Affiliate Marketing – The SMART Way

64 responses so far ↓

• 1 Domains at Retail // Apr 25, 2009 at 9:00 pm

  Totally agree with this. At first I was promoting CPA affiliates that were paying $1-5. It was good but its almost same effort as promoting $20+ CPA’s. Its just a matter of getting the right traffic that is interested in the offer.

  Now I promote higher payouts.. And get less or about the same traffic and am getting more ROI.

  Good Point again.

• 2 Kyle // Apr 26, 2009 at 10:22 am

  What’s up Chris?

  Totally agree (it’s hard to not to). I’ve found that promoting private programs with physical products can double or triple profits from the same market on ClickBank…sometimes with even higher conversion rates!

  I think I’m going to try to start promoting yachts and private jets soon…Know of any programs? =)

  Later,
  Kyle

• 3 Pharmacy Affiliate Programs // Apr 26, 2009 at 10:27 am

  Actually, affiliate programs that offer high-ticket items *AND* recurring revenue is the best way to go!

• 4 Cheow // Apr 26, 2009 at 10:36 am

  Thanks for the heads up Chris.

  Yep, definitely agreed that promoting high-priced and recurring items is one sure way to increase our affiliate income.

  Must start including high-ticket stuff in my lineup of affiliate promotions now.

  Cheow

• 5 Become an Ex Back System affiliate // Apr 26, 2009 at 10:36 am

  It really all depends on the market. Sometimes high ticket items like lets say Forex products can bring in more revenue then a make money online ebook.

  I myself have def. seen a lot more money come in from my high ticket products especially in the Forex and Day Trading markets even with less then half as many sales.

• 6 Affiliate Money // Apr 26, 2009 at 10:56 am

  As someone who has literally sold individual spoons and forks for $2,000+ each (no, I’m not kidding) I can vouch for this approach. Always bear in mind that your limits are not the same as your customers, and if you do well by them, the business they can give you may lift you up as well.

• 7 Cheryl // Apr 26, 2009 at 10:58 am

  You’re the second one today to say the same kind of thing – hmmmm, must be a sign!

  My only problem is that having been in a financial bind myself, it is hard to think others in a similar bind would be left out of the game. I keep forgetting there are others who are looking for the high ticket/classy items.

  I need to think like a marketer – not a consumer, in this case. They are two different things. Who am I marketing to? I have a feeling things would change dramatically if I would really take that to heart.

  It’s just hard to sell high priced stuff when you still shop at Walmart and thrift stores

  Thanks again for the good point!

• 8 Britt Malka // Apr 26, 2009 at 11:05 am

  Thanks, Chris

  Great eyeopener!

• 9 graham | Secret-Edge.com // Apr 26, 2009 at 11:11 am

  I really like the way you think, add me as a new subscriber

• 10 Stephan // Apr 26, 2009 at 11:15 am

  Hey Chris,

  Excellent point…and indeed you are the second person who said that and it just makes so much sense. And I guess another interesting point to consider is that those clients are often the “better” clients, because they have a different mindset than someone who buys a $19 e-book.

• 11 Theresa Mayhew // Apr 26, 2009 at 11:16 am

  Totally agree with you Chris. Just makes sense.

  I do appreciate what Cheryl said, too.

  Until we change our own mindset about marketing and stop assuming what people will spend their money on, we will continue on the same path we’ve been on.

  All the best,
  Theresa
  Keyword Angel

• 12 Stephan // Apr 26, 2009 at 11:17 am

  …and btw…I love the short messages..to the point.

• 13 GrapeGrowerWineMaker.com // Apr 26, 2009 at 11:30 am

  Couldn’t agree more – my first ever sale was a computer for about a million dollars. It was quite hard – but not nearly so hard as selling 140,000 eBooks at $7.

  I just canceled a PLR continuity after I noticed they didn’t provide anything new for three months. But they still benefited from two months of unearned revenue before I picked up on it. Go figure…….

  Steve1943

• 14 Dean Olmstead // Apr 26, 2009 at 11:56 am

  Awesome advice as per usual and it is something I just added into my mix as well. If I am selling the less expensive tickets items already, why can’t I try targeting the big money makers, right?

• 15 Oddvar Meyer // Apr 26, 2009 at 12:07 pm

  This was a useful post, even it is nothing new about it. A really good reminder.

  Can you, or someone else, please give out some hint on where to find this kind of products?

  Thanks.

  Oddvar.

• 16 Money Online // Apr 26, 2009 at 12:36 pm

  Good point, and I find I also tend to think like Cheryl above, like a consumer instead of a marketer! I know people who try to rely on AdSense for income, and the same thing holds true on a smaller scale-add ebooks to the mix and make $20-$30 per sale instead of pennies per click.
  Maybe I’ll go looking for a million dollar computer to sale lol.

• 17 KC // Apr 26, 2009 at 12:36 pm

  Captain Obvious, good reminder.

  Believe in the product/service
  Believe that their is a market for it
  Connect the two
  =PayDay!!!

  I prefer simple, obvious reminders over knew, complicated concepts….

  Thanks

• 18 KC // Apr 26, 2009 at 12:37 pm

  LOL! I can’t spell…
  *their = there
  *knew = new

• 19 Jeff // Apr 26, 2009 at 12:47 pm

  Chris

  Like you say, one dont’ immediately get it.

  I’m proof. Mine happened by accident and thought what the heck, just continue. And I’m happy I did. That was with a recurring promotion.

  So now I’m bold by that experience – and had minor success with very high ticket item as a next step.

  Good reminder.

  Thanks
  Jeff

• 20 Quincy // Apr 26, 2009 at 1:40 pm

  Yet another great post, Chris!

  I agree with KC, the simple and obvious reminders are more straightforward and easily adaptable, than new complicated concepts.

  We as humans seem to want to make things more complicated than they really are… when it’s the simple and obvious things (done continuously) that payoff the most.

  Good points Cheryl & Theresa… it’s just a matter of shifting perspectives from ourselves and focusing on helping/connecting others with what they want.

  If we focus more on helping others find the information, services, and/or products they’re looking for we’ll be in a better position to profit.

• 21 Muhd Noor // Apr 26, 2009 at 1:51 pm

  Hi Chris,

  Come to think of it.. you absolutely right! How come I didn’t think of this earlier? So the concept is that if we want to promote high end products, we just have to find the right audience or traffic.

• 22 Stephen // Apr 26, 2009 at 1:59 pm

  Great post, and just in time! Nothing like a looming deadline to get a lot done.

  I have been changing my mindset about money, thanks to Bob Proctor and his Science of Getting Rich class. With a whole life of thinking about not having enough, it is a welcome change! http://tinyurl.com/SGRich

  Much Thanks, Chris!

• 23 Jay | Wealthy Affiliate Insider // Apr 26, 2009 at 2:07 pm

  I hear people say it a lot about how its easier to sell 100o items at $100 than sell 100 items at $1000. Of course, I tell them it takes the same effort and you might just sell those 100 items at $1K before you even sell half of the $100 items.

• 24 admin // Apr 26, 2009 at 2:22 pm

  It’s fairly basic – especially as an affiliate.

  Affluent people are ALREADY blowing money on all kinds of stuff.

  So just sell that. Because you wouldn’t search for it as a buyer unless you were affluent.

  There are thousands of things like this (high-ticket jewelry, home decor, etc.)

  There’s a lot of bored housewives out there with a no-limit AmEx card…

  -Chris

• 25 admin // Apr 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm

  And that’s just one facet, too.

  Then there’s corporate spending, government spending, businesses that need bulk supplies, etc.

  -Chris

• 26 mike // Apr 26, 2009 at 2:44 pm

  Great info i knew i was right!!!
  I just started promoting a high end product a few days back and i thought that if i get in in front of enough people that i can earn a fortune and you just reinforced that theory.
  Thanks

• 27 WorkAtHomeTruth // Apr 26, 2009 at 4:27 pm

  I’ll confess that I haven’t done a good job in the high-ticket item area, but I’ve watched one friend move to the top of IM launch leaderboards by advertising through Adwords ONLY and without any sort of list to begin with because he understands what it takes to to move those types of products.

• 28 Dexx // Apr 26, 2009 at 4:41 pm

  Very true point Chris, we often get caught up in the whole “online marketing via clickbank” that we fail to look outside the box!

  Chris in order to find high ticket items for promoting, I’m assuming CJ.com would basically be the main place to go?

  Or do you know of other sources?

• 29 Victor // Apr 26, 2009 at 5:32 pm

  my idea was to use google. I noticed a lot of high ticket items don`t have any affiliate system setup. If they are physical products going for tens of thousands will they not be purchased over the phone instead of a url ? How do you recommend one collects commission from a $50k item?

• 30 Review Sites // Apr 26, 2009 at 8:33 pm

  While I agree everyone should promote high end products, but claiming that its easy and the effort required is the same, is not right.

• 31 admin // Apr 26, 2009 at 10:16 pm

  @Review sites – it isn’t a “claim”, and I never said it was easy.

  My point is that you can CHOOSE to promote one or the other, and in general, it’s the same overall process for each.

  Research keywords, build content (or buy PPC placements), make offer, optimize conversions.

  It’s math.

  And just like low-ticket offers, conversion, demand and appeal are all a factor.

  I’m not talking out of my ass here. I’ve done both and I continue to do both.

  Mass-market low ticket offers are often easy to get traffic for/with and so it’s a just a matter of duplication and scaling.

  Specific high-ticket offers are simply about laser-targeting the right visitor with your message.

  It’s not harder. You’re just making a different offer.

  -Chris

• 32 Victor // Apr 26, 2009 at 10:24 pm

  chris, tell us how to promote items like 5k and 20k watches. Are these not purchased over the phone? How are they tracked to the affiliate and paid?

• 33 Get 6 Pack Abs // Apr 26, 2009 at 11:59 pm

  Chris,

  I’ve thought about doing this for a long time. The problem is that most big name affiliate programs (ebay and amazon) have earnings caps to prevent profiting from big ticket items.

  So the question is:
  1) where do you find affiliate programs?
  2) if the company is not well known, how do you build trust and credibility (which comes naturally with fortune 500 companies)?

  The difference between spending $20 and $2000 on the internet is usually “trust”.

• 34 Suellen // Apr 27, 2009 at 4:26 am

  Like people above I would love to know how and where you find these items ot promote.

• 35 Marc // Apr 27, 2009 at 6:02 am

  What about the world RECESSION we’re in right now? High ticket items usually get the axe in people’s budgets when times are bad.

  The recession should be taken into consideration when choosing a niche. Yet no mention of it here. This post is incomplete. How about some advice on this? Which niches should we avoid?

• 36 Jack // Apr 27, 2009 at 6:22 am

  You are so right. If I make such an effort to bring traffic to my aff links, why not do it for high-ticket offers?

  I’ve read about an affiliate who started promoting some high end electronic (he wouldn’t say what it was) and made $600 on each sale!!!! that’s crazy.

• 37 Jack // Apr 27, 2009 at 6:23 am

  You are so right. If I make such an effort to bring traffic to my aff links, why not do it for high-ticket offers?

  I’ve read about an affiliate who started promoting some high end electronic (he wouldn’t say what it was) and made $600 on each sale!!!! that’s crazy.

• 38 Will // Apr 27, 2009 at 6:49 am

  Thanks Chris,

  It makes a lot of sense to maximise the effort one puts in to get traffic.

  Afterall it’s the same effort but it makes sense if it pays more.

  The question is do you want to sell 1 ebook/software or whatever the product for a commission of $20 or promote one for the commission of $200.

  I gues sometimes we think the $200 one will be more work and it might but it will be well worth it!

  Thanks again Chris

  Will

  PS. I think the value in your books is something else at the the price you sell them for. That said, don’t raise the prices yet!

• 39 Elaine // Apr 27, 2009 at 8:42 am

  That’s a great idea! My ex husband’s Ferrari is sitting in the garage collecting dust. Renting it could be a full time income on it’s own. Right now it’s only an expense – insurance for these cars is expensive. Thank you for the great advice!

• 40 Affiliate Marketing Tips // Apr 27, 2009 at 9:12 am

  Thanks for a great point – it is a timely one for me to hear as well.

  I think the key there is that “you are not your market” which is largely true of pretty much anything we promote.

• 41 Cinjon // Apr 27, 2009 at 12:25 pm

  Chris,

  Victor’s point as well: Where can one find the affiliate sources for these $$$ items? Certainly not Amz, CJ, Linkshare, etc. This is probably what keeps folks in the midrange mindset as these are the most recommended sources they go after to use.

• 42 Internet Affiliate Marketing Tips // Apr 27, 2009 at 12:49 pm

  Bank on the money Chris – again!
  I started my affiliate business (back in 2000) with low ticket single sale items and gradually moved up to higher end/higher price products (recurring where possible). There’s definitley a lot more money in the high ticket sales for pretty much the sme amount of work. The trick is to get a process that works and scale up/outsource.

• 43 admin // Apr 27, 2009 at 12:50 pm

  You don’t necessarily have to make thousands per sale or anything.

  And – to be honest – some of my most profitable high-ticket promotions have been deals that I’ve set up internally, or with in-house programs.

  But even if you’re using CJ or whatever, there’s a lot of high-ticket items there with decent payouts if you’re keen on looking.

  @ Victor – any affiliate program that’s worth using will track affiliate referrals even via the phone. Usually this is done by having a specific “call code” that’s generated based on your aff ID.

  This is a question that comes up ALL the time on dedicated affiliate boards like ABestWeb.com

  -Chris

• 44 admin // Apr 27, 2009 at 12:53 pm

  @Elaine – what kind of Ferrari is sitting in your garage?

  I’m (loosely) in the market for an F355 or a 512TR…

  Or maybe an F430 if the price is right.

  Let me know

  -Chris

• 45 admin // Apr 27, 2009 at 1:06 pm

  @Marc, re: recession.

  How badly do you think the “recession” affects the true affluent – people with “old” money?

  Not much.

  I travel a lot and let me just say this – even though I don’t fly 1st class (pointless waste of money if you’re young, IMO) – I’ve yet to see an empty 1st class seat.

  And in Vegas – sure didn’t seem like the recession was affecting anybody there… maybe on the low-end stuff, but all the $200 per person nightclubs – packed. You can’t even get in unless you’re on the guest list.

  All the expensive restaurants charging $80+ per plate – packed. You need a reservation at least 6-7 hours in advance.

  All the expensive entertainment shows, like Cirque du Soleil – packed. And we’re talking $120 – $180 a ticket. (Well, except for the Criss Angel show, which kinda sucked, but it would be packed if it was good).

  And – like the blog post above – all the exotic car rentals – almost NO “vacancy”.

  In contrast, I’m sure that many of the budget hotels and economy car rentals are seeing their numbers subside.

  But the affluent have no shortage of money to blow.

  And “recession” is just a buzz-word.

  The media needed something.

  Now it’s swine flu.

  -Chris

  P.S. One more note about the recession. One thing you’ll notice if you’re keeping track of the business world in general is that – even in mainstream markets – what happens is that the “average” products plummet, while the premium products maintain or even grow.

  This is because people want the best bang for their buck.

• 46 Japanese Language Courses // Apr 27, 2009 at 1:51 pm

  I had to learn this the hard way – in the beginnnin I thought that everyone was focusing on price and selecting the cheapest product – WRONG!!! – They want to have a quality product and they want to pay for it – With the Ferrari Chris mentioned in his post it is quite clear – they want to have themself being seen with a status symbol (at whatever cost) – for eg. the language courses I promote most take the trial order and continue with the full license. Convinced by quality and also too proud o cancel.

• 47 Rick Heath // Apr 28, 2009 at 5:57 pm

  I like the idea and is really logical if you think of it. To many testimonials.

• 48 Kyle // Apr 29, 2009 at 9:57 am

  “One thing you’ll notice if you’re keeping track of the business world in general is that – even in mainstream markets – what happens is that the “average” products plummet, while the premium products maintain or even grow.”

  Wow…This totally explains why a particular higher-end offer I’ve been promoting is converting at 4-8%, compared to the 1-2.5% of $40-$50 ClickBank products.

  Thanks Chris!
  Kyle

• 49 Ronnie // May 1, 2009 at 1:36 am

  I guess most people will start with using low-end/low-cost products to build up their marketing skill. Or it does not matter.

• 50 victor // May 1, 2009 at 9:27 pm

  Chris, Is this call code by the telephone something the customer has to mention verbally when he calls the vendor? What if he does not want or forgets to mention it? Or is it a code entered on the key pad?

• 51 The Way to Make More Money as an Affiliate | Make Money Online With Affiliate Marketing | SingaporeAffiliateMarketing.com // May 3, 2009 at 2:37 am

  [...] can read more about his insights about promoting high-ticket and recurring product at his blog here. Popularity: unranked [?]Tags: affiliate marketing, internet marketing, make money onlineBookmark [...]

• 52 StevieA // May 3, 2009 at 8:31 pm

  Chris-

  Great point regarding the high end products. As far the recession goes, you are right, people with money are going to always have it AND spend it.
  I agree with you 100% about the Media!

• 53 Anthony // May 7, 2009 at 12:13 pm

  Chris,

  First off, let me just say that your site kicks ass. I always appreciate those who take time to share their knowledge with others. You will be separating me from my loot, my friend. Gladly!;-)

  Second, I live in LA and work as a chauffeur. I want to quit and build wealth — that’s why I’m on your site.;-) The company I drive for is the house transportation firm for one of the most exclusive hotels in town — the joint is owned by wealthy Arabs.

  I literally drive around the state, grab clients and deliver them to this place. Where do I pick these folks up? Private airports, where they’ve flown in on G550′s, Challengers and Lears. 14,000 sqft estates in the hills. Luxurious second homes in the desert. Office complexes that they own. These people have cash. And lots of it.

  In all fairness, and per the valet guys out front, occupancy has dropped a bit but not to the point where the place is going out of business any time soon. Last week, I picked up a wealthy Colorado couple who flew in on a G5 and stayed for 5 days. I drove them to dinner, at a hot restaurant, every night they were here. Oh, and by the way, they’ve taken this “getaway” for the last 13 years.

  The wealthy are spending loot, if anything they’re just a little more discreet, now. Some of them are pulling back, of course , but the housewife who’s allergic to spending limits? She ain’t going nowhere but Rodeo Drive, baby.

  Question: As a newbie, what is the minimum amount of start-up capital that I should be working with for my affiliate business? I’d appreciate answers from anyone on the site. really.

  Sorry about the length, guys. I just wanted to contribute something of substance.

  Regards to you all,
  Anthony

• 54 Free Business Plan Guide // May 9, 2009 at 2:48 pm

  Anthony,
  Just wanted to tell you I enjoyed your post. You have a nice light writing style, which is a huge asset on the Internet. I can’t answer your question about start up capital – I think it depends on your business model. Perhaps with your writing skills you could concentrate on article marketing, which is free if you do the submissions yourself. Best of luck!

  Barb

• 55 Anthony // May 11, 2009 at 5:35 pm

  Barb,

  You have no idea how much your comment means to me — my first official ‘Net kudo. Thank you.

  I have, indeed, been looking at article marketing; I believe some also refer to it as “bum marketing”.

  As I stated in my previous post, I’m a chauffeur. However I first became aware of affiliate marketing in 2006 and have been procrastinating ever since. I’m not afraid to point fingers at myself — there’s been a whole lot of lip smackin’ goin’ down while buttocks have been inert. I’m ready to start doing.

  Studying sites, such as this one, is the first step. I’m trying to save as much as I can because I want to get started. In fact, I’m researching niches so I can implement Chris’ previously written about 7 day site strategy.

  Okay…enough of my ramblin’. I wish you all the best, as well, Barb. That’s what I like about the Web…community.

  Regards,
  Anthony

  PS — Barb, I opted into your business plan course. I’m really excited about seeing what you have on offer.;-)

• 56 Dating Sites // May 14, 2009 at 3:57 pm

  Chris,

  You have a gift, you can write about complex stuff in a way everybody understands

• 57 Entrepreneur Home Business // May 15, 2009 at 5:01 am

  Chris,

  Recurring subscriptions are one of the best ways to make profits, I 100% agree with you. Actually I have launch a little project for my American customers and another good one for my Italian customers.

  The best thing is that you get nice profits every month without doing any promotion. I love that!

• 58 Horse Racing Systems // May 18, 2009 at 2:28 pm

  Chris,

  Like most I would agree. I’ve been selling my own niche e-books for over 7 years now (part-time mostly) and the more I charge for a book the better response I get. I have one that I originally sold for $99.95 easily, and after the newness wore off I’ve had to drop it to $24.95.

  Every time I create a new book, the excitement alone will generate enough buzz for a good price (also, I have a loyal list and I do my customers well)

  Denny

• 59 Gary // May 22, 2009 at 5:24 am

  I’ve heard alot of marketers saying a similar thing bout, “what recession”? Fact is, there IS a recession. Only an idiot would conclude otherwise.
  Or do you think almost 10% unemployment is demonstrating a robust economy?
  Of course not.
  Thing is, a recession or even a depression only really affects the masses, which is most people.
  And of course the masses are the ones who are poor or at least not wealthy.
  As you stated, for most wealthy people, this “recession” has made not one whit of difference to their lives. Most wealthy people are smart enough to have diversified their assets. So the slump in the stock market and real estate markets are of little consequence.
  Your argument that the wealthy are still spending much the same as before is sound. However, to conclude there is no recession based upon that is ignorant at best, foolish at worse.
  As for the swine flu, they were correct to be as aggressive as they were with it. Because it could have been alot worse. Its only a matter of time before an a spanish like flu comes again, sad to say. When that day comes I doubt you will be mocking it.
  ‘Nough said.

• 60 123power.digitlreviewsnow.com // May 27, 2009 at 2:35 pm

  Hi Chris,
  Thanks for the reminder.

  No only selling higher priced items but

  also selling OFFLINE .

• 61 BuildAbetterLife // May 28, 2009 at 5:54 pm

  Chris, that story about the local high ticket adwords campaign is brilliant.

  A great refreshing reminder that expensive items DO sell.

  Thank you!

• 62 Big Mike St. Louis // Jun 6, 2009 at 4:37 pm

  Great info it makes lot
  of sense to promote a high
  end product if you end up
  exerting the same amount
  of engery but only get paid
  chump change on a loe end
  sale oppose to being
  paid big on a high end sale.

• 63 Create Backlinks on Demand // Jun 30, 2009 at 10:12 pm

  I couldn’t agree with you more. With all the IM products that come out, there is way too much competition for a simple ebook that costs $97. But you go after another market where they have reoccurring commissions of about $25-35 and the competition is much much less. And I can assume in those obscure markets where commissions can get into the $1000′s that there is not much traffic, but the traffic you would get are highly targeted and high converting, thus more money with maybe even less effort.

• 64 fire70053 // Dec 1, 2009 at 11:54 am

  Chris,
  You are the best. I want to learn everything you teach. I want to be sucessful in this area like you!
  God Bless. I am reading all your infomation daily. Thank you so much for you info
  -celeste

Leave a Comment