Affiliate marketing

[fitzpatrick2362]

Hi, I am new to this forum and new to affiliate marketing in general.

I have been researching affiliate marketing as a way to generate some extra cash but have been left with more questions than answers.


What do you think of search marketing? This seems like a good low cost way to generate revenue without the need for a website but is it to good to be true?
I had read that google and yahoo etc are making it difficult for affiliates operating in this manner, and also I believe that some affiliate networks only allow you to register if you have a website.

Most things that you read suggest a content rich website is the way to go.


I am also a little confused when it comes to getting started .Do you register with an affiliate network and in turn they allow you to promote product(s)/programs from their portfolio? If you register with an affiliate program such as amazon can you bypass the affiliate networks?

I have more questions, but if I could get some views on these it would be a great start.

[MrCat]

You seemed to be wallowing on different things at the same time.

Find a niche first before you go about affiliate marketing. A niche that you have knowledge on and in which you have experience with. This would help you be successful in the long run.

There is more to it than just signing up on a program. You would still need to market your site and be able to convince you visitors to buy or avail what you are offering before you could start earning

[PeterWebber]

Do a Google search for "Bum marketing" - it's a great free course to get you started with no need to spend money or have a site.

The idea is you submit articles to directories that generate traffic to your affiliate links. Some let you put affiliate links in the article but if not you can send them to a squidoo lense or a wordpress/blogger blog as a landing page.

Contrarary to what many say - affiliate marketing is not easy. The concept makes it sound easy but finding which keywords convert and optimising landing pages to convert is a trial and error process not for the impatient.

Give bum marketing a try and also check out some other free resources online - here are some I recommend:

Google "Allan Gardyne" and join his newsletter on associateprograms.com

Join the Warrior forum (Google "warrior forum")

Google "Bum Marketing" and to the free course.

HTH

[dinda]

is the best busines...

[ipnomad]

I agree....bum marketing is a great way to start...its free, it gives you the basics and especially if you have a low budget it allows you to earn money using affiliate marketing. Definitely recommend it.

[topaffiliategirl]

I think you should fnid your niche first, making sure you have the right niche for you that you can generate enough content about is really important then find the right affiliate network for you. Some people say that it can be a good idea to have a few affiliate networks that way you can find the one that suits you.

[dependx]

.....or maybe a blog with some luck. Both blog and bum marketing can be wheel spinning entries into the Affiliate bootcamp.

Atleast, they don't cost a pound to start 'em up! Get hits to resources is the bad thing about it.

[fitzpatrick2362]

Thanks for the advice guys.

On the subject of a niche market I have a couple of targeted markets that I am thinking about.

What I would like to know is what is the best way and method to find out if the market you are targeting is saturated? What is the best way to analyse the data? Where would I get the information from?