Becoming an AffiliateA Reality Check

IntroductionJohn Lamerton

FounderEasy Content Units

Kirsty McCubbin

OwnerBlue Indian Media

Nick Smith

DirectorHardly Rocket Science

Paul Brown

Publisher Manageraffilinet UK

Making a

LifestyleChoice

Making a Lifestyle Choice

Should I go full-time immediately or stay part-time?How do you have the discipline to start and stop working?

What is it like working solo are you happy?

Is it still possible to earn the massive salary that affiliates have spoken about in the past?

Are you involved in any supporting social networks? Do they actually help?

Can you think of any lifestyle questions you would like to ask?

Taking a Planned Approach

Taking a Planned Approach

What are your aims and objectives of becoming an affiliate?Define success.Be realistic - success is not going to happen over night.

Often it’s down to being in the right place, at the right time.Measure your success with sales and profit targets.Plan time into your diary to develop new revenue streams.Offer a unique proposition and identifying niches

Can you think of any questions regards strategy you would like to ask?

The Practicaliti

es

The Practicalities

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – spreading risk.The apple tree analogy.Finance - tax; office and operational costs.

Do you want to do your own book keeping?Do you really want to employ people?The legal aspects - cover yourself for all liabilities.Be careful about what contracts you sign. Read the small print.

Can you think of any questions regards day to day practicalities you would like to ask?

Selling Yourself

Selling Yourself

Try to get on the phone and speak to people about your business.Put together media packs/ promotional website showcasing all the domains in your portfolio.

Work closely with networks to grow your business.

Learn how to ask for commission increases.Try to attend industry events – you’re not doing too bad with that one!

Can you think of any questions regards day to day practicalities you would like to ask?

The Practicalities

How to ask for commission increases (see Kirsty’s blog)

Provide basic media packs demonstrating business opportunities

How do the affiliates market their businesses?

Useful Links

Useful Links• http://www.affiliatestuff.co.uk/ -Check Kirsty’s regularly updated

blog for latest affiliate advice, news and snaps from Thailand!

• http://twitter.com/ClarkeDuncan/affiliate-people - Clarke Duncan's pick of the affiliate crowd

• http://twitter.com/bedazzledaz/affiliate-industry - Darren is in this part-time so his insights may be useful for those looking to take the plunge

• http://www.affiliatedoctors.com/ - Many of the established names in the UK affiliate industry + a bunch of other people who want to help those with an interest in affiliate marketing, search engine optimisation (SEO), copy writing, blogging, pay-per-click (PPC) and online marketing in general.

Useful Links

• http://www.lammo.net/ - John doesn’t update his blog so often anymore , (its a lifestyle thing!) check out the archived posts for some lessons we could all learn from.

• IAB Affiliate Marketing Council blog - advice on regulation, insights from a range case studies, best practice guidelines and details of the AMC meetings.

• MiniBar – A regular social event held in Shoreditch for London Internet Professionals, if you live out of London check the tech categories in meet up for an event near you. More developer focused.

Useful Links

• Wired – A constant source of inspiration for those interested in online and beyond

• Business Link – Business support, information and adviceIn fact, speak to your accountant (if you have one) they should be able to give you general advice that will really save you money.

• http://basecamphq.com/extras - Working virtually with a team, check out basecamp for project management and all the other integrated services for billing etc.