Affiliate Marketers Shouldn’t Create Their Own Products!
Yep, that’s what someone told me on YouTube when I asked my subscribers what kind of book they would like me to write.
My critic went on to say that I should not sell my own products because I already offer so much free advice. What could I possibly put in a book that would be worth anyone’s money?
He believes affiliate marketers should stick to selling other people’s “stuff” instead of trying to create their own products.
I have to say. That was probably one of the worst pieces of advice I’ve received in my 14 years of affiliate marketing.
If you want long-term success online, your ultimate goal should be to sell your own product(s).
From our exchange, I could tell he assumed I was just going to regurgitate everything on my site, throw it into a book and slap a price tag on it. But what’s so ironic about that is many people suggested I do just that!
Once again, I learned that oh-so-valuable lesson I wrote about last week…
YOU CAN’T PLEASE ALL THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.
Having said that, I understood his concern. It was never my goal to just paraphrase my site and put it into a book. I knew I had a lot of information and lessons tucked away that could be packaged up and presented.
So yes, there were a few naysayers who spoke out against product creation. However, the overwhelming majority requested a book on niche websites/affiliate marketing, and those are the people I listened to.
This was two years ago, but thanks to a very debilitating RSI (typing) injury I went through in 2009 and 2010, I was never able to start the book. Writing for long periods of time was just too painful and I had other priorities that kept getting in the way.
I was also having trouble with the direction of the book, so I chalked it up to bad timing and decided to table the project until I was ready to dedicate my time to it.
Hello NWS!
Nevertheless, that is all behind me now, and I have completed Niche Website Success! It’s a very detailed, practical guide for creating a niche website and includes numerous strategies I’ve used over the years for building websites, AdSense, affiliate marketing, video and more.
And because I don’t want you spending your hard-earned money on something you don’t need, you can download the table of contents. Check it out and browse the chapter info.
Want to Be an Affiliate?
The news just keeps getting sweeter! If you have an audience that would benefit from Niche Website Success, I am offering a whopping 75% commission. All you have to do is sign up with Clickbank (free) and grab the code to promote it on your website! Click here for details.
Thanks for all the amazing feedback and testimonials you’ve sent me thus far. I know it took forever to get this puppy out, but hopefully you’ll find it worth the wait. 🙂
Check out Niche Website Success!
My Promise to You
The issue with launching products when you’ve been known to give away so much for free is people often worry you are going to start selling out or pitching your product down their throats every chance you get.
Let’s hope you know me better than that. I will continue to provide free resources, advice, tutorials, etc. as always.
I am simply diversifying my income as often suggested here on my blog. Hopefully you are doing the same. 🙂
I agree with you Lisa, that was really one of the wicked advice you can get from your critic. We know that we are always learning and developing everyday. What we are today is far from yesterday. That is why even though we provide free information, we can still offer something worth of people’s money.
From
Online Marketing Nigeria
Vibe Web Team
Hi Lisa,
You Ebook looks very impressive will surely buy it soon.
Thanks
Hi Dear Lisa,
i found you a very hard work, i pray your hard working, i am also earning something please guide me, about affiliate
Lisa,
I completely agree, if you are expert enough to have a site you should be expert enough to have a product or a dozen 😉 My problem is knowing what to give away and what to keep for products and profit. That is a tough thing that I can’t seem to make sense of. How do you make that work? You give away TONS of great, useful content but still manage to produce products?
Thanks for all you do!!!!
Sherry
Great line,
“YOU CAN’T PLEASE ALL THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.”
I totally agree……
As an Internet marketer, you never know who’s giving you the right kind of advice. Whether it comes from Facebook, twitter, YouTube or so forth, you have to make the decision for yourself in terms of what you’re going to do with your online business. And yes, what you said is very true, in terms of “you can’t please all people”, because not everyone thinks the same. There is nothing more liberating than running your own business and being your own boss!
Q. What is the worst single piece of advice to a sales person you have ever heard?
If you sell your own products, you cut the middleman and get all of the profits. Where is the wrong thing in that? I agree, that was a very bad advice
I simply cannot believe that one person will advice another not to create his own products to sell. Where is the logic in that? If you sell your own products, you are still affiliating. But you are affiliating for yourself!
I believe that content producers who monetize their content using affiliate marketing should diversify their income sources. It’s always good to have something great of your own to sell to your audience because doing so increases your income and your credibility, if the buyers love your content. Actually, it’s completely absurd to not have a product of your own to market and sell.
Thanks, Ditesco! Appreciate the support. Yes, I do believe there is definite value in having everything in one place…. something I’ve never really had.
i totally agree, having having your own product is everyones dream. is there by the way any chance of you selling this in the Kindle store?
I’m working on it! 🙂
Lisa
that person still dont understand what internet marketing is because, the best way to be an authority and make more money online is to sell your own product.
I’m currently creating my own product line
I agree with you, Lisa. The next logical step in online business evolution is to create your own products
Hi Lisa, I know you put your heart and soul in it. I know people will be more than willing to buy because they know you really care about them and their success
Love what you have been able to accomplish.
All your sites rank and look fantastic. Curious, what were you doing prior to making it on the internet?
Did you take any formal affiliate marketing courses?
I worked for a major airline on their HTML web team.
let me be honest lisa,after these many years of experience you updating ur knowledge is some thing i feel like asking why?. i mean by this time you may be knowing all the a-z of Internet marketing and affiliate marketing,so why hear some one’s experience. but the same thing is like a lesson for a newbie like me that there is no end in learning and we have to keep our-self updated.
Reading your post made me think of something that is more valuable in making such a decision in life. I remember a book about “Poor Dad and Rich Dad”. It was said that making a good source of money is go into business. But first you must get some techniques and ideas on how to do this one. You must apply for a job that suitable for your specification and personality. Then after a few years in working and you think your experience will carry your success then establish good business.
Nice to hear about this one Lisa, Congrats!
Yes definitely. Like many here, I am serious in finding my own product to market besides being an affiliate marketer.
Congratulations Lisa, you’ve accomplished one of my goals of producing a Clickbank product. I think most serious affiliate marketers would love to own their own product, I think it’s the natural progression for anyone trying to make it on line.
I must agree that having your own product is ideal. You make one great book that has a lot of value and it can go viral. It can become a huge success and bring in a lot of money. This is probable a pinnacle for affiliate marketers.
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