Getting People to Click on Your Affiliate Links
Like it says above, your main objective is to get people to click on your links to create traffic for your merchant. This takes some clever planning, a persistent attitude and a little luck! Here are some tips to help generate traffic:
Post Several Links to your Merchant
Don't stop at banner advertising! Look to see if your merchant offers additional linking methods like articles, email ads, signature files, rotating images, product images, guest books and so on! The more links you post - the better your chances are of making a sale.
If you simply place a banner on one of your web pages and expect the commission checks to come rolling in - you're going to be disappointed! In order to earn commissions - you have to become an active Affiliate. Place a few banners on your site, an article and a guest book in your resource section, another article and an ad in your newsletter and a testimonial wherever you can fit one!
If your merchant doesn't offer extra linking methods -- tell them you want more. No merchant will argue with an Affiliate that wants more ways to promote their site!
Start Collecting Information from your Visitors
Study after study shows that following up with prospects is the best way to make the sale. As an Affiliate - it can mean the difference in getting a commission or not.
Do your best to get information from your visitors while they are at your site. Offer them a contest entry, a "FREE Report" or other information in exchange for their email address. Then, use their address to follow-up with them with information about your merchant's products and services. Ask your merchant - they may have just the right tools to help you get addresses.
You should also consider starting your own ezine. This will allow you to consistently get in touch with your contacts with any messages you choose. Ezines are easy to start, cheap to run and a GREAT way to get and keep prospects.
Don't Be Afraid to Pay
Being an Affiliate - even a successful Affiliate - doesn't have to cost a ton of money. But, it doesn't hurt to pay for a few targeted placements in ezines, on websites and so on. Figure out your costs for placing the ads and then estimate the amount you think you can make from the ad. Do a few test ads and compute your profits.
Using The Affiliate Training Center
The Affiliate Training Center has a wealth of information about Affiliate Marketing and Internet Marketing in general. You can browse through the site for tons of great information on promoting your site and your Affiliate links.
There are three main sections here: Articles and the FAQ's:
Articles
You'll find articles on every topic from search engine ranking to email marketing to site design. Search for the topic of your choice and read through the articles for great tips and how-to information.
Links and Resources
There's links to websites with information on web designing, affiliate marketing, online marketing in general and search engine marketing. Links to forums, news sites, information sites, directories, etc.
FAQ
The FAQ section is answered by our panel of experts. This is the place to ask questions about marketing your site, placing your links in the right areas and so on.
Though we'd like to be able to answer every question you have here - we unfortunately can't answer questions like "When will I be paid?", "What's my password?", "Do you have sales letters I can use?" and so on. These questions should be directed to your merchant.
