Affiliate Marketing
Although affiliate marketing really isn't the easiest way to make money online, it is one of the simplest and fastest ways to get started. The reason is that you don't need your own products, and you don't have to provide your own customer service.
What you do need is a product you can promote. If you really want to make even more money, you'll build a simple lead capture page to help you build a list so you can market to your subscribers over and over. This creates repeat business. (When "gurus" talk about making money at the push of a button, this is what they're talking about.)
As I mentioned before, affiliate marketing is where you are selling someone else's products or services. Depending on the type of offer, you will receive a commission when someone clicks, completes an offer, or buys from you.
To get started in affiliate marketing, here are the steps you need to take:
What you do need is a product you can promote. If you really want to make even more money, you'll build a simple lead capture page to help you build a list so you can market to your subscribers over and over. This creates repeat business. (When "gurus" talk about making money at the push of a button, this is what they're talking about.)
As I mentioned before, affiliate marketing is where you are selling someone else's products or services. Depending on the type of offer, you will receive a commission when someone clicks, completes an offer, or buys from you.
To get started in affiliate marketing, here are the steps you need to take:
1. Find a product to promote.
In fact, you really need to find three to five products to promote as you will write promotional materials as well as autoresponder messages. You want to offer different solutions to the same problem as each person will be looking for a different solution. Keyword research is crucial here as it allows you to find the right products. Do your keyword research first, and either choose a topic you are interested in or are passionate about.
2. Create a simple lead capture page.
A lead capture page is simply a page that allows your visitors to subscribe to your list. Usually, the list owner (that would be you), will offer a premium for subscribing. There is tons of free software available on the internet to help you do this. Just do a search in the search engines. (The only other things you will need to complete this step are a domain, web hosting, and an autoresponder.)
3. Create marketing materials.
This means writing autoresponder messages for your autoresponder as well as writing ads, articles, press releases, etc. to promote your new site. Then, load your messages into the autoresponder.
4. Drive traffic to your website.
Traffic techniques include free and paid classifieds, pay per click, article marketing, press releases, joint ventures, ad swaps, solo ads, and others.
Choose one internet marketing technique and try it out first. Test and track until you find what works best for you. The key here is to try different techniques to help you find the combination of marketing techniques that work best for you.
Free Reports
Whether you are selling your own products or someone else's, you really can't go wrong with free reports. The reason is that most people jump on the internet looking for information. This is a way to provide them with that information. (It's also a good way to make money online for free because, if you do it right, it won't cost you anything, and your ebook could go viral.)
Free reports also allow you to deliver your content in PDF (portable document format), which is a universal format that can be read on any computer. PDFs are considered to be far more valuable than say an article or blog post. You have lots of choices when creating your free reports. Personally, I
like to write mine, but then I'm a writer. (This is my favorite part of the job! LOL).
If you're not a writer though, you may wonder how you can get your report written without breaking the bank. There are several ways to do this.
First, you may want to consider finding someone to write the content for you. Although this is the most expensive solution, it does guarantee that the content will be original. With the right freelancer, you can get your content quickly.
The easiest way to find a good freelancer to ask around. Check with your business friends. Consider forums on your topic as these are a good place to get advice. Another way to get this type of content is to buy it. There are sites that are available where you may buy content. Some require memberships. If you're not interested in a membership though, consider looking for freelancers who offer this in addition to their services.
Although this is a less expensive option, it will require some of your time. The reason is that you'll need to rewrite the content to make it unique. If you have friends who offer complimentary products, consider having them write articles for your report. Then you can compile the articles into an ebook. Leverage the ebook by making it brandable and sharing it with your friends. They can then pass it along to your readers.
Consider borrowing articles from others who have written on the topic. Although this is the least desirable option, you may also apply the same leverage techniques by making it brandable.
Whether you are promoting your own products or someone else's, make sure you include links throughout the report. Make these clickable (they open a browser window). Just don't go crazy and include too many. I love free reports. It's allowed me to make a lot of money online for free. All it requires is a little effort on your part to put together a report that people want to read. Follow these tips for creating reports that go viral.
Free reports also allow you to deliver your content in PDF (portable document format), which is a universal format that can be read on any computer. PDFs are considered to be far more valuable than say an article or blog post. You have lots of choices when creating your free reports. Personally, I
like to write mine, but then I'm a writer. (This is my favorite part of the job! LOL).
If you're not a writer though, you may wonder how you can get your report written without breaking the bank. There are several ways to do this.
First, you may want to consider finding someone to write the content for you. Although this is the most expensive solution, it does guarantee that the content will be original. With the right freelancer, you can get your content quickly.
The easiest way to find a good freelancer to ask around. Check with your business friends. Consider forums on your topic as these are a good place to get advice. Another way to get this type of content is to buy it. There are sites that are available where you may buy content. Some require memberships. If you're not interested in a membership though, consider looking for freelancers who offer this in addition to their services.
Although this is a less expensive option, it will require some of your time. The reason is that you'll need to rewrite the content to make it unique. If you have friends who offer complimentary products, consider having them write articles for your report. Then you can compile the articles into an ebook. Leverage the ebook by making it brandable and sharing it with your friends. They can then pass it along to your readers.
Consider borrowing articles from others who have written on the topic. Although this is the least desirable option, you may also apply the same leverage techniques by making it brandable.
Whether you are promoting your own products or someone else's, make sure you include links throughout the report. Make these clickable (they open a browser window). Just don't go crazy and include too many. I love free reports. It's allowed me to make a lot of money online for free. All it requires is a little effort on your part to put together a report that people want to read. Follow these tips for creating reports that go viral.
Services
Services are a great way to make money online for free because there are so many "jobs" out there that can be converted to service businesses.
It also allows you to choose something you love doing to make money from.
In fact, you can make a lot more money from selling your services as a freelancer than you can working it as a job. The only disadvantage is that the pay might not be as steady. The way around this is to save your money for the lean times and make sure you have a surplus for when you're not performing your services. Since services include a wide variety of both online and offline work, the first thing you need to do is to take an assessment of your skills. What can you do?
Write these things down because you want to know what things you love doing that you can make money from. (I love to read, but I haven't found a way to make money from that one. I also love to write, so that one's a little easier.)
Now, there are a few ways you can do research to find out if any of these things you listed are bankable moneymaking skills. Here's how to get started:
It also allows you to choose something you love doing to make money from.
In fact, you can make a lot more money from selling your services as a freelancer than you can working it as a job. The only disadvantage is that the pay might not be as steady. The way around this is to save your money for the lean times and make sure you have a surplus for when you're not performing your services. Since services include a wide variety of both online and offline work, the first thing you need to do is to take an assessment of your skills. What can you do?
Write these things down because you want to know what things you love doing that you can make money from. (I love to read, but I haven't found a way to make money from that one. I also love to write, so that one's a little easier.)
Now, there are a few ways you can do research to find out if any of these things you listed are bankable moneymaking skills. Here's how to get started:
1. Do a search in the search engines. (You may want to consider
finding out which keywords your postential customers are looking for.) See what the competition is. Search with your keyword phrase in quotes, as well as without quotes. Searches done in quotes will give you the most optimized results.
2. Search the library or Amazon.
This will tell you how popular the topic is, as well as help you find information on how to get started. This is crucial to your success. Do your homework. The ones who are the most successful online do their homework and then take action.
3. Read the classifieds.
Classified sites, both online and offline, will tell you what others are selling. One great place to look for this type of information, and it's free, is craigslist. craigslist is the most popular classified site online, both free and paid, and they have a services category.
Maybe you don't have the skills for any type of freelance work. That's OK too because you can always learn a new trade. The same rules apply: do your homework.
You can search the search engines, as well as libraries, to learn the skills you need. Although there are a few professions where a college degree is a must, it's not that hard to change professions nowadays, and you don't have to have a degree to do it.
Learn as much as you can about your new services business, and then get started. You can make money online for free with services. Just find something you love to do that you can make money from.
Maybe you don't have the skills for any type of freelance work. That's OK too because you can always learn a new trade. The same rules apply: do your homework.
You can search the search engines, as well as libraries, to learn the skills you need. Although there are a few professions where a college degree is a must, it's not that hard to change professions nowadays, and you don't have to have a degree to do it.
Learn as much as you can about your new services business, and then get started. You can make money online for free with services. Just find something you love to do that you can make money from.
Email Marketing
Email marketing isn't an internet marketing technique per se. The reason is that you will have to use other internet marketing techniques to build your list. However, once you have started building your list, and you have subscribers to market to, you can use this to help you increase your income. You'll be able to write an email, send it out, and then get a pay check. This is how many big name internet marketing gurus increase their income.
Before you start building your list, the first thing you need to do is to determine what the topic of your list will be. This will determine the subject matter of your emails. Although this may seem obvious, if you don't pay attention to your list, you can end up sending them emails that aren't related to your list topic.
When you do this, you can alienate your readers and cause them to unsubscribe. Be clear about your topic and only send emails that are related.
Next, get an autoresponder. Write a few messages to add to your autoresponder. Try to contact your list at least once a week. I don't contact my lists more than twice a week, including my prewritten emails.
Remember that your subscribers are busy. They don't have a lot of time to read your emails, so don't bombard them. Mix up your emails. You don't want to send your readers all sales messages. You're building a relationship here so tell others about yourself. Allow them to get to know you. Share stories from your life. Write articles to share with your readers. Give them information, don't just send them sales messages.
Now, you're probably wondering, what your emails should say. First, start with a clear headline. You want to write a headline that gets your readers' attention. Make them want to open your email. The easiest way to do this is to keep a swipe file of emails you've received that you either purchased the product or found compelling. Use these headlines as a template for creating your own. Introduce your readers' problem. Then explain how the product will solve the problem. Include a call to action with the link. Keep your email short and sweet. Otherwise, you'll have trouble getting it through the spam filters, and your reader may not see it.
Your call to action doesn't have to be anything complicated. Use something simple like "click here" or "visit this site" or "go here for more information." Just make sure you tell your reader what to do. It will get you more clicks.
Now, get busy and start building your list. Build a relationship with your readers and "talk" to them regularly. You'll build credibility, and if you solve their problem, and they'll buy from you.
Before you start building your list, the first thing you need to do is to determine what the topic of your list will be. This will determine the subject matter of your emails. Although this may seem obvious, if you don't pay attention to your list, you can end up sending them emails that aren't related to your list topic.
When you do this, you can alienate your readers and cause them to unsubscribe. Be clear about your topic and only send emails that are related.
Next, get an autoresponder. Write a few messages to add to your autoresponder. Try to contact your list at least once a week. I don't contact my lists more than twice a week, including my prewritten emails.
Remember that your subscribers are busy. They don't have a lot of time to read your emails, so don't bombard them. Mix up your emails. You don't want to send your readers all sales messages. You're building a relationship here so tell others about yourself. Allow them to get to know you. Share stories from your life. Write articles to share with your readers. Give them information, don't just send them sales messages.
Now, you're probably wondering, what your emails should say. First, start with a clear headline. You want to write a headline that gets your readers' attention. Make them want to open your email. The easiest way to do this is to keep a swipe file of emails you've received that you either purchased the product or found compelling. Use these headlines as a template for creating your own. Introduce your readers' problem. Then explain how the product will solve the problem. Include a call to action with the link. Keep your email short and sweet. Otherwise, you'll have trouble getting it through the spam filters, and your reader may not see it.
Your call to action doesn't have to be anything complicated. Use something simple like "click here" or "visit this site" or "go here for more information." Just make sure you tell your reader what to do. It will get you more clicks.
Now, get busy and start building your list. Build a relationship with your readers and "talk" to them regularly. You'll build credibility, and if you solve their problem, and they'll buy from you.
Classified Ads
Classified ads have been around for about as long as there have been newspapers. They are one of the oldest forms of advertising available.
Although they're not as effective as they once were, if you use them properly you will be able to effectively market using this technique. Your first step is to start with a product and offer. It's beyond the scope of this article to show you how to select a product, but I'll show you how to structure your offer.
First of all, don't send visitors directly to a product sales offer. (If you're just trying to sell off a few things to make a little money, then this doesn't apply, but for those of you who are doing this for business, you want to offer your visitors something that's free to lead them into what you offer.) Send your visitors to a free offer. In other words, offer them something for giving you their names and email addresses.
This means you need to build a lead capture page. A lead capture page is simply a page where visitors go to subscribe to your list. You add your subscription box code. Visitors enter their email addresses and names to subscribe.
There are no other offers on this page. Your free offer can be an ebook, audio you've created, software, newsletter, or something you have created. What's important is to create something visitors can't get elsewhere.
Next, write your ads. You'll want to follow the AIDA formula:
A - Attention, I - Interest, D - Desire, A - Action.
You get your readers' attention in the headline. Make it compelling. If readers don't act on your headline, they won't act.
Interest occurs in the ad. You give readers a further reason to read your ad. Desire is where you make your readers want what you have to offer. The most important step, action, is where you tell readers what to do next. Many people will leave this step out. Don't make the same mistake because it will increase your clicks when you tell readers what to do. The next step is to create a list of classified ad sites where you can market. There are a lot of free classified ad sites that are highly effective, so you want to find as many highly ranked classified sites as you can. The top site is craigslist, so you want to start there. Make sure you read the guidelines for each site, and write your ads accordingly. Include your link in your ad.
Create a regular posting schedule. Get a monthly calendar and write down when your ads will expire. Follow your schedule and keep reposting your ads. Test various elements of your ads like headlines to see what works best. Write more classified ads. The more ads you write and post, the more chances you have of getting readers to join your list.
Interest occurs in the ad. You give readers a further reason to read your ad. Desire is where you make your readers want what you have to offer. The most important step, action, is where you tell readers what to do next. Many people will leave this step out. Don't make the same mistake because it will increase your clicks when you tell readers what to do. The next step is to create a list of classified ad sites where you can market. There are a lot of free classified ad sites that are highly effective, so you want to find as many highly ranked classified sites as you can. The top site is craigslist, so you want to start there. Make sure you read the guidelines for each site, and write your ads accordingly. Include your link in your ad.
Create a regular posting schedule. Get a monthly calendar and write down when your ads will expire. Follow your schedule and keep reposting your ads. Test various elements of your ads like headlines to see what works best. Write more classified ads. The more ads you write and post, the more chances you have of getting readers to join your list.
