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Top 15 things I have learned about affiliate marketing

November 25, 2009 by John Dilbeck
Filed under: Affiliate Marketing, Network Marketing, Opinions 

I originally wrote this in July, 2007 on another of my blogs. That was back when my affiliate marketing business was growing and I was happy with the direction I was going.

Some of these points are just as valid today as they were then.

I have learned several lessons that I think may be valuable to anyone who reads this. You may agree or disagree, but at least give it some thought.

1. Anything that is a good value today will be a good value a year from now.

2. The more the hype, the less the value or longevity.

3. If it has a deadline, run away, don’t walk, run – in a zig-zag pattern.

4. Don’t send your valuable prospect away on first contact. Try to get their contact information so you can follow-up – yes, build your list. (I wish I’d done more of this.)

5. If you can’t understand the compensation plan after reading it twice, you may never understand it, so maybe it is best to avoid it.

6. Always try to get residual income rather than one-off commissions.

7. Try to get life-time customers.

8. If more than five people email you about something the same day, avoid it.

9. Spillover is a myth. It may happen now and then, but don’t depend upon it.

10. Earning money – no matter how you do it – is work. It takes longer than you think and it takes more creativity and effort. Nobody will do your work for you.

11. Don’t spend more than you can afford. Define your budget and stick with it. If your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall.

12. Don’t go into debt to try to make more money. Pour a percentage of your revenue back into tools and marketing. As a result of this, I’m spending more on marketing every month than I made the first two years of online marketing. But, it’s all a percentage of income. I have no debt and I intend to keep it that way.

13. It takes a long time to start earning money with online marketing (unless you are very lucky or very good at what you do). It took months for me to earn my first commission check, and several more months before I got my second one. Now, I get checks from several companies every month. It did not happen overnight, but it can be done with perseverance, even if you make a lot of mistakes along the way.

14. Don’t pay attention to how much money someone is claiming to earn. There is a huge difference between gross and net.

15. Help others grow and advance, don’t take advantage of them just to get their money.

When I originally wrote this, I was doing a lot of testing with traffic exchanges and downline builders. I was actively promoting two MLM companies. Today, I’m doing none of those things.

So, the comments about spillover really have nothing to do with affiliate marketing, because they’re more appropriate to anyone involved in network marketing. I got so tired of getting emails telling me that some “big-hitter” was going to start promoting to his “massive” list and there was only so much time to get involved in his program if we wanted any spillover. To the best of my recollection, from testing several different programs, I think I received half a dozen people in my downline from spillover and never made a penny from it.

In every case, I lost money in the process. That’s why I no longer do any of that.

In regards to #14, it’s not just a difference between gross and net. Some people will actually lie to you! (Surprise!) Anyone with a graphics program can dummy an income statement.

I’m not saying that all of them are dummies or lies, but I know that some of them are. Don’t believe everything you read or see. Caveat emptor.

What do you think?

Agree? Disagree? Let’s talk.

Act on your dream!

JD

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3 Comments on Top 15 things I have learned about affiliate marketing

  1. Mitch on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 11:41 pm

    2. Hi John,

    For once, I don’t feel I have the knowledge to adequately comment on any of this; nice job.
    Mitch´s last blog ..Thanksgiving; My Last Favorite Holiday My ComLuv Profile

  2. Sire on Tue, 8th Dec 2009 8:50 am

    3. I agree whole heartedly with no.8 ‘If more than five people email you about something the same day, avoid it.’ It’s obvious that they are just pushing some new scam that’s out.

    I also agree that you shouldn’t go into debt in an effort to make more money. The only times I’ve ever gone into debt was when I bought my home, and when buying a business. The home is an asset, and when buying the business I always made sure the profit would be enough to cover expenses as well as provide an income.
    Sire´s last blog ..Comments, The Lifeblood Of A Blog My ComLuv Profile

  3. John Dilbeck on Tue, 8th Dec 2009 10:13 am

    4. Good morning, Sire.

    That’s the difference between you and most people who are looking for a way to make money online.

    You think like a real businessman. As long as the cashflow exceeds expenses and provides enough income for personal expenses, borrowing money to start it may be a good thing.

    But, it’s something that we really have to look at closely, don’t we.

    Most people don’t know enough about running a business to take the necessary precautions and to set aside money in the good times to see us through the bad times.

    Even with good planning, if the bad times last long enough, that money we set aside will vanish into paying expenses, and any debt would just make it worse.

    At least, that’s been my experience.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

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