Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Often Overlooked Affiliate Marketing Technique

Chances are you are currently promoting one or several affiliate programs as a way to build a residual income for yourself. But are you really making the most of your advertising campaign? Are you original, creative, or are you using the same standard promotion techniques all your 'competing' affiliates are using too?

Here's a way to make your offer original. A way to stand out from the crowd, and convert a much higher percentage of your prospects into affiliates.

I'm talking about 'bribing' your prospects!

The one question on every prospect's mind when they're reading your offer: "What's in it for me?". Remember, they might see 20, 50, even 100 emails and ads every day, trying to get them to join an affiliate program. So, what you need to do is make your offer different, original, so that it captures the prospects undivided attention...and 'forces' them to ACT.

One of the techniques I like to use, is adding something to the 'standard offer'. Something they don't get elsewhere. An exclusive bonus, if you will, for joining the program through my affiliate link. A 'bribe'!

The bribe could be, for example, a free guide or tutorial that will help new affiliates make a flying start with a particular program. You could offer this in the form of a PDF report, an eCourse, a dedicated 'training page' on your web site, or even one-on-one consultation by email or phone. Whatever you personally feel most comfortable doing. The idea is to give prospects an extra incentive to take action and join immediately.

They will be very tempted to join, because:

1) You just massively increased your credibility. By offering to teach people how to be successful with this program, you will be perceived as an expert.

2) You are not just 'one of those people only interested in growing their own downline', you are personally committing yourself to help them actually succeed. You are showing that you care, that you're willing to do more for them then 'all the others' are...

3) Since you - an expert - are offering to teach them how to do well with this program, people will feel confident that they actually will do well. That they actually will make real money if they join.

Using this technique will help you to bring in more affiliates. But you will also create a much stronger, more personal relationship with those new affiliates, right from the start. As a result, they will pay more attention to your future follow-up messages and recommendations. Thus further increasing your (residual) income.

There are many ways to draw attention to your exclusive offer. A few suggestions:

* Notify your newsletter and other opt-in list subscribers by email.
* Put a text box on your web site.
* Install a popup / popunder / fly-in ad on your web site.
* Promote your offer through eZine ads, classified ads, banner ads, etcetera.
* Mention it in your email signature file.
* Mention it in the signature file of each of your forum post.
* Be creative and come up with more ideas.

Use this killer affiliate marketing technique to improve both your short and long term results. And teach your affiliates to do the same!

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