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Making progress by going backwards

August 10, 2009 by John Dilbeck
Filed under: Affiliate Marketing, Amazon, Marketing, Musings, Squidoo Lenses 

The last six weeks have seen a very interesting change in my affiliate marketing strategy — well, interesting to me and possibly to you.

Part of this was not part of my ongoing plan — getting canceled by Amazon.com, for instance.

Part of it was finally having time to update some websites that had been neglected for most of the last two years as more and more of my time was devoted to caring for Mom and then working on settling her estate.

Part of it was reevaluating products and services that I’ve recommended over the last few years and deleting links to many of them. While I still feel that almost all of them were good products and worth what they cost, I’m no longer comfortable recommending them.

And, if I’m no longer comfortable doing it, why should I continue?

So, I spent a lot of time this morning removing and redirecting affiliate links for a variety of products.

I’ve been working day and night undoing what I spent years doing — finding and linking to affiliated products on a variety of websites, blogs, Squidoo lenses, and other places on the web. I don’t know how long it will take to find and delete all of them, or if that’s even possible, but I’m working on it diligently.

So far, I’ve deleted nearly a thousand pages on my various sites and at least that part is done.

Progress is not a continuous upwards curve

No matter how much we would like to have continuous, unbroken progress in our businesses, it just doesn’t happen that way.

There are always downturns, obstacles that must be overcome, and changes that must be dealt with.

Yes, it feels like that takes us away from getting our work done, but the truth is that it IS our work.

So, even though I’ve been undoing a lot lately, I feel like I’m finally making some progress by clearing out the old chaff so I can concentrate on growing new wheat.

(No, I’m not a farmer. That’s a metaphor.)

It’s a strange idea, possibly, but I really feel like I’m making progress even though most of what I’ve been doing has been going backwards.

On the positive side, my new website for promoting select locally-owned brick and mortar businesses in Murphy, NC is doing well and I’ll be devoting more and more time to building and promoting Murphy Gold over the coming months.

What part will affiliate marketing play in my future?

More and more, I’m asking myself that question, and I’m unsure of the answer.

As I get pickier about what I recommend to you and have to deal with unexpected things like changes in the NC tax code that got me dropped from several affiliate programs, I find it harder and harder to recommend products and services to you.

Of course, I’ll continue to recommend Site Build It! and I’ll continue using it for my new static sites. At this time, I don’t have any plans to create any new sites and may still decide to delete a few more, but the new sites I build will be powered by SBI.

What do you think?

Those are some of my thoughts about online marketing on a hot summer afternoon.

What do you think? How’s your affiliate marketing business progressing — or not?

Act on your dream!

JD

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18 Comments on Making progress by going backwards

  1. Mieszkania Szczecin on Tue, 11th Aug 2009 2:32 am

    2. Changes always need some bravery. I see that you are making big changes in your online marketing world, and to be honest, I can’t say is it good or bad, but I think that every difference can bring something good. Here we are facing something new, and that new could give you even more positive responds. Sure that you are an expert in matters of marketing and you know what you are doing, this is just another big change in life.
    Mieszkania Szczecin´s last blog ..Mieszkanie 4-pokojowe w Gryfinie My ComLuv Profile

  2. John Dilbeck on Tue, 11th Aug 2009 11:20 pm

    3. Good evening, Mieszkania.

    Welcome to our discussions. I appreciate your comments.

    Yes, there are some big changes happening with my marketing business, but in the grand scheme of things, they’re actually pretty minor.

    I’m just dealing with the ups and downs of business and finding ways to deal with changing circumstances.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  3. Mitch on Wed, 12th Aug 2009 4:49 pm

    4. I think your dedication to your reinvention (that’s what I’m calling it) is admirable. You’re getting rid of stuff that no longer interests you and isn’t making you any money.

    Truthfully, I’m not sure I’d have totally gone that route. I mean, I have my few websites, and some of them aren’t generating anything much, but then one day I get a hit off it and there’s a little something. I’m not sure if that’s really the way I want to go, and maybe I’ll revamp.

    But I rarely toss away and totally start anew, though it’s not a bad strategy. That’s why I’m sticking with affiliate marketing, and still need to figure out how to make my model work. It’s ever a challenge; maybe if I could get just one good night of sleep, it would help.

    Nah! ;)
    Mitch´s last blog ..My Top 16 Sci-Fi Movies Of All Time My ComLuv Profile

  4. John Dilbeck on Fri, 14th Aug 2009 3:58 pm

    5. Good afternoon, Mitch.

    I appreciate those comments and agree — at least partly — with what you say.

    I used to think that I could promote a lot of things and get a few dollars here and a few dollars there and make a business of it — the old multiple streams of income model.

    Now, I’m thinking that, while that used to work, it’s not as good a business model these days — at least, not for me.

    It goes back to the old maxim, “If you try to sell to everyone, you end up selling to nobody.”

    I’m finding that the more I focus on a few excellent products and services, the better I do and the less work it takes.

    I’m feeling less scattered and I’m able to focus my attention better on what I’m doing.

    I’m not trying to tell you or anyone else what to do, I’m just passing along some of my thoughts on the matter.

    I have a gut feeling that affiliate marketing is changing, and not for the better. I don’t have facts and specifics to back that up, but I’ve learned over the years to trust that feeling.

    It’s always a challenge to devise a business model, test it in the real world, and then tweak it until it produces the results we want. All of us have to go through this, if we’re seriously trying to build a real business.

    Perhaps a few good night’s sleep would help!

    ;)

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  5. Apparel UK on Mon, 17th Aug 2009 5:35 am

    6. Mieszkania Szczecin @ changes is rule of nature as did John. I know it will be prove very beneficial for him. You have said right my friend.

  6. John Dilbeck on Tue, 18th Aug 2009 12:44 am

    7. Good morning, A. UK,

    Thanks for the comment.

    I’m hoping it will be beneficial! ;)

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  7. Apparel UK on Wed, 19th Aug 2009 12:55 am

    8. John Dilbeck @ Thanks for reply and for giving the attention towards me.

  8. Jon Patrick on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 9:15 am

    9. Impressive.
    Many people document their successes and techniques online… but it’s the rare person who can stand up and say what they’re not going to be working at any more.
    I especially appreciate your “cleaning out the chaff” analogy. I, too, am not a farmer, but sometimes you just need to take the time to clean out the old mental ‘clutter’ and leave only the strong base to build from.
    Best of luck!
    JP
    Jon Patrick´s last blog ..So what is People-Search? My ComLuv Profile

  9. John Dilbeck on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 9:36 am

    10. Good morning, Jon.

    Welcome to our discussions and thanks for your comment.

    It’s been a hard decision to drop some of the things that have worked well for me in the past in order to concentrate more on what is currently working. It also frees up some space and energy to try to find new things for the future.

    You’re absolutely right about working from a strong base.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  10. John Dilbeck on Fri, 21st Aug 2009 12:15 pm

    11. Good afternoon,

    I expanded upon this topic in my latest newsletter:

    Act On Your Dream! — Issue #9 — Making progress by going backwards

    I decided to share some things I normally don’t talk about in public, but I think they are important so I can talk about some of the lessons I’ve learned.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  11. Don McNulty on Tue, 1st Sep 2009 1:24 pm

    12. Your approach is admirable. Any standard marketing textbook will tell you that about 80% of your sales come from 20% of your customers. It sounds like you are aiming to concentrate on that 20%. One other thing to consider, too, is to take a site that is generating a few dollars, give it a quick facelift (different font, new graphics), and see if that increases sales. If not, it’s probably time to get rid of it.
    Don McNulty´s last blog ..Great PLR Content for Nothing is a Reality My ComLuv Profile

  12. steve@ affiliate marketing online on Tue, 8th Sep 2009 4:07 pm

    13. I have been trying on and off (mainly off) over the past 3 years to make some money from affiliate marketing. Before I have started projects and then abandoned them before they had chance to get going. Having seen your comments above I realise that I have a lot to learn about this business but I am determined to follow your lead and give this a serious attempt and stay in for the long haul and adapt to the changes that will happen over the coming months and years.
    steve@ affiliate marketing online´s last blog ..Top 10 Tips – Affiliate Marketing Online My ComLuv Profile

  13. Laura Miller on Mon, 14th Sep 2009 3:34 am

    14. Hi wanted to add to this discussion as I too have recently, cleaned things out and started anew, with careful and tring things to think over on what was worth focusing on and what was not.

    It has proven to be a wise decision on this and I am finaly feeling not so overwhelmed and clutter.

    I say good for you!!!

  14. Make Quick Money on Sun, 4th Oct 2009 7:53 am

    15. Hey John,

    Removing thousands of links from pages, these are pretty big amount of links that you have removed.

    And I agree that changes is mandatory to be in the race, so glad that you are changing your ploy to keep up with the pace.
    Make Quick Money´s last blog ..5 Tips to Becoming a Better Leader My ComLuv Profile

  15. John Dilbeck on Mon, 5th Oct 2009 8:39 am

    16. Good morning, Don.

    I apologize for taking so long to respond to your comment. I didn’t see it until this morning.

    Yes, indeed, I am trying to concentrate on the 20% that produces the 80% in profits. Sometimes it’s harder to do than say, however.

    ;)

    Your advice on giving an old site a facelift has a lot of merit. As I’ve revamped sites while removing links, I’ve changed the appearance of several of them for just the reason you mentioned: to see if it increases sales.

    Thank you for your comment, and I’m sorry it took so long to respond.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  16. John Dilbeck on Mon, 5th Oct 2009 8:48 am

    17. Good morning, Steve.

    I apologize to you, too, for taking so long to reply to your comment. I just saw it for the first time this morning.

    As with any other business, affiliate marketing takes a commitment to success. One of the hardest things about it, I believe, is to find your best niche that is both profitable and interesting enough that you’ll continue working in it for years rather than days.

    No matter what some people will tell you, affiliate marketing is a business and all business takes dedication and work. If it were as easy as they say, they’d be doing it themselves and not telling anyone else about it.

    Adapting to the changes that occur over time, for me, is one of the hardest parts of this business.

    Some of the things that were working very well for me a few years ago now produce nothing.

    So, we have to adapt to survive and we have to survive to prosper.

    Hang in there, Steve.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  17. John Dilbeck on Mon, 5th Oct 2009 8:52 am

    18. Good morning, Laura.

    I’m sorry it has taken so long to reply to your comment. I just saw it for the first time this morning.

    I agree with you. Trying to find what is worth doing versus what is a waste of time is well worth doing, although it may not be as interesting to some of us as blogging or updating our websites.

    Planning is important. Focus is important.

    I’m happy to hear that your planning and focusing is helping you make progress with your business.

    Good for you, too!

    ;)

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  18. John Dilbeck on Mon, 5th Oct 2009 8:59 am

    19. Good morning, M.Q.M.

    It has, indeed, been a big job, but a necessary one. I still have one site with over 1,500 pages that needs to be updated, and I’ll get to it soon.

    One of the main parts of my business strategy was to link to excellent books, but that is no longer a profitable part of my business. So, it’s time to change. I have to link to things that people are going to buy, if I’m going to make any money at affiliate marketing. Identifying them takes research and a certain level of intuition. At the moment, my intuition seems to be a bit off kilter.

    I’m just hoping that the changes I make will be for the better. That’s the real challenge when it comes to marketing.

    If not, it will be time to change, again, and try a different approach.

    Thanks for your comment and kind words.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

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