Do you have specific questions about doing business online? Here's your opportunity to ask!
Here are examples of questions I've been asked of late…
- How do I find a profitable niche?
- How do I put an email capture form on my blog?
- What's the difference between WordPress and Bluehost?
- WHY should I use WordPress?
- Is this the right time to start a new business?
- Is PLR safe to use?
- Where do I find a good ghostwriter?
Ask your question via the comment section below and I'll do my best to answer it as quickly as possible.
Note: Please post a separate comment for individual topics, i.e. “What are the 3 best traffic generation methods and how do I build my list faster?” should be posted as individual questions.
Julia says
Hello Rosalind,
How do you evaluate products? I can do research but until I have some income coming it, I can’t afford to buy a bunch of products just to see how they are. And I can’t afford to buy something and find out that I wouldn’t want to promote it. So what is the best way to get started and find good products?
Thank you,
Julia
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Julia,
I’m not sure what niche you’re in, but if you chose a niche that was of considerable interest to you already, then you probably already have experience with products sold in that niche.
Check out the example of real product promotion in my reply to Meredith.
On the other hand, if you have no experience with the products at all (eg. software) then you need to be VERY cautious in how you write your reviews and do a TON of research to see what real consumers have to say about that particular product. Don’t just look on the merchant site for testimonials – look for comments on relevant forums and blogs as well.
Julia says
Thanks Ros. The cautiousness about the products is why I asked this question. Your travel-bag review is exactly what I would prefer to be writing but I find I use very few “products” in my life (relatively speaking I do not have a lot of stuff) but there are many products that people seem to find useful in my niche. I want to tell them about the products to be helpful to them, but I haven’t used them myself.
Geesh.
Thanks for the response.
Julia
Meredith says
How do sales letter website work to sell an affiliate product? Most affiliate link goes to merchant product’s landing page, how do we then create a good pre-sale website to market this product? Any sample to refer to? I’m really clueless about this…
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Meredith,
Here’s an example of an affiliate promotion that I did on my travel blog.
dawn says
I would love to know how you found who you are working with to do your web development, and what other types of assistants you have and how you found them… and if they were people you already knew, what you would do if you knew no one.
Thank you very much, Rosalind!
Rosalind Gardner says
Hello Dawn,
This may come as a surprise, but with the exception of using professionally designed WordPress themes and the occasional script installation, I do almost all of my own web site development.
I do have a virtual assistant, Joel, who works with me to provide support to my Super Affiliate Handbook customers – for download help, etc. We met online when I was looking for some design assistance, ended up doing a project together and he eventually became my VA — and I’m REALLY glad he did! π
If I didn’t know anyone, I’d start asking friends in the industry if they knew someone good who was looking to take on some additional work.
Karen says
I currently have an active blog and want to branch out into selling products online. what ecommerce and shopping cart solutions do you recommend?
Karen
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Karen,
First of all, congratulations on your move to becoming a merchant!
Check out this article for my merchant account and third-party payment processing recommendations.
The primary factors to consider when choosing between them are time and resources, i.e. third party payment processors are less expensive and quicker to establish than a merchant account. However, you have more latitude in how you deal with refunds etc. with your own merchant account. For example, you must provide an 8-week refund period with Clickbank.
Viktors Bariss says
How do I go about setting up and designing a wordpress site like this? If I want to outsource the project what should I ask for and where should I go? Thanks.
Vik
Rosalind Gardner says
Hello Viktors,
NetProfitsToday uses the Revolution News theme by Brian Gardner that has been highly modified.
I’d suggest that you find a theme that you like, make sure that you have your domain and hosting in place (preferably a host with cPanel, like Bluehost) then visit Elance and hire a programmer to install the blog and the theme.
It would also be advisable to make a list of categories and Pages that you want to place on your blog.
All that said, you could easily install the blog, categories and pages yourself. I have a written tutorial here, or you could check out the BecomeaBlogger series of free videos which will show you how to install that blog yourself. π
Sultan says
What are your most profitable affiliate programs and what networks do they reside in? Also how do you determine whether or not to focus on a particular niche?
Thank you.
Rosalind Gardner says
Hello Sultan,
I don’t operate in too many different niches, so what I can tell you is that my most profitable programs reside in the dating niche as well as in the sale of digital products, i.e. information and software that you’ll find on networks like Clickbank.
For niche market research information and tools, please see this article in the ‘Find My Niche‘ section.
Jimmy Graham says
Hi Rosalind,
Thanks for the opportunity to ask!
I am about to release a new self-improvement program using the power of gratitude and I am becoming pretty stumped on how to go about spreading the word.
I’ll be upfront.
1/ I dont have much of a budget to throw at it.
2/ The money I do have to spend should be spent wisely
3/ the self-help field is pretty vast and the keyword – gratitude doesnt get any searches
4/ I’m entering a field of “masters” like Joe Vitale, Tony Robbins, James Ray and others who all seem to have thier own followings
5/ did I mention the budget thing…lol
Anyway, if you would like to try the program or have a look at it to see what it’s all about, I would be honored to send it you. The log-in page is linked to my name in this comment.
I guess my question would be the age old one… where and how do I find a target audience?
Thank you for your time!
Jimmy Graham
Rosalind Gardner says
Hello Jimmy,
The 2 best ways to market your site on a small budget are:
Your main focus may be ‘gratitude’, your keywords include all of those within the success and self-help realm. It’s then up to you to convince folks that gratitude first and foremost is the road to enlightenment. π
I’d highly recommend spending time on relevant forums, answering questions and using a well-crafted signature line to bring people to your site.
And, just as a suggestion, I’d consider removing the audio or replacing it with an audio recording that describes the benefits of your program.
Jimmy Graham says
Thanks Rosalind!
Ive been starting to answer questions in the forums… (there seems so many…lol) But it is fun and I do like to help others.
I will begin to do articles next week… the big launch is tommorow so there’s still lots to do to have the program ready. And redoing the audio is an awesome idea!!!!
Thank you!
If theres anything I can do for you, let me know! (websiteaudio, voice-overs.. or if you want to try this program)
Jimmy Graham
Mike Gibbons says
Hi Roz, I am a business coach and a newbie to online marketing. I frequently come across small businesses that have very poorly designed websites for growing their online business. Is there a service available where I can submit a website too for re-designing with new content, keyword search and general optimization. I have learnt a lot from reading your SAH and bloggs, however, as a coach I can’t afford the time to sit down with each client to explain over and over what they need to change to create a profitable online business. see http://www.mamakublue.co.nz website as an example challenge. Mike G
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Mike,
I TOTALLY understand and it’s a crying shame, especially when it appears that the owner has already invested funds for site design.
Because I’m unaware of a service that would perform all 3 functions, I’d probably direct my client first to examples of excellent sites within the niche, then to 99designs for a really nice new look.
As to content, keyword search and general optimization, I’d suggest preparing a document that explains the concept in general and make that available to your client as part of the package, then direct them to either revise their site on that basis or seek out a ghostwriter at Elance, giving them specific instructions that keyword optimization is paramount.
On the other hand, you could hire someone with all those skills, hand the projects over and take your cut. π
GotFreeBusinessCards says
How important is networking off-line to your online business? Where are the best places to network?
Rosalind Gardner says
Networking online or off can never hurt, although I rarely employ offline strategies to market my affiliate sites — other than to mention them in passing, ie. my travel blog to the bank teller who asked about a trip I’d taken recently.
On the other hand, I’ve seen affiliates advertise their sites and specific merchant products in magazines and other offline venues. As the ads appear month after month, one might assume that the venture is profitable.
Actually, in the book, I talk about 10 ways to market your site offline including speaking at events, wearing clothing emblazoned with your logo/URL and having your URL on your vehicle. I suppose the latter is effective for some, but I’d not want to do that to my baby for a few visitors and a small write-off. π
Rosalind Gardner says
Sorry about that… it’s 6AM, I went off on an irrelevant tangent there.
Offline Networking – at gatherings within your niche market and industry conferences, to be sure.
Charles says
I’ve had your Affiliate Handbook since you first made it available. I follow you regularly. You are one of my favorite internet marketers. I almost always get good ideas from your newsletters. However, I’ve tried so many things, spent thousands of dollars and hours of time, hope and effort that I’m almost completely discouraged and literally afraid to try something else. I feel stuck–frozen, wooden.
I want just one simple site that really earns passive income. What are the best membership/subscription site concepts and how do you keep content fresh and relevant?
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Charles,
First, I’d recommend that you read what I told Rick.
Regarding the best subscription / membership site concepts, a membership site is the best concept for earning residual income, so you’re definitely on the right track there.
As to keeping content fresh… Make a plan to produce content well in advance that always builds on your last installment to keep your readers wanting more. If you need ideas for how to produce or source your content, read this article.
peter says
hello, i purchased the SuperAffilitate Handbook a couple of years ago. it’s copyright date is 2005. I never did anything with it then but want to go forward with an affiliate career. Is this 2005 edition still applicable in 2008-09?
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Peter,
The basic affiliate marketing business strategies haven’t changed in the Super Affiliate Handbook but the site-building methods have been updated since that time to include a section on blogging (installation instructions, etc.)
Monja says
Where do I find your wordpress template? ItΒ΄s not the link youΒ΄ve mentioned in the book anymore.
How do I drive traffic to my site? Except google adwords?
Rosalind Gardner says
Hello Monja,
The NPT site is built around a now highly modified Revolution News theme by Brian Gardner. He’s just come up with a number of new themes too and they’re all beautiful… can you tell I’m a HUGE fan? π You can see them at Revolution Themes.
Monja says
Thanks Ros,
found a great theme there!!!
rick eddleman says
Rosaland,
I enjoy the information you provide, yet with all this information I am overwhelmed and wonder really how best to move forward. I would like to find a route to earning 1K per month to help support the family. I purchased your SuperAffiliate program, but have not pieced together all the pieces to a working protected website… can you offer any advice that would support this need?
Thanks,
Rick
Rosalind Gardner says
Hello Rick,
It sounds like you might want to go back and re-read the Super Affiliate Handbook and take action on the steps presented, eg. pick a niche, pick a domain name, choose whether you want to blog or SBI.
If you choose to blog, you’ll then get a web hosting service and install a WordPress blog.
Then regardless of what site building method you use, you’ll plan and & post relevant content, join programs, write product reviews, market your site….. and so on and so forth.
Kathy says
Where do you find good information on lead capture pages? Who is the best source for putting together a good one?
Thanks for letting us ask the expert!
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Kathy,
Provided you have an Aweber account, all you have to do is copy and paste one of their email capture forms onto a page, add your compelling copy to that page and you have a lead capture page.
If you need to have page done up for you, I’d recommend hiring a programmer through Elance or Scriptlance — but you’ll still need that autoresponder account and you’ll have to provide them with that compelling copy… so you’re much better off learning how to do it yourself.
Michael Eboh says
Please Lovely Rosalind Gardner, I am very much happy you care for me.
1. My problems are many in the sense that I start many online business but when ever fee is required, I can’t pay because really i do not have the money.
2. But then I am hard working and I am a writter and an IT staff with my school.
3. I need you help me register to any online business that REALLY PAYS.
4. I have tried but FAILED SEVERALLY.
5. I NEED TO GET THE REAL CASH FOR MY LABOUR FOR MANY ONLINE BUSINESS HAD FAILED ME!
6. People especially my family expected much from me but lo and behold, I have noting.
7. So help me dear me.
Rosalind Gardner says
Michael,
I’d be more than happy to try and help you out if you are able to ask a specific question.
Nick says
With all the training courses out there, how is a newbie supposed to know which training courses are good and which are not?
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Nick,
That’s an excellent question and the thing that you really want to watch for are marketers who are pawning off other people’s training as their own. You can do that by selecting distinct phrases within their copy and see how many times it comes up in Google. Be sure to use quotes around the phrase.
Other than that, I would make sure that the trainer/coach really is an expert. Google their name. What do other people have to say about their work? Read the reviews. Ask questions in reputable industry forums.
Check Whois.net and see when their site was registered. For instance, I use my dating site as an example through out my book. If you check to see when it was created when it was created, you’ll note that it matches up with what I say in the book.
Too, find out whether that expert speaks at relevant industry conferences. That’s not a definitive indicator, but it is a good one.
Don Brown says
Rosalind,
I am new to IM and want to know how important it is to have basic web development skills of your own like HTML, FTP etc..
Also,can you suggest a web site building software for beginners and maybe a on line course for basic web development.
I really enjoy your blog keep up the fantastic work!
Don Brown
El Paso, TX
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Don,
FTP is Super simple to learn and use and it’ll save you a whack of time in the long run, especially if you have to upload multiple files. Check out Filezilla for a free client.
Personally, I think it’s VERY important to learn some HTML — however, it is not essential. It all depends on the platform on which you plan to build your site.
Ergo, if you want to work with a WordPress blog, then knowing a smattering of HTML comes in very handy, especially if you want to start rearranging elements within your themes/templates.
However, if you build your site using Ken Evoy’s SBI sitebuilder, you won’t have to learn any.
The best online resource for learning HTML is W3Schools. I still visit it regularly to get answers to my CSS questions. Or, if you are looking for a more structured approach to learning, you might like to try out the Video Professor HTML tutorial.
Carolyn says
Hi Ros,
You said [However, if you build your site using Ken Evoyβs SBI sitebuilder, you wonβt have to learn any.] I just wanted to let ya know that you do have to know some basic html when you use SBI. I have an SBI site and use it all the time. In fact, all I do nowadays is read codes it seems like. lol Of course, I’ve been doing this a while now though and got started using html when I had my ebay store. SBI has an html and css forum, so you can get lots of help with it there. SBI is the most comprehensive hosting site that money can buy. (in my view) I found out about them from you, in your SAH many years ago when it was sold in paperback only. lol I learned the rest of my coding from doing research and by utilizing my passion for wanting to learn more! Html is (in my view) is essential to any site. Once you grasp it, it’s not that hard. In fact, I kinda think its fun! It shouldn’t intimidate anyone who has a drive to do better. The more you use it, the easier it gets and the more you know! Thanks Ros! You Rock!
Don Brown says
Thanks for your help!
Carolyn says
In a word, my question is about using adwords to draw traffic. In your SAH, you recommended adwords from the git go! Instead, I found it better (and safer monetarily) to use adsense instead. Now, I find myself at a place where my adsense commissions are pretty darn good! But I know there is a balance. Am I missing out on a lot of traffic (and $) by being ‘scairt’ to use the service now, when prices for the advertising just keep increasing? Thanks Ros! You’re the tops! (I also have another question but will wait and see if someone else asks it…)
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Carolyn,
Don’t be ‘scairt’. LOVE that… you must be an Oprah watcher.
Although I place Google Adwords at the top of my list of primary marketing methods (and I list 25 ways to market your site on and off), it has never been my intention to imply that PPC marketing should be the only way an affiliate should drive traffic to their site. In the introduction to the book, in a section called ‘use multiple marketing methods’ I state, “I teach a variety of ways to market your site, so your site will always receive a flow of traffic. If one method of traffic delivery slows down temporarily, many more are in place to sustain, or even boost, your income.”
So, you’re taking the right approach… balance and caution.
Carolyn says
Just wanted to let ya know that although I love Oprah, I hardly ever get to watch her show. I am working! lol Scairt is a slang southern (US) word we use down here. Ya’ll come back now, ya hear! Thanks Ros!
Gary Krumrine says
Is there an online business that if diligently worked at, can produce income within a week? How can I effectively utilize Google to make an online income? Thanks.
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Gary,
A week, huh? Were you planning to eat, sleep or do anything else during that week? If not, I suppose you’d have enough hours in, but I don’t know how diligent you’d be working by the second day. π
My focus is always building for long-term sustainability and those sites take a while to develop and reach full potential.
However, if you start off with a good plan, and work diligently for a month to build out and market a site like that, you should start to see some good results.
There are 2 main ways to use Google to make money. First, there’s Adsense, which is contextual advertising that you place on your site and you’ll earn money whenever someone clicks OFF your site. (See the disadvantage?) You can also use Google Adwords pay-per-click advertising program to drive traffic TO your site.
Joe says
When you are selecting a niche, what is your process?
1. How much search traffic do you look for on a monthly and daily basis for the main niche you are researching?
2. How many long tail keywords do you look for to indicate that a niche is a good one to explore?
3. How much competition is a barrier to entry for you when looking at keywords in adwords? low, medium or high?
4. How many search results in a niche will be too many to stop your consideration?
5. Maybe an example / case study of a niche you entered long ago or one you decided not to go after?
6. Once you have selected a new niche and created a wordpress blog, how do you first go about exploiting the niche?
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Joe,
My niche research process is actually much simpler than what you have outlined. Check out this article. I prefer to work in BIG markets (eg. dating) that can be niched into narrower categories (eg. interracial dating, foreign brides etc.) to give my visitors more options and therefore more chances to buy.
That said, to actually work one of the narrower niches, I probably wouldn’t bother if Wordtracker didn’t show at least 500 searches per day for the top-level keyword. So, Christian dating works as a niche because ‘christian singles’ and ‘christian singles’ together show a predicted count of 668. As for how many long tail keywords – well, once I’ve used up all the country, state and province names, I start on the cities — so, I’d say a LOT.
Competition (high, medium or low) is never a barrier to entry. My biggest barrier to entry in any market is my interest level. Likewise with search results.
My first task after a new site is ready is to drive targeted traffic right away using pay per click advertising, but please see the answer that I gave Carolyn as well.
Keith says
The thing that has stumped me is how to put products (links I suppose) on your website, but prevent anyone from just coming and getting them with having to pay.
How do you hide them?
Where do you put them?
If you go through someone like clickbank, click to sell etc., does that provide adequate protection?
Thanks
klw
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Keith,
Selling through Clickbank isn’t enough to protect your downloads. I use 2 different software products to protect my downloadable files.
I’d suggest that DLGuard is easier to set up (I use it with the Super Affiliate Handbook) but Amember has more features and has a nicer interface, especially for your users. The latter is especially useful if you want to be able to give your existing clients access to discounted products within your membership area.
I hope that helps!
Frank Eckdall says
Keith,
Ros is right, start with DLGuard first. There are other excellent Digtial Product Management Systems, e.g. JVM II or Fantasos but the learning curve is steep,
DLGuard will allow you to add on JVM I later on as you get the hang of it and how things work.
Amember is excellent and integrates with third party auto responders very well. I run my own server so nobody can shut me down. Last time I looked Amember was best for membership sites but DLGuard will allow you to create a membership site also.
In addition to that, you can use DLGuard on two different servers and not have problems with the Terms of Service.
Sorry, I have read not read your review on DLGuard Ros but I know you are right. I do my own research, but don’t publish enough like you tell me to do!
I hope that was helpful,
Yours very sincerely and respectfully,
Frank Funston Eckdall
Esquire
Unix Administrator & Webmaster
Katherine Coonley says
I am stuck at the beginning: finding a profitable niche. I have read the Super Affiliate Handbook, I made a list of my interests, and I tried Wordtracker to find keywords. Unfortunately, the keywords I came up with seem to have a ton of competition and not a ton of searches. (My interests include interior design–and how it can affect people’s lives; homeschooling; living a life of quality; parenting; flexible working conditions; peace/nonviolence; living green; gardening/landscaping; pet rescue; literacy; and Israel.)
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Katherine,
You have LOTS of great interests to choose from that can result in a profitable niche!!
If I were you, I’d look deeper into the parenting, living green and gardening topics — picking the one that you are MOST interested in… and developing a slant that is all your own.
Best of success!!
Katherine Coonley says
Thank you so much, Rosalind!
Abhijeet Mukherjee says
And here’s my 2nd question –
Building a list is key and I know how to go about doing that. However maintaining the relationships is something which I am apprehensive about. For example, if I build a list in the blogging and technology niche, I know I can send my subscribers useful content every week because I have the knowledge. But what about a niche, like lets say dog training, where I might be able to build a list initially but how to go about maintaining the relationship ? How can I make sure that I am not just pitching products in the newsletter but also providing value, when I don’t know nothing about dog training ?
Thanks ,
Abhijeet
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Abhijeet,
To build content around a topic with which you aren’t familiar you have 2 main options.
Hope that helps!
Abhijeet Mukherjee says
I am starting out in affiliate and ppc marketing and here is a question which has been troubling me : –
What niche should I start with so that I don’t burn my hands completely ? I mean, I know it depends on many factors and also one should test, but there are some niches which newbie affiliates should touch and those which they shouldn’t (like the internet marketing niche as people say ). So what niche would you advise me to start my first campaign with ?
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Abhijeet,
As much as I’d love to be able to say that acne, dog training or mesothelioma is the perfect niche for everyone to start with, I’m afraid that’s impossible for a number of reasons, not least of which is reasonable expectation of a return on your investment.
For example, if EVERY affiliate started by Google Cashing acne products, how much money could any one affiliate feasibly earn without spending an absolute fortune on Adwords?
As a sustainable, long-term business model, I prefer to build review sites that offer multiple product choices within a specific niche. That way, if my visitor doesn’t like the product they first see, they can browse to find others in a topic in which I know they’re already interested.
Too, because sites using that model are larger in scope, you have the opportunity to gain free search engine traffic and build a list.
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Ros
Rezbi says
That’s fantastic advice.
I wish I’d visited your site earlier.
You’ve certainly got my attention now.
Thanks.
Garrison says
How do I go about becoming one of your students? I read ‘Make a Fortune Promoting Other People’s Stuff Online’ and find you and Jeremy Palmer very inspirational. I loved the video from Affiliate Summit. with you, Palmer and Jango.
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Garrison,
Thanks kindly for getting in touch and I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the panel that Jeremy, Scott and I did at the Summit.
As to options for becoming a student, at the moment those options include reading more here on NPT, the Super Affiliate Handbook (more info than the Make a Fortune…), telephone consulting, and the BlogClassroom training.
But I AM working on other possibilities at the moment. π
mike terekia says
Hullo Rosalind Gardener – I just purchased your Book “SUPERAFFILIATE”
I have THYROID CANCER of the throat – pretty bad after (4 years)
I JUST wanted to thank you for throwing me a “LIFELINE”
to keep me occupied fully.
YOUR – Newsletter, Ebook & website.
I REALLY appreciate these “your blessings” Rosalind, please accept my sincerest gratitudes.
Fondest always….
Rosalind Gardner says
Hey Mike,
Thanks for getting in touch and glad to hear that I have been of help to you in some small way.
Keep up the good thoughts. π
Cheers and all the best for the holidays.
Ros
Rajesh says
I have created a hoplink from click bank and i donot know what to do how to promote am a 15 days old baby in internet market and the reason for this is
m a major road accident victim and was in hospital for 9 months this is my rebirth i cannot strain much due to a major accident and am jobless and suffering since 18 years .I cannot take strains to brain as was in coma and doctors have advised if i get tensed i may slip again to coma ..
My humble request u to guide me please .
Thanking u
Rajesh.
i donot know anything abt online business did few ptc sites which were spam and didnt earn anytg
Rosalind Gardner says
Hi Rajesh,
I’m sorry to hear that you haven’t been well and wish the best for you to succeed in affiliate marketing.
I would recommend reading through this site thoroughly and if you still need help, please check my book and membership sites.
http://superaffiliatehandbook.com
http://AffiliateBloggerPRO.com
Cheers,
Ros