There are so many ways to fail in affiliate marketing that it becomes so difficult to establish trust in the programs and methods that work. That's also why affiliates need to read about other affiliates who made it big, or at least read about what works and what doesn't.
Let's talk a little about a special breed of affiliate marketers, the ones that sell software (most likely download portals). They all look the same, sell the same products, have the same targeted buyer and you can't really make a difference - it's all about downloading a trial, testing the product and eventually buying it. And somehow, some download portals sell very well (how do they do it), while other are junk sites (what's wrong with them?).
However, the winning download portals are the ones that:
- Provide valuable content or services - and not necessarily software related one. If people like and enjoy your portal enough, they will start searching the software they need from your site. But hey, 10 years ago people thought Yahoo is the Internet! If we are talking about an experienced enough Internet user, yes, he will find his way directly to the source of information, if not, chances are he will use a portal for most of the Internet journeys. Why not make yours his homepage to start with?
- Position in Search engines. Now, we are talking about software - people could be downloading the trials from no matter what source and get the exact same software. And even more, they can probably download it directly from the vendor site. The only way a download portal could make the download in front of the vendor's site is if it has a better Search Engine position. Now, it would be quite hard to beat the vendor on the same keywords, but here is the good news: you can get people to your download portal with different relevant keywords. I mean not everybody knows what exact keywords to use when searching - a good chance for affiliates to write, explain and pre-sell the right product for the need.
- Localization (language and local relevant content). Let's say the download portal is from France. Then the content should be in French (hey, there is a lot of information and sites in English out there, going for French will get you a greater chance to success) and the content should be relevant to French users (they don't really need to hear about Nascar racing, but about soccer). Now, if you can find some French software with your French source of leads, you'll get - more than French
fries - from your affiliate marketing- you will get a sustainable online business model. - Niche. Don't sign-up with too many affiliate programs. Software is a huge market, it really can be too much for you. If you are planning on going automatic and add maybe 20.000 or why not 40.000 products to your portal, well, that's the shortest way to fail all the points above. Choose a topic, write specialized reviews and bring more software from that niche. Also, if you stick only to few affiliate programs you'll be able to focus on them - quantity is not better all the time. To find out more about this topic read an article about choosing the right affiliate program
- Get goodies for your visitors - contact the merchant. No matter what you do, you will always be (and you should be) in a race to bring a little extra to your visitors. Where to get these goodies if not from the vendor? Just make a plan or a list of what you think would help you make better sales and ask the vendor about it. Maybe a discount to end-user, maybe a banner, or maybe a testimonial. If you need them (and the vendor is really willing to sell through affiliates), then the vendor should provide.
- Adsense as a secondary revenue model. I'm not the first or the last to say it, "Content is King", but it's so hard to write updated, lively content about software, even if your success depends greatly on it. Chances are you will get stacked at the first page. Then, at the second one. Then, at another one. And in all this time, your download portal won't convert valuable leads into sales. Sure, you have persistence (see below) to keep things going, but also have bills to pay. Adsense could bring home that little extra revenue to make you feel that every thing makes sense.
- Persistence or the art to keep it going. If you passed through the "need to read about other affiliates who made it big", then you already "meet" the "get rich overnight" guys. You can't make money in your sleep. You just can't. And even if you put some hard work into it, you will get to the point when you'll think about stepping out of the game if money doesn't come in fast enough. And let me tell you something, the affiliates that made it, are the ones that kept on going longer.
- Getting the first check. Well, the best and only reason to keep on going is getting the first check. And then the second and the third. And keep them coming.