Affiliate Buzz | Affiliate Marketing / Affiliate Programs / Internet / Online / Social Media Marketing - James Martell

Affiliate Buzz | Affiliate Marketing / Affiliate Programs / Internet / Online / Social Media Marketing - James Martell

By James Martell: Online Entrepreneur, Speaker and PodcasterBusinessTechnologyEducation
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Affiliate Buzz | Affiliate Marketing / Affiliate Programs / Internet / Online / Social Media Marketing - James Martell episodes

  • AB #374 | 10 Tools to Increase Productivity So That You Can Get Much More Done in Way Less Time
    In this edition of the Affiliate Buzz, James and Arlene Martell discuss productivity tools that you can use to save you time. Most of the tools for productivity that they discuss are free and they use everyday.
    Tool #1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts
    Arlene discusses keyboard shortcuts that you can use: There are also many more you can find online.
    Ctrl + Enter: automatically puts .com and opens the web page.

    Ctrl + A: highlights the entire text for you

    Ctrl + C: copies the highlighted text

    Ctrl + V: pastes the copied text
    Tool #2. Graphic Design Tool
    James talks about Canva, a free graphics design tool. It helps create graphics for various things. Like designs for Web or print: blog graphics, presentations, Facebook covers, flyers, posters, invitations and more. You can Simply search for the best graphics, photos, and fonts, or upload your own, then use Canva’s drag and drop tool to create a design. There are also thousands of fonts to choose from and it is online and free to use.
    Tool #3. Communication Tips
    James and Arlene discuss Skype. Using the text message box in skype provides instant messaging back and forth, without having to wait and search for an email to come through. It saves a ton of time and skype is easy to use, and lets you know when a message comes in. Great when an immediate response is required. Again, this saves a lot of time.
    Tool #4. Browser Tips
    James arranges his browser tabs in the same place. In order, his tabs are: Elance, Basecamp, Facebook, Gmail, Hootsuite. These are the programs he uses everyday, so having them all lined up and ready to click on, saves time.
    Arlene uses an incognito window for easier organization. Sometimes, if you have two gmail accounts, this allows you to keep them both open, as well as other programs you need to refer to without overloading your main browser.
    Tool #5. Dual Monitors
    James has dual monitors on his desk. You can take an open document and drag it to the other monitor, allowing you to view two important documents at the same time. Once you try it, you will never want a single monitor again. James says dual monitors increase productivity as everything is so accessible.
    Tool #6. Basecamp
    Basecamp helps you get organized when you have several tasks that need to be done by a specific date. If you have other team members or writers you work with, assign them the tasks they need to complete, with a due date, and you will know exactly where you are at in the project. Once they complete the task, they tick it off so you know it is done. There is also a place for discussions, text documents, graphics and a calendar. It is THE most amazing tool we have used in a long time and we could not stay organized without it.
    Tool #7. Elance
    Elance helps you get an on-demand team. Post a project you need done, and watch the bids come in. It is easy to set up milestones for the project, make payments and communicate with your vendor. There is no charge to post your project, and it is the best place to find qualified workers to tackle any task from writing to technical help.
    Tool #8. Google Drive
    Google Drive lets you collaborate on documents in real time. If you need to go through a document with someone else, and you both need to edit it, this will be the place you want to store that document. Any changes are immediate, so there is never a risk of using an older version. We also use it to store our podcast audios where the host and writer can get the information they need,
    Tool #9. Using Templates
    Arlene uses templates to save time.
    36 min
  • AB #373 | How to Create a Quick Video and a Simple Optin Offer to Increase Email Subscriptions
    In this edition of the Affiliate Buzz, James and Arlene Martell discuss how to create a quick video and a simple optin offer to increase email subscriptions. They will also be discussing outsourcing tasks, industry news and tips, the social media mastery conference.
    Social Media Mastery Conference
    The Social Media Mastery Conference was held in Vancouver in the Diamond Ballroom. The 10 speakers talked about all things social media. James used the Spreaker app on Android to record his short interviews with the speakers.
    Pinterest Bans Affiliate Marketing Links
    James was approached by someone who was asking for help to get her Pinterest account reinstated. She showed James the links and James told her that she’s just spamming Pinterest. She was not providing any value, just posting her links in any way she could in the hope that she would earn an income.
    Pinterest says,
    “we observed affiliate links and redirects causing irrelevant pins and feeds, broken links, and other spammy behavior.”
    James says this has hurt the high quality affiliate marketers. Unfortunately, they’re collateral damage.
    Tips for Affiliate Marketing
    James says if you’re using Pinterest as a traffic source, link them back to your own website. This way, you’re not using affiliate links. You’re just gathering the Pinterest traffic to your site. This will give you an opportunity to get them to subscribe to your personal site.
    Debra Carney’s tip is to set up your own personal website so your content won’t get deleted or hidden from search engines because of site rules.
    Chris Molnar's tip is to use Facebook Audience Insights to learn more about your audience. You can use it in your affiliate marketing research. It’s a great way to know who your audience is.
    Affiliate Resources
    Affiliate Management Days is on March 30 to April 1, 2015. It’s focused on OPMs and Affiliate Program Management. Check this out in San Francisco and check out the site affiliatemanagementdays.com for more information about the speakers.
    If you’re looking for an OPM company, check out affiliateaces.com.
    How to Create a Video and Opt-in Offer to Increase Email Subscribers
    Ryan Deiss has earned over $30 million for his personal company and $150 million for his clients in the last three years. He gave James tips on how to create effective videos.

    * Put the script together.
    * Break up the script into little text blocks.
    * Present it.

    James tried it and it took him about one hour. The video is posted on jamesmartell.com.
    James put together a rough point outline, read it into a microphone, and then edited it. Then he sent off the recording to somebody on Elance and had them create the video. It was just text with narration.
    Ryan explained that this works well because while the viewers are listening, they are also reading the text. It’s beautiful and simple to do. James says it’s easy for the viewers to consume and it’s easy for marketers to create.
    Once James was done with the outline and the narration, he posted a job on Elance with subject line “Quick 90-second Promotional Video.” The project description can be seen here. James awarded the job and got it done in one day for only $27.40.
    Ryan Deiss Lead Magnet Checklist
    Think of a lead magnet as an email opt-in offer incentive, something that you will give the subscriber for subscribing to your newsletter.
    The Lead Magnet Checklist:

    * It offers an ultra-specific solution to an ultra-specific market
    * Promises one big thing
    * It speaks to a known, desired end result
    * Offers immediate gratification

    (No multi-day email courses in a lead magnet. No podcasts. No newsletters.)
    55 min
  • AB #371 | Considering Starting and Outsourcing the Management of an Affiliate Program? Start Here!
    In this edition of the Affiliate Buzz, host and Instructor of the Affiliate Marketers BootCamp, James Martell, is joined by guest Chuck Hamrick, President at Hamrick.biz, an outsourced program management company that manages affiliate programs for advertisers.
    James points out that if you are an advertiser considering starting or expanding an affiliate program to increase leads, sales, and profits, then he and Chuck are talking directly to you. He also encourages affiliates to listen to learn the industry from the perspective of an advertiser.
    What Is an Outsource Program Manager?
    James kicks off the episode by talking with Chuck about Affiliate Summit. Chuck uses events like this to find networking opportunities, meet new people, and keep up with industry trends. James points out that this Affiliate Summit was so large that people had to make appointments to avoid missing each other.
    Next James asks Chuck to tell about himself and where he's from. An avid skier, Chuck lives in an area of Utah that offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy the sport. In the late 1990's Chuck transitioned into his first SEO jobs, but it wasn't until 2005 that he took a job as a full-time affiliate manager.
    Then Chuck segues into explaining the role of outsource program manager, or OPM. These outside contractors might focus on a dozen or so programs at one time for a wide range of clients.
    Starting a Program to Increase Revenue
    Next James says he often runs into advertisers or merchants who are pondering adding affiliates to their marketing mix, and asks Chuck how these people can reach that goal. The first tip Chuck has is to do a bit of homework and see what the competition offers.
    Chuck goes on to suggest that when someone is considering starting a program, they should factor in about 90 days to get a program launched and up and running. He points out that not all programs meet expectations and some do get shut down.
    Then Chuck states that if a program is going to take off then it is going to happen within those first 90 to 120 days. James agrees and adds that from an affiliate standpoint, even the programs that he and Arlene love and feel is a perfect fit for their business take some time to market.
    James remarks that today it seems that affiliate networks seem to be coming out of the woodwork, and asks Chuck for some advice on how to pick one. The first thing Chuck suggests is an analysis between the programs that are similar in nature and then zeroing in on the ones that work.
    For those who have to get a product out and need to dive into affiliate marketing, Chuck suggests ShareASale, an economical performance marketing network. He states that similar networks could cost a broad range of fees, so it is important to get an OPM's judgment on the topic before making a selection.
    Then Chuck outlines the hodgepodge of skills required for someone working as an OPM, including basic HTML knowledge, some experience with programming, and organizational skills to stay on top of communications. He states that what it boils down to is a unique blend of learning on the fly, leaning on the network, and self-education.
    James and Chuck also discuss the steps needed to put together a successful program which include:

    * the network agreement
    * program access to the network
    * add program description and account information
    *  create commission structure and performance incentives
    * work with designers to design banners in various sizes
    * secure a data feed to help generate sales
    * coordinate the tracking system between the webmaster and the network
    * test out the data feed and check that all the information is correct
    * uploading the banners and creating the text links
    * launch the program and start promoting as soon as possible

    33 min
  • AB #372 | Got Email? How to Construct a Profitable Email Autoresponder Follow-up Series
    In this edition of the Affiliate Buzz, host and Instructor of the Affiliate Marketers BootCamp, James Martell, is joined by Arlene Martell to talk about developing an automated email follow-up system so you don't leave sales and the resulting commission on the table.
    James talks about autoresponders, which he and Arlene have been using for over a decade. He points out that it’s a profitable topic if it’s put together well because it can generate revenue for you for a long time. He also discusses the visitor buying cycle and the visitor profile. In addition, he provides an autoresponder blueprint that you can copy.
    What are Autoresponders?
    James kicks off the episode by talking about a student of his who hadn’t got his email list in order yet. The student thought that there were more important things to a business, but James points out that getting the email list sorted should be a priority.
    James reminds listeners that the money is in the follow-up. Merchants have a limited cookie duration, which will determine if marketers get paid for the purchases of customers they redirected to merchant sites. For example, if the merchant’s cookie duration is 30 days and the customer returns to the site directly on the 29th day after first getting redirected to the merchant site, the marketer will get paid.
    James says that autoresponders are a way to follow up with the customer to get them back to the merchant.
    He also states that once autoresponders are set up, it is automated. You will have a series of emails that will work for you once a subscriber submits their email address.
    How Often Should You Send Out an Autoresponder Email?
    James states that some marketers send out emails every week while others send one every day. The frequency of emails depends on how aggressive you want to get. He and Arlene have successfully done it with less frequent and less aggressive emails.
    When an email comes in every day, he tends to ignore them because it’s tiring to get marketing emails every day, something that the listeners probably experience too.
    How to Organize and Structure an Autoresponder Series
    1. The Opt-In Offer.
    You need to give them a good reason to subscribe. It needs to be really simple. The customer needs to be able to consume it in five minutes. James’ previous mistake includes putting together 30- to 40-page eBooks with too much information.
    His tip: Put together a one-pager that solves an immediate need. This will get them engaged.
    Arlene adds that there’s shouldn't be a big gap between the opt-in offer and the actual product you’re selling. James says that it should actually be something that is a part of the product.
    James further discusses the autoresponder series using the grand dogs as an example:
    Let’s say Justin has a new puppy. What does the puppy need? What do you know that Justin has actually bought and paid for?
    Arlene says Justin has bought a lot of new things such as a dog bed, collar, leash, food dish, etc.
    James then starts working on an opt-in for someone who has a new puppy. An example he comes up with is The Top 10 Things You Must Have for Your Puppy. This list would contain the things that Arlene mentioned. James then says that the list could be grouped into things that are needed upfront and the things that could be bought separately. You can then put a link to the merchants of the things mentioned on the article.
    The Lead Magnet Checklist
    James discusses the checklist that he received from Ryan Deiss, one of the marketers that James follows.
    Ryan Deiss' lead magnet checklist has eight points:

    * It offers an ultra-specific solution to an ultra-specific market
    * Promises one big thing
    * It speaks to a known, desired end result
    * Offers immediate gratification (No multi-day email courses in a lead magnet. No podcasts. No newsletters.)
    58 min
  • AB #369 | Trademark Registration – Protecting Your Intellectual Property
    In this edition of the Affiliate Buzz, host and Instructor of the Affiliate Marketers BootCamp, James Martell, is joined by Andrei Mincov and this week they talk about trademark registration. - what authors, entrepreneurs, and business owners need to know about protecting their intellectual property.
    James begins this episode by explaining what you can expect to hear during the discussion, including: what is a trademark, what should a business owner actually protect, when should someone register a trademark, the cost involved, common trademarking myths and rip-offs, and a lot more.
    James then introduces his guest, Andrei Mincov, an intellectual property lawyer and the founder of Mincov Law Corporation in Vancouver. Andrei is also author of The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Intellectual Property and has helped authors such as J.K. Rowling, sole entrepreneurs, local and web start-ups, and corporate giants like Sony and Apple.
    Trademark Tips from a Local Expert
    Next, James asks Andrei to share his personal story. Andrei's career started out in Russia, where he was born. His first case afforded him the opportunity to represent his own father, a famous composer who heard one of his songs being played on the radio without permission.
    The process of many appeals not only won Andrei and his father's case, but it also gave Andrei a passion for defending intellectual property. After coming to Canada seven years ago, he continued on that road and now has his own firm.
    Then Andrei explains that this episode's topic applies to listeners both from Canada and other countries. That is because there are many international treaties that make it easier for businesses from one country to get the same level of protection in another country.
    Andrei defines a trademark as anything that identifies you in the marketplace and tells you apart from others who do the same thing. This could include the name of your business and its products and services, as well as logos and taglines you use to identify those things. Other tips he shares include:

    * As soon as you realize there is value in your brand, register your trademark.
    * Descriptive trademarks (i.e. fast cars or color printers) cannot be registered as trademarks because it does not distinguish you from others who do the same thing.
    * A trademark does not give you the monopoly over a name, but it gives you a monopoly over the association between your business name and your products or services.
    * Trademarking is not about the cost, but the value. The cost is minimal compared to what you would spend re-branding if someone else registers the trademark later.
    * Having a trademark protects you from anyone else trying to steal your brand.

    James asks Andrei to go through the seven steps of registering a trademark. The whole process takes between 13 and 18 months, depending on the country in which you live, and there are any number of variables that could delay or even extinguish the process.
    Andrei goes on to explain the fees for registering a trademark. While you could attempt to register your own trademark for as little as a few hundred dollars, hiring an international property lawyer can help you avoid or even prevent problems later.
    Making Trademarking Appeal to Business Owners
    When Andrei first moved to Canada, despite his experience working with international companies like Sony and Apple, and popular authors such as J.K. Rowling, he found it difficult to find someone who wanted to hire him.
    Andrei segues into how this led him to create The Trademark Factory, a unique way to register trademarks for an all-inclusive flat fee that covers everything from start to finish -- with a money-back guarantee.
    59 min
  • AB #365 | From Minimum Wage To Millionaire: How A Poor Immigrant Boy Built His Internet Empire And How You Can Too!
    In this edition of the Affiliate Buzz, host and Instructor of the Affiliate Marketers BootCamp, James Martell, is joined by international entrepreneur, best-selling author, and self-made multi-millionaire Dan Lok, and this week they talk about building an internet empire.
    James begins this episode by introducing his guest, Dan Lok. Dan's past experiences have earned him a repuation that is well-established in the internet space and publishing field. Under his leadership, the companies he runs generate more than $10 Million in sales per year.
    James goes on to share that Dan is also the Founder and CEO of the award-winning company, Charmed Junction, Inc. Dan has authored more than a dozen industry-related books including Secrets of Canadian Top Performers and F.U. Money.
    Entrepreneurial Beginnings
    James and Dan have met up a few times over the past few years. Before they dig into the meat of the topic, Dan takes James as well as the listeners through his story which begins with the events that led to his coming to Canada with no money or English skills, and sums up with how things are going for him currently.
    Next, James talks with Dan about his early days as an entrepreneur. Dan explains why he describes his start as a failure equation and shares the first book he read about increasing his income - a self help and motivational personal development book titled Think and Grow Rich.
    Dan started one of his first businesses with some friends. While it was not a great success he shares what non-monetary things he learned from the experience, like networking, advertising, and other marketing skills. Dan went on to fail at several other business ventures before something clicked.
    Then James asks Dan to talk about his first success. After sharing the one thing that kept him going and motivated him through all the failures and what he credits for leading him to his first success, Dan went on to thrive in a copywriting and advertising agency. From there Dan went on to:

    * buy and sell on eBay
    * work in affiliate marketing
    * write eBooks
    * speak at conferences
    * and more

    James encourages listeners to visit Dan's website, which has more information about his entrepreneurial work which includes partnerships in different businesses and more.
    Avoid This Internet Marketing Mistake
    Next James asks Dan what makes him unique in an internet marketing space. While answering, Dan points out the mistakes many internet marketers make. He also confides why he doesn't see himself as fitting into or an expert in any one niche.
    Dan goes on to explain the danger of narrowly defining different markets, and offers listeners a suggestion based on how he sees the different internet marketing avenues.
    Next James and Dan discuss what's happening with the internet of today, including the mindset of consumers, how they react to the large number of options available online, and how this affects business.
    Dan then segues into a comparison of two different internet marketers. He compares and contrasts their processes and methods, and finally explains how each one is faring today.
    What this boils down to is the difference between the marketer who makes $2,000 per year, and the marketer who makes $200,000 per year. Dan offers that the difference depends on expectation, among other things.
    Dan has a saying that, "Any idiot can make money for a year." He explains that the real test is whether someone can make money year after year over a long period of time, like a decade.
    53 min

About Affiliate Buzz | Affiliate Marketing / Affiliate Programs / Internet / Online / Social Media Marketing - James Martell

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Since 2003, James Martell has been keeping affiliate marketers inspired, informed and motivated to succeed with affiliate programs. The Affiliate Buzz is the first and longest running podcast in the…