long about some $4.95 trial for Adwords Crusher or something like that. I know I have. Unfortunately it seems that many people in this space will do anything to make a quick buck, even if that means resorting to spamming. This annoying practice occurs daily, via email (as almost all of us know), Twitter, Myspace, Facebook, Forums, as well as many other places. I would fill up this entire post if I listed every way that marketers spam. These so-called internet marketers and affiliate marketers are not connecting with their audience and will ultimately never build a sustainable business. Don’t follow the advice of others if it includes this type of behavior. Be wary. Nobody, and I mean nobody, likes a spammer.

2. DO NOT ANNOY THE “BIG DOGS” – AUTHORITY VOICES

It’s smart to build relationships with the authority voices within your space, but do it the right way. Constantly emailing, or pinging these individuals for business advice, support, or begging them to promote your site, blog, links or products is a great way to burn a bridge. This will not help your business.

3. DO NOT LOOK FOR FAST MONEY

There is no get rich quick system out there that will earn you respect and build you a lasting business. Sure, you might make a few quick bucks but you will alienate alot of people, annoy others, and be left with nothing worthwhile. Think about it.

Internet and Affiliate Marketing Etiquette – Part 1 from Preston Taylor on Vimeo.

1. DO JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE AND OFFLINE

Similar to spamming, nobody likes to be around people who only talk at them and not with them. What do I mean by this? It simply means that it’s important to engage in conversations, instead of always talking about what you do or what you are promoting.

2. DO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR AUDIENCE, AUTHORITY VOICES, & AFFILIATE MANAGERS

This one is a no-brainer. If you build relationships you will be able to move your business to the next level.

3. JOIN THE BEST AFFILIATE NETWORKS

Always seek out the best affiliate networks, affiliate programs, and products to promote. Don’t try to join every program out there. You will just end up overwhelmed and confused. Speak to a representative at these networks and have them sell you on why you should promote their products.

4. PROTECT YOUR GOOD NAME

Word travels fast within the internet and affiliate marketing space. This means that you should strive to build the very best reputation that you can by forging quality relationships, by sharing quality content, and by helping others achieve their goals. Helping someone can open many different doors. It’s how I met one of my best friends on the internet and it has helped me tremendously.

**Authority Voice: I can’t stand the word guru or expert so I choose to use authority voice as a substitute.

Internet and Affiliate Marketing Etiquette – Part 2 from Preston Taylor on Vimeo.

How To Select The Best Affiliate Programs and Products

// March 2nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Affiliate Marketing

The Beginning:
In order to get started in affiliate marketing, you have to find products to promote. The task of selecting affiliate programs can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. In this post we will discuss the best methods for selecting great affiliate programs that both complement your passions and have a buyer’s market, which is key (if there isn’t a buyer’s market, then you will not be making any sales). Typically, new affiliates feel the need to sign up with every big affiliate program company (cj, linkshare, etc.), corporate affiliate program, information product,  etc. that they can sign up for because they believe that being a member of more affiliate programs will yield more money. In most cases this is just not true.  Those of you who have done this, please raise your hand. I know I have. It’s ok, it happens. At first, the prospect of making money with affiliate programs fills the new affiliate marketer with hope and excitement. As a result, most new affiliates end up running around signing up for everything under the sun and end up gassing out before actually promoting any products or seeing any money come in. I have been there too.

So, what is the best method for getting on the right track from the very start?
There are several key factors that when combined will yield the best returns.I think the best way to illustrate this is by giving you a list of questions and statements that will help you make the right decisions in regards to what will work best for YOU and YOUR business.

Selecting Affiliate Programs:
It’s important at first that you select some items that you will have fun promoting. If you are interested in what you are promoting, you will work harder and put in the extra efforts because you have a genuine interest in the products. It will make the journey more tolerable when you come across bumps in the road and will make it that much sweeter when you taste success.

The Best Method/Approach For Selecting Great Affiliate Programs: A Quickstart Guide

1. Assuming you don’t have a blog or website – What things are you passionate about? (cooking, sports, fashion, toys, electronics, etc.)
2. Assuming you don’t have a blog or website – What items from your passions do you think you would have the most fun promoting? Select some niche products.
3. After selecting some niche items, use Google and other research tools to determine if there is a buyer’s market with good volume for those items.
4. If you currently have a blog or website, what is it about? Is there room to promote products within it? If so, select items that complement your site/blog.
5. Use sites like commissionjunction, sharasale, and linkshare to search for affiliate programs.
6. Use Google to search for your selected niche products. Review the results and try to locate products. Look for affiliate programs on those sites.
7. Get involved in the affiliate marketing communities and ask other people which affiliate clearinghouses/programs they like the best.
8. Sign Up for several affiliate programs/products. DON’T GO OVERBOARD!
9. This goes without saying, BUT, select the associated programs that have the most traffic and the best commission rate/structure.
10. Deploy your affiliate links via your website, blog, articles, forums, etc. <— more on this later.
11. Optimize your pages/articles for your related affiliate items with current SEO tactics
12. Review your traffic and conversions. Maky any necessary adjustments.
13. Rinse and Repeat…

How To Get Started in Affiliate Marketing – Part 1 from Preston Taylor on Vimeo.

Talk with ya soon,
Preston

Currently Being Studied at The Affiliate Schoolhouse:
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What Is Affiliate Marketing?

// March 1st, 2009 // No Comments » // Affiliate Marketing

A Breakdown of Affiliate Marketing:

What is it? How Does it work?
The basic idea behind affiliate marketing is really quite simple. As a matter of fact, you have probably already witnessed a version of affiliate marketing in your daily life, but didn’t notice. In affiliate marketing you basically act as a salesman/saleswoman for Brand “X” by promoting their products using your own website, blog, newsletter or other marketing tool. In this example, let’s refer to Brand “X” as Amazon. Amazon.com, the company, wants affiliate marketers – YOU,  to drive quality traffic to their website in order to increase their POTENTIAL sales volume. (more…)