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Crossing the Line – the line between performance and traditional advertising has been breached and the best days of affiliate marketing are ahead.
By Greg Shepard
Years before the NASDAQ tanked and banner advertising died, e-commerce pioneers like Amazon.com and CDNow began partnering with topic-centric websites to drive revenues, paying a commission for each sale referred. The practice spread quickly and became known as “affiliate marketing.” By early 1999, Forrester Research proclaimed “affiliate programs” as the Web’s most effective traffic-driving technique – almost twice as effective as banner advertising.
Consider that by September 1999, more than three years after Amazon launched, there were over 1,000 merchants offering affiliate programs. And by 2000, Amazon’s Associates Program had grown to over 500,000 affiliates. What Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos started as a polite conversation had grown into an entirely new industry, bringing with it affiliate networks, directories, newsletters and a variety of consultants. Other innovations followed and affiliate marketing is now an integral part of the Web’s composition. It’s also now widely heralded as the Web’s most cost effective marketing vehicle.
Still, as affiliate marketing evolved, issues with the model have been exposed. The affiliate community needs to remember that affiliate marketing is not about generating cheap advertising, but developing profitable strategic relationships.
But now there is a way for merchants to now offer a win-win where both merchants and affiliates have a vested interest. Improving technologies now make it possible for the formerly CPS, CPA, CPL performance programs and the CPM, CPC, and flat advertising models to unify creating a new hybrid that I call the CPP (Cost-Plus-Performance) model.
The CPP combines a paid campaign with a performance campaign and offers the best of both worlds. I see this as the future of affiliate marketing, a wide-open world of performance and payment where the CPP takes inventory lost to Google’s AdSense and advertisers back. The result is a whole new world of opportunities for merchants, affiliate managers and affiliates.
The hybrid CPP is converting former CPM, CPC advocates into affiliate marketing believers. For many top websites, affiliate marketing now represents a chance to loosen the grip of pay-per-click search engines and costly advertising. The most difficult obstacle in affiliate marketing is finding good affiliates with traffic. If a site sells traffic then they must have it, and if you negotiate a Cost-Plus-Performance payout valuable opportunities begin to open up.
Merchants are also realizing that affiliates need better tools as well. Technologies such as data-feeds, site and shopping cart abandonment (exit traffic) promise to allow merchants, who are also affiliates, to increase EPC and EPM numbers without compromising the visitors experience, thereby improving monetization. By simply offering additional products and/or service offers at or after the point of sale, merchants can add revenue without diluting the sales process.
It’s becoming clear to merchants, affiliate managers and affiliates that the line between performance and traditional advertising has been breached.
It started with Google’s entry into the market. Google’s AdSense captured valuable affiliate program inventory, which caused the flexible affiliate marketers to evolve again. The industry’s response was to tangle with the paid advertising side of the market. Google’s method is to pay out for ad space – the same ad space that was used by affiliate marketers. That limits available inventory and changes the Web publisher’s expectations.
Some affiliate marketers using AdSense end up to cannibalizing their own market. Why? To get guaranteed income from traffic. If you pay for traffic, you’re guaranteed to get it. The merchants get guaranteed traffic and the affiliates get guaranteed revenue from traffic. However, this presents a problem. Traditional advertising places the risk on the merchants, while performance places the risk on the affiliate. In either case only one has a vested interest in the campaign.
It’s clear from a handful of recent studies and reports that marketers are frustrated with the current process.
In a survey of 135 senior-level marketers a recent study found that while 60 percent of respondents said that defining, measuring and taking action on ROI is important, only 20 percent are satisfied with their ability to do so. In addition, 73 percent reported a lack of confidence in their ability to understand the sales impact of a campaign.
The study, conducted by Marketing Management Analytics (MMA), the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), and Forrester Research in April 2005, was presented in July at ANA’s 2005 Marketing Accountability Forum.
Also this summer, a MediaLife’s media buyer survey quantified what most already suspected: media buyers think that about only half of media reps know what the heck they’re doing (via MediaBuyerPlanner.com). A significant minority of the buyers – about one in six – have such a low opinion of representatives that they said only 10 or 20 percent are useful.
Complaints centered, unsurprisingly, on time wasting, both in the form of over-contacting and proving ill prepared when conversations do take place. Another big complaint proved to be overly hard selling, with some reps seeming to believe that repetition or browbeating may succeed in getting a property on the buy where the numbers won’t.
Half of the buyers said they agree with the statement that the rep problem was “no big deal. Sure, they’re annoying sometimes, but I’m sure they find me equally so. It’s how the industry is set up.” About 45 percent agreed instead that they are “a necessary evil. Most are okay, but there are a few really obnoxious ones I hate doing business with.”
Even with all the issues, the good news is that the affiliate community is still evolving. Organic search is becoming more competitive. CPM rates are going up. Paid search is becoming cost prohibitive and the need for cost effective online inventory is becoming stronger, causing the affiliate space to grow at ever increasing rates. As merchants, affiliate managers and affiliates become even more interwoven, the friction decreases and new forms of integration and aggregation are made possible.
I see it this way – the race is on! In the last year the number of merchants offering affiliate programs has more than quadrupled. Literally, millions of websites now participate as affiliates – from personal homepages at Geocities and Homestead to Fortune 500 companies. And now, more often then not, merchants with affiliate programs are also affiliates.
Whether termed affiliate marketing, collaborative commerce, revenue sharing or syndicated selling, the affiliate space leads the way in the ever changing landscape of online marketing and has become the Web’s fastest, simplest and most cost effective marketing vehicle.
As both merchants and affiliates continue to recognize the power of change, affiliate marketing’s best days are yet to come. In a few short years, affiliate marketing looks to become the tail that wags the dog – controlling the majority of the adverting and marketing dollars. Despite the less then impressive advancements in the advertising world and hype, affiliate marketing stays true to its origins as a better way of connecting buyers and sellers and rewarding those that facilitate those relationships.
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What Controls These Three Parts?
As players we NEED to understand that we MUST control the three parts of the golf club in order to strike quality golf shots. These three parts are:
1. The clubface
2. The clubhead
3. The clubshaft
These three parts MUST be controlled through three Stations – from Address, to the Top, and to the Finish. You'll notice that Impact is NOT included in these locations.
Impact does not have the rank of a station simply because it happens if you have controlled the club through the three Stations.
1. The left hand controls the clubface and its job is to impart "Hinge Action" to the face supplying direction, trajectory, and curvature. These three "Hinge Actions" are known as (1)Vertical – a wall, (2) Horizontal – a floor, and (3)Angled – somewhere in between.
In a Geometrically correct golf stroke (ideal application) the Horizontal Hinge Action is used. This action works just like a door that is opening and closing. While on a Horizontal Plane it is clear to see that there is NO turning or rolling in either direction. But on an Inclined Plane of motion there is a turn to the right and a roll to the left.
2. The right hand – more specifically the first joint of the right index finger – controls the clubhead, its job is to sense where the clubhead is at all times and to direct the action of the clubhead. Using what is known as the "Aiming Point Concept" the direction and point of location in the downstroke varies according to hand speed, and the club being used. The shorter the club the more in front of the golf ball the "Aiming Point" is.
For example, when hitting a greenside bunker shot the player should be looking at a spot behind the golf ball. This is because that's where we want the club to strike the sand.
The same principle applies here. A wedge for example would be in front of the ball. A 5 iron would be at the ball, and a Driver may be behind the ball.
3. Finally, the clubshaft controls the Plane. The Plane is the angle that the club moves back and down on. It can stay on the same Inclined Plane back and down, shift to another angle, or even have several shifts during the stroke. The simplest is to NOT shift at all. The next easiest is to only shift this plane angle once, then two shifts, then three shifts, etc. Annika Sorenstam, Tiger (when he's on), Adam Scott, Michelle Wie, and host of others use either a "single" shift in their procedures. Nick Price, Nick Faldo and others use a "double" shift while Jim Furyk uses a "customized" plane and multiple shifts.
You can use any of these and obviously play great golf, but remember – ANY PLANE SHIFT IS DANGEROUS!
Learn to control these three parts of the golf club and you will be on your way to golfing "Nirvana".
Pure Point Golf
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Have you ever wondered just what it is about affiliate marketing. I mean it is boasted you can make an ultimate winner income of about $100,000 a year from affiliate marketing. Or are the 90% of internet marketers correct that are not making money saying your wallet is just swiss cheese with your money just floating through it. I am not sure myself, but here in the last month I have signed up more than 550 total between three affiliate down lines, and 1000 people in my email list.
Swiss cheese wallets seem to be the 90% that are not making money with affiliate programs. People are just watching money drain from their wallets with no results what so ever. People pay for pay – per – click advertising with Google Adsense, and purchase expensive email leads, and have no success what so ever. Some Adwords pay – per – clicks can get very expensive. Good leads can be very expensive depending on who you buy your leads from. Just to have no luck in making sales, and building down lines. So is it worth the trouble involved? Yah, I will be the first to say residual income from an affiliate program down lines is great, who wouldn’t say it isn’t. But, the expense you have to pay is absolutely, outrageous. How do the ultimate winners do it.
The ultimate winners on the other hand boast of $1,000. ‘s of dollars per month from sales from affiliate programs. But, how in the world are they doing it? Are they using some so called new super Google Adwords program? No. Are the ultimate winners purchasing super leads from some secret source? No. Than what is the difference? Can anyone just lay it on the line, and tell us how to become ultimate winners! Can anyone teach us how to prevent the swiss cheese wallet?
The answers! The questions to be answered are not elusive. The internet is full of the answers to building down lines, and the six figure incomes. The key to understanding the answers is who do you listen too, and study to build those massive down lines and six figure incomes. Do the gurus have the answers? Some of the gurus have been on the internet for 10 years, and have established down lines, and email list of 1,000’s of people. Those same gurus have the credibility almost like Mother Teresa!
So, than how has the big money earners done the same thing? Earning millions of dollars with only 2 to 3 years on the internet. These people have accomplished earning millions of dollars from affiliate programs. Well, now if you just spend an evening surfing affiliate programs by the truly successful people you will discover they are all doing the same methods and tactics. I have an idea, but you gotta get it from me; for free. Yes for free!
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A new set of clubs for beginners is really not necessary; in fact the higher end clubs can be a hindrance on your game. Golf is unique in the fact that the sport requires a group of instruments, and equipment to play in full. Many sports like baseball or basketball just require a few items that are used by an entire team. Golf being an individual sport this aspect changes into a need for the right set of clubs.
Golf clubs are broken down into sets of complete or incomplete, as well as irons, woods, drivers, putters, wedges, and hybrids. Golf clubs can be purchased in any combination of the above, but typically for beginners it is good to start with the entire set. Also women's clubs are sold as sets, but typically differ from men's clubs in size. Golf clubs in sets typically come with a bag that has stands on it, so it can rest on itself while you are taking your shots. Also golf sets occasionally will come with tops for the heads, as well as towels, umbrellas, and even balls.
Golf club sets can be purchased at a number of places. In order of price, most expensive to least, you can buy clubs at a pro shop; this will be your most expensive option. You can also buy clubs at sporting good stores, or golf specialty stores. For those bargain shoppers you can purchase a full set of clubs at Wal Mart, or even your local thrift store. For the internet shopper's eBay offers a great selection of new and used golf club sets.
The cost for a set of clubs can vary from less than $100 for an entire set, to over $10,000 for the high end clubs. Typically golfers can buy a decent set of clubs for $400 depending on where they are shopping. High end clubs are often bought in singles, thus making it more costly to purchase a set. One driver can cost over $1,000 at a local pro shop.
The term you get what you pay for isn't true in the world of golf clubs. Unlike cars, or computers, typically golf clubs can be beneficial at a low cost. Further, many prefer cheaper clubs, or used clubs, because they offer a more standard weight and grip. Golf clubs are uniquely made out of several different materials, and can vary depending on a user's preference. The cheaper clubs have a level feel to them, and don't offer too much of any one element. If a beginner spends a large amount of money on an ultra light driver, it could be too light for them to learn the basics of their swing, this actually prohibiting them from learning the basics.
Overall it's important to start off with a modest set of clubs until your game advances to levels that call for new clubs. Plus with all the money you save you can buy your significant other a set, and make a date at the course.
Pure Point Golf
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After you have joined an affiliate program, there are several crucial steps you will need to take in order to succeed. Without taking the steps outline below, your chances of succeeding will be limited. By simply following these guidelines, you will be able to increase your affiliate commissions and earn some money you can live on.
A lot of people fail with affiliate programs because they do not have the necessary affiliate program information.
Generally, the best way of succeeding with affiliate programs in to choose a niche; create a useful and content-rich and keyword-rich website on the specific topic of your niche, and add in your affiliate links and AdSense ads.
So what is the critical affiliate program information you will need to know, and the steps you need to take for you to succeed with your affiliate program?
1. Set your objective of how much you want to earn. You will need a goal to work towards. How much do you want to earn per month? It also helps to visualize what you want to achieve with this goal. Pay off your car? A holiday? You must start with an achievable amount, and gradually increase this amount.
2. Find a niche that suits you and your interests. Your business is a long term commitment, thus you will need to get involved with an affiliate program in a niche that interests you. The internet is full of affiliate program information; make an effort to do your research and find the best niche to suit your interests.
3. Select a lucrative niche. You will need to have affiliate program information about how profitable any opportunity you are interested in will do. Your goal is to make money, and you need to establish how profitable your business will be. The internet has information about profitable niches, and you will need to know these before you decide the best opportunity for you.
4. Another critical affiliate program information you will need to have is the reputation of the affiliate merchant. You need programs with good reputation and high quality products or services that will be easy to sell.
5. Create a useful, motivating, content-rich and keyword-rich website which search engines will pick. Offer some free tips and tools on your site; make your visitors want to come back to your site. This is very critical because more visitors to your site mean more sales and more money for you.
6. Place AdSense on your site. If you have a website with a lot of visitors, you can easily earn some money from AdSense.
7. Get Links. This is very important affiliate program information you will need to always remember. Linking to other sites will help improve the ranking of your site. One way links are more important that reciprocal links.
8. List your website in major and niche directories.
9. Write and distribute articles. This strategy extremely essential; and it is a cost effective way to market your affiliate program.
10. Be Patient! It normally takes a few months of consistent effort before you can start to see any benefits. Do not be discouraged, do not give up. Your efforts will start to show after about three months as search engines will start to send traffic to your website.
Outlined above is crucial affiliate program information you will need to know if you want to succeed and make some money as an affiliate. By simply following the recommendation above, you will see your affiliate growing gradually.
A lot of people fail because they do not have the important affiliate program information they need and the guidelines on how to succeed. As a result, they do not know how to earn any money or increase their affiliate checks. These steps can help you increase your earnings.
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