Find the Niche Market With Keyword Research

I don't know about you, but a lot of affiliate programs look like a lot of work for not all that much gain. But not all of them, I'm glad to say. So what should you look for before signing up to one of them?

I think there are two key factors:

? Do I like and trust - on a gut level - the guy or gal pitching to me in that first video on the lead capture page I just arrived at?
? Does this system come with clear how-to-get-set-up videos and further free training?

If the answer is no to either of them, I walk away.

But let's say I'm happy on both accounts. Now I'm looking at the system. For me, if you want a system that stands a chance of delivering you enough commission to make the whole venture worth your while, it has to come with an email campaign written by the guru you liked the look of in that first video. The guy with all the experience. And cash. So this is where the autoresponder comes in.

The auto what? I know, it kind of put me off, too, when I first heard of it. It conjured up all kinds of computer problems even before I knew what one was. For those, new to this, it's simply a kind of machine, if you will, into which you can load messages, send messages and collect the data (i.e. names and email) of subscribers. It's 'auto' because once you've got set up, it sends out messages every few days (you can set how regularly you want them to sent out), and keeps on working for you, whether you're at home or on the moon.

So, a good affiliate system will provide you with these:

? A branded lead capture - or squeeze - page (so you can collect customers' emails)
? A means of connecting to a bunch of pre-written emails that have been proven to sell the product(s) you are signing up to be an affiliate for
? At least a half dozen hot products from a reputable site such as Clickbank
? Some help with setting up and marketing
? Follow-up support, with tips etc. to keep you fired up

Once you've joined the affiliate program, you're given an affiliate link. As with all affiliate links, it looks ugly. So you'll need to acquire a domain name from, say, Godaddy (I use God daddy because their support is so good). Make sure your domain relates to the main product you're selling, the keywords on the main site - it's got to look relevant.

Once you've purchased your domain, you go to 'Forward' and paste in your ugly affiliate link, so that whenever someone sees your new domain (on the emails and tweets you send out, etc.), it goes to your lead capture page. So that the url for your lead capture page looks the same as your domain name, you want to opt for masking, which in godaddy is under forward>edit>advanced features. Just click 'masking and forwarding' and you're done.

So that's the lead capture page sorted. Next, you sign up to an autoresponder, like getresponse or aweber. They're both good. The company you've just signed up to will direct you to one or the other according to where they have banked their email campaign. So you sign up to one of them (if you haven't already) then, following a video tutorial, load up your campaign. If it's a good system, you should get at least a dozen emails to work with.

Next, you have to go into each email and replace the default links with your affiliate link - not the one to the lead capture page, rather, this will be the one that takes customers through to clickbank. So once again, you have to go back to godaddy, buy a new domain - something very similar to your first purchase - and forward and mask. Then return to the email and paste in your new url in place of the default link.

As you're reading through the emails you've loaded up, it's my suggestion you change a little of the wording. Instead of writing as if you were the MD, you write as yourself and sign with your name. This is a chance to brand yourself, after all, don't give all the credit to the guy who came up with this system! So, for instance, say something like, 'Hi this is [your name] I'm working with [guru's name]...' You could also add your website at the bottom of the page. Remember, this is an opportunity to build up your list not only for this new system you're working with, but any other system you're working with. The more subscribers you have the greater your customer base.

At this point in the process, you're about done setting up. So now you have to think of ways of marketing. If you're a newbie, which method do you choose? Chances are you don't have a list yet, or not much of a one, so you can't rely on that. For an affiliate program, I would start off with solo ads. They're easy to write, cheap to do and they deliver results - by which I mean profit and quicker than anything through fb or other social sites (unless of course, you have thousands of friends or followers).

I'd also intersperse your more salesy pitch with non-salesy info on the program, what you like about it (without links), just comment. So, for instance, if you're in an affiliate program promoting green products, as I am at the moment, be creative with the eco-friendly angle, appeal to your reader's conscience, then drop in a link. Most of us now like to think we can do a little for the environment. You get the idea.

You could also write articles - like this one - and leave your url behind. Then copy and paste your article into your blog posts. Link up to fb, twitter, any other social media sites you're on.

Affiliate marketing can deliver good results. Perhaps amazing results once you have a list. But if you really want to make bigger commissions, you'll want to join a turnkey system with high ticket items. They're more expensive to join, but they deliver higher commissions and come with a mentor who will guide you every step of the way and actually get back to you on the phone when you get stuck. That's what I do for people. Get them set up and keep them fired up.