A gentleman named Stephan asked me last week…
Lisa, how much money do you make from Twitter?
My short answer…
Nothing.
However, if I were to answer that question more indirectly, I’m sure it would be greater than that.
Here’s what I mean.
I promote my sites a lot of different ways online (through my forum, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) However, I don’t do much direct selling on any of these sites.
In fact, I tweeted an affiliate link once on Twitter and I just felt dirty. 
I personally don’t like hard selling on Twitter. It feels a little cheap to me.
Nothing against people who do, and if it works for you great… keep doing it. I just prefer to use Twitter to inform, educate and connect with my followers.
Now let’s talk about my forum, Website Babble.
This may surprise you, but I didn’t create it with the intention of making a lot of money. Sure, I make some money from banners and sponsor ads, but it is hardly anything to brag about.
So what’s the point of creating a forum if you don’t plan to make a lot of money? (I can hear you thinking that.)
One thing I’ve learned about earning a full-time living as an affiliate marketer is you have to learn to build a brand…
A brand of Y-O-U.
Website Babble is just another site (like my YouTube channels and Twitter) that allows me to help and connect with my audience while I continue to build my brand and enhance my credibility.
My primary and most successful website has always been 2CreateAWebsite.com. I use my blog, other websites and places like YouTube and Twitter to provide more advice, help, and drive traffic back to my main site.
Because of the credibility and trust I’ve gained through helping others on these sites, this strategy indirectly drives more affiliate sales in the long-run.
Maybe you don’t like Twitter and other social networking sites because you don’t see a direct way to make money from them. But you’re failing to realize the compounded value of using multiple channels over time.
You may not be able to generate many direct sales from these microblogging and social networking sites. But if you do a good job of educating, teaching, helping, etc. you can use these tools to drive traffic to your sites and make more money in the long run.
It’s not always about getting the sale, at least not right away. It’s a process.
Stop looking for quick, worthless traffic. Develop your brand. Seek trust. Become accessible. Use the available free sites and tools online to develop relationships, connections and educate your audience. Then watch the targeted, loyal followers that will develop over time.
These are the people who will come back to your site over and over again.
These are the people who will trust you the most.
They are more likely to buy what you recommend.
They will tell their friends and family about your site whenever they get a chance.
They will email you before buying and make sure they are purchasing from your affiliate link so you get the credit.
These people will become your bread and butter as an affiliate marketer.
So are you just pitching products or taking the time to build your brand? Position yourself today to earn a steady, long-term income that will reward you forever.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Follow on Twitter: @ileane
Lisa thanks for another great post. I joined the Website Babble Forum and I did find it helpful. I’m glad your tweets are more informative without doing any selling. Keep up the good work.
Ileane´s last blog … 5 WordPress Secrets You Need to Know
Follow on Twitter: @WindowsTalk
Very true words, Lisa, spoken from experience. The building up of credibility takes time and one has to be patient. Being a Microsoft MVP affords some credibility, but I still have to ‘make it on my own’ so to speak.
James Fisher´s last blog … Computers For Senior Citizens
Follow on Twitter: @mruku
Interesting stuff, Lisa.
I think many businesses, small and large, miss the point of social networking when it comes to brand building. These days, it’s more about personality and worth than hard sell.
A softer, more friendly, approach will win over more potential customers in the long run.
Mr Uku´s last blog … Writer’s block is just laziness – Discuss
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Great post Lisa! I’ve been trying to expand my accessibility based on your example, and I’m having a TON of fun making videos, tweeting, and blogging. Of course, my blog is really my main site, so the website I’m building is really more of my brand extension than the blog is. Either way, I agree completely! You’re awesome.
Grady´s last blog … Weekend Fix: Meatballs’ Box Office Performance Wasn’t Cloudy At All!
I didn’t realize you had a forum. I will join soon!
Jonathan Bennett´s last blog … Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
I am so glad you mentioned all this. I will unsubscribe quickly to anyone who sends affiliate links (unless of course I know and trust the person).
Lisa, you have become one of my new heroes on the net. Over the past week or so I have watched all your videos and have learned so much.
Carl Coddington´s last blog … Only newbies buy new domains to sell their products
Follow on Twitter: @extraordinare
I had no idea but you are right. The age of a domain also determines its ranking. I noticed that with my site and another with a similar name. That fact that it is a .com and that its older makes it come up in first although they haven’t updated the site in months. I’m thinking they might have abandoned it. I will purchase their name and have it forwarded to my own. Assuming that they don’t still want it. It should help increase my ranking. I already have .org, .biz, forwarding to .net.
Kino´s last blog … What is Joomla
Follow on Twitter: @oreo_kkp
Thanks for the knowledge. AS always very informative.
Follow on Twitter: @motionjoe
Lisa I like your sincere an devoted you produce I find you to be a future icon………………………….mojo
Follow on Twitter: @atcblog
Lisa, you are very inspiring. You said it well. Build trust… the rewards will come later.
Wayne Farley´s last blog … FAA Approves 1st U.S. Ground Based Augmentation System
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Great post Lisa,
Brand building is indeed key when building trust and loyal followers – especially when it comes to making money online.
Follow on Twitter: @extraordinare
Marketing and building a brand is challenging when you focus so much on being an expert in your field. I’m not a marketer I’m an IT professional. My interests are computers, networking, development, the Internet. Marketing and building your niche seems like things that I’m doing that is outside my core knowledge. When I meet with clients I hate the idea of selling. I like the idea of doing. Creating the website. Unfortunately I cannot continue to offer my services freely, thus I must work on the business aspect of my craft.
Kino´s last blog … What is Joomla
But Kino that’s just it. When you perform a service, teach, help, educate, and do your job well, you shouldn’t have to sell. I am not a salesperson either but I have built my brand through providing content and free tutorials. If networking and development is your thing, then create videos teaching people what you know. They will sell you without you physically having to turn into a salesperson. Let your advice and content do the selling for you. That’s the whole point. Look at my blog and website. Do I do a lot of hard selling? No, I simply teach and recommend. Teaching and providing value is what leads to credibility and that indirectly leads to more sales.
Follow on Twitter: @freemanlegacy
Okay, yes I have been pitching products, but I am also working on building a community. Heck, I have to keep casting the net in hopes of reaping some sort of revenue to pay for this site.
Ms. Freeman´s last blog … List of Online Blog Directories and Search Engines
Follow on Twitter: @extraordinare
I have signed up for one of the Online Blog Directories. Thanks for including it in your last Blog post. Thank you Lisa for the well written post. Writing definitely is your strong suit.
Kino´s last blog … What is Joomla
Follow on Twitter: @survivingok
I guess it’s safe to say that there is some sort of webmaster conscience and affiliate karma! Good post Lisa!
Follow on Twitter: @TheBondGurl
A friend told me about your blog and I must say that I am glad they did. You have so much information here that I need to help me focus on developing my blog and eventually my site. I’m about helping people and teaching them about finance so I can relate to where you are coming from. I need to build credibility and trust with my audience just as you have done. You are an inspiration.
Thanks!
Nikki´s last blog … The Ides of September…2 Reasons Why You Should Write a Book
Follow on Twitter: @beatschindler
“These are the people who will come back to your site over and over again, who will trust you the most, likely to buy what you recommend” … COUNT ME IN
Great article. Love your values, or is it your brand? (PS. Earlier tonight stumbled upon http://www.crutchfield.com (not related in any form, fashion or shape) – their website/brand gives the impression the entire company exists to make you happy. Sooo different from the average electronics products pushers! Guess that’s what you’re talking about, too. And guess where I’ll be doing my Crutchfield shopping in the future? 
Follow on Twitter: @BigMantacom
Excellent post and it’s something that many new blogs and sites have a hard time seeing. There are a few exceptions to making money online where people get lucky and stumble upon a gold mine that requires no cultivation. However, you’re right that building a community and adapting a long-term outlook is the key to succeeding.
BigManta´s last blog … Display Your RSS Icon Prominently in Order to Gain New Subscribers
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Hey, I was just looking on Google search engine and came across your blog.
Great blog full of decent information, keep up the good work.
Very well said, building up credebility and trust takes a lot of hard work and a lot of time
Gary ´s last blog … Teen Blogger Girl Earns $900 Every Month
Well, it’s true what you mention up there towards the intention for you to create the forum was more than making money, i guess in this point of time , might understand that money is basically a bonus reward towards all of your work and contribution and there is always lots of thing more than money which can grow the money unlimitly
- something i realise in myblogging process. Keep up good work
hema ´s last blog … Genuine ways link exchange
Follow on Twitter: @workhomeunion
You are absolutely correct about developing your brand – YOU .. I like to refer to it as planting seeds. I continue to plant seeds throughout the Internet via the Social Networking sites and Social Bookmarking sites. Helping others be successful on the Internet, indirectly you are helping yourself. I love what you write about, blog about, and most of your videos are on point. Whether you know it or not, you’re my mentor online. Thanks!
Follow on Twitter: @ecoursemaster
Hi, it’s my first time visiting your blog. You have such great advice here. I do believing in building YOU and that’s most important whether it’s business or even personal. It’s all about the long term, too many people want to get rich quick (or whatever it is they are trying to achieve quick). Thanks for the post! And I will be following you from now on
Gwen
Gwen T´s last blog … Short Post: Loving to Learn
I’m learning little by little . Lisa you are good at what you do , getting your message across to others . I have watched your videos and read your blogs and I must say I’m inspired. Thank you
Follow on Twitter: @ZanMarr
Very well said, great advice.
Learned alot here and from you. Thanks
Bubblewraped Blogger´s last blog … Free software to help make your online business profitable!