Tuesday, March 24, 2009 • 8-9pm EDT
Hosted by: @SternalPR and @SternalMrktg
Topic: Promoting a Product Online & Affiliate Marketing
Specialist:
Anita Defrank, Owner, MommysHelperOnline.com & Affiliate Marketing Manager
Gary Beall, Internet Attraction Marketing Student And Coach, Experienced Sales Consultant, Web Builder, Writer
Here’s the recap:
Ques #1: What are some of the techniques you’ve used to promote your product online?
SternalMrktg: We’ve used a lot of free social media to promote our site and products. #smbiz
GaryBeall: @SternalPR The training I follow leans heavily toward social media, heavy emphasis on value. Generally stay away from SEO-PPC. #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @GaryBeall Since social media is free, it definitely has value, yet PPC & SEO are necessary
WayneLiew: @SternalPR Personally, I endorse inbound marketing techniques. Such as article marketing, videos and putting out content. #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @WayneLiew I totally agree with the inbound.
GaryBeall: Have been focusing mainly on building up my networks and connections. Found this to be extremely educational. #smbiz
GaryBeall: Writing review pages works, if you give the reader something to make
the read worth their time. #smbiz
GaryBeall: @SternalPR I’ve also found explanations of how our systems work, seem to get attention. Whether it sells… jury is out. #smbiz
SternalMrktg: We’ve done a lot with SEO but it takes time – months even to start seeing results from organic/natural search.
SternalMrktg: We’ve also started to do some PR for the site and product.
CMM_PR: In this economy, PR is one of the most valuable tools in the marketing arsenal. The ad space is in flux with print evolving online. #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @CMM_PR We’ve found that after free social media, PR gives you the next best value #smbiz
GaryBeall: @SternalMrktg I have a question for you. How does PR fit in with your marketing? #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @GaryBeall We use PR to go after our target and go for niche publications/sites. #smbiz
GaryBeall: @SternalMrktg I’m having trouble understanding the difference between PR and marketing. Image is important to both. #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @GaryBeall By using PR and the media to promote our services/products it really helps if you can target the right media. #smbiz
WayneLiew: @GaryBeall Apart from that, you get more exposure from the search engines. #smbiz
CMM_PR: There is nothing quite as powerful as a client referral, so our goal is to always exceed client expectations. #smbiz
CathyBrowne: Media and industry analyst referrals are also very effective. #smbiz
SternalPR: @CathyBrowne Great point about industry analysts. Where should a small biz go if they want to get in front of an analyst? #smbiz
CathyBrowne: @SternalPR I have found an increasing # of analysts on FB, LinkedIn and Twitter - tools like Twellow helpful to ID niche analysts #smbiz
CathyBrowne: @SageCircle also maintains good analyst lists and what they cover. Industry pubs also quote analyst pretty liberally #smbiz
Ques #2: What brought you the most traffic? #smbiz
WayneLiew: Google and StumbleUpon. Would love to hear about other answers. LOL #smbiz
CMM_PR: We have generated business through LinkedIn and Twitter. The social network is a powerful business tool. #smbiz
SternalMrktg: We’ve received a lot of traffic from StumbleUpon, however it may not be our target market. #smbiz
GaryBeall: Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn without a doubt. The articles have brought more sales, however. #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @GaryBeall What are you using for article marketing? Your own site, ezinearticles.com, etc? #smbiz
GaryBeall: @SternalMrktg Good question. Just getting a start in article marketing. Had to go back in study, because I have #smbiz
anitadefrank: @SternalPR Q2: Networking, Blogging, Article Marketing & my favorite - Viral marketing is my best traffic pullers #smbiz
Ques #3: What brought you the most sales?
SternalMrktg: StumbleUpon has been great for traffic, but LinkedIn groups and PR have been good for really targeting and driving sales. #smbiz
GaryBeall: @SternalPR One of my “reviews” has been most successful. #smbiz
anitadefrank: @SternalPR Q3: By far my most sales have come from viral marketing (giving free stuff away) #smbiz
GeriRosman: How do you define difference betw viral mktng and mktng via soc med? #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @GeriRosman Social is things like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook. Viral is something creative that spreads like a Youtube video #smbiz
CMM_PR: Social media channels are where you listen, monitor the chatter, learn and join a conversation w/in a community of interest. #smbiz
SternalPR: @anitadefrank How can a small biz start doing viral marketing? Can be pretty intimidating. #smbiz
anitadefrank: @SternalPR Not intimidating - get creative. Everyone loves something for free. Write a report or an ecourse. #smbiz
anitadefrank: @SternalPR ie: Selling candles? Write a free report about candle saftey tips- include url on every page and allow others to give away #smbiz
craigmcgill: @GeriRosman You don’t do viral marketing - something becomes viral, it isn’t created viral. #smbiz
SternalPR: @craigmcgill Good point. Even if you intend for something to be viral, there is no gaurantee for it to become viral. #smbiz
GeriRosman: Thank you for the explanations! #smbiz
SternalPR: Let’s move on to affiliate marketing-specific topics and questions…
Ques #4: If you’re a small business, why should you consider starting an Affiliate Program?
WayneLiew: @SternalPR Affiliates will become motivated salesperson for your business. You don’t have to pay for expensive banner ad placements. #smbiz
anitadefrank: @SternalPR AM isnt always about the sales. AM helps w/ branding & getting your name out there. Look at the publicity youd get #smbiz
anitadefrank: Having an Aff program is like having your own personal sales team w/out having to pay high costs. #smbiz
anitadefrank: Having an Aff program is so much cheaper than paying for advertising & you only pay for results. #smbiz
Ques #5: What’s the 1st thing a small business should do to get started with an affiliate program?
WayneLiew: @SternalPR They need to understand what affiliate marketing for small business is all about. #smbiz
GaryBeall: Read. Study. Get to know what you love. Take some free training. #smbiz
WayneLiew: @SternalPR Because most affiliate networks will help you to get started, the next thing to do is to find a network. #smbiz
SternalPR: @WayneLiew @anitadefrank @GaryBeall So where do u go to find affiliate marketing networks? #smbiz
WayneLiew: Big name networks like CJ, Pepperjam and ShareASale are some places to start. Know your budget as they charge set up cost. #smbiz
Ques #6: How do you know which Affiliate Marketing Networks are reliable?
GaryBeall: @SternalMrktg Actually, I just kept searching until I found the message which matched my style of helping others. #smbiz
CMarzi84: @SternalMrktg As in, Commission Junction… etc? #smbiz
GaryBeall: @SternalPR A values match, so to speak. #smbiz
anitadefrank: @SternalMrktg Make a list of what you want/need and do your research. #smbiz
anitadefrank: @SternalMrktg Its nearly impossible to find 1 that does everything you want but pick 1 that is closest to your needs/wants/budget #smbiz
Ques #7 Affiliate commissions vary drastically, how do you determine an appropriate commission for your product/service?
SternalMrktg: We’ve seen from 3% to 50% commissions being offered. Are there any standards?
anitadefrank: @SternalMrktg Standards? Used to be but not so much anymore. Now its very competitve. #smbiz
anitadefrank: @SternalMrktg It doesn’t hurt to ask around - asking successful people you trust for their opinions too #smbiz
SternalPR: @anitadefrank That’s tricky for a small business owner that doesn’t even know who to ask. #smbiz
GaryBeall: @SternalPR Good example why you need to reach out with other in your niche. I chat with my competition all the time. #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @GaryBeall Luckily, I find small biz is much more open to talking with competition & sharing than larger biz. #smbiz
Ques #8: How do u select an affiliate prog. to promote on ur own site and get commission from?
WayneLiew@SternalMrktg Relevance, commission structure, duration of cookies, responsiveness of merchants towards affiliates.
anitadefrank: @SternalMrktg Honestly? Look at what your competition is offer. Be competitive - make it worth it for you and affiliates. #smbiz
anitadefrank: @SternalPR If its someone you REALLY want - go the extra mile. Special promo creatives - special commissions. #smbiz
anitadefrank: @SternalPR First - offer free reviews. #smbiz
GaryBeall: @SternalMrktg I would say a lot of times, it’s just presence. Look @ wefollow.com. A short bio. unless we’re talking web 2.0. #smbiz
SternalPR: Thanks to everyone for being here for another great #smbiz session. Special thx to @garybeall @anitadefrank for all their input.
SternalPR: Another special thanks to @wayneliew for some great affiliate marketing insight!
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