Connect Marketing Success Tales – Raising an Connect Program Cash Cow (Part 2)
The following interview with Shawn Collins, a prominent expert in the
connect marketing field, should prove instructive to the reader. Shawn
has loved a meteoric rise in the field and now runs his own connect
program management and consulting firm. As this interview is inherently
limited in scope, one is positive to read more about Shawn’s experiences
in the field and the advice he dispenses owing to his books, conferences,
blog, articles, reports, and weekly radio show. The reader can also meet
Shawn at the Connect Summit, a “can’t miss” conference for those
interested in excelling in the competitive world of connect marketing.
Q. Shawn, how would you describe your initial experiences with connect
marketing?
A. It was back in 1997. I had a dial-up account on AOL, a 14.4 modem and
a desire to make more cash. At the time, I didn’t know a thing about
making websites, marketing, etc. But I went owing to a tutorial at AOL on
writing HTML and picked up the basics. Then, I made a hideous, single
page site about New York City and place up some Amazon links. I never earned
a cent on that site.
Q. What growing pains did you endure at initially? What were the largest
obstacles and challenges from that period of time?
A. Back then, there was a monopoly on registering domains, and it cost
$35 a year. At the time, that was a bit prohibitive for me (I didn’t
realize what a excellent investment a small name would be). That was a trend –
an unwillingness to invest in my connect efforts. I was going the free
route with tools, hosting, etc. That certainly delayed my progress.
Q. What was your initially “Ah-ha” second? How did you incorporate the
lesson learned into your connect marketing business?
A. The initially time I got my reporting via email from Amazon with
information on commission earned. Back then, there was no option to login
to an interface – just a periodic email with connect stats. When I
realized it was real that I could earn cash this way, I was excited and
motivated. This persuaded me that I was wasting my time working in
magazine publishing – it was time for me to get into a line of work that
was stimulating and rewarding.
With my limited connect marketing experience, I managed to get a job
with a start-up in 1997 called Medsite.com, and I bluffed my way into
in succession the connect program there. I’ve loved my work ever since.
Q. Without mentioning names, have you joined connect programs that did
not keep their promises and/or provide appropriate compensation? What
measures did you take when confronted with this situation and what advice
can you give others to avoid this circumstance?
A. Lots of connect programs lie in their recruiting efforts – they
talk about how simple it is to earn commission from them. That’s simply not
right – it’s not simple. I just don’t pay attention to most recruiting
efforts from connect programs. I would promote affiliates to ignore
proclamations of simple earnings and high EPCs – the most valuable thing is
to test everything yourself and promote what works for you.
Q. How has connect marketing changed in the last seven years? What
strategies would you implement now that you would not or could not do
years ago?
A. The industry has matured momentously. Seven years ago, many connect
marketers were content sites which relied on 468×60 banners. The analytics
were primitive and fewer companies offered connect programs.
Now, the industry is so diversified. Essentially, any way to market online
is being leveraged by affiliates… including comparison shopping,
domaining, video, SEO, e-mail, social networks, PPC, rewards programs,
etc.
If I could turn back time, I would have started up multiple niche
community sites back then for well loved topics. By now, if nurtured they
would have grown nicely and become lucrative connect sites.
Q. If one is gifted marketing an connect product or service, is it
likely that this individual can effectively market his/her own products or
services? Should people look into developing their own items while
marketing or instead of marketing others’ products/services?
A. I’d say anything that is already selling online can be effectively
marketed owing to an connect program. Selling your own products or
services can certainly provide more rewards in the best case scenario, but
then you’ve got a lot more risk, too.
If somebody has the infrastructure and know-how to sell a particular product
or service, I’d say to go for it. But don’t take uncalculated risks.
Q. What are crucial mistakes that newbies tend to commit?
A. Lack of investment and understanding. It’s really hard to
succeed in connect marketing if you are unwilling to spend the time and
cash required to develop a long-term strategy. And connect marketing is
most certainly not a quick endeavor – it takes patience to endure and
succeed.
Q. What are some of the creative (perhaps seldom used) strategies to
use in the connect marketing field?
A. Simply going beyond the banner. There are a lot of exciting
opportunities out there with Web 2.0. It’s just a matter of figuring out a
only one of its kind slant.
Q. How long does it realistically take to build a full-time income with
connect marketing, assuming “full-time commitment”?
A. I don’t reckon you can qualify and quantify passion. And to me,
passion is an essential ingredient in connect marketing success. Also,
there are so many variables, like the size of a given vertical, the
margins involved, competition, etc.
Q. Is it simpler to build income from this type of marketing now or was
it simpler years ago? (Please consider competition, Internet treatment, advent
of Adwords and Pay Per Click, etc.)
A. It was never simple. There was certainly less competition in the past,
but also less in the way of options of advertisers to choose and methods
to promote them. Plus, there is the continuing growth of ecommerce. I
reckon the opportunities for success are just as healthy now as they were
years ago.
Q. While I know that you do not recommend any particular connect
marketing programs, in your estimation, what are the “hottest fields?”
A. The “hottest fields” are a slippery slope. They change over time. I
reckon the hottest field for any given person should be the area that
wellbeing them most. You can certainly go out there as a mercenary and
promote the most lucrative thing at the second, like ringtones or debt
consolidation, but I suggest going with a long-term plot in an area that
wellbeing you.
Q. Is there any connect marketing software that is a “must” when one
pursues an connect marketing venture?
A. This really depends on the type of connect. There are software
programs that help optimize connect efforts for different affiliates.
For instance, if you’re working with data feeds, you should check out
WebMerge.
Q. What are your views concerning connect marketing networks such as
LinkShare and Commission Junction?
A. I reckon they’re the backbone of the industry. The connect networks
account for the majority of large connect programs, and they also
provide a level of convenience in that you can consolidate a lot of your
activity under a few logins.
I want to see them work together to establish standards. For
instance, there is a lack of standards in data feeds, which is a challenge
for the folks by them.
Q. Can any absolute statements be made regarding the most lucrative type
of connect marketing payment system (e.g pay per sale, pay per click,
etc.)?
A. In all-purpose, CPA seems to be more profitable, especially offers for
products and services that are not physical items.
Q. What influence, if any, will blogs make on the connect marketing
landscape?
A. I reckon some are influencial in the way networks, merchants and
affiliates operate. For instance, Jangro.com is considered to have had an
impact in the choice by Commission Junction to change their plans on the
Link Management Initiative (LMI).
Q. What are, statistically, the best avenues to market an connect
program?
A. It depends on the vertical. Email and PPC work well for some CPA
offers, while an customary web presence can be more valuable for
selling goods on a revenue share.
Q. Do you see any future trends in the connect marketing field?
A. Smaller connect programs. Connect managers are focusing on
working more closely with fewer affiliates. Also, I reckon we’ll see an
rising number of affiliates embrace the opportunities out there with
Web 2.0 and innovate with the new tools that roll out.
Q. What current projects are you undertaking in connect marketing, including
your work with the Connect Summit?
A. My main focus is Connect Summit, the largest connect marketing
conference. Our last show had over 2,000 this past January in Las Vegas.
We also have events scheduled in Miami (July 8-10) and London (September
28) this year.
Additionally, I provide connect management and consulting services as
Shawn Collins Consulting, and I publish an annual report on connect
marketing benchmarks called AffStat.
I also have a blog at http://blog.affiliatetip.com where I post daily
about issues in connect marketing. And I’m the co-host with Lisa
Picarille, Editor-in-Chief at Revenue Magazine, for the weekly show,
Connect Thing, on WebmasterRadio.FM.
Q. What do you attribute your connect marketing success to (e.g.,
building content, writing articles, following footsteps of a mentor, forum
participation, etc.)? Please include any last words of advice for one who
aspires to succeed/excel in the connect marketing field.
A. It’s all about dedication, resolve, and relationships. I don’t look
at my connect marketing activity as a job, but rather a fun, profitable
leisure activity. Over the decade I’ve been involved in the industry, there are way
too many factors to list that have contributed to my success. But I’d say
the most valuable of all is to constantly endeavor to learn from others.
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Conclusion – Do’s and Don’ts of successful affiliates
Analyzing the success tales, we may conclude the following do’s and
don’ts of being a successful connect:
Do’s
your site.
upset.” Provide a upset only one of its kind / personal on a consistent basis so that
visitors will be motivated to revisit your site.
their tracking systems updated and so you can be rest assured that you
will get your payments.
visitors who see your connect offering.
engines.
them.
business develop.
connect programs may like to see your site and study the traffic before
enrolling you.
needs of visitors.
Don’ts
frauds.
products/services.
advertisements.
With successful identification of consumer needs, providing a way to
fulfill those needs, and collaborating with customary connect
programs, it is possible to make your own connect success tale. You
just need to manifest a methodical, patient approach and perform lots of
hard work. But raising an connect program cash cow is certainly worth
the effort!
About the Author
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