Mistakes I made in affiliate marketing and what I’ve learned from them

Posted on Jun 23, 2008 under Affiliate Programs

This is my entry for Marketing Leverage’s contest where I’m required to write a story on the mistakes I’ve made in affiliate marketing, and what I’ve learned from them.

I’m going to keep this very short…

Here’s my list of mistakes:

I over paid in PPC
I didn’t build a list
I’ve completely neglected Yahoo and MSN
I’ve limited myself to Clickbank only for no good reason (I love clickbank)
I’ve used only direct linking,
the list goes on…

BUT…

The biggest mistake I’ve made, without a doubt, was jumping from one thing to another.

Every day a new, over-hyped ebook/course/system launches, and as I young affiliate I felt as if I need to catch up with them all.

I went from PPC to SEO to creating my own eBooks to membership site to list building to whatever the latest “buzz” was.

If I had just focused on ONE THING, I would have made more money much sooner.

So here’s my advice for all affiliate wannabe’s out there. There’s really only one thing you need to learn.

Read this closely, because this is “mind blowing”:

Affiliate marketing is not about selling products. It’s about providing solutions to problems.

It is a totally different mindset.

If someone was suffering from acne, provide them with a way to make the acne go away. Problem solved.

Sound simple, no?

It took me a while to “get” it.

Whatever your method of advertising may be, if you’ll try to help your visitors with the problem they’re trying to solve at the moment, they’ll respond favorably and you’ll make money.

Good luck!

4 Responses to “Mistakes I made in affiliate marketing and what I’ve learned from them”:

Freelance Web Design said...
on August 6th, 2008 at 18:07

Great Post Ryan!

I think the same is true of most aspects of the internet, marketing, etc. It’s not only about the sale. If you’re not able to provide value or a solution to your visitors you are doing them no real favor, even if they end up buying something.
florencia said...
on September 29th, 2008 at 15:28

Hey Ryan! thanks for sharing this, i’ve just started out and helps a lot!
the one thing i don’t get is what do you mean you left MSN and yahoo out?
could I ask you to check my blog and help me out, give me some advice or feedback? I can’t get comments even if i do get traffic. the hard thing is getting the first couple of comments and i’m having trouble with it.
Thank you so Much!!!!
Shay said...
on October 2nd, 2008 at 17:51

Ran,
Great post.
Learning from your mistakes is pricless, when pacing affiliate marketing day by day.
Jonathan Stark said...
on October 8th, 2008 at 08:30

Affiliate marketing is not about selling products. It’s about providing solutions to problems.

Okay, I’ll bite. What problem does darkcopy solve?

Luv and kisses,
j