Super Affiliate Marketing: Where to Start to Become a Successful Affiliate?
My dear friend and Super Affiliate, Lynn Terry, is in the HOUSE! She's here to talk about Affiliate Marketing and why it's her preferred money-making method online in this short text interview.
Nicole: Lynn, I know that affiliate marketing is the one thing that just rocks your socks. What is it you love so much about that model, over other ways to make money online?
Lynn: It's the passive income potential. The thing I love most about affiliate marketing, and specifically using SEO as my marketing method, is that I am making sales 24 hours a day. Basically you put in the work upfront, and then it's just a matter of maintenance.
I make affiliate sales while I'm out to lunch, sleeping, on a 2-week vacation – you name it. What's NOT to love about that? 😉
Nicole: You've had different business models over the years. Are you still working those businesses, or did you ditch everything to do affiliate marketing full-time?
Lynn: This is my 13th year as an entrepreneur, and you're right – I've tried a lot of different models, and combinations of models. I've done training, consulting, services, etc.
It was almost 6 years ago when I got into affiliate marketing full time, and by the end of my first year with that… I let all of my paying clients go and focused on affiliate marketing.
I do still manage my Internet Marketing community and blog, but those are more a labor of love for me. People ask for me personal consulting all the time, but my response is “I'm not for hire.” That's a really nice thing to be able to say!
Nicole: In your Super Affiliate Handbook review, you mentioned that Rosalind's guide is what took you from dabbling with affiliate programs – to being a super affiliate. Tell us about that transition…
Lynn: Prior to reading Super Affiliate Handbook by Rosalind Gardner, which was the very first ebook I ever bought by the way, I had used affiliate links on the side in my other business models. I had some experience working with affiliate programs, and knew there was a lot of potential there.
I didn't really see it as a stand-alone business model option, though. I think that's where Rosalind *really* inspired me. I was working for pay, trading time for money, and the occasional affiliate check was just a bonus.
Reading SAH was a game-changer for me. I didn't quit everything else right away. I started out by creating my first affiliate site after hours and on the weekends. It quickly became my favorite work, because it was actually FUN compared to creating websites or marketing plans for other people.
I made a decision to transition away from the client work, and just work on my own websites – affiliate sites, that is. My goal was to earn $5k/month consistently at it, and I achieved that within the year.
Nicole: What does it mean to be a “super affiliate” – do you wear a cape? 😀
Lynn: No, but sometimes I wear my crown -LOL. I actually get asked this all the time, and there isn't really a standard definition. Some people will argue that it's based on income levels with the most common answer being that you're earning a minimum of $10k/month in affiliate commissions.
In any affiliate program, it's the Top 1% of all affiliates that are making the majority of the sales. Those are the super affiliates.
Some merchants keep leaderboards that show the top 10, top 20 earners etc. Once you make the leaderboards and/or you're earning prizes or sales contests… you're probably earning a 5-figure monthly income in commissions. And that makes you a super affiliate in almost any book.
Nicole: Lynn, I always tell the story of how you earned a TV from an affiliate contest and my husband was so impressed when we saw it in real life. Then, not a week later when we returned home, I got a package in the mail and I told him “I earned a prize in an affiliate contest, too, just like Lynn!” I opened it and it was a keychain! lol. He totally razzed me about that for weeks.
ok. Back on track. There are a lot of guides out there about affiliate marketing. Have you studied others, and if so – what makes you recommend the Super Affiliate Handbook above all the rest?
Lynn: For starters, Rosalind Gardner practices what she teaches. So many guides are written just to sell the guides – that's how the authors make their money, selling you information about making money. Rosalind was actually a very successful super affiliate before she wrote the Super Affiliate Handbook, and she is still an active in niche affiliate marketing.
She also updates SAH frequently, even now – 6 years later. There have been two updates just in the last few months alone. And once you order it, you can log in and download updates anytime you like. There are very few publishers that keep their guides current and continue to support the market like Rosalind does.
It's newbie friendly, but it's also a great guide for the intermediate to advanced crowd. I get something new out of it every time I read it!
That said, I do read other guides on the topic as I like to learn a variety of methods and models. Jimmy D. Brown is another author I like to follow, and I am constantly testing new strategies I learn on my own sites.
The Super Affiliate Handbook is the best starting point in my opinion. But you should never stop your learning – once you get started, and start seeing some success, keep studying and keep growing. There's SO much potential in affiliate marketing!
Nicole: Thanks, Lynn! I agree. I love my Affiliate Marketing Income, and, although I would consider myself a Successful Affiliate, and am Top Affiliate for a number of programs, I've still got a lot to learn to be a Super Affiliate like you!
As for the Super Affiliate Handbook by Rosalind Gardner, I agree. It's a book that I've studied, as well, and I recommend it wholeheartedly to friends and family members who want to learn more about affiliate marketing.
Here it is. Grab a copy if you'd like to go from Struggling Affiliate to Successful Affiliate to Super Affiliate. It's my #1 recommendation for learning Affiliate Marketing, as well.
Read the amazing true story of how one woman, with no previous business experience, earns $435,000+ per year online
… selling other people's stuff!
Just click here The Super Affiliate Handbook by Rosalind Gardner.
This book is what all the most successful affiliate marketers refer to, and after having read it – I can see why.
Thanks again, Lynn, for stopping by. Come back soon!
Warmly,
Nicole Dean
Sharon McMillan
November 14, 2009 at 4:10 pmThe Universe is speaking to me. I’ve been meaning to get working on my affiliate project the last few days and I have been pushing it aside for one reason or another. Now I this post, a conversation between two of my favorite online marketers and I know it’s time to get to it once and for all.
Thanks for sharing such quality information, all the time – I’m going to pull out my copy of SAH right now 🙂
Nicole
November 17, 2009 at 12:47 pm“Sharon. This is the Universe Speaking… with a swift kick in the behind!” 😉
Let me know when you’re done rereading SAH. I’m going to hold you accountable to that!
N
Jacinta Dean
November 15, 2009 at 8:30 pmHi Nicole,
I am so glad I found your website. I came here via a link from a fellow students website that is on the same training program as me.
It is really inspiring to read and learn from fellow women on the internet. I have been learning the basics of making money online for about a year now and I must say the percentage between men and women on the net is amazing.
We need more women on the net like you. I look forward to learning more and have now placed you in my google reader so I am sure I will be here regularly.
Kind Regards
Jacinta 😀
(An Aussie mum trying to create a business online while her 2 year old sleeps!)
Nicole
November 17, 2009 at 12:46 pmThank you, Jacinta. And, I wish you the best of luck.
Come back soon!
Nicole
Angela Wills
November 16, 2009 at 10:39 pmThanks for the post Nicole and Lynn! I’m on a mission to become a super affiliate myself and also recommend Rosalind’s ebook as the best place to start learning. I’ve read it three times now and learn something new every time too 🙂
Nicole
November 17, 2009 at 12:45 pmI just handed my copy to my mom, but I thought the same thing — I’d better grab it when she’s done and go over it again myself! 🙂 Always something new to learn or something to remember.
Thanks for commenting!
N
Alex
November 17, 2009 at 3:46 amvery encouraging. it’s time to stop reading about superaffiliates and become one!
All The Best
Alex
Nicole
November 17, 2009 at 12:48 pmAwesome, Alex! Care to share your first step towards becoming a Super Affiliate? 🙂
Thanks for coming over to read and comment. Appreciate it very much!
Linda
November 17, 2009 at 11:26 amWell, Nicole, I’ve taken the plunge! I’m getting to work on my new Affiliate Lifestyle Biz! I’m tired of trading time for dollars (and not enough of ’em!). Thanks for sharing such worthwhile information and being there to help guide us “newbies.”
Nicole
November 17, 2009 at 12:45 pmAwesome, Linda!
VERY excited for you.
Keep me posted, please.
Nicole
Mary Lutz
November 19, 2009 at 1:55 amJust what I’ve been looking for!!! Thanks Nicole, Lynn and Rosalind!
Nicole
November 19, 2009 at 8:47 amVery welcome! It’s great stuff!
Please keep us posted on your progress, ok?
Collette Schultz
December 27, 2009 at 12:21 amI’m very much of an audio person and just purchased her Affiliate Marketing Blueprint, which has the Mp3 files to download. She has something for everyone one. Can’t wait to see if it pays off in a week. I won’t hold my breath:)
Dawnaurora
January 15, 2010 at 11:46 amI love my copy. I also get something new out of it every time I read it. I am trying my hand at becoming a super affiliate
Jackie Smith
March 9, 2011 at 2:43 amI have recently purchased the super affiliate handbook when I was ready to start using affiliate links.
I followed Rosalinds idea that you dont just stick on a link and hope for the best. You have to give to your readers before you can get.
So I put on my first affilate link, had clicks and income the very first time I looked at my stats.
Now to be fair we are talking 50 cents here.. BUT if this continues, as traffic grows over time, this could be substantial, particularly if I do the same method with every page I have a link on.
The point about this comment is was the first day, and I was getting clicks already.
May I show the page I mean:
http://www.the-real-cyprus.com/cheap-cyprus-flights.html
I used booking buddy as a search engine and explained in detail how it works, instead of just putting the link on and saying click here:
I hope that helps.
Very Best Wishes
Jackie
Lois
March 9, 2011 at 10:06 pmI absolutely love the Super Affiliate Handbook is was the answer to my prays and well worth it.
Thanks A Bunch!
Lois