7 Reasons Why Affiliate Marketing Can Help Build Your List

Affiliate marketing, a system where you get paid to promote other peoples’ products and services, is growing in popularity. Especially among network marketers looking for ways to build their mailing list.

But is it really a viable method for making real money online?

I say yes. And here are 7 reasons why.

• You Can Get Started Right Away. People don’t make money online because they think it’s too time consuming and complicated. But with the right advice you can set up an affiliate program in just a few hours.
• You Can Get Started Even If You’re on a Tight Budget. That doesn’t mean you can start or operate a business without spending a dime. What it does mean is that you can get some of the best lead-generating help at very low prices.
• Affiliate Marketing Is Not Complicated. It’s not hard to learn. If you can follow a few simple videos and do a bit of copy and paste, you can use affiliate marketing to build your business.
• You Don’t Need Your Own Products. People will pay you to promote and sell their products. This can turn into a very lucrative business.
• You Don’t Have A Long Wait To Get Paid. Some affiliate programs pay right away, some pay weekly and at the most, once a month.
• You Can Work From The Comfort and Privacy of Your Own Home. No bosses or employees to deal with. No commuting and no one telling you what to do and when to do it.
• You Have Practically No Risk. You don’t have to tie up your own money purchasing products because you’re selling some else’s products and services. The risks associated with traditional business start-ups is practically eliminated.

But the best part about affiliate marketing is that most of the affiliate programs cost NOTHING to get started.

Mike Griffith

Follow me on Twitter

Just a thought about exclamation points and helping others

As I surf through the wild, colorful and “promising” ads across the web, I can’t help but wonder…

Why all the hype and exclamation points?
Is this really what it takes to get someone to click on your link?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying all advertising is hype. I know better than that… and you do too.

But I think there’s a better way to get folks to know you’re  sincere about helping them succeed without resorting to hackneyed phrases like, “I can’t succeed unless I help you succeed.”

I wonder if what they’re really saying is, “I wouldn’t be helping you, buddy, if there wasn’t anything in it for me.”

That better way is to be honest in your desire and willingness to help people — whether you think they’re going to return the favor or not.

Is that a part of your business plan…or not?

Have a great day!

Mike Griffith
Follow me on Twitter

“MLM Hype And Downright Lies!”

Ann Sieg calls it “a horrible mess of hype… distortions, myths and downright lies that get passed along from one sponsor to the next.”

And if you’re in network marketer you’ve been a victim of these lies at some point, maybe even right now.

Ann has written a 37-page ebook that exposes what I believe is one of the greatest “cover-ups” in the history of network marketing–and how it’s being used to keep unknowing distributors in the dark about why they’re not making any money. In her book she lists the 7 lies being taught to network marketers, how these lies are self-sabotaging their success and what they can do to start making money with their business–no matter what company they represent.

This one is worth checking out (I’ve read it about 10 times)–and it’s free.

Get a free copy of Ann’s book The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing today.

Mike Griffith

Follow me on Twitter

How To Generate Your Own Targeted Leads For Your MLM Biz…Free Video Series

Times have changed. People have changed.  But for most network marketers, methods have not changed.

Those who are stuck in the 80′s are still using old-school mlm techniques that just don’t work any more.

They don’t work because people are more sophisticated than they used to be. They’re more skeptical. And they’re busier than they used to be. So they’re less tolerant of people who chase them down trying to get them to join their “business opportunity.”

The introduction of the personal computer and the internet has changed all that, and has altered the way people conduct business around the world. And that  includes the world of network marketing.

If you’re a network marketer and you’re still making names lists and cold calling opportunity leads, you won’t be able to keep up with those who have learned how to get pre-sold prospects to come to them…without spending hours on the phone or attending hotel “business” meetings.

Internet marketing guru Mike Dillard is offering a free video series that teaches you how to generate your own targeted leads without chasing people or buying expensive leads. What’s interesting about these videos is that he shows you how to get prospects to come to you,  and how to get paid, even if they don’t join your opportunity.

You can get his free videos here:   http://vur.me/biz22/magblog

Mike Griffith

Follow me on Twitter

How to Shorten And Protect Your Affiliate Links From Thieves…FREE

So you’ve finally stepped into the world of making money online.  And like many others, you’ve decided to start your marketing efforts by using affiliate programs.

As you know,  it’s no secret that you can  make good  money with affiliate marketing,  provided you choose the right programs and do some strategic planning.

If you take a close look at the industry you’ll see that not every one who gets into affiliate marketing is successful.  If you want to succeed you need to do whatever it takes to protect your investment.

Security is one of the key factors in successful affiliate marketing, and if you don’t adopt proper security measures, your business will be at high risk.

One of the most important ways to restore security is to protect your affiliate links. Don’t take them for granted. A bit of carelessness on your part  could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

As you know, the long complicated links that you send to your prospective customers not only look convoluted, but they also create a lot of problems too!

If you send such an affiliate link to your customers, then the smart ones will definitely figure out that you are promoting someone else’s product and they would rather visit the parent company and leave you out in the cold.

Also, if your link doesn’t function,  you’re forcing your prospect to have to type a really long URL into the browser, which will definitely put him off.

You could be a victim of an even worse situation if someone stole your affiliate links and replaced them with their own. If they do that, then you get no commission at all.

If you want to protect your affiliate links and grow your business virally, I recommend a program called ViralURL.

ViralURL is a link cloaker that protects your links and does a lot more. I know from experience that there are many unethical people lurking around, who might play with your affiliate links by cutting them off or replacing them with their own etc.

If you’re like me, you put a lot of effort into building and advertising your business. If your links are tampered with, then all your hard work will be rendered useless.

What I like about this system is that it helps you avoid such a rip off by giving you full protection and ensuring that your affiliate links never get exposed to other people.

This will save your links and keep you from getting ripped off… and allow you to get all the commissions to your account that you’ve rightfully earned. You can do all this by using ViralURL. It is a blessing for every affiliate marketer like you and me, who wants to achieve success in their endeavor.

More Than a Link Protector…

In addition to protecting your links this program also:

*Helps you protect your commission.
*Helps you build your mailing lists.
*Helps you track statistics.
*Helps you earn extra ad credits.

So far I haven’t seen any negative aspects associated with ViralURL. The thing I like most is that you can join it for FREE.

If you want more  detailed information about the program click here.

Mike Griffith

Building Your Business on a Budget — A Review

Network marketer Mike Dillard went from waiting tables in a restaurant to a millionaire in less than two years.

After struggling for over six years, even pawning his possessions just to eat, he finally cracked the code with his book “Magnet Sponsoring.” Today he’s considered the industry’s top authority on attraction marketing.

He recently wrote another book titled, “Building on a Budget.” In it he outlines numerous ways to build your business with little or no money.

Some of the tips in his book include…

* How to program your leads and prospects with the skills to build you a huge downline… BEFORE you even sponsor them.

* How to potentially get thousands of inbound links and a flood free traffic for your sites without spending a lot of money, or needing any link partners or search engine tricks.

* Why you should NEVER advertise your MLM business, product or opportunity… and what you should advertise instead.

* Why most people hate sales pitches… and how to “disguise” yours so people won’t know you’re selling something until after they pull out their wallets to buy from you.

* An Internet marketing secret that lets you profit from the media “buzz” about your MLM company and new products.

* What you can do to your computer desktop screen that can dramatically increase the number of leads and new distributors you sponsor.

* Two Internet “hot spots” where network marketers can advertise to millions of potential leads—FREE.

* How to have your own money-making blog up and running in 10 minutes or less.

Other tips include

* 25 free ways to send thousands of new visitors to your websites when you’re just starting out.

* How to quickly add as much as $10,000 to your advertising budget… even if you’ve never made a dime in your MLM business.

*A way of advertising online that: 1.) can generate dozens of qualified leads in 72 hours or less 2.) almost always gets you listed in the top ten search engine spots 3.) won’t cost you a single penny!

* Why earning “residual income” should NOT be your #1 goal if you’re on a budget.

* The ONE “almost magic” way to make money in MLM which works for nearly everyone who tries it.

* A simple advertising technique that can produce up to 82 free leads in less than 12 hours.

* How to get paid by prospects who don’t sign up as distributors or buy your products.

His book comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.

Click here for more information about Building on a Budget.

Network Marketers: You Don’t Need Motivation!

Motivation (n) – “A pumped-up, ready-to-conquer-the-world “charge” you get after you attend a company meeting featuring a big-name network marketing guru.”

You’ve experienced it. Your blood is rushing through your veins at 60 miles an hour, your adrenalin is off the charts and you’re ready to set the world on fire. As you leave the place and you can’t wait to get back to your business and work on your plan to sponsor 40 people this month.

Ok, that might be a bit dramatic. But it’s not meant to poke fun at anyone, or diminish the “value” of motivation. I’ve experienced the same thing – over and over and over again. My problem was that although I was super excited and super motivated, I still wasn’t making any money.

Here’s my point.

External motivation is fine, if that’s what you think you need. The only problem is that it’s not enough. My upline will probably disown me if they ever get wind of this article. But that’s their problem, not mine. And if you’re a network marketer and you’re doing everything “right”… and you’re still struggling just to break even, you need to read every word of this article.

Here’s my perception of how motivation works. After the big convention you’re filled with fire and excitement for a few hours – maybe even a few days. But gradually reality sets in and gradually the excitement wears off– and you need to go back for more.

But the thing I’ve often wondered about is… if it worked the first time, why is there a need for you to go back for more? My answer is that it doesn’t work because it doesn’t last. It’s just a short-term fix to a long-term problem. But more on that in a minute.

So the big question is, “If motivation doesn’t work, then what does?”

Results.

And here’s why.

When you’re getting the results you want, and putting money in your pocket like never before, you don’t need “motivational” tapes and books and meetings and speeches. You need those things for training purposes for sure. But why would you need someone to pump you up and have you thinking you can go out and conquer the world when you’re already doing it?

On the other hand, if you’re working yourself into the ground and doing everything you’re supposed to do — and you end up worse off than you were when you started—you need all the motivation you can get.

The problem with “motivation” is that motivation treats the symptom (deflation and frustration) and not the problem (your inability to make money). If you go to the dentist with a toothache, you don’t want him to just prescribe toothache medicine. You want him to get to the “root” of the problem—and pull that tooth if it needs to come out!

It’s the same with motivation. In network marketing you don’t just need something that will help you get rid of your frustration over not making any money. You need a marketing system that will teach you how to generate your own targeted leads and put money in your pocket—even before you sponsor a single person.

Let me repeat.

What you need is an effective marketing system–one that will show you how to generate your own targeted leads and put money in your pocket—even before you sponsor a single person.

“But,” you say, “don’t I also need a strong WHY” to make it in this business?”

What you need in this business, what you need is strong reason for starting your business in the first place. And you need to set goals, and make plans to accomplish them. What you DON’T need is more lies and hype from those who should know better.

Everyone who has ever accomplished anything in this world started with a goal and a dream. But all the goals and dreams in the world won’t do you any good if you don’t have a marketing system that will help you turn those goals and dreams and plans into reality.

But back to motivation.

My friend Ann Sieg explains this motivation thing this way in chapter 6 of her new ebook, The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing:

“External motivation is almost like a drug. It feels great when we’re in the moment listening to a story of how someone defied all the odds and became the success we dream about being.

“But then what happens?

“3 days later the realities of life have kicked in and it’s already worn off. So we look for the next story to inspire us. And the next, and the next, and on it goes.

“It’s just a quick fix — not a long-term solution.

Then she asks a very interesting question:

“Do you know what the ultimate motivator is though?

“Real results!”

It’s not a lack of motivation that causes 95% of network marketers to fail. It’s the absence of a marketing system that will put enough money in their pockets to pay their expenses while they build their business. They just run out of money…and quit.

You’ve probably figured out by now how I feel about motivation, so you won’t be surprised at my “logical conclusion:

If you’re in network marketing and you’re in need of constant external motivation, you’re not using the right marketing system.

Now I’ll need some help with this one, so let me turn again to Ann Sieg again. On page 28 she said: “If you’re using a shovel to dig the foundation for a house – when you could be using a bulldozer – then yes, you’re going to need a lot of motivation to get the job done.

“The more efficient your system is and the more ineffective your tools are, the harder you’re going to have to work to get results. And because of that, you have to make up for it big time with motivation.”

She adds that motivation really becomes a big issue when you have to “force yourself to pick up that 10,000 lb. phone to call your son’s soccer coach who you know doesn’t give a rip about your business!”

Sound familiar?

Here’s what I want you to do. Stop worrying about motivation and start concerning yourself with the real mechanics of marketing your MLM business.

And how do you do that?

“Find people who are looking for what you have,” says Ann, “and use an effective marketing system to automatically sell to them for you, and then spend your time working with the best ones.”

Remember, it’s not the amount of motivation you have that determines your success or failure in network marketing. It’s the marketing system you’re using.

What I like about Ann’s system is network marketing system is that doesn’t require you to make names lists, buy leads or even tell your friends and relatives about your business. And it’s designed so that your prospects can be a source of cash flow whether you sponsor them or not.

Pick up a free copy of  “The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing” now.

More Articles From Awesome Marketing

Mike Griffith
Online Business & Marketing Coach

Start following me on Twitter

Network Marketers: What Do Your Prospects REALLY Want?

In network marketing, what are your prospects really looking for?

More money? More time? Freedom from debt? A new house? A new car?

Nope.

Of course they want these things, but these are just surface desires that everyone can see. You have to look past the obvious. You have to go deeper than that.

So let’s get more specific: How about this. Enough money to take that trip to England that they’ve wanted to do for the last 30 years? Or enough money to pay off all their credit card debt, their house note and their car loan?

That’s a little better. And yes, they are after these things… but you still haven’t even warmed up yet. These are all end results and they are important, but there’s still a huge gap in between where they are now and where they want to be. It’s your job to fill in that gap.

See, what they’re REALLY after is a way to get these things.

A “HOW.”

And contrary to popular belief, network marketing is not a how. It’s a “what.”

If money, time and freedom were really all that your prospect was looking for and network marketing really was the answer, then all you’d have to do is tell him that your opportunity can give him a six figure income while working part time from home– and he’s ready to sign up.

But does it work that way?

Of course not.

And here’s why.

Because in reality, network marketing may or may not be a way for him to achieve all those things. The problem is that he just hasn’t been convinced of that… yet. What your prospect wants is the assurance that it will work for him.

Network marketing is just a vehicle, and vehicles need someone to operate them. People need to be shown how. It’s just like managing a retail store or any other business. It’s not that you can’t do it; it’s just that you need someone to show you how.

Who needs to know that it’s possible to make money in network marketing? Everyone knows that. But what they don’t know is HOW to make money in network marketing. That’s the missing piece of the puzzle that keeps them from signing on the dotted line.

In network marketing the desire is already there (that is, if you’re doing a good job of targeting the right people). If you can just show how, they will flock to you in droves.

Here’s why.

Here’s the most burning question in the mind of your prospect: “Is this going to work for ME?” He sees the comp plan and the big checks, and hears all the success stories, but what he needs to know more than anything else is, how all that’s going to come together and work for him. After all, he’s seen the 95% failure rate for the network marketing industry…just like you have. And he probably already knows that most network marketers spend more money than they make.

And that makes it tough for your prospects to envision a six-figure-a-year business being built from the ground up using a hastily-thrown-together list of all the people they know.

The way you fill in the blanks and answer the question of how it’s going to work for them is by emphasizing the most crucial component of any business: The marketing system being used. This is the most important benefit you can offer them.

And the right marketing system should work like a magnet.

Why?

Because if your marketing system drew them to you first, and all you did was wait for the call or check your email to find someone who wants more information, then wouldn’t it be much easier for them to visualize themselves doing what you do? After all, it got them there, didn’t it?

Most people in network marketing trip out about the products, the comp plan and the company, but none of that means anything to your prospects because you still haven’t showed them HOW to make it work for them.

Again, a good network marketing system gives them the “how” instead of the “what” — and that’s what they’re really looking for.

When you target the right audience, the question is not whether or not they want what you’re offering. The question is how do they take what you’re offering and make it work for them.

The answer is not in the company, the comp plan, or even the product. The answer is in the marketing system.

Mike Griffith

Online Marketing Coach

AwesomeMarketingOnline.com

Start following me on Twitter