And it’s because that review-style seems objective. If you’re willing to mention the bad with the good, it’s more believable.

It’s like watching the news instead of an infomercial.

Cheers,

-Chris

http://www.internetmarketing2.com

Great stuff, keep it up. I’m in the process of toning down one of my sites to make it less “sell” and more “point.”

Delivering value is paramount to any sort of business.

In organic rankings, the value-providers will, in due time and over the LONG TERM – always get the lion’s share of the traffic because their visitors will always recommend their content – in the form of links, which further increases or stabilizes SE rankings.

As for products, it’s the same. If what you’ve got actually delivers the goods or does a good job, then the word gets around.

And creating real value or even over-delivery isn’t really “more work” – at all.

It’s a CHOICE.

It’s just “part of the equation”, much like adding title tags, or doing keyword research.

Make it a part of your strategy on every level, and everything you do will be EASIER in the long run.

The sales will come easier because of word-of-mouth.

The traffic and rankings will come easier because OTHER PEOPLE will be linking to your site, bookmarking you and “broadcasting” you just because of their positive experience, or as a reference.

All you have to do is the groundwork of getting it exposed and initially ranked. After that, your visitor’s and affiliates literally TAKE OVER and do more than you possibly could on your own…

That’s why it’s important to – after gaging the profitability of markets with mini-sites and so on – start to scale things up with big-value assets like:

* Authority Sites

* Feeder Products

and so on.

Anyway – got off on a tangent there…

-Chris

Take a look at this site:
http://www.affiliatesprofit.com/affiliate_tips/the-keys-to-affiliate-marketing-success.html

It talks of “advertorials” which are basically ads that recommend products (just like what these mini-sites are). It’s kind of out of context, but take on board what the message is: People don’t like to be “Sold” to if they just want information. If you’re targeting the “desperate” traffic who want a quick fix they won’t appriciate being sold to directly.

I’ve been following this blog and it’s doing great. I’ve seen Chris posting recommendations on here which have actually inspired me (the one who is tighter than a “camel’s arse in a sandstorm” with money – like the pun there?) to make purchases.

Why did I make those purchases? Because I trust Chris and the value he’s given me can only be treated with honour. Chris is the man responsible for me being where I am today. I wouldn’t be here looking at this blog today if it weren’t for him which is why I trust him so.

It’s so easy to put up a banner on your websites. But guess what? People ( and most especially the people with cards in hand) are mostly “Banner Blind”. They switch off to banners and treat them as a “blind spot” on the page which should be ignored.

Here’s a tip I personally want to share with you. It’s something I’ve experienced first hand and has profited me very well and it’s:

“Add Value to EVERYTHING you do”.

Even if it’s helping some old lady cross the road or something like that – if you get into the routine of doing more than what is expected of you, then you WILL be rewarded.

I’ve got where I am today as a “dropout” from school. I didn’t want to goto university or “college” as most yanks like to call it because I deemed it a needless “investment”. And guess what? I concentrated on adding value to all that I did and am now rolling in it.

I even remember going for my “first” job interview for “marketing assistant” when I was 17 years old. The wage for the job was $30,000…

IF I had just been like everyone else and just done what is expected, then I wouldn’t have had any chance of success. Instead, I hand delivered my CV and a bunch of other things…. and got the job. I used the knowledge I had learnt myself and just went for it.

Chris is an inspiration and deserves everything. Listen to him. Okay?

You can still jam it in your visitor’s face – but the communication of the promo needs to inspire confidence by seeming “matter of fact”, as opposed to hyped.

But, that said – test your results.

-Chris

Great post, an eye opener.

The issue of desperation rings very true for me. Both as a purchaser of IM materials, and a potential seller, I’m put off by the hyperbole and silliness of much of the sales activities.

That’s leading me to focus on niches well outside of the IM environment. I think I’ll be more successful there and … I won’t feel like I have to take a shower after I write a sales page!

Sounds like the Egypt trip was great; safe journey home.