Think for a minute about your favorite hobby. You have hobbies because you enjoy them and ultimately you know a thing or two about them. You most likely have gained personal experience and knowledge that, if you thought
about it for a minute, lots of people would love to hear about. So why not put that knowledge to work for YOU?
Well you can! It's called affiliate marketing.
Did you know that according to marketingvox.com, online retail spending totaled $81.6 billion for all of 2005, up 24 percent from $65.8 billion in 2004. The figures are not in for 2006 but undoubtedly they've gone up. What does all this mean for you? It means you can personally take advantage of the internet sales potential by developing an informational site based on what you know, your hobbies, your expertise and, at the same time, endorse products related to your hobby.
So how is it done?
First of all, you must understand what people come to the internet for. Contrary to popular belief, they don't typically come to buy things, they come seeking information. Think about it, if you want to buy a lounge chair, will
you go the internet? Most likely not, however, if you want to find out about the best lounge chair to buy, you will probably use the internet. If you find a site that provides you useful information on lounge chairs and they just happen to suggest a great place to purchase a chair, you just may order one.
Having a successful affiliate marketing business is about offering information to an information starved society, but it doesn't stop there. By offering good, reliable, trustworthy information you are laying the ground work for convincing a viewer to buy a product that you endorse, but first you must present your case.
The mistake that many online business owners make is by building a website, loading it up with affiliate products and links expecting people to buy. If you're not someone like Amazon.com, Dell computer or Overstock.com, you're not likely to make a sale, why? Because you are a stranger. In the minds of most people, Amazon, Dell and Overstock are familiar merchants, a viewer trusts them. Therefore, you will have to convince your viewers that you are trustworthy as well.
There's a tried and true formula presented by one of the internet's foremost online marketers, Dr. Ken Envoy.
Ken has spent several years cultivating a sales formula that works. It not only works, it has made many a successful business owner of the online business community. His concepts include creating a content website, bringing traffic to your site, pre-selling your products and finally monetizing your visitors. His concepts are most associated with affiliate marketing, however they are a firm foundation for any online marketing strategy.
Probably the most important concept is pre-selling which means your viewers need convincing that what you are endorsing is really worthwhile. They also don't want to feel they are being sold to. This is done by knowing the products you endorse and offering as much useful and trusted information about them as possible.
For example, when possible, use or purchase whatever it is you are promoting. It's important to feel and experience the benefits. In doing so the process of promoting a product is much easier and certainly more compelling.
Write reviews on the products or services and make useful comments on why you like it. Don't just list the features, list the emotional benefits. Remember that buyers don't always buy what they need, they buy what they want or what makes them feel good. If you can appeal to a buyers emotions, you'll most assuredly make the sale. For example, I didn't need that Gucci Bag I just bought but it sure makes a statement.
So what's your hobby? What's your Passion? Where do your interests and experiences lie? Unless you've been under a rock all your life, you have something to offer. Why not turn that knowledge into revenue for you.
Putting your hobby or your expertise to work for you is an excellent way to create a side business, a full time home business or simply create some extra income. |
| Author: Elizabeth McGee |
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Author Bio:
Online Shoe Stores Famous Brand Shoes is an Internet Shoe Store directory that helps you find shoes, compare prices and get the best deals the internet offers. |
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