Author Archive | Kelli Patton

What’s the easiest way to make money online, without having to create a product or a sales page? Affiliate marketing, of course. 🙂

So, why is it that most affiliate marketers never make nearly what they could make? Anyone has the potential to make HUGE money in affiliate marketing, yet 90% or more of affiliates make a pittance (I’ll wager the number is closer to 98%, in fact.)

Think about this: If you earn an average of $50 on each sale in a sales funnel you promote, and you make 6 sales, you’ve made $300. Sounds good, right?

But guaranteed, there is someone else who made 600 sales and walked away with $30,000.

Why did they make 600 sales when you made just 6?

There are reasons why a handful of affiliate marketers do amazingly well, and everyone else barely makes a profit.

And marketers who understand this will always have a tremendous advantage over marketers who don’t.

1: Build a Relationship

I know you’ve heard it before, but are you doing it? People buy people, not products.

If you want them to open your email and click your link, or visit your Facebook Group and click a link, you’ve got to have a RELATIONSHIP with your people.

This is so simple to do, yet few marketers take the time.

Start with a blog post that is all about you, and then send new opt-ins to the post so they can get to know you. Make the post silly, funny and most of all REAL. Talk about the stupid stuff you’ve done, the mistakes you’ve made, where you live and so forth.

Do you have a strange hobby or unusual taste in food? Include that. Do you have 17 pets? Talk about them. Do you work until 3 in the morning and sleep until noon? Mention that.

Reveal the real you. Not the details people don’t want, but the ones that amuse and interest. You’re looking to make a real connection, not give a resume.

And above all else, don’t make your life seem like a series of magnificent accomplishments. No one is going to relate to someone who turns everything they touch into gold.

But they are going to relate to the time you bought Bitcoin when it was worthless and sold it just before it took off, or the time you thought you could fly and jumped off your uncle’s barn into the manure pile.

And don’t stop with your ‘about me’ page, either. Use this relationship building in your lead magnet, your emails, your other blog posts and so forth.

Always inject a little bit about yourself. Not so much that you bore people, of course, or make everything seem about you. But just enough to keep it real.

Think about relating an event to a friend. Aren’t you going to give your own perceptions of what happened, as well as tell about how you got out of your car and stepped in the mud puddle just before your big presentation?

Use this same method of personal, one-on-one friend communication with your readers as well.

Post on your blog as often as possible, and we’re talking every day or two. Encourage your list to subscribe to Feedburner or the equivalent so they know when you add a new post.

Your readers will realize you’re a real person who isn’t out to pitch them a new product every 5 minutes. And they’ll gladly read your sales emails much more readily when they know there is a real live human being who is sending them these messages.

2: Use Your Own Voice

How many emails do you receive that say something along the lines of, “Buy this product – this product is the greatest product ever – you will be sorry if you miss this – so rush right over and buy it now.”

Yeah. Same old stuff, over and over again.

There is a marketer (or maybe several, but I’m thinking of one in particular) who sells MASSIVE quantities of this exact type of emails as a swipe file to new marketers.

Like a brand-new marketer couldn’t write their own 25 word email that basically says, “GO BUY THIS NOW!”

People are TIRED of getting these emails. You’re tired of getting these emails. I’m tired of getting these emails.

Same phrases, same message, same B.S.

If you’re not going to stand apart from the crowd, then you’re going to have to share the same crumbs they’re getting.

Instead, take 30 minutes and write your own promotional email in your own voice.

Forget hype. Be sincere. Be honest. “Hey, this product isn’t for everyone. I don’t even know if it’s for you. But if you have this problem, then maybe this is your solution. Check it out and decide if it’s right for you, because I know it’s worked like crazy for some people. And it’s on sale right now, too.”

I’ve written emails where I basically tell people not to buy something unless they really really want it or need it. “Don’t buy this if you already know how to do xyz.” “Don’t buy this if you’re not going to be doing this type of marketing.” This is only for people who want (fill in the blank.) It’s like I’m trying to talk them out of it, which paradoxically often results in more sales, not fewer.

But the point isn’t tricking them into buying; it’s to be honest. Because you know what? That latest, greatest product you’re promoting ISN’T what everyone on your list needs. Some of them, sure. The rest of them, no.

Do you have any idea how refreshing it is to open an email that says, “Here’s a new product, thought you might want to know, but please don’t buy it if you’re not going to use it.”

The first time I got an email like that, I bought the product without even reading the sales letter. True story. I was just so happy that someone wasn’t ramming a sale down my throat, that I jumped at the chance to buy it.

Weird but true.

My point is, be you. Be honest. Talk to your readers as though they are your best friends and you don’t want to lose your best friends by acting like a carnival barker who is here today and pulled up stakes (vanished) tomorrow with their money.

3: Email a LOT

This is the one where people like to argue with me, and I understand that.

You’ve heard over and over again that you shouldn’t email too often, or you’ll upset your subscribers, right?

After all, every time you email, there is the potential that a subscriber will hit the unsubscribe button.

Do you know what the potential is when you DON’T email? Nothing. No opens, no clicks, no sales… not even any relationship building.

Do you want people to open and read your emails? Then send out those emails EVERY DAY.

Here’s why:

First, almost no one will see every email you send out. Let’s say you’ve got a sale on one of your products. Don’t you think your readers might like to know about it? But if they miss the one and only email you send that lets them know, then they’ve missed out on the discount and you LOST a sale.

Second, send emails at different times. I opened someone’s email just yesterday, decided I was VERY interested in the new membership he was selling, clicked the link and discovered it was no longer available.

What happened? This particular marketer only sends out emails at 1:00 a.m. my time, so I don’t even see most of his emails in the avalanche of mail I get before I wake up.

Third, if you’re sending email once a week or once a month, your readers are forgetting who the heck you are. And when you finally do send an email, they think it’s spam.

Fourth, if you mail more often, you will make more money. Don’t take my word on this, just do it for one month. Send out one email per day, every day, for 30 days. Put a promotion in each one. See if you haven’t made more – a LOT more – money during that time period than during the previous month.

And by the way, I’m not saying JUST send out a promotion in each email. Make sure you have some content in there as well, even if it’s just an amusing anecdote.

4: Think of affiliate marketing as a BUSINESS

This isn’t a hobby, nor is it an add-on for an additional income stream.

Even if you go on vacation, be prepared to send out an email every day. Schedule them in advance or write them on vacation. Either way, affiliate marketing to your list is a business that you can’t just jump into when you need cash and forget about the rest of the time.

You don’t have many support issues, since the product owners handle this. You don’t have to worry about creating products, sales pages and so forth. You don’t have to drive traffic, unless it’s to build your list bigger.

With so much you don’t have to do, there’s no reason not to focus your time and energy into building relationships with your list and promoting to them every single day.

Affiliate marketing can be some of the easiest money you’ve ever made, if you put in the time and effort to make it a real business.

Maybe you can relate. I have great work ethic, and, if I am confident, I can work circles around my co-workers.

I’m the person who will cover any shift, without a trade. I’m happy to do the jobs nobody else wants to do.

But I’m hard to please. If I don’t think you are doing your part and it reflects badly on me I get a little irritated.

Sometimes, I get so frustrated that I can’t think clearly. I get emotional because I feel like I’m failing and my coworkers don’t care.

I don’t have a social life. When I have a job, it’s the only human interaction I have. Most weeks, I may get out 2 days. Usually, not to visit but, to run errands or transport others.

So it isn’t easy to resolve myself to working from home. My first thought is that’s bad for my social schedule.

Priority Differences

Another reason to get a job rather than work from home is the distractions present. I spend all day at home with only Harley, the dog.

While it seems like I have all day to work, I’m expected to do different work than that which makes money.

So, I can only guarantee certain hours. If anything comes up that interferes with my routine, it’s next to impossible to catch up.

The demands made on me by my family are extensive at times. I spend a lot of time sitting in my car, waiting.

If I’m at a job, I’m not available to be taxi service, an errand runner, a maid, a housekeeper or entertainment for the bored.

When I’m not at work I’m still the person responsible for all the cooking, cleaning and errands. And they just wait until I’m off work to need rides.

If I’m at home, I’m expected to drop everything and cater to everyone’s needs, but my own. Of course, this all in my imagination, they say.

Let my husband come home to no supper or the house no cleaner. He will pout all evening and punish me with the silent treatment.

The Options

For almost 20 years I’ve tried to think of ways I could start my own business. I come up with great ideas but lack confidence and support.

So there’s always some reason it doesn’t or won’t work out. Even now, as I’m writing this, my husband’s text popped up. He needs money to pay the Snap-on guy something.

So I’m supposed to drop everything to drive 40 miles to give him cash and drive 40 miles back home. No consideration of the time or gas it’s going to cost.

He brought home $750. We spent $560 on the phones and internet. We have spent another $100 on food. Gave our son $20, and have spent $60 on gas. That leaves $10.

Of course I had some stashed but that still leaves us with no money for the week, and we are both out of soda. So what do I do?

Im damned if I do and damned if I don’t. If I don’t, he will keep this weeks paycheck and blow it. I’ll be lucky to get a few hundred. So I won’t be able to pay for our needs and a bill. One or the other.

I don’t need to take a blood pressure reading, my headache tells me my BP is high. I’m the only one concerned though.

The Solution

I have to establish boundaries and make my own choices. I have to stop answering to everyone’s needs. It isn’t my job to fix everything.

I finally found the key to financial freedom, but it’s not gonna come without effort. I need to grow an audience and provide value. Only then will I start to earn.

I signed up for a Free website through Plug-in profits and I finally feel encouraged. I can see how it will work and I am able to do the work.

So, I’m trying to stick to it, in spite of the constant demands. I just got another message: frustration that I haven’t answered. Because I should drip what I’m doing and answer him.

I will pay dearly either way. And this is how it starts. My day goes to shit and then “you wonder why no one wants to be around you.”

So, like it or not (LION), I’m posting this as is. Check out the links around this blog. Maybe you can find your path to financial freedom.

When starting a new home business or remote job, we often jump right in without giving any thought to the future work we’ll need to do.

Setting up an online business or job seems like a simple enough task. If the tools we work with are apps and computer based, what else do we really need, right?

There are several ways to optimize your work space that will better set you up for success.

1. Designated Work Area: Decide on a specific space to do work-related tasks. A separate area that guarantees quiet and privacy and eliminates distraction, is a good starting point.
2. Records Management: While most of your work related documents will be stored online, it’s still a good idea to have a place for storing records. A file cabinet with files sorted alphabetically and numerically will usually accomplish good organization of non-digitized files and blank forms and worksheets.
3. Printer/Copier/Fax: Depending on the type of work you do, a multi-function printer is often helpful. Whether you need extra forms printed or you need copies of documents, having a way to print it at home saves time and money.
4. Door: having a way to leave work at work is important. Making sure you can close the door on your work day helps prevent burn out as well as offering an easy way to maintain order and neatness.
5. Phone: If you are using your cell phone for work, it might not always be convenient to receive private calls or texts. Having a landline to forward calls can be a way to separate business from pleasure.

Having a designated workspace is crucial for creating an ideal space to be productive. Eliminating outside noises and distraction helps keep your mind focused.

Being able to shut the door can prevent unnecessary disruptions and can signal a better time for visitors.

Adding desk organization tools, a dry erase message board on the door, a waste basket, stapler, paper, pens, file baskets, and other useful items can successfully set the mood for productivity and professionalism.

When planning to work from home, take some time to assess your work style and seek to set your work space to accommodate a most productive environment.

Do you have a designated work space? What does your ideal home work space look like?

When I first discovered Facebook, in 2009, I was amazed by the reach I had. Quickly, the group of people I had amassed on my Friend List was controversial in some circles. Everyone knew me, and I didn’t feel the need to compare because I was one of the most fortunate in my circles.

Growing up in a town with less than 5000 residents, I never considered the number of people I had met in my life, or the impacts I made on others. By the middle of 2013, my list had over 2K friends on it from being on the platform 80% of the time. I could honestly say I knew each person on my list.

After that, more people joined because of my affiliation with a unique jewelry company and the content I shared on my business page I’d set up for it. Being online since late 1999 meant that I was already familiar and somewhat experienced with javascript, html, element web sites, affiliate marketing, and social media marketing. I even learned about earning online in a few different ways.

I learned some great sales and set up tips, for my social selling parties, and the biggest lesson I learned was to be honest and authentic. The story I told explaining my reason for joining was true and resonated with every single person I spoke to and it instantly awarded me with trust and authority.

When I quietly told one group some less welcomed information about the products I sold and how they could prevent it and even fix it, that sealed the deal. People that were automatically skeptical were placing large orders and referring more people to my business. It was a wonderful feeling.

Another lesson I learned, wasn’t so great. I learned the hard way that my top priority was happy customers and greed played no part in success. I would have been better off not making any profits and donating my profits to charity.

I hosted one party that promised 100% of the profits to the customer’s favorite charity. When all was said and done, the profit from her event was only $25 (roughly.) I felt terrible and tried to get outside sales to add and I kept it to myself, hoping to fix it. I delayed giving my donation to the promised recipient. When I had earned more money from other sales, I added $75 to make it an even $100. I received no profits for 2 months, while I attempted to nurse my ego and struggled with how to handle it.

That recipient hasn’t spoke to me since. Not only did I not perform as I had promised, but I took the easy way out in sending the donation with my daughter, who was going to see her anyway. (I should have been up front and honest and explained why I failed and I should have given an opportunity to try again with better effort on my part.)

So I learned to under promise and over deliver. When I deliver more than the customer expects and require less money than they were quoted, I come out ahead. People are naturally understanding and forgiving when you admit your errors and accept responsibility. But outperforming expectations will win favor every time.

It’s much easier to make it right if the mistake is admitted immediately. Even with good intentions, hiding the truth can ruin everything you’d previously earned. Even if the customer forgives you, others may not.

Unable to get over my own guilt and embarrassment, I never tried to make up for it and actually stopped selling. I was so disappointed and ashamed, and I let my ego become my priority.

Now, I’ve learned to share my experiences and stop selling a product. Solve problems and supply happiness….that’s all I need to do. As long as I know the product and have good experience with it, I can share that, but not as a way of promoting it. Speaking of and showing how the product performed for my use and just being honest and genuine is better than selling. I’m only recommending it as something that worked/s for me.

This helps me more than any other tips. Knowing that I can just express my approval of products I like makes me less of a sales person and more of a friend and confidant. The more value I can provide, the more people I’m helping. That’s all that matters. Being a giver and not a taker is the quickest way to universal rewards.

I’m not sure if I’m providing value, but I’m doing my best and have faith that my efforts will be worthwhile. I believe only in my ability to rock my business and in the changes that are going to affect my entire world very soon.

Do you have a story of a lesson or lessons you’ve learned that you’d like to share, regarding your job or your social circles? How did it affect your future experiences?

Thank you for reading my experiences and lessons learned. I pray you find value and success in reading my blogs! If I can help in another way, please let me know!