I should call this an affiliate marketing rant. This is how you screw up possible relationships that could yield thousands of dollars in the long run.
In the affiliate marketing world something that’s many times undervalued is networking. It is also overrated by some people who think networking is just going out for drinks, but that’s another story.
I’m just here to remind you that this is a real business, being ran by real people and not only geeks behind their computers. Real people love networking with the right guys and that’s what you should be aiming to do too.
Killing relationships before starting
I’ve seen so many people asking the wrong questions from the beginning that it seems like they have forgotten their manners behind the computer.
They are basically destroying the bridges before making them. And it seems it happens a lot because new people in this industry have forgotten the importance of networking and also the importance of time.
Let’s see an example of how I might block someone on Skype within the first 3 minutes:
Contact has added you on Skype.
Contact: Hello
Me: Hi. What’s up?
Contact: Please sir what offer is best to make money?
Me: Well, it depends a lot on what you’re running and where. That question is difficult to answer.
Contact: I just need money so please tell me pls
Me: Where did you find my contact information? I can help if you’ve got a more specific answer, but that’s a very wide question that can’t be answered without more information.
Contact: can I see your landing page and traffic source?
Me: … No
Contact: why do people who earn money don’t want to share information with rest? they are so bad people who don’t like others to succeed.
Me: …
*Me: Clicks button to delete contact and goes back to work
Do I really need to explain what went wrong here?
When you’re looking to get some insider’s info from an affiliate or any other person who has experience in the area you want to learn, the best thing you can do is to develop a relationship. You never know when a couple tips could help you earn thousands of money (if you take action). But if you’re approaching people like the conversation above, you’re going to be blocked everywhere.
Remember this is a win win combination. You either pay somebody to coach you (good coaching isn’t cheap) or you either develop a friendship that could last forever. Both ways are fine. In fact, you can pay for knowledge and at the same time develop that relationship, but don’t go retard and ask all the wrong questions since the beginning or you’ll end up without resourceful contacts.
I have received emails, Facebook messages, Skype messages and even forum private messages like the one shown above at least a 100 times this year. You wouldn’t believe how many people just add me and shot their questions without even asking if I’m available or introducing themselves.
Last month I deleted 200 contacts from Skype who added me but never asked anything and I didn’t know who they were.
If you’re trying to get some valuable information the first thing you should do is introduce yourself and show respect for the time other people dedicate to talk to you.
Try to be quick and specific when you ask things. Don’t go around in circles writing long paragraphs if there’s no need for it.
Good Example:
Hey Servando. Thanks for adding me back. I found your contact in X forum and I see you’re experienced in X niche and X traffic sources. My name is Contact 2 and I’ve been running X offers for a couple months without success.
I’m not going to bombard you with questions and I know you’re a busy guy. Hopefully I’ll learn something from you. Your case study/success story/guide/whatever helped me get started and it was great.
I have some experience in X area and I’m very good at programming. If you ever need help with code, don’t hesitate to let me know.
See? I’ll definitely add a guy who respects my time and is willing to give me a hand whenever I need it. Later if he asks something specific I might be able to give him some feedback based on my experience.
Make sure your question is specific and detailed as possible so you get an answer instead of more questions back.
Don’t ask: Hey, which traffic source is the best? or What offers make more money?
Instead, ask something specific like: I’m running Facebook traffic and haven’t found a profitable campaign yet. What are the best verticals to get started and test if I have a $20 per day budget?
Google is your friend
If you’re picking up the brain of somebody who knows more than you, don’t ask super basic questions that can be answered by Google.
I always try to avoid asking questions unless it’s really something that I know I won’t find in blogs/forums/etc. or something that’s pretty much underground.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I have seen lately and it all makes me think people just don’t do their homework before asking someone else:
- What does CTR/EPC/CPM/etc. means?
- Do you know how to display custom tokens in my landing page?
- Do you have the dynamic tokens of X popular network?
- What’s the difference between a VPS and a Dedicated?
The list keeps growing every month…
I mean, if you’re in a mastermind with people in the same level that’s fine. You’ll grow quicker and the questions will be answered for everyone. But if you’re asking an affiliate because you know he’s got experience and then you fire a question that can be answered by Google you’re losing your time and his time.
I mean, come on… Affiliate marketing and the whole thing about being entrepreneur is about self education. If you’re going to ask something that takes me 3 seconds to search on Google I will think you have no interest on learning by yourself.
I’ll tell you to look on Google or I’ll give you the first result from Google and will tell you where I found it so you know it was that easy.
Again, Google is your friend. Learn how to do research on your own and save the best questions for masterminds or mentors.
Don’t forget your managers
Same thing applies to your managers. Both at traffic sources and CPA networks. They are really people and they get paid on commissions.
Just because you can earn money by working at home and being 12 hours per day in front of the computer it doesn’t mean you don’t need to be social and friendly.
Introduce yourself, make jokes, ask if he’s doing alright, etc.
Managers aren’t just people who approve offers and give pay bumps. They have problems too and they also have holidays and friends/family. Find something to share with them and grow the relationship the same way a sales manager from any company would develop relationships with his clients or providers.
Don’t make it all about you
Finally, this is important. If you’re just asking questions to benefit yourself and you’re never giving something back you’re doing it wrong.
There are also guys who practically know it all and they just keep talking about how awesome they are and how good they are at what they do. You can brag a few times, but be a gentleman and be honest too. Nobody is perfect and you can always learn from someone else.
Today’s rant ends here… but… one more thing…
Affiliate World Asia
One last thing. If you’re attending Affiliate World Asia next month, please leave a comment below! If you’ve got no idea what I’m talking about then read here: Affiliate World Asia.
This conference will be held in Bangkok, Thailand December 7-9th. It will be a great conference and you’ll be able to meet hundreds of affiliates. Last time I went to London there were like 600 affiliates in the same room. I expect to see more in Thailand.
The speakers list looks good so far. A few top marketers outside of the affiliate industry are giving speeches and even Google/Facebook have people attending aside from the top affiliates.
A few well known brands in the industry are sponsoring conferences, after parties and drinks. Here are the biggest sponsors but you can find the whole list in their website.
I’ll try to arrive a few days early to visit Bangkok and to avoid jet lag during the event. If you see me around please say hello and let me know if you’ve read my blog. See you there!
Hi Fernando, our company is producing is own PIN submit products. Our first product is doing 400% ROI and we would like to expand to new products and Geos. We would like to consult you on the matter. I am sure we can find a way to collaborate. How can we contact you? Best, Jules
Who’s Fernando? 🙂
Anyways, I’m probably not the guy to talk about this. You might want to talk with other advertisers instead.
Sorry Servando I was tired when writing the message. Why you haven’t explore PIN submit offers?
I run a lot of pin submits. But I’m not an advertiser so I’m probably not your guy for feedback there 🙂
Great post. I have met plenty of affiliate guys who have lost their people skills after being in this business for too long. But perhaps it is precisely of Google and its ability to return you the answers you need instantly that is changing the way we interact with people; the mentality is probably since we do not have to get into a relationship with google to get answers why should we do so with people haha.
I will be in Bangkok on Sunday, one day before the event. If you are free that evening let me know. Catch a beer that night together … before I ask “how do I get rich instantly” type of questions:p
Just joking. But if u are game for a beer at a rowdy Thai pub, let me know
I think there are a couple of parties on Sunday just before the event, so I might be there but not sure yet! You should go if you can.
Powerful post. I think human interaction in general has degraded in the past decade. A nice firm hand shake, some good conversation or a simple thank you seems to be a luxury nowadays. Keep doing what you do.
That might be right, but we shouldn’t forget the basics. Powerful business decisions are closed on bars or restaurants and just because we’re in the internet it doesn’t mean we should have no contact 🙂
Muy bueno Servando, la buena educacion ante todo.
Spot on. One characteristic that I found out about affiliates is that the more they were able to learn/dig on their own the better their chances of success were. Affiliate marketing is fortunately/unfortunately a lonely job which requires a few skill sets and a certain mind set. And being unable to get to the answers yourself (especially for stuff that can be found on google and forums) shows a lot about your potential.
Wont be in asia unfortunately, but definitely in vegas in january!
Yeah. If you don’t know how to use Google search then it’s probably not worth my time.
I might go to Vegas but it’s not 100% confirmed 🙂
You got my details. If you attend, drop me a line so we can catch up.
Hi Servando, another aha moment. Thank you so much. Nos Vemos in Bangkok
See you there!
Great post Servando. People ofte forget intentions are important when it comes to networking. People want to feel they are not just being used but rather making a real connection with purpose.