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Ready for the iPhone 3G

I can’t wait for tomorrow morning. I’m so ready to try the new iPhone and with it I also have few projects I’d like to try, like developing my domain www.freeiphoneapplications.com and making it a site well I personally review all the free applications offered by the iTunes store.

Later on next week I’ll also try to launch a postback URL based conversion tracking script, so if you are a Never Blue Ads affiliate stay tuned cause you’ll love it (or at least you’ll think might be helpful ).

Posted in Affiliate Programs, Apple | No Comments »

What I learned from narcotraffickers.

No, I didn’t start hanging around with the pusher down the street.
But I watched a lot of movies and documentaries about them, like Cocaine Cowboys and American Gangster.
I recently watched both of them and I notice few recurring elements that could help online marketers as well.

1. Who makes the biggest money doesn’t sell anything. They just move big quantity of drugs/users in the most efficient and cheapest way as possible. Lower costs, bigger margins.
2. Observe and learn from who has been in the business more than you. Try to understand why they are doing good and how they could do better. Frank Lucas (American Gangster) learned everything he know from the guy he was working for but he improved it big time.
3. Find out what people is looking for. Frank Lucas went where the junk where to better understand what they were looking for and how much where they paying for. On top of that try to understand what’s going to be the next “big thing”. You’ll be always able to sell marijuana but the real money isn’t there.
4. Brand your product. Make it easy to recognize. Frank Lucas was always making sure that nobody else was using the name of his product if they modify it. His brand meant quality and low cost. Everybody knew it and everybody was looking for it. He gave it a name and an identity and he took care of it.
5. Deal with your source. If you see results in your campaign don’t be afraid to talk to your affiliate managers. They want you to succeed as much as you. If you are profitable they are profitable. When I started bringing to WebmasterLife $X,XXX per month every month they didn’t have any problem to show me some love.
6. Take a low profile. If you find something that works take it for yourself and don’t over use it. Unless of course spreading the word will give you even a bigger profit. If you don’t take a low profile somebody (like Google, Facebook or what else you are marketing) could notice you and give you troubles.

I know, probably this post is really full of grammar mistakes, so if anybody wanna help with corrections you are welcome!

Posted in Affiliate Programs, Making Money | No Comments »

What Affiliate Marketers Really Want

Because I’m going to start an affiliate program I create a very simple list of what I’m usually looking for as Affiliate Marketer.

1. Be paid. If you don’t pay your affiliates the word is going to be spread in a heartbeat. Nothing motivates an affiliate more than a check in the mail.
2. Be well paid. I know what most of the affiliate programs owners are thinking: why should i give them the 50% of what I make… 25% is enough and I will have more for me… WRONG! More money your affiliates will make with you and more they will want, increasing your sales. And if they are running more than one program (as usual) they will focus more on yours.
3. Be paid on time. As I told you before nothing motivates an affiliate more than a check in the mail. So why let them wait? And if something happens, let them know in advance and be honest. They will appreciate it more than futile excuses.
4. Forgiveness. Sometimes, affiliates will inadvertently do something that the merchant might not agree with. Don’t be too harsh. It happens. Give them another chance and I’m sure they won’t do it again, and if they will, well… you know what to do.
5. Incentives. If the affiliate is performing well, be proactive with him / her. Raise the commission without asking. Send a gift. Let them feel as a part of a big family and show them that they aren’t used by you but you are working with them and for them.
6. A human contact. Don’t be too detach. If you have a problem with an affiliate marketer or you want to thank him for his job, give him a phone call. He will love it and he will feel that you care about him.

Posted in Affiliate Programs | No Comments »