Tim Bossie.com

I recently came across a free membership site that is offering free private label and resell rights products. I have to admit, I haven’t done anything with this type of marketing in a very, very long time. I got started with affiliate marketing and then resell rights (Jimmy D. Brown products mostly), but have not really been active in it since like 2000.

If you don’t know what Private Label or Resell Rights products are, they are a cross between having your own product and affiliate marketing. You either buy the rights to a membership site that provides these types of products on a monthly basis, or buy products outright like in private label articles. Once you sell them you keep the profits instead of just receiving a commission. But, the process to sell them, or give them away, is basically the same as affiliate marketing.

Today I saw a tweet from ArticlesBin that mentioned a free membership site that gives away free PLR and resell right products. Since I’m always looking for free incentives I was intrigued. So I took a look at it. Even with a hint of skepticism.

However, I do have to say that Mark Austin (the owner of the membership site) has put together a pretty neat little concept here. With the free membership to the site you can get access to;

Instant access to over 153 hot selling PLR/RR digital products worth hundreds of dollars!

Two hot new products each and every week with either Private Label Rights or Resale Rights!

Instant access to over 10,740+ Private Label Rights articles!

Instant access to 330+ free tools that will help your web business be more profitable!

Instant access to the Resell Rights Weekly Members Forum!

Two things stood out to me that might make this worthwhile.

First, the amount of free products that I can use as either incentives (for myself or for clients). After taking a quick look through them, this is a pretty good list.

Second, the free forum access. This is always worth it’s weight in gold. A forum is a great place to meet people, learn new things, and even promote yourself a little.

I think Mark Austin’s Resell Rights Weekly is a pretty good membership site. It’s organized and has great products for any info-marketer. Go ahead and check it out.

Recently I wrote a quick post about what I believe internet marketing is. In that post I did a two things. First, I defined internet marketing as…

Internet advertising is being a loud voice to your market where you solve their problems with your products or services and build continuous, long lasting, and mutual relationships.

The next thing I did was lay out a quick formula that I think simplifies, and brings that definition, down to its most basic form.

Internet Marketing Formula = P + R = T

In that formula is the basic ingredients for your success with internet marketing. Doesn’t really matter if you’re into network marketing, affiliate marketing, adsense marketing, or marketing your own product or service. If you’re doing it online (or offline really) then these three variables are the main ingredients for your success formula.

But, what does it mean and how can you use it in your own marketing strategy? Just like any other type of algebraic equation, you plug in the numbers you know and solve for the one you don’t.

P = Problems

Or you could also substitute the words ‘need’ or ‘want’ here too. However you phrase it we’re talking about the things, solutions, services, goods, and/or information that people need or want. This is your contribution to their life.

You find out what people need, what they are struggling with, what they are buying now and you offer it. When I first started with copywriting and providing advertising services it was because of two things. First, I knew I wanted to help people. Second, I saw an overwhelming need for a real, personal, low-cost, and creative advertising service. I saw the problem and provided a solution.

Most advertising campaigns are built on trying to get the most traffic to a website so you can monetize that traffic in some way. When you build your advertising around a problem, or a want, or need, that traffic is already pre-sold into buying. Much more effective.

R = Relationship

Think of your favorite places to shop. Think about the people you buy things from. What makes that place, that person, so special?

It’s the relationship you have with them.

I’ve been teaching my clients this for a long time. This is something that I think a lot of affiliate marketers miss out on when they try to go for the quick buck. Long lasting relationships are a very powerful, and beneficial, tool in online marketing. Really for any type of marketing, online or off.

The recent boom in social media and the emphasis on building relationships people are finally realizing this for the first time.

When you think about it, building relationships with the people who visit your site is really one of the most important things you can do. Everything you use should be geared towards creating a foundation for future repeat business and referrals. Social media enables you to put more personality and build those relationships.

If you’re wondering how to build those relationships, here’s just a few different ways:

1. Weekly email newsletter
2. Videos
3. Blog posting and commenting
4. Connecting on Facebook and Twitter
5. Joint Venture partnerships

When you take the time to cultivate these relationships you are in effect stretching your advertising dollars. People want to do business with people they know, like, and respect. They will also refer that person to others.

A lot of my business comes from repeat clients and the people they refer. Relationships is a very powerful variable in the Internet Marketing Formula

T = Traffic

The end result of working with the first two variables is traffic. Every person online wants their share of the billions of people who actively surf the internet. This is the answer to our equation.

When you add both the problems (needs, wants) and the relationships you have built and are building the outcome is traffic.

You can’t have one and leave out the other. The formula isn’t P = T, or R = T. They are not equal or compatible.

P + R = T is the equation to have cemented into your mind as you begin planning, evolving, or implementing your advertising campaign.

Sample Internet Marketing Formula In Action

To get a perspective on what a marketing plan would look like using the P + R = T formula here’s a mock example.

Joe has started a new website focusing on movies. He wants to get traffic that will do a few things while at his site.

1. Sign up for the RSS feed.
2. Interact with comments.
3. Click on product links from Amazon.
4. Click on other related ads.

So, let’s work the formula.

Problem, Want, or Need

Joe sees an opportunity to provide real movie reviews, news from someone who really loves movies to an audience that isn’t as internet savvy and more wholesome. He sees that bigger movie sites are geared more towards a younger crowd.

Joe builds a site with this problem in mind and writes articles and posts directed at this type of audience. He is putting his personality into the posts in an effort to be real, and hopefully people will trust when looking for real movie news and reviews.

Relationship

Joe is thinking this site needs to be more like a family instead of random traffic from search engines. So, he is building relationships on StumbleUpon, Digg, Twitter, Facebook and in movie forums. He is also setting up a weekly email newsletter with special information on movies, dvd releases, and other information.

Another major component to his relationship building is going to be found in the comments on his blog and the comments he leaves on other blogs. He interacts with the people who leave comments on his blog so that they will want to come back. And by commenting on other blogs he is extending his reach to a bigger audience and engaging in the conversation going on there.

One more relationship builder that Joe is going to use is writing articles for article directories. These articles are going to be different from movie reviews and be like ‘10 Best Family Movies’, or ‘What Movies Should You Watch This Summer’. This will provide a jumping off point for people to get to know Joe. The perfect relationship builder.

Traffic

By concentrating on the problem (real, relevant movie reviews from someone who truly loves movies) and the relationships (through interaction and information) his traffic will begin to build over time and actually multiply at a good rate.

P + R = T

The Internet Marketing Formula isn’t some kind of gimmick or get rich quick scheme. It is a process by which you can “plug in the numbers” to help you create an effective internet marketing strategy.

I often tell my kids when they get stuck on an Algebra or Geometry question to do just that. I tell them to remember the formula they had learned to solve the problem and “plug in the numbers”. That’s what I’m telling you now. Use this formula and “plug in the numbers.”

Affiliate marketing is a fantastic business model. One where you can easily get started with your own business online and build a great income.

However, that being said there are some downright myths to affiliate marketing that people actually buy into, base their business on, and then ultimately get frustrated and fail.

It’s easy to believe in some of the myths too. I think it is because we want to know that what we are about to embark on is going to both work and be easy. We hear all the time (the radio and tv commercials for making easy money online are really getting annoying) that it is as easy as 1 – skip 2 and 3 – jump right to the money. Unfortunately, real life affiliate marketing does involve work and a plan. Here’s four affiliate marketing myths that you should keep in the fantasy world.

Affiliate Marketing Myths

1. Affiliate marketing is as simple as copy and pasting banners. Like all myths, there are sometimes a very, very… very small grain of truthfulness to them. Copy and pasting codes for banners and sprinkling them all over a generic site (like a shopping mall website) was ok back in 1997 when affiliate marketing, and internet surfing, was gaining momentum. Today, not so much.

Today in affiliate marketing content is so very important. Videos, podcasts, and articles are how you pre-sell your website visitor into clicking on links, graphics, and banners.

2. Affiliate marketing leads to overnight success, big house, and expensive sports car. We see the pictures all them time, and even the professionally done “testimonial” videos, of people standing beside huge homes, expensive cars, boats, planes, and hot vacation spots. They then claim that in just a few weeks they were able to make enough money to afford all that and more.

Affiliate marketing is work. It takes time, dedication, desire, and commitment. It may take a few months to see any sort of income. It may even take a year to finally see sustainable income. If you’re looking for an overnight millionaire maker, look elsewhere.

3. Affiliate marketing is way over saturated to make any money with popular products. There was a time when I would have said you’re right. Given the way affiliate marketing was in the early days, certain products were just too over-marketed that only the first people to jump on board with it made any big money. Today, the rules of the game have changed and the playing field is wide open and very level.

As I said above, content is what will make a difference in your marketing. Not only content, but now that social media has taken over the internet, the potential for anyone to succeed now is wide open.

4. Affiliate marketing is not for me. I was talking to someone the other day who is getting started with affiliate marketing. Actually, he has been about three months into it and is pretty frustrated. He found my site and contacted me because we live so close. We met at Tim Horten’s and he began to explain everything he’s done up to now and that he was probably going to give it up. His words were, “Affiliate marketing isn’t for someone like me. I don’t know how to write, or the first thing about advertising.”

So sad that he’s not the only one who feels that way.

Affiliate marketing is for anyone and everyone. If you have online access, have desire to succeed, and are willing to learn; you can be an affiliate marketer.

Clear your mind of these affiliate marketing myths and get to work.

There. Now that we have debunked four of the myths about affiliate marketing, it is time for you to get to work. Dig in a little deeper if you need to. Set your sights on a fixed goal and don’t give up on it.

Copywriting is not the same for every type of business model. In fact, if you are into affiliate marketing, network marketing, or both you’re going to find out that they way you write landing pages, sales letters, or even articles is going to be different for each one.

Networking marketing is different than affiliate marketing. While you are still advertising other people’s products, the technical aspects are vastly different. Because of that you need a different kind of copywriting approach to network marketing than you would with other types of internet marketing. By approach I’m talking about the actual writing. Some of the principles might sound the same, but the implementation is different.

Network Marketing Copywriting Tip #1

Target-Audience should be main focus.

Your target for network marketing opportunities is to build your own business by recruiting others to join your network. This is most often referred to as ‘building your downline’. In affiliate marketing it is mostly aimed at a sale, or click-thru to the merchant site. The copywriting, or the words you use on the advertising piece, sales letter, or landing page should reflect this type of focus. You want to get the reader excited about the possibilities that this opportunity presents to them.

Network Marketing Copywriting Tip #2

Use personal examples to present your opportunity.

If the current social marketing revolution tells marketers anything it is that people are looking for something that they can relate to, and people they can feel a connection to. Being personal in your copywriting, using your own personal journey in network marketing or failures/successes is a powerful way to do connect.

Another big component of being ‘personal’ in your copywriting is to solve a problem that people are facing today. Right now that would probably be the economy and the high unemployment rate.

Network Marketing Copywriting Tip #3

Build your copy around benefits instead of outrageous claims.

When I’m working with new clients involved in network marketing I usually have to break the news that the biggest problem with their marketing is their landing page copy. Yeah, the one that cost them a few hundred bucks to have someone write for them is working against them.

Your copy needs to be built around something. Your best bet is to build it around the benefits of the opportunity rather than outrageous claims. Claims such as “$10,000 in 3 weeks!”, “Earn $25,000 in just 3 hours a week!”, and “Be a Millionaire in just 2 weeks!” are not going to be overly effective in turning readers into new recruits. Instead of going that route use the benefits as the foundation and build from there. If you want to hype the benefits that is ok, just don’t hype the false claims.

I want to ask you a few questions. Do you have a few minutes?

In fact, I’d really like to ask you five very specific questions about your online marketing. I like to do this with my clients when I first meet with them and then throughout the entire time we work together. The reason for this is because I believe questions get you to think and then act.

So, this post is really for you. I am hoping to be able to set the environment where not only are you reading something, but you’re also thinking along the way. So, clear your mind and let’s go enjoy a beautiful sunny day out on the deck or in a park somewhere. If you want to grab a coffee… that’s ok too. Actually, I’d rather like one.

My Questions For You About Your Internet Marketing

Ok… comfy?

Oh yeah. I forgot to mention. You might want to grab a notebook and a pen or pencil. I prefer a pencil, but that’s me. Alright, lean close, pick up the pencil and let’s talk.

Question #1. What have you already done in your internet marketing?

If you’re going to start to go somewhere you need to know where you’ve been. One of the first things I always ask my new clients is this very question. It’s so important to realize what you’re doing now and in the past. Because when you think about that then you can see where the improvements can be made.

It’s like going on a trip. If you have a very small map of the area you’re going into and you get lost somewhere off the map, then it’s going to be much harder to find your way back. But, if you took a larger map that contained the entire city, county, state, or country then you have a much better chance of finding your way back. You have a better view.

This first question gives you the view you need to get your advertising back on track. Not only that, but you could see where shortcuts, or detours, could be made. What obstacles to be avoided. Where you’re wasting gas (money) and where you are making up time.

Go ahead and grab your pencil and paper and list everything you’ve done for advertising up to now.

Question #2. What is working and what isn’t?

You probably knew that was coming. Once you see the general overview of your advertising you begin to see what is working and what isn’t.

There really isn’t any sense in chasing after advertising that isn’t working. Especially if you’re just getting started or are struggling. It’s ok to let things drop by the wayside and concentrate on a few things that are working. Maybe it just isn’t the right time for a certain advertising method.

Your next step then is to cross out everything that isn’t working. Take no prisoners. Don’t get nostalgic here. It’s time to be ruthless. Even if you’re left with just one single advertising tactic, do it.

Question #3. What would you like to see happen, this month, with your website?

There are several things here to take note of. What I’m really talking about here is your goals for the month. These goals will cover several different areas and you must keep a very close eye on them.

Grab your pencil and write down these things to make a goal for and keep track of.

1. Website traffic – how much do you want to see.
2. Profit – how much do you want to make.
3. Money spent – how much do you want to spend.
4. Time spent – same thing… how much time will you put into it.
5. Good response from visitors, customers, or partners – yes, make a goal for positive responses.
6. How many people link to you – a pretty big thing to keep track of but many don’t.

Here’s why these are important.

Website traffic – self explanatory. Please keep this goal very, very realistic. Don’t go over the top and say, “My goal is 5000 unique visitors this month!” Great goal, might not happen. Again, since you’ve already written down everything you’ve done you should have an idea of how much traffic you get already.

Profit – again, very self explanatory. And again, keep it realistic. Something you can reach so you don’t get discouraged.

Money spent – yes, you need a budget. Don’t go over it either. If you choose to spend any keep it low to maximize your profits.

Time spent – spending too much time with your advertising is just as bad as spending too much money. Especially if it isn’t working. You have nothing to show for your time and have lost valuable time with friends and family.

Good responses from visitors, customers, or partners – might be unique to me only, but it gives a measure of who is talking about you, and what they are saying. If they say it to you, then chances are they’ll tell someone else. You should have a goal for this. Six to eight positive comments in a month, personal comments, is a great goal to start with.

How many people link to you – pick a number for how many other sites you want to link to you. This can even be ReTweets in Twitter, bookmarks in StumbleUpon or Digg, or other social networking links.

Go ahead. Write it down.

Question #4. What two advertising methods do you feel comfortable with?

Like anything else, if you’re not comfortable with it you’ll have a hard time doing it. You need to look at everything you’ve written down so far and pick two, and I’m talking only two advertising tactics to start with. You can always add a new one if/when things begin to pick up, but if you waste too much time on several different ways to advertise you’re going to fail before you get started. I’ve seen it too many times.

Back to the question at hand. What do you feel comfortable with? Article marketing? Blogging? Social Media? Pay Per Click? Viral Videos? Participating in forums? Commenting on blogs? Whichever it is, pick two.

Now, set out a plan for the month to put those two into place.

Question #5. Can you commit to doing this for the month?

Don’t automatically jump to yes. Every time I start a new advertising campaign I am almost fanatic about asking my client this question. I have to know, and you have to know, that you’re going to go through with this even if the first three weeks are rough and you see very little return.

Can you… will you commit to a full month of getting the word out about your website? If so, then write it down.

Take your answers and get advertising!

That piece of paper if your map for the month. Put it somewhere you can see it everyday. Always be thinking about it and if you need to make course corrections, you can see it before you get too far off the trail.

Good luck!