Worst Affiliate Marketing Idea Ever?
Photo Above: Used Computer Monitors For Sale In Akihabara Tokyo
(Photo Totally Unrelated To The Post Below!)
I regularly create free reports to use as lead generators and to promote affiliate programs in various niches. This is an excellent way to do affiliate marketing. The system I use is fairly straightforward:
- Uncover a profitable niche market with high paying affiliate offers. (Clickbank is a great place to start.)
- Write a short report PDF that answers common question(s) in the niche.
- Create a squeeze page or website where you give away the report for free in return for name and email address.
- Promote related affiliate programs in the free report and through an email series via auto-responder.
Once these systems are set up and running, they pretty much generate income on auto-pilot. (Assuming you’ve done SEO for natural targeted traffic or have a PPC campaign rolling.)
I’ve created these systems in many markets - video games, finance, marketing and so on for both myself and my clients and customers. Previously, I’ve always been happy with the results.
Recently though, I came across a hot selling product at Clickbank in the health market that caught my attention. http://TopSecretFatLossSecret.com
(Warning - Might not be work safe - especially if you’ve just had lunch.)
Basically, it’s a “cleansing” diet. You know, get healthy and skinny by removing EVERYTHING from your bowels - especially parasites that are preventing you from digesting your food correctly.
The commission was high, as was its popularity. Also, my keyword research revealed there was plenty of targeted traffic to go after in the niche - so I thought I might put together one of my free report systems to promote it.
Everything was going along well - got my keywords, got my report written, and I sent off some ideas to my graphics guy for the report cover.
When he got the graphic for my free report back to me, it was perfect - exactly has I described it. (Including a spelling error - my fault.) BUT, as I thought about the title I selected and the “look” I was going for, I started to have second thoughts.
Now I’m thinking that this free report may have been my worst affiliate marketing idea yet.
Here’s the eCover - what do YOU think?
Can’t get it right everytime!
Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.