Q: Do people really make money in affiliate marketing… where should I start… and could I pay you to show me how?
A: Yes, people make money in affiliate marketing. Personally, I’ve been doing it since 1997. The amounts vary depending on the commitment, experience, site popularity, etc.
Some folks are making nickels and dimes, while others make enough to pay a few bills each month. And then there are some that are affiliate marketers as a full-time career, where they pull in $5,000 a month, $10,000 a month, $100,000 a month or more.
As far as getting started, I’ve created a quick video for affiliate newbies that details how to start up a new affiliate site.
And no, you cannot pay me to show you how to do it. But I do have some free resources that would really help you.
Check out GeekCast.fm for a frequently updated library of free podcasts on all areas of Internet marketing.
Also, the affiliate tips section of my blog has hundreds of posts. And you can get a free subscription (U.S. only) to FeedFront magazine, the official magazine of Affiliate Summit.
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99% of people loose in affiliate marketing it is weighted totally in favour of the corporates who win even if you don’t get a sale, thats right they still get exposure for free. If you add up all the hours you spend chasing the ace unpaid and write out a bill at the same rate pro marketeers and web designers charge you will end up owing yourself alot of money! Do you have a large national company? No, so why work for free for someone who does, if you have a good site and or decent design of marketing skills charge up front.
Would you build a free boat for someone, and then go fishing in it for them if they promised you 5% of the fish? No you would build yourself a boat and charter it out to them.
I think you can make a lot of money in affiliate marketing. However, you have to choose the right topic. With all of the four and five figure bonus packages for internet marketing launches, it’s getting harder to make money in internet marketing.
Personally, if I had it to do over again, I would have definitely chosen a different topic, probably one of my hobbies. If nothing else, my business would have been a lot more fun!
Jinger Jarrett
I remember back to when I made my first 200 dollar doing affiliate marketing now its more like 100k p/year with some of my special secret sauce recipes…
Alot of testing in this game is what you have to do, but when you get it…something just clicks in your brain and you are on fire and away you go.
seriously test…test…and when soemthing works just ramp it up even more….and save up for an expensive toy.
Ciao
@Jeff Grill:
I’d suggest getting business cards printed up with details and get them to everybody from the NYC area you meet at Affiliate Summit. And just reach out to podcasters and bloggers to get the word out.
I didn’t know that Baruch has a history with Affiliate Summit. They’ve been great about putting together a class on affiliate marketing. It starts 9/23 and it would be great to have you stop by when we are ready to discuss monetization techniques. Probably in early November. Any suggestions on how to promote the class at the Summit or on a podcast?
Hi, Shawn,
I’m brand new to affiliate marketing, but I see it as a perfect opportunity to quit my day job and work from home–eventually.
Frankly, there’s so much ground to cover that I’m having difficulty absorbing it. It’s a pretty steep learning curve, but it’s certainly workable. And your blog has helped me to understand the business all the more.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.
@Jeff Grill:
Great to hear about the class at Baruch – that was the site of the first Affiliate Summit back in 2003 – http://www.flickr.com/photos/affsum/sets/72157604219085753/
I have guest lectured on affiliate marketing at NYU a few times – http://blog.affiliatetip.com/archives/audio-from-my-affiliate-marketing-lecture-at-nyu/
@Valerie:
Great to hear you reached your goal.
I am learning new things all the time, and I love experimenting with new ideas I come across.
@Heidi:
I haven’t used Affiliate Classroom myself, so I can’t really comment on it. Have you gone through the course?
The best way for newbies to start is to take the program offered by Sitesell.or I’ll be teaching a class in the fall on how to start an internet based business that includes affiliate marketing at Baruch College – City University of New York in the fall. It’s a 10 week course which will help students pick a site concept, get the site up and running, SEM, SEO, and then coach the students through monetization strategies such as PPC, affiliate marketing etc. Watch for their continuing education calendar next week to register.at Baruch College Continuing Education. I’ll also put a link up on blog The Rogue Marketer.
There is a significant amount to learn. However, taking a step by step approach will be helpful and get you up and running.
I’ve been an avid reader of your blog for a while now, and I love the tips and resources that you provide. They really helped me when I was first starting, and now that I’ve got a teeny two-years under my belt, I still find them relevant.
I agree with Amit (above) that motivation is KEY…..I’ve spent a lot of time on my sites because I enjoy what I’m doing….and this month I reached my very first goal I set for myself.
Very satisfying to make income doing something I love, and Affiliate Tip has really helped along the way.
Blessings,
Valerie
I agree with you that anyone can make some money in affiliate marketing. You have to put in the efforts and the right tools in order to be successful in affiliate marketing.
I have been involved in promoting other people’s products for a few years now. And I have to admit that competition is getting tougher now, especially for newbies.
Could Anik Singal’s Affiliate Classroom be the answer to all affiliates?
I’m still surprised when I see that question. Of COURSE you can make money as an affiliate! There are so many great examples in the industry, and many of them, such as yourself, will provide free or low cost resources to help newer affiliates.
A Wiki is actually a fantastic idea! Maybe a few industry voices could put together a comprehensive resource.
@Pingo Phone Cards:
I never intentionally answer the same question twice – I am constantly getting new questions, and point more than half the questioners to previous answers.
In some cases, older answers are outdated, so I will re-answer questions when they come in again.
As far as Wikipedia, they need to run correct information about the industry before the touch the nuts and bolts.
Shawn, it seems like you have bin answering the same questions since 1997.
Like:
How do i make $
or
How do I recruit affiliates
As the industry grows, it seems like Wikipedia should start to have all this FAQ questions covered by now. Well at least Affiliatetip.com has then for now.
Brian AM @ Pingo.com
That is right Shawn ! A lot of money is to be made in affiliate commissions.
I personally feel the success depends a lot on the amount of motivation and dedication.
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