Newbie Mistakes to Avoid on Affiliate Commissions – Clickbank is Newbie and User Friendly

Unfortunately, as newbies, we may not even know the right questions to ask to reap the benefits (commissions) from our efforts. I will share the basics now and ask you to do additional homework to make sure you are guaranteed your commissions on every single affiliate sale you produce!

As you may know, I AM A NEWBIE, meaning I have not earned my first $50K online.

As a newbie, are you aware of how your commissions are recorded? In other words, do you know how to set up your link so that, when a person clicks on a product from your site, or from your E-mail message, YOU get the commission when the sale occurs? I learned the hard way.

I used my prized personal mailing list to drive traffic to my sites. I had tested all the links to make sure they worked. What was missing was the necessary id for my individual account. Instead, I was giving my clients access to the regular commercial website meaning that if a sale was made, I was left out. The product owner (Publisher) got full credit for the sale. I got nothing!

Here's part of the problem...there is no way to track these sales without your ID. But it is very easy to set up a link in your site that just takes people directly to the publisher's site - completely removing you from any possible commissions!

How to rectify this? There is always a code that identifies you, specifically, to the publisher so that you will get your commission. Be sure you can identify this code and place it in your site. It varies from affiliate company to affiliate company so, be clear on how to do this with each company.

From my experience, Clickbank is the easiest company to work with in this area. I highly recommend them. Who wants to work though all the other steps and then give up sales because they didn't put in the right id?

Be sure to do your homework and understand the specifics of each affiliate program and how to identify your unique id/code so that you get your hard-earned commissions. This is what it's all about right?

I came across an excellent article in the Clickbank newsletter. If you are not already an affiliate with them, or if you have already set up an account, this article is really informative. The link is listed in my website. You'll need to paste this into your browser http://onlineproductreviewsfornewbies.com/compose_customer_web_site.php?smmDomain=onlineproductreviewsfornewbies.com&smmConfig=B&smmPage=ClickbankReview
or just go to http://onlineproductreviewsfornewbies.com/ and click on the menu bar for Clickbank.

I hope you are utilizing your membership in the online blog at http://onlineproductreviewsfornewbies.blogspot.com/ Your input is needed!

Have a good one,Chris

Affiliates Believe In Yourself, Sell A Product You Believe In

As an old computer user but really new online product/home business affiliate, I already know one big issue to avoid. Don't sell until you know what you're selling! Does this sound basic? Well, listen to this story...

You join Click Bank easily and start looking at products. There's so much out there! If you're like me, you see lots of stuff you might sell. How do you decide? Here's how you make that choice.

Sell it because you would buy it. In other words, if you wouldn't buy it yourself then why the heck are you trying to sell it to someone else? And, if you WOULD buy it yourself, then, maybe you SHOULD buy it first before you flaunt it to the masses. Make sense?

I've heard this mentioned in passing but have not heard it emphasized as ESSENTIAL. Think about it, how can you promote something you don't know? They don't tell us this when we sign on as affiliates, or pay big bucks for complete online businesses in a box. But think about it...if you don't take the time to know your product, what are you selling? How can you create those auto-responder letters and solicit your friends if you don't know (I mean really know) what you're selling?

If your beginning list of clients is your trusted, personal e-mail address list, are you willing to risk selling them something bunk? Unfortunately, I think the cost of doing business (even online business) requires an investment in the product. In the long run, this should stand you in good stead. The real issues here are time and money. If you're like me, you don't want to wait to get started AND you'd rather not spend the money.

I bought a product for $29 (money-back guarantee) that I started promoting right away. I was so excited I felt like a kid in a candy store. I took a lot of time to prepare my site and send letters to my best friends and business associates. Guess what?

I think the product is a loser. And now I've staked my reputation on it by telling my friends to invest in it. I lose in 2 ways. The product has been a disappointment and I'm going for the refund. My sales campaign is useless because I don't want to be associated with that product. Evidently other purchasers have a similar feeling because the "charge backs" are coming through. OUCH!

What did I learn?

• Know your product well
• Digital products may be especially easy to promote but, if you're selling junk, most buyers are going to be able to figure it out
• Don't let your enthusiasm and the big commissions outweigh your common sense
• Take your time. Think long term
• Sell something you can be proud of

I'll be continuing this series. Please follow along. We have a lot to learn but we're getting there. Thanks, see you later.

Ready to start a website? Try www.SmartMoneySmartYou.smmsite.com I'm making progress!