Affiliate Odyssey

Paul over at uberaffiliate.com had a great post yesterday about why affiliates fail and I thought it might be interesting to go through the points he made as they relate to me.

1. Information Overload

Paul’s spot on with this.

I spent a good 3 months researching, reading blogs, asking questions - I even joined the $1 Stompernet offer to get a handle on the affiliate game and although there were some invaluable nuggets, there was a lot of dross too.

I’m using a blend of the strategies outlined by Amit Mehta and Derek Beauchemin first and if I can’t get these to work, then I’ll look at trying some others.

2. Nike’s Right - Just Do It!

Well, I’ve just done it after the longest period of procrastination I’ve ever had and really, there was no need to worry.

I’m gathering stats, testing stuff out and it hasn’t cost a fortune to learn some lessons I would never have known without trying.

3. Fear

This one’s a beauty and not confined to affiliate marketing.

Fear of failure pervades every aspect of some people’s lives and it’s amazing just how many reasons and excuses are given to cover up the underlying truth. everything from “I can’t afford it” to “I’m not smart enough” and “I haven’t got time”.

Every successful entrepreneur has either overcome fear of failure, or more commonly, never had it in the first place.

Take their lead and deal with it!

4. Not Thinking Outside The Box

This is a tough one and I’m not sure I’m there yet.

You have to know what the box is before you can think outside of it. I’m guessing what Paul’s getting at here is to not restrict yourself to PPC, email marketing or even websites at all - what’s to stop you advertising an offer in your local newspaper for example?

I certainly plan to use a whole range of tactics to get sales but there’s no doubt many of them will be right inside the box!

5. Not Attending Events

I have to hold my hand up to this one - I so should have gone to the A4U Expo in London last week.

I absolutely hate networking events, parties and any other kind of public gathering where you have to interact with strangers.

I feel safe behind my Wordpress Dashboard but when it comes to live chat and smalltalk, I just can’t be arsed to make the effort - actually that’s nonsense; it’s the fear thing again.

So… I solemnly swear that I will attend next year’s A4U Expo - and enjoy it!

6. Starting A Blog

I’m obviously guilty as charged on this one, but might I suggest that Paul’s a little guilty of this one too?

My reasoning was that by sticking something out there in public, I would a) be shamed into succeding at affiliate marketing, b) have a record of the journey to success and c) have that wonderful feeling of looking back and celebrating how I got there.

As for the time spent blogging, commenting on others’ blogs, reading forums, etc. I just love being “wired in” to what’s going on. I simply couldn’t operate in a virtual vacuum and so for me, it’s time well spent.

So Am I An Affiliate Failure?

No.

I may exhibit some of the signs of failure but inside I know I’m on the right track (even if the “Tale of the Tape” makes sorry viewing) and I will drive on through The Dip to success.