Hi Jim,

Great video. I do send the traffic I generate to my web page first not directly to the merchant and I do have an opt-in form but I don’t make it a requirement. Meaning that my visitor can opt-in and/or click on my affiliate link to the merchant-usually via a product review.

In your video model are you suggesting getting the opt-in before providing the affiliate link at all? My concern would be they don’t want to join another list so they bolt and are gone for good. And not only did they not opt-in to my list but never even saw my affiliate link so I missed out on the opportunity for a sale.

Jim,
I’m an internet marketer however I have over 35 years of experience as a business owner / entrepreneur. When I first become involved in internet marketing there were a number of things that were commonly cited as good good advice by many “gurus”. One of those was to become to become an affiliate and sell other peoples products.

As you pointed out in your video, most people that fail as internet marketers did not understand how to go about setting up their business to properly leverage their own investment of time and money to their advantage. The reason for this is simple, they are sold on the idea of making a quick buck rather than building a real business.

I entirely agree with all the points you make in your video and highly recommend that everyone take your advice to heart. When setting up an online business, go slow, have patience and do it right. Don’t be to quick to grab for the brass ring and make a million dollars in a week. Be realistic and treat your business as a business.

The principals of an internet based business are the same any other business. You need to establish and nurture a client base that will buy from you and support you over time. Your advice is right on the money so to speak. Congratulations on telling people what they need to know to be successful.

Great Stuff!
Thing is, how do you get yourself a website set up to capture the leads?
As being so brand new I want to go where the wise men go too but there are so many twists and turns. I forget how many lists I’ve joined but I know they all pull me in different directions. Secret probably is to get focused and then one day maybe……who knows!

Dear Jim,
I bought your 7 day ebook a few years ago and I am now actually writing one. I am steering people to you because I ALWAYS get great info and products from you. I sell only on eBay and the affiliate site listed above, so I am still doing the big affiliate mistake. However, for my current skill set and low-techness, I am getting people to who can really help them. I think if someone like me pretends to have good products without having them it’s useless to think I can build any list that would trust me.

After all that rambling, here is my comment about the video you just sent. #1, I like the length of it, and the detail without redundancy. You are a great teacher. #2, I opened another window and got kicked out, BUT I was able to go back into your video and find the place again to jump in without starting again at the beginning. EXCELLENT! When I get kicked out of an online video for any reason, I just never go back. You were the first person, in late 2006, who said video was going to be the next big thing for 2007, and it was. Time and time again you have been right. Thanks for everything! All for now. P.S. yours are almost the only videos I ever watch anymore–I can read much faster than watch a video so I ignore most of them.

Jim,

Excellent video for new affiliates coming into the game. I was taught early on in my IM career to do exactly what you advocate accomplishing. I was lucky enough to find someone to help me out when I started.

I do not think new affiliate marketers understand the purpose of a list or how to build a sold reputation with their list.

Thanks for insight,

R.T. Bucher

P.S.
Keep the video tutorials coming, really enjoy them.

Jim,

The Video was just great. Good, solid Wisdom any internet marketer can apply. Utilizing your “Magic Whiteboard” is extremely effective. Is that something you sell or can direct us to? I am sure you have some affiliate link(With a Squeeze page, of course) to direct us to.

Thanks again and I sure hope you do more of these.

Ted

Thanks Jim! Great info. I’ve been using Aweber to capture leads for many years but have never integrated PPC campaigns and other forms of traffic that I send directly to merchant sites.

Once you capture a lead, it’s very easy in Aweber to send a set of emails trying to help the buyer make a decision about purchasing the merchant’s product.

- Howard

Great info, made that mistake back when I got started too!

What program are you using for your slideshow. That rocks!
I do a lot of live action and camtasia, but that is super clean. Do tell!

Thanks

Don Grace

http://www.donwritescopy.com

Hi Jim,
Great video. Really enjoyed it.

If you are going to be producing similar videos in the near future here is what I would be interested in:

What do you think about “review sites” and “free sites” that merchants give to their affiliates? If you’re an affiliate would it make sense to avoid using these? or if you put an opt in box for opt in in exchange for a free course on it? or would this still not be good enough as they can go directly to the merchant w/o opting in…

Best Wishes,
Robert

Jim:

Hey man, that’s NOT a funny video (which is a topic I have an entire site around)!

Nope… But it sure is excellent! Short, to the point, and very clear. Anyone doing any kind of affiliate marketing is missing the boat if they’re not capturing a prospect’s name/email prior to sending them off to the merchant’s site via their affiliate link.

I love how at the beginning of the video you clearly illustrated the differences between the two models, i.e. 1. Not capturing the prospect info vs. 2. Capturing it. You make a very compelling case, and again, you illustrate it with such clarity it can’t help but hit the viewer squarely in the eyes! Very well done indeed!

Thanks for yet another non-funny video!

Dave

Excellent job, as always!

I think the biggest challenge for people getting started is how to make money without a big investment. And there is so much hype around everything being free online that new marketers don’t want to pay for anything. That means they don’t want to pay for an autoresponder, domain name, hosting account. And they haven’t used Mini Site Creator yet to create their optin page.

So the barriers to entry seem too big for them. Instead, they need to look at this like a Business – it takes time and money just like any other business you would start.

And you’re so right – start it right. You’ll be profitable a lot faster!

Jeanette

Good basic stuff Jim.

You’ve got to be able to slap up a page of some sort if you intend on making any real money with the affiliate model. and…

Building a list requires a little bit of extra work but the benefits are life changing.

Keep up the good work!

TL

I don’t appreciate the “Wham bam, thank you mam” comment. It’s derogatory to women and kept me from appreciating the delivery of the rest of the content. When I listen to instruction, I want to hear a positive flow that doesn’t make me feel genderized or like a negative comment towards women. I want to feel neutral, and the same as everybody else.

Uncomfortable viewing since I do some “Direct linking” with adwords and justify it as research. Got to think some more on that!

Alex

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the information.

This is a great video, especially for a newbie. Just like you said; it was NO frills, No filler, just meat, not too long so that you get tired or bored watching it.

Concise, precise and accurate! Good stuff, and yes, please do more.

Thanks again!

Brilliant. Simple and brilliant. I found myself slapping myself on the forehead and not because I could have had a nasty tasting vegetable drink! Question – Do you have suggested language for the “pass thru” opt in page. I have had some clients tell me that they refuse to opt on some sites because the language feels “salesy” and promotional. What are your suggestions/ideas around opt in page language for “pass thru” opt in pages?

- Miss Karen

Very sound advice. However, I think there is one little thing you should also cover. I believe a common problem is that once you setup an opt-in page and have it directed to the merchant’s page, in most cases, the merchant will also have an opt-in page or an opt-in pop-up window.

Now, imagine the prospective buyer coming to your page, being asked to opt-in to your list, and after subscribing, then being sent to the merchant’s page, getting asked to subscribe AGAIN to ANOTHER LIST.

If anything, I think the prospective customer will be highly annoyed and leave the merchant’s page promptly.

Jim,
Great information. I’ve seen people teach affiliates to link their websites to the landing page, as a more professional look. Poof, there goes your list. Fortunately, I avoided the technique and am creating my own opt-in page.

Great stuff! Great presentation as well!

Jim –
A person above did make a very good point . . .once the “visitor” opts into your list they may not want to do it again the second time . . any thoughts on that?

With that said . . .how about a tutorial(s) on creating a opt in / squeeze page

Thank you for being honest sincere and no hype – Danzig

Jim -

Fantastic and right on! You’ve outlined the problem we affiliates have to perfection. But, like some others who have commented, I don’t see a ready solution.

I send traffic to one of several pages on my site and have a fade-in pop-up as well as a subscription form in a sidebar. But visitors are free to leave or click through without opting in. How do you make sure you get the info before sending them on?

Thanks for your efforts and insights here. Looking forward to seeing ore in the future.

Gerry

Great video! As a current student of yours I always find that you have the best information hands down. I am currently working on my 1st site based on your teaching from minisitecreator.com. By the way MiniSiteCreator by Jim Edwards is a great program, if you are new or even if you have spent sometime internet marketing I highly suggest this program.

I have decided to build a product review site as my 1st website. I am using the affiliate showcase format that you taught through the minisite program.

On my landing page I have links to various affiliate products as well as an Optin for my newsletter at the bottom of the page. Each link that I have leads to the actual full review. Would you recommend sending my vistors to an Optin pop up when they click the full review link before sending them to the review?

Thanks,

Ron Seawood

Jim… Try using “Whiz, Burr, Thank You Sir”. Very few men will be put off by this and Ruth can feel neutral.

Great video, if you do a follow up one can you talk more about increasing your opt-in rate…Thanks again.

I sign up for an affiliate on your program and where can I put the email signup on your site.
Can you tell me where to get the code to put on the site.

Ralph Bland

Wish I had known this when I was trying to become an affiliate.
Is there a way to avoid people having to “opt-in” twice to get to the information?

Jim

Thanks. A great video. As always, concise & very educational. I don’t have time to listen to hour long videos that keep harping on the same things. Keep em coming.

Mark

Hi Jim,

I can remember buying Chris Carpenter’s Google Cash System way back in 2004, because of the appeal of not having to deal with customers or products or anything, oh my!

And most importantly, not having to build my own website.

Well, I was a moron. Truly betarded. Still am some times.

If time is your most valuable asset (it’s unreplenishable), then your list comes in a close second.

Even your products’ value is trumped by your list. This is self-evident by the successful existence of the affiliate marketing model itself.

The money is in the list. Preferably your customer list. Building a list for someone else is the lesser of two evils, which is not building a list at all.

What you are saying seems so simple to me now, but it is so true, true, true.

Have you noticed how all the really simple stuff, I mean the big picture simple stuff, is always the most successful. I think I’m onto something here.

For those that don’t know, which is few and far between anymore, the Google Cash method made direct linking to the merchant very popular.

You would make a profit on the spread between what you paid in advertising (say an adwords ad) to drive x amount of prospects to the merchant’s site and the commissions earned from those that converted to sales.

But, no list building. Well, the merchants loved it anyway.

Before I go here, I’d like to say that I would indeed like more info on this topic. Especially in the video format.

It just let’s us have that “Big Jim” experience we’ve all grown to love from the webinars.

I also would like to know if you have done any research on how the Direct Sales industry (high ticket items like EDC Gold, Passport To Prosperity, Emeral Passport, etc.) and the affiliate marketing model are starting to converge.

It used to be that you would need to sell, sell, sell, on the phone, phone, phone, chasing a lot of folks in order to get anyone to join your opportunity at $1000 bucks a head.

However, nowadays, people are joining left and right. Most fail, just like in MLM or any other recruiting type business because they can’t duplicate.

But, you take somebody that already knows how to drive traffic and blammo—you may have yourself a winner if the opportunity site converts even a little bit.

I mean a $1000 commission goes a long way to test your advertising. You can screw up a lot, and a long time before you go broke or break-even, rather.

And if it is like you and Armond spoke about in the webinar a few weeks ago, I mean, if the new opportunities are requiring no human involvement to sell prospects on signing up, just a slick marketing system (by slick I mean effective not deceptive), then what you have is a master resell rights product opportunity. Or whatever. I don’t exactly know what you’d call it.

What I mean to say is that it’s like buying a license to sell a product instead of creating your own at first, like Armond had eluded to.

Where all the hard stuff, that always stops people dead in their track is taken care of. You know, the copywriting, the web design, ability to sell, etc.

Anyway, Jim, I’d like your take on the matter.

Jason Bunner

Hi Jim…

Great video….it answered the question I had about how to build a list while doing business as an Affiliate.

I am learning how to build a website this weekend and I will start as an Affiliate until I can create my own product where…as you pointed out….the REAL money is.

Thanks for the timely video (at least in my case) and for all the other information you have provided me over the last year or so.

I purchased your Mini Site Creator course last year and like many people…did nothing with it. However, I am sure that this video you just created will make me back every cent I paid for the course (ten fold).

Thanks again for the information and I for one would like to see more videos about other subjects.

Hi Jim,

I loved the video presentation.

I was feeling lost in affliate marketing and you helped clear some misconceptions.

Thank you
Filippo

Hi Jim

Just wanted you to know that your Affiliate Mistakes Video served as timely reminder to adopt your sensible suggestion.

Incredibly, I already knew the theory but – for some crazy (or lazy) reason – keep choosing to ignore it.

Your video positioned the argument very clearly and convincingly. It’s was a real wake up call!

Is there a way (some techno widget?) whereby you can not only sent your prospects to the ‘merchant’s pitch page’ after they’ve signed up, but also protect the integrity of the the ‘double opt in’ mechanism? I thinking of (maybe) a 15 minute delayed message sent on ‘auto-pilot’ to the prosect that ask him (her) to confirm their decison to sign-up?

More videos please. Look forward to doing business with you.

Regards

Martin (UK)

I agree with what has been said. Build an opt in list. However, has anyone ever tested the squeeze page style as opposed to the static one on the top right hand corner.

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the simple and easy to understand video. I was making the same mistakes for a long time and just quit on affiliate programs. I never made a dime but did go to a lot of these list-building websites and paid money for traffic I never got (like you mentioned).

I got involved with several affiliate programs that I found on clickbank.com and never made a dime (as mentioned earlier). Your video points out why.

For the rest of your readers and affiliates, I’ve also noticed that link cloaking doesn’t work either. I tried that with tinyurl.com and one other one but people can still find out how to go around it.

One question Jim: what software/program do you use to make your videos? I use Camtasia 3.0 but I have not figured out yet if I can do the ‘whiteboard’scenario like you do. My students have asked that I highlight and be able to write while I do the presentation. Please advise.

Again, thanks for being honest and straight. This video should benefit everyone.

God bless,

Andrew

Hey Big Jim

As usual absolutely awesome information you are giving away…

Cheers

Ian

Pardon any spelling & grammar errors in my reply post.
Just noticed them. I was in a bit of a rush!
Best regards,
Thea

Hi Jim,

Thanks as always for the great video. I took it to heart, and I am now in the midst (actually at the beginning) of creating my product. It will be finished and ready to go in 1 month top!

It is for a totally different market than my regular site, and not in “marketing”.

My question! How can I get a huge list in one month in a fairly new niche for me.

And, should I ever “buy” a list? That thought really scares me to death

Thanks!

It was a good video. But am I the only person who thinks that this is a DUH? Or have I been researching internet marketing for too long?

Regardless, newbies and those who haven’t connected-the-dots yet should find this helpful.

Can I get all my ppc money back I spent building other people’s lists? “Gosh, I’m an idiot!” (Napoleon Dynamite)

Hi Jim, thanks a lot for the reminder about list building. As an affiliate I tend to lose sight of the relationship with customers. The relationship is key to building a true business. Neat tip also about using an affiliate link in place of the “thank you” page.

Keep the videos coming – you’re one of the best at these kinds of videos!

Rich

Hi Jim,

Great info. I’ve stayed away from affiiliate marketing for awhile. I felt like I just didn’t know enough to get involved, even though I signed up for a few programs.

This video has helped quite a bit. I have a question: What is all the hoopla about “stealing your affiliate link”? Is this real stuff? Just one more reason I’ve been staying away from it all.

Thanks,
Donna

PS Can you make a video ( or just explain) how to make these very very cool videos that everyone seems to be making now?
Is it camtasia?

Thanks Jim! The video was great and definitely awoke me to a mistake I have built into my internet business. Thanks to your 7-day Ebook program I have now authored 5 books in the past year and have just started your MiniSite program to make the sites to sell them as well as an affiliate site to promote other streams of income online. Thank you for all the info and I will be sure to make list creation and cultivation a top priority.

Sorry everyone, I mentioned Brian in my post above because I replied to him specifically (so I thought). I’m new to this, so don’t be too harsh.

Hi Jim,
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dont let my wife see this video.

The tip is one that is so blindingly obvious but one that very few of the affiliate maketing trainers have bothered to share…

Thanks for the help.

Tank Johnson

Jim,
Great video as always.