Clickbank - Not a Good Place for Newbies to Start

[andrewwee]

I am reading through this entire thread and been thinking.

We've been talking about CB all this time, when the broader issue (as Linda has alluded to) is the viability of your business model.

If you're only promoting some $29 ebook, whether it's listed at CB, paydotcom or elsewhere, and you don't have a comprehensive sales funnel in place, you're going to be hurting, especially if you're doing this full time.

I think Teli has already established herself in her "Optiniche" niche and I generate comfortable profits from every product i launch, so we've found our groove so to speak.

Internet Marketing has a lot to do with testing, experimentating and finding what works for you.

It sure isn't some get rich quick formula for sure (and run away as far as you can from anyone who tells you otherwise).

If you want to be in this for the long haul, you really need to have some concrete plans in place, and CB is just one of the pieces of the puzzle.

Read some entrepreneurship books or a business plan book if you need some ideas.

Else the folks in this forum have always been real helpful.

[Teli]

Originally Posted by Linda Buquet

It just IRKS me when I see a bunch of newbies saying they don't have a clue how to market, have never made a dime. Then I check their sig and they are selling some "I'm a pro guru and I'll show you how to get rich online without any work" baloney. If you are new and don't know how to market how to can you expect to be able to compete in that ultra tough market.

Oh, how I hear you on that one, Linda. Not too long ago, I came across someone in a site review forum (it may have been here, not sure) that basically said "this is my first website and I'm new to online marketing, could you take a look and tell me what to change?" Upon visiting the site, guess what the headline read? Learn how I make $4,000 a month online!.

I immediately went back and told that person that he needs to stop lying to his visitors and find another niche. (Of course, I think I said it much nicer than that.) LOL

You are absolutely spot on that someone needs to find their niche and not just start promoting what all the guburus (to steal a quote from Splork) are.

Originally Posted by Linda Buquet

The other big issue I have with Cb is the lack of impression and click stats. They haven't fixed that yet have they?

That was one of the major problems I had (and still kind of have) with them. They haven't improved the click stats, but they are trying -- at least, that's what their implementation of the tracking ID indicates to me -- they're just slow going.

Personally, I use my own link management software to hide the affiliate URL and count my clicks so I can monitor what's working and what's not. Plus, there are a bunch of other CB specific tracking tools on the marketing. Maybe I need to do a review of a couple of them one day...hmmm.

~ Teli

[Teli]

Originally Posted by andrewwee

Internet Marketing has a lot to do with testing, experimentating and finding what works for you.

It sure isn't some get rich quick formula for sure (and run away as far as you can from anyone who tells you otherwise).

If you want to be in this for the long haul, you really need to have some concrete plans in place, and CB is just one of the pieces of the puzzle.

Read some entrepreneurship books or a business plan book if you need some ideas.

Else the folks in this forum have always been real helpful.

Excellent points, Andrew.

And be prepared to fail with some products. That was one of my biggest fears, but the reality is that not all campaigns are always going to work, so don't let that discourage you. Plus, testing is an absolute must.

It's always wonderful to come across someone new to internet and affiliate marketing, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to go, but then the reality that it's real work (at least, at first) sets in and suddenly the walls come crumbling down and suddenly, it's all just a scam. LOL

While we're on the topic of good books on business, I'd like to offer a few suggestions:

The e-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber (Easy reading, lovely style, and great info.)
Super Affiliate Handbook by Rosalind Gardner (Classic IMO. Printed it at Kinko's and still refer to it from time to time.)
The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. (Okay, not a business book, but a darn good book on how to write clearly and concisely -- a skill you'll need if you want to succeed in this business.)

There are plenty of others, but I'd love to hear some other suggestions as well -- or maybe I should start a new thread?

~ Teli

[samo]

I have read through this whole thread and I find it really interesting. There was a time I came across an article comparing Paydotcom with clickbank, and that article seemed to lean more towards the benefits of paydotcom, but please does anyone here use Paydotcom, I'd like to know and for a newbie which Affiliate program provider will be best for me. Thank you.

[Steve Morris]

I being new to affiliate marketing and after buying all the books that "referred me to use clickbank as the route to my fortune" I took up promoting a tattoo design web site Ive sent hundreds of highly targeted leads over and still nothing. I did the same thing a year or so ago when I was testing the waters but using less targeting at that time I made some sales (but spent the same amount on advertising ) but I made sales, there seems to be a major bug in the system that is clickbank

[mikepyles]

clickbank has been the bigboy for so long
That it has become sloppy.Maybe when enough people jump ship
they will tighten up theirs.

[Linda Buquet]

Samo said:

"There was a time I came across an article comparing Paydotcom with clickbank, and that article seemed to lean more towards the benefits of paydotcom, but please does anyone here use Paydotcom, I'd like to know and for a newbie which Affiliate program provider will be best for me. Thank you."

At the risk of having the crowd start throwing tomatoes at me
Let me just go on the record and just come right out and say it.

Why do either? It's like some affiliates think ebooks and digital products are the only thing to sell. Granted there is a market, but why not try selling REAL products. REAL products that people need and use every day. Real products people can hold in their hands! Suitcases people can carry on a plane, strollers they can push their babies in, guitars, food, concert tickets?????

There are a bazzilion products out there. That fit a bazillion niches.
Why the obsession with ebooks???

Not that ebooks are all bad.

Pros like Andrew and Teli can focus on Internet Marketing ebooks and CB products
because they KNOW how to market, the HAVE the REP and HAVE the TARGET MARKET to make it work.

There are a BAZILLION consumers out there that don't read ebooks
but they buy and use REAL products every day!

SO NEWBIES WHY START WITH EBOOKS?
Oh oh, I'm officially screaming and using sarcastic smilies.
(I don't feel good, too much cake this week.)

OK you can start throwing tomatoes now.
I'm done

[BigBrandNetwork]

Linda,

I couldn't agree with you more. But I'll try

(Quick caveat: I'm sure there are eBooks out there that provide real valuable information and guidance and are worth their price ... not that i've ever read or bought them, but I digress) ...

On the whole, the eBook channel reminds me all too much of it's offline counterpart, the 'guru' seminars (be they real estate, stock investment, puppy smuggling or mentoring (a la Bruce A Berman and the ilk). Every one of them preaches they will provide the 'secret' to making money. And the fact is there are people that attend these seminars and DO make THOUSANDS. (I used to be in the business -- a lifetime ago)

So, right now, for a limited time, i'm going to tell you the secret to making THOUSANDS of dollars a month in your spare time from the comfort of your own sofa!

And it won't cost you a thing!

Too good to be true?

That's what THEY want you to believe!

Who are THEY you ask? The same THEY that won't tell you the truth about money trees!
(The truth is money trees DO exist and I have the seeds! In fact, when you achieve Platinum Inner Sanctum Diamond Plus Secret Handshake Circle Recruiter Member Status, you'll receive a special invitation to join me and your other fellow Platinum Circle Triangle Something Members on my private floating island paradise, where I will give you a set of wings and a free tour of my money tree orchard.)

But back to the secret! It's free when you continue reading this special post!

The SECRET is ...

Are you ready?

Are you really ready? Ready to earn more money than the government can print?

OK -- now that you're ready:

Here is the SECRET:

You sell the SECRET to other people that honestly believe they can make 5, 10, 15 THOUSAND dollars a month in their spare time by just blinking, breathing and watching The Price Is Right.

That's it!

(Can you say MLM? Sure, I knew you could.)


OK ... I'm done. Linda- how was that for a rant?

I'm going back to my plate of pancakes.

[Linda Buquet]

Big Brand Network - you're my kinda guy!
Or gal? What's your name anyway?

I think you are "secretly" an ebook writer yourself.
You crafted that post like the perfect sales letter!

Welcome to 5 Star by the way and thanks for starting off
with such profound insight.

[Teli]

Linda,
I couldn't agree with you more.

BBN, your post had me rolling around on the floor! Loved it.

Frankly, there are some great systems and informational products out there that will teach people how to start up an online business for themselves. However, too many people believe there is some sort of secret to making money online and that the people who are earning money online are keeping it all to themselves. LOL

I've said it a thousand times before and I'll say it again. There is no secret to internet marketing. Follow a basic formula (and take the time to learn the intricacies of each step) and don't give up.

1. Find a niche.
2. Register a domain name.
3. Purchase a hosting account.
4. Build a website centered around the niche.
5. Add contextual adverts, affiliate links, or commercial products or a combination of all three.
6. Market the website.
7. Rinse and repeat.

Yep. That's about it. And like Linda said, there is an entire market that newbies overlook -- physical products.

~ Teli