Can I make Affiliate marketing a career?

[j1m805]

Tweet

I'm fed up!

I've spent the last two years working pretty hard to develop the e-commerce function for the mail order company I work for, which has been great experience for me and successful for the company as the contribution from the web has trippled to c. £3m. But there is little understanding of web marketing within the company and no appreciation of what I've done, not to mention no sign of any rise or bonus in two years!

More recently I've become involved in Affiliate marketing through implementing a scheme as part of our growth strategy and I think I can see a way out of 100 mile a day round trips and making money for other people.

I'd like to give Affiliate marketing a go - but can I make it pay? I'm not technical, but do have a strong marketing background with a lot of PPC experience and a great idea for a website. I'm not afraid to invest some money and a lot of hard work, but can I make enough income from being an affiliate to chuck it all in without risking financial ruin?

I'd be really interested to hear from you and your experiences.

Many thanks

[monk-i]

The age all get out of the rat race question.

Its definitely possible but there are so many factors than can make something a failure or a success.

My best advice would be to develop small niche websites to build up steady income at same time as working. That way you can test the water and make money.

Anything after that take it step by step but at least you will be making a decision less in the dark so to speak.

Good Luck!

[KateUnderU]

You sound like a hard worker, so i'm sure you'll find success down any road you take.

Good luck whatever you decide!

K.

[mob-online]

I agree with TJ- dont give up your day job yet!!! they may not reward you now but to have suceeded for them so can do it for yourself- however make sure the time is right for you.
good luck!!

[accelerator]

Hang around in the forums a bit, get a feel for what will and what won't work, and start developing your ideas whilst continuing with a job that will pay the bills. There is the potential to make a successful career out of aff marketing, but it's not that easy and not everybody has the full skill set necessary. If you're enthusiastic then work on your sites in your spare time and see how they go. It would be a very brave person who gave up a decent job to start from scratch in aff marketing, but once you've got a bit of part-time development behind you it could be a different story.

Good luck

Accelerator

[KieronD]

I'm not technical, but do have a strong marketing background with a lot of PPC experience and a great idea for a website. I'm not afraid to invest some money and a lot of hard work, but can I make enough income from being an affiliate to chuck it all in without risking financial ruin?

You sound like me, lol! I'm as technical as a brick but hopefully know a little about sales and marketing.

The answer is yes you can do it if you apply yourself. My advice would be to find a couple of niches at first and then whenever you earn money invest it straight back into your business. I invested everything I earned back into the business (via ppc) for the first 2 years.

When you finally do make enough to go full time make sure you have 6 months worth of mortgage payments in the bank in case the Internet ends or something :-) Always good to have a fallback cushion.

[morleymouse]

well everyone seems to have said enough, yes its possible but it isnt easy. dont be fooled by the "give me £20 and ill tell you the secrets" type things, so a few forum searches and you'll see loads of posts on how best to start but its generally niche and something you know a lot about.

Kieron, your last blog post " Merchants - Please keep creatives up to date"

Kieron, please update your blog

[BFG 9000]

I've spent the last two years working pretty hard to develop the e-commerce function for the mail order company I work for, which has been great experience for me and successful for the company as the contribution from the web has trippled to c. £3m. But there is little understanding of web marketing within the company and no appreciation of what I've done, not to mention no sign of any rise or bonus in two years!

I feel for you mate, I was in exactly (literally) the same position until a couple of months ago, when my employer made my decision easier by making me redundant.....
I'm sure if you spend long enough reading the collective words of wisdom on here, you'll discover that it's most certainly possible to make a comfortable living doing this full time.
All the best in whatever you decide.

TTFN

BFG

[prveentx]

I was in a simular postion and set up my own e-commerce business and we have just launched a affiliate scheme, it has been a tough 12 months and have learned a lot of lessions, and I now turnover £15,000 a month, but most the profit get re invested in marketing. I would go for it, but watch your spending and the cash flow. You might like to have a go at marketing soberx a hangover cure we have just imported from the US.

best of lunk

tom www.preventx.co.uk and a funny link at: http://www.chlamydiahometest.com/advert.html

[dunklk]

From what you've said, you'd probably have a good chance at succeeding in AM (there are many people making money in this industry who have very little experience) but there's no point giving up on the security of a reliable income until you have a good reason to do so.

best of lunk

lol, something like that anyway.

[crazihos]

I'm sure you can make a living at it but agree with Kieron - make sure you have a comfort blanket of cash and some experience before you throw in the towel with the day job by doing it part time.

I think most people will tell you it can be an unpredictable business - great one day slower the next which is great as it keeps you on your toes but its not like having the security of a 9 - 5 and its becoming more competative all the time.

My advice - feel your way into it and ask a lot of questions on a4u.

I gained so much from this site last year and still learn something new every day.

[smn2]

Hi,

Everyone's offering sensible advice, and I probably agree with them.

"The problem with making sensible decisions is so is everyone else"

That's what Paul Arden writes in his new, and entertaining book
Whatever you think, think the opposite.

He advocates taking risks, otherwise you risk being a Steady Eddy.

"It's better to regret what you have done that what you haven't"

Obvioiusly, it's easier said than done. But that's the point.

"Don't go to university. Go to work"

Etc.

It's all fascinating stuff. I'm sure most of the real high-earning
affiliates follow much of the 'be different' advice offered.

A Brit wrote it too.

Good luck whatever you decide. Think you need to educate your
bosses about how good you are, if you stay put that's for sure
(see p60 of the book).

One Paul Arden strategy is to resign (p104). They'll either insist on
keeping you, and offer more money etc., or they won't and you're
in the wrong job.

Anyway, I'll shut up now...
Steve

[KieronD]

Kieron, your last blog post " Merchants - Please keep creatives up to date"

Kieron, please update your blog

Duly noted mate. Will be back on form tonight!

[Bubb1es]

I started doing this about 2 years ago, watched the pennies roll in for a few months got bored and left it so I could do other things with my life. The pocket money started to roll in and stayed at a steady level for about 12 months and I was doing nothing else to the site I wasn't adding any content, wasn't checking the links, no newsletters absolutely nothing.

And Now...

I've started to go full pace and do a little each day and the revenue and traffic is increasing slowly but surely; can't retire on it, but I always wonder now what I would be earning if I hadn't left it alone, two years from now maybe I'll find out.

Moral of the story...

Keep at it and you're sure to be rewarded and don't let the slow start put you off



And yes, I still have a day job

[Jermaine Tabor]

Think along these lines. Weed the job out. In other words once your consistently making your current income for 6 consecutive months online as an AM you pretty much have staying power to last and make it on your own 2 feet.

Is there any clause in your contract stating that you cant become an affiliate for the company you already work for?

If you are free and clear to do this then I would become there best affiliate.
You said you are very familiar with ppc and I'm sure you already know their best converting keywords, ezine ads, other advertising outlets and ad copy.

When you get off from work you should be putting this info to use daily/nightly.

Action is definitely the key mate but dont jump out the window until your replacing your current income for a while. Save , save and save some more!

Dont spend your part time AM income except on more marketing the give you a positive roi.

Thats going to be your foundation and legs to stand on.

Dont just quit...prepare to quit.

To your success and do keep us posted.

Sincerely,
JT