If you are finding this blog for the first time, it covers MLM, affiliate, Internet, and independent online marketing. Today, I answer a Q from a fan...
"It appears your blog only promotes affiliate services."
On the contrary, it does not...but I am answering your Q's by giving you solution-based services that I do know work. However, if you are interested in choosing another Internet marketing learning avenue, I highly suggest you research your options.
I will give you additional words for consideration --
- The lessons I post on this blog are designed to start out all Internet marketers at steps A, B, C, D. All of them go through these steps...or if most meander, most meander until they harshly spend more $$ figuring out that the steps all Internet marketing educational places share were the same, correct steps.
- Even though Internet marketers have their own products, sometimes in order to satisfy consumer demand, they will still use affiliate products because it does not make for good $$ sense to always work from scratch. It would be a huge time-waster.
- There are amazing affiliate products online
- Many work extremely well
- Affiliate marketing is a distribution method...as is MLM...as is retail...as is direct door-to-door
- Some marketing methods are more efficient than others
- In MLM, they are not paying for ad sales. Mainly - you are, if you break it all down and cut through the "downline hype". They are not paying for hefty disbtribution. You are. So somewhere along the 1950's way, a bright guy came up with ..."Hey! There are lawn parties. You can sell your neighbor next door my product (Am-Way) and over your brick wall, he'll buy these products. In the 1950's, people loved MLM! It was NEAT idea then.
- Today...people love MLM..., it's just that the ad and distribution methods have changed.
- Add Internet -- woah. Everything has changed. It's changing the way everyone does business...but there are abuses too.
Affiliate (online) products are no different than MLM products...UNLESS you have tested a specific product, had some blood levels measured (yes...even in software cases...as I'm being funny here). But..., even though an affiliate or network marketing company claims to offer you the finest product on the entire market, it is better to be honest. Much of what is sold over the counter isn't very effective. That is a harsh reality.
Here's Why:
There is ONE product, as an example, that I have taken, measured blood levels with, and know works --
- I am not here selling it to you. I am telling you about it so that we can study the marketing governing any product. It is sold by a pharmaceutical company, is high in efficacy only because I have personally measured it using my physician's supervision and repeat blood level testing.
- I am a big lover of MLM products and supplements that you can't find anywhere -- and this high grade niacin lowers cholesterol in the body.
- I take 81 mg of baby aspirin 30 minutes before I take the high grade niacin (which will remain nameless for now)
- Vitamin D works
- Vitamin E works
- Aspirin works
- I've measured blood levels on these components...
- However, I take amino acids before I run or lift weight...and I will always recommend these found in any health food store. If I decided to market these to you, could I do it? Sure -- using a separate campaign. I would have a blog devoted to health. It would in its ad copy mention what ails people when they are very low on amino acids. They get burning when they workout. They have slowed recovery. They feel more soreness longer. The ad copy would talk about a the bennies of taking these supplements 30 minutes before workout. But I won't market something I don't personally believe in, as a major marketing rule.
THE BEST ONLINE MARKETERS ARE (most often) INDEPENDENT. They will affiliate market various products/services because it makes sense.
- They will sell you web hosting
- They will sell you website setup
- They will sell you ad copy
- They will sell you communication tools every Internet marketer uses him/herself
- They will sell you handheld devices/laptops/high end electronics/move expensive services like time-shares ...which I personally don't believe in...
- They will sell you anything that is already made, marketed for them at massive levels, and then they include their affiliate links
- They are supposted to, by law, openly disclose "I am an affiliate of this service, and if you click on this link and buy something, I receive a partial commission". THIS IS INTERNET LAW.
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CAN I BE AN INDEPENDENT ONLINE MARKETER?
Sure. No one says you cannot. NO ONE.
- In the land of the free and the brave (as I am being humorous here), a ton of people come to U.S. markets because these are very wealthy markets, by global standards
- Best U.S. companies promote the use of some Internet marketing among employees, provided it will not interfere in their business...but many of them are extremely controlling because they invest in direct response. They don't want to empower you. USAA is one such company, but they're not going to be happy about you bolstering your personal blog using their paid time (as a hired employee)...UNLESS you're bragging about their investment/savings products!
- However, the Constitution states, "free marketplace"
- MLM's have stomped on your rights...but then so have a lot of other companies. At department store levels, some of the most basic managers work in these realms. They're massively well-known for being "demanding" with their hefty "gotta move credit or else" threatening job tactics.
- I have tools whereby you can set up your own website NOT USING an exclusive affiliate marketing resource. You have to ask me. In due time. As people opt-into my newsletter, that's where I will be finding out what you absolutely want.
Can I sell my MLM stuff online?
Sure. If you do this, head to Terry Duff. Google him and go for it...but be prepared to work for it...like anyone or anything else, he will put you in elite marketing realms...but you are learning Internet marketing.
In terms of MLM promotions, you cannot violate corporate rules/guidelines by using trademarked "names". What you are marketing are benefits of products/services....and you are leading with value.
- Selling MLM means you are taking a highly specified approach: creating your own campaigns, generating your own leads, qualifying those leads, building your down-line, educating your down-line, helping them recruit/close. That's pretty much it.
- If you are selling no affiliate anything, you are creating your own creating your own campaigns, generating your own leads, qualifying those leads, building your following, working with consumers, educating others, closing business.
- Business is UNIVERSAL ...because there's a set order online in terms of how consumers think, how they conduct a search, how they find you or someone else, and how they proceed with "research, look only..., or buy". Keywords relative to a purchase are very, very specific. When someone is kicking tires, they enter "network marketing". When someone wants "setting up a website using X, Y, Z, software"...they are most likely researching, comparing, and finding helpful notes from other consumers. In direct response, we are using a natural buying process to guide decision making. Ads prompt consumers to "purchase now rather than later".
Stopping Here. Feel free to post your comments, questions, and concerns. This is about building business that is logical and easily followed online so that others will buy from you because you offer the best...can be trusted with their information, and won't mess them over horribly just to get that next fancy car.
Barbara Brinkmeyer, MBA
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