There are a lot of things that go into creating a successful affiliate marketing website…
1) You should learn enough programming to manage and maintain your own site
2) You need to hone your writing skills
3) You need a strategy for implementation and marketing
4) You have to build a brand (even if that brand is just YOU and your content)
I bet none of these items are new to you, and I’m sure you’ve read them all before. [Insert Yawn Here.]
I’ve seen a lot of websites do all the above fairly well, yet they still fall short of success. One reason some people never get over the hump is they forget to add the human component to their sites.
People need to know you are real and you shouldn’t be afraid to be somewhat transparent. Talk about things you’ve done wrong, problems you’ve had and how you’ve solved them.
Not only does this create credibility, but it shows you are human and helps people trust and relate to you more.
Some of my most popular videos on YouTube are the ones where I’m talking about mistakes I’ve made.
People love transparency, especially with sites on topics that often create skepticism (i.e. making money online).
Marketing is Only Part of the Story
I get lots of e-mails from people who want to know how to build a presence and get more traffic. They are so focused on things like linking schemes, inbound links and social networking.
However, when I go to their websites, it often looks like no one’s home. There’s a bunch of bland content that almost anyone could have written. There’s no personality and the content is clearly missing that human component.
Of course, being transparent and vulnerable may not work for every kind of website. But if you are struggling with building credibility and being unique, think of ways you can add more of yourself to your own site.
For example, if your site is about dealing with depression, talk about strategies that have worked for you. People want to know what makes you the expert on the subject. How do you relate to what you’re talking about? Give examples.
People often ask me how I come up with ideas for my content. The answer is simple. A lot of my content and videos are inspired by my own experiences and lessons. That’s why it’s so helpful to be actively involved and engaged with the topic of your site.
Now this doesn’t mean you should become a complete narcissist and babble on and on about yourself on every page. It just means to add your own relevant stories, personal examples, and personality into the site where appropriate. It makes a world of difference.
Don’t talk AT your visitors, talk TO them. Trust me. They want to know there’s a real person behind the website.
Build connections. Build trust. Build income.
Very good advice. People read content on the web so differently to way they perceive it for print. We’re so used to reading rubbish online that a weary reader might click onto yet another money making article thinking, “What’s this lying person lying to me about now!?”
If you can instantly convey the human element it could make the difference between somebody reading on or bouncing.
Well its a very robust post.Now a days every one just wants to get visitors but no one focus on qualitative visitor that actually can make their appreciable.
This sentence is very important: “I’ve seen a lot of websites do all the above fairly well, yet they still fall short of success. One reason some people never get over the hump is they forget to add the human component to their sites.”
Yes, add your touch, dont be afraid of being personal. Remember, your visitors are personal too.
I am a website designer.
This is a good post and the intersting thing is, I have two websites. My first site I am very present. From my about me page, to my immediate responses to my visitors, to my very own painful or enlightening personal stories, you would be hard pressed not to find me present some where.
My second site however, I remain the man (or in my case woman) behind the curtain. My presence is not necessary, in fact I think my visitors prefer the mystery. It works for this site but would NEVER work for my main site.
.-= Connie´s last blog … Dec 9, Random Acts of Kindness to the Power of 1000 or So =-.
I have some sites that I setup and walk away. Years later they still produce money, not tons but enough to make them worthwile. I think that if you site is interactive or contains a blog personality is critical… to succeed. I think it depends on the medium.
.-= PowerPoint Templates´s last blog … White Sports Car PowerPoint Template =-.
Hi great post, have been reading and rereading it. My first site which has decent visitors and money in spite of not following this advise.
But I do recognise how valid your point “Are you absent from your site?” is. I am currently starting a new site and I have a whole lot of ideas for promotion etc, including youtube (as I have seen how successful it has been for you).
I have a question for you Lisa: Being in the public eye (in a sense), and visitors end up feeling like they know you (mentioned above) etc how do you deal with negative comments, etc when they are more personal?
I would love some advise on how to deal with any personal attacks or comments gracefully and with class. (Just to clarify I am not talking about constructive criticism etc, I am talking about mean spirited nastiness).
I hope all that didn’t sound too negative! I am keen to let my site see me, I just would love some tips to be fore-armed in case I do need to deal with one of these issues.
Thanks and love your blog!
Another inspiring post of Lisa 🙂 Thanks for these words.
As I remember, Problogger has some similar post about importance to be personal. But yours is better:) He’s got too many “smart” words 🙂
.-= iWoodpecker´s last blog … Insane List of 140 Do Follow & Nofollow Blogs with CommentLuv 2010 =-.
Lisa this is so true! I find that when I personalize my posts I get more of a response from my readers.
For example yesterday on the blog portion of my website I posted about how I will be attending a baby shower this weekend, and then re-posted some of my baby and kids shopping pages to my blog.
I hit a new all time high for traffic yesterday.
I don’t think its a coincidence do you? Thanks for reminding me to put more of myself out there!
I agree. Not a coincidence at all. People like to see stuff like that. Especially your regular followers. Keep up the great work!
That’s what makes your site so great, you share so much of yourself, it’s as if I’ve known you personally. I hope you know it is much appreciated and continual inspiration. It’s so easy to stagnant and turn into a copy-writing drone, the hard part is actually taking time to assess what you’ve learned and then figure out how you will use it to benefit yourself and eventually others. I’m anxiously waiting to find out what your product will be, hoping for a “how-to” ebook, but everything you touch seems to turn to gold [maybe that’s why you chose this color scheme:) ], so I’ll take what I can get!
.-= Highly Favored´s last blog … Sometimes a smile isn’t enough =-.
Hello…Lisa, are you home? Lol. No doubt many sites are rather bland. I think you would agree that video and podcasting are fantastic ways to liven up a site, and bring in more traffic.
Have a fantastic day everyone…and write a new post, make a video or podcast for your blog!
.-= C.Jines´s last blog … How To Audacity Tutorial- Audacity Audio Basics =-.
I agree about being real and talking about mistakes. I can’t help talking about mistakes because I have made so many! But- all of the mistakes that I have made, are now good things to share with others so they do not have to go through the same hardships. 🙂
.-= C.Jines´s last blog … PodCast Marketing “Gurus”- The Method of Selling A Method =-.
Hi Lisa,
This is my first comment in your blog, I’ve been reading your blog for last 4/5 months or more.
When people ask me about choosing any topics for their website, I always recommend them to choose their niche from the subject they are really passionate about. Unless you are really interested in the subject and know in depth, you can’t continue for long.
Anyway, your articles are always inspiring.
Thanks.
.-= Hasan´s last blog … [Thesis Customization] Placing Banner Advertisement In WordPress Blog Header =-.
Lisa,
I think that using video is a great way to add the personal touch. I see so many people that join the Website Babble forum and the first thing they say is “I’ve been watching Lisa on YouTube so I decided to join this forum”. The videos add “personality” to your brand along with the increased credibility.
Thanks for the inspiration.
.-= ileane´s last blog … Promote Your Blog With a Podcast =-.
Lisa,
I really like this post and have found these tips to be very true. While I don’t disclose my identity on all my sites, I always strive to be conversational and candid with my readers. One roadblock for some web producers: some companies don’t encourage “moonlighting” so they are reluctant to get too personal.
Best,
Ian
.-= PPC Ian´s last blog … Online Marketing Diversification =-.
Definitely that’s true. I think that the most important thing is getting people to trust you. I mean, it’s the internet, why would they? However, if you give examples that you’ve had, they’ll assume that you know how to fix it and that you’re an expert. If you don’t give examples, then you’re just another one of the billions of “computers” on the internet. I’ll be sure to try to incorporate that more into my blog and my site.
.-= Daniel Johnston´s last blog … Choosing a Blog Title Series =-.
What I love about this blog entry is that you can apply it to ANY niche website. My particular niche is in entertainment, so talking candidly about mistakes may not work. What would you suggest for a fan site?
.-= Amy P.´s last blog … Dec 12, The Yeti in Monsters Inc. Was My Favorite =-.
Amy, If it’s a musician you can always talk about their latest music and perhaps review it. Is there a particular song that influenced your life? If it’s a TV or movie star, you can talk about their show/movie. Does it play any role in your life?
Hi Lisa,
I like to write in a very conversational tone, because as a newbie I am obviously not an expert so I have to speak with my readers as opposed to at them. Video will be next phase as soon as I get my fro under control LOL..anyhoo.
I did a small Alexa review about your blog as well as a post about one of your videos and it is currently being featured. If you have time come and check it out. Thanks 🙂
.-= Ms. Freeman´s last blog … Learn Something Useful at 2CreateAWebsite.com =-.
I definitely agree. I’ve been running my dating advice website for just under 3 months now and I have literally ate and digested every single on of Lisa’s advice.
I started building my brand of one from the get go and made sure I kept things real and personal.
In just 3 months I have 14 subscribers to my youtube channel, 12 subscribers to my ezine, and I am averaging about 50 visitors a day. I know this isnt huge success yet but I think its pretty good considering the site has been live for less than 3 months.
And my Alexa ranking went from about 19 million to just under 6 million.
Like Lisa always says, if you are passionate about your topic you wont have a problem staying motivated and writing content that engages your audience.
I am always encouraged when I see my google analytics stats and see that some visitors are spending almost an hour on my site – it means they like what they are reading!
even though i am not yet making any real money i am happy with my progress because I can see the evidence that my business is growing.
.-= Tips 4 Christian Dating´s last blog … Dec 14, Not the best option =-.
I agree. I see content everyday. I believe as long as we live, we could never run out of content. I am working on sharing more of myself. That is a very good idea.
.-= Betty´s last blog … Tips For Better Sleep For Toddlers =-.
Lisa, you’ve hit the nail on the head with this excellent advice.
Being “real” is key to any blogger’s success and people like to know that you have made mistakes like others. This is what allows us to grow.
I enjoyed the read. 🙂
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog … Adjusting to Stay On Target =-.
Good thoughts, Lisa. You raise a point, though, about transparency in such niches as depression, substance abuse, etc. How transparent should one be? I like *your* YouTube videos but would be hesitant to put out something like that myself in niches that are so self-revealing, for the whole world to see and comment upon (and criticize and jeer at – you get my point).
Excellent advice. I’ve been trying to be more personal on my site over the past year and have seen readership DOUBLE. Definitely a good idea.
.-= Brad´s last blog … New Sailor Moon Box Set Reviewed! =-.
Good solid advice Lisa. I recently wrote 2 posts on my blog, one about the importance of not being anonymous and the other about branding websites and blog and I spoke about that as well.
The best way to star is to write about your own problems and the ways you overcame them. One of my first posts on my blog was how I was almost a victim of Twitter marketing fraud and the second few posts was my struggle of getting twitter followers which is difficult when you just registered and have ZERO followers. Thanks for sharing Lisa!
.-= Gordon´s last blog … Branding Websites And Blogs =-.
Twitter idea is nice one. Something just stuck in my mind. That’s the benefit of participating in discussion.
Thanks.
.-= Hasan´s last blog … Who is The Daddy of Twitterati? =-.