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.
Hi Ros,
My name is Ricky and I am from Singpore. I recently got interested in the Affiliate line. But check with you that now the economics is so bad will it affected the affiliate job ? Just hope to learn some lesson from you how to become an Affiliate Marketer.
Hope to hear from you soon
Hello Ricky,
Actually, affiliate marketing as an opportunity is probably even better now than it was before if you consider that some niche markets will explode in tough times.
Take a look at my My Predictions for Affiliate Marketing in 2009 video to learn more.
Cheers,
Ros
Hello Rosalind:
Now that I know what niche I would like to work in, I want to learn to build a website and attract the right kind of people to my site also I want to learn blogging.
Thanks
Hello Ruthella,
Congratulations on having found your niche! That’s always the biggest hurdle to overcome.
For answers to whatever specific questions you have, I recommend checking out the Blogging / Website Building and Marketing sections of NetProfitsToday.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Rosalind! I have read your book [my fiance’ bought it for me as a gift] but am still not sure how to go about marketing online. It seems like an upside down situation. I have a captured market that I would like to tap and provide free information to. I would also like to join your affiliate program. Listed below are some of the facts pertinent to my questions:
1] I’m a newbie in internet marketing.
2] I belong to an organization of more than 100,000 members composed mostly of teachers and students.
3] I am aware that due to the global economic difficulties and the fact that we are a third world country, what the members of my organization earn is hardly enough to make ends meet.
4] Majority of the members are interested in making money from the internet.
5] These newbies will not spend money unless they are convinced that there is profit in it. After reading your book, I am convinced they would benefit enormously from the wealth of information and that they can be enticed to purchase.
6] I can get traffic from them and their friends and relatives.
My questions are:
How do I structure my site in order for me to service their needs [teach them the basics and give them free ebooks but not let them copy everything at one time, make them go back to the site regularly]? As an affiliate, would you provide me with ebooks and tutorials to give away?
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Lito
Hi Lito,
Well, it seems like you understand the crucial aspects… that being the hungry market.
To structure your site, take a good look around this one or my dating review site, 101Date.com. I give away lots of free information, but the sites still make money.
And sorry, no. My book isn’t available to give away for free. If someone doesn’t have $47 to invest in their online business, then they won’t have enough to start an online business either. If they don’t want to invest that much, then they probably won’t work to build their business.
If you’re looking for free reports, try http://www.butterflyreports.com.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Ros,
Happy New Year!
I am an interested subscriber, and I appreciate you. It is perfectly understandable you choose not to give your books away. I respectfully disagree however with your assumption that if Lito has no money to invest that means he doesn’t have it in him–the initiative–to build a business. Please don’t discourage those who are financially struggling. Whether he succeeds is up to him, but encouragement and support is what he needs–even if the answer his query is no. The link was a nice gesture though. Good luck, Lito!
Best wishes,
Dee
Hey Ros,
I wanted to know did you build your website yourself from the ground up with FTP and a web host without a website builder application?
Hi Lamaris,
I actually learned how to code HTML using notepad… a very long time ago.
Now I use my trusted Homesite (on the desktop) and CoffeeCup (on the laptop). Of course, now my sites are almost all WordPress blogs, so things are much easier to do now. Hardly any coding at all.
Here’s a list of the basic software that I use.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Roz,
I found the website I mentioned earlier on an AOL Search and it is the last one on the first page, under your name, Rosalind Gardner. The site is TheMagicDisk.c__. Here’s what the “teaser” looks like:
Rosalind Gardner
Breakthrough Auto Pilot System Puts $11,895+ in Your Bank Account. TheMagicDisk.c__
Let me know if I can help you find it in any other way.
Carol
Hi Ros,
I am starting an online business and want to be able to build my own websites to offer information, ebooks, audio and video products, etc. , and of course to set up affiliates.
You list Jim Edwards mini-site creator and the SBI web builders on your site. Which do you believe is the better one for a beginner? (I already have domain name and hosting service in place, as well as signed up for aweber–so i’m ready now to move on this)
Looking forward to hearing from you
Donna
hi rosalind,
i´m working on my site and while working i come to some questions i cannot find an answer. i hope you can help.
first, i´d like to make some training videos for my site and load them to you tube. which programm can i use for that and which camcorder can i use for recording these little videos you made from your home office, etc?
another question: you know i love your ebook and i did my site with your help step by step. now i thought it might be an idea to take part in a “bootcamp” james martell offers. but i´m not sure if he has any additional information for me. is he one of your friends? can you recommend his seminars? or do you offer such a seminar?
thanks again in advance for your answers and help and i wish you another great and sucessfull and healthy new year!
monja
Hello Monja,
Thanks for getting in touch.
First, I use a Flip video camera, which are selling quite cheaply now on Amazon.
Secondly, I am planning a coaching club to commence in early to mid February.
As to choosing bootcamps, seminars, mentors etc., I suggest you do your homework. Here are a couple of questions to ask.
1. Does the presenter actually practice what they preach? Many so-called gurus only teach affiliate marketing, they don’t actually DO affiliate marketing. Will they show you THEIR sites, or someone else’s? (I’ve found many trainers use MY sites as examples. 🙂 )
2. Are they respected in the industry? i.e. Is their information published in trade magazines (Revenue). Have they presented at industry (affiliate) seminars in the past 2 years.. i.e. Affiliate Summit? Or did they present once and then never got another invitation?
3. Do they openly share information with their site visitors or do you have to buy everything from them?
4. Do they recommend other people’s instructional materials and software – or do they pretend to have ALL the answers?
5. Are their testimonials real and verifiable?
When you get answers to those questions, you’ll know whom you can trust to give good information.
Too, I suggest you take a good look around this site. I’ve always worked hard to recommend only trusted sources of information from REAL practitioners. Do a search for whichever coach you’re interested in and see whether it comes up.
If not, and you still have questions, feel free to drop us a note through the Support Desk.
I hope that helps!
Cheers,
Rosalind
If you have
rosalind,
thanks so much!!! i will for sure wait for your bootcamp 🙂
you couldn´t give a better advice!
Monja
Hi again Ros,
thank you for your helpful comments above on my website idea..just couple of other questions..
Traffic…Is it all to do with PPC or is it a mixture of all methods of getting traffic..email lists,SEO,…little confused as when you look at keywords you can find so many for your subject how do you know which are the best to put your money into at the start if you are trying PPC…
When you first started in this business what ways did you drive traffic? with a new site it there a best avenue to take first?
I am very much a positive thinker and am determined to make this happen for me this year and have already set some first goals but of course I do worry as others do that unless I completely understand ‘researching my niche’ and getting traffic I may just fall flat on my face so to speak…
Sometimes it seems from all I have read that it is about finding the right niche and only that… but then others seem to say its about having lots of niches and understanding to get the traffic/sales and that as long as its searched for on the internet it will work no matter what the niche if you get the traffic and content right..
I know you can not guarantee a niche is popular but what do you use as a guide if you were looking for a new niche just now?
Thank you for any advice as a newbie wanting to know as much as possible…
Happy new year and I wish all with a desire to suceed all the very best for 2009 and me too 😉 and of course you Ros!
Hello Mel,
My pleasure.
I get traffic through a variety of methods, including those you mentioned, and not just PPC. I like using PPC to jumpstart traffic to my site(s) and then I back off somewhat once my list gets built up a bit.
Longer-tail kewyords are the trick. For example, you don’t want to put your entire budget into expensive, generic keywords like “travel”.
I think the best guide to finding your best niche is to follow your heart and then confirm a market, 30 to 50k searches per month.
And you won’t fall flat, or lose your shirt with PPC provided you set a budget.
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Ros
Hey Ros,
I wanted to also know what should be included on the home page of your niche market review site?
Hey Lamaris,
I appreciate that you’re eager to learn all you can and that you have plenty of questions. However, this post wasn’t intended to become an all-in-one guide to affiliate marketing.
Perhaps you should consider buying my book in which each of your questions above has been answered in detail.
Too, there are more than 200 articles, nearly a thousand blog posts, and more than 7500 forum posts on this site, from which you can gain a considerable amount of information.
Cheers,
Rosalind
Thanks Roz and Frank for your insight and opinions on MLM and Affiliate Marketing.
Ironically, I had just stumbled into Marty Fiegl’s “The Magic Disk”….which, incidentally is listed under “Rosalind Gardener” on the search engine, when I saw Frank’s email about staying away from MLM and “get rich quick” schemes.
Admittedly, my first impression was being wary, but since it was under Rosalind’s name (and gave no hint of a name of it’s own on the landing page), I thought it was legit and was giving it more serious consideration.
Evidently, you’ve saved me some money and heartache with your timely response…THANKS!!
Carol
Hey Carol,
Thanks for the ‘heads up’ about this. Do you recall the website URL where you found that information? I can’t seem to locate it using the misspelling of my name.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Ros
Thank you so much for the book. I really appreciate that.
You are very generous and I think that’s partly why you’re successful.
There’s a few “gurus” who could learn a lot from you!
Happy 2009 & thanks again
Wendy Owen
Hey Ros,
So ultimately my success with the computer niche is in my own hands and depends on my website content and how I market my website Is this correct? because I’m really going to put my all in this new business and I need all the information I can get.
Hey Ros,
I also wanted to know what do “Results 1 – 10 of about 196,000,000” when I typed computers reviews into google search bar really mean? Do you think I have a good chance to do something in the computer parts and computer hardware niche market?
Hello Lamaris,
If you typed in ‘computer reviews’ without the quotes those are the number of pages Google picked up that have both the word computer and reviews in them.
If you type in “computer reviews” with the quotes, you’ll see that the number is less… Results 1 – 10 of about 435,000.
Predicting your chances of success in that field is very difficult as I do not know what type of site you intend or the resources you have to market that site.
I’d suggest that you investigate the sponsored links in Google thoroughly to learn more about your competition.
cheers,
Ros
Hey ROS,
I wanted to know is there a connection between infomation marketing and affiliate marketing?
Lamaris,
Affiliate marketing is a channel of Internet marketing in which affilites promote merchant products for a commission or fee.
Information marketing is selling of information. Affiliates can promote information products made available by merchants on networks such as Clickbank.
The Super Affiliate Handbook is an example of an information product that also has an affiliate program.
http://superaffiliatehandbook.com/affiliates.php
Cheers,
Ros
Roz,
Are you familiar with Ann Seig’s Renegade Network Marketer? I became involved with her system last month….14 hits so far, but no income….. My website above is basically her site with my url attached (approved procedure by her), but NOW with your help, I’m searching into my niche!
During my biz research, I picked up your book, “Make a Fortune Promoting Other People’s Stuff Online” from the library and then found this site online later today.
I have 2 questions:
#1 What are your thoughts on the Renegade System?
#2 Do you ever recommend using the landing page as FREE Information ONLY…asking for their info to give them free info until the 2nd or 3rd autoresponder email? Then offering your “backend” offer then instead of right off the landing page?
I want to leverage my time, energy, & funds efficiently…I’m a full-time teacher, stage director, have elderly parents w/health issues, etc, etc, etc. Working full-time from home is my ULTIMATE GOAL!!
Thanks for your help and have a Blessed 2009!
Carol
Hello Carol,
Thanks kindly for getting in touch.
Until you mentioned her name, I’d never heard of Ann Sieg, so I’m afraid that I can’t really comment on her Renegade System.
From the tiny bit of research that I did do however, I see that she is an MLM specialist.
And just to clarify, Affiliate marketing shouldn’t be confused with MLM or networking marketing. As affiliate marketers, we’re not trying to build a downline – we’re promoting merchants’ products.
As to your second question – by all means. Using squeeze pages or landing pages is an excellent way to build a list of leads as an affiliate marketer, provided you have sufficient incentive to get folks to sign up for your newsletter.
Just make sure that your merchant permits email marketing if that’s how you intend to promote the product(s).
I wish you the very best of success regardless of what path you choose – MLM or affiliate marketing.
Cheers,
Ros
29 December 2008 14:49:31 Central Standard Time
Carol,
I have been watching, participating and researching, direct marketing and internet business for at least as long as Ros has and if I were you I would stay away from MLM, where you have the down line.
Some are very clever and disguise the fact that what you are participating in is in fact Multi Level Marketing. Irregardless, stay away from MLM it’s usually really shady and lacking in any real value or real work. Avoid wealth without work.
Kind regards,
Frank Funston Eckdall
Unix Administrator
Hi Ros,
I read somewhere that you will be starting a coaching/mentoring program. When do you intend to start this?
Thanks.
Hello Archana,
I’m just working out the details now. 🙂
I anticipate that I’ll have it put together and wrapped up by the end of January.
Any thoughts, suggestions on what specifically you would like to see most?
cheers,
Ros
Hi There,
I’ve been reading about the updated Google Product Search (GPS) (aka Froogle) and would be interested in hearing your opinion about the potential threat it represents to the affiliate marketing model?
It seems to me that by having their ‘service’ placing the selected product feeds at the start of the organic search results, and also by banning affiliate marketers from using GPS that there is a very real possibility that they could end up driving affiliate marketers out of business.
Your thoughts?
Thanks – Richard
Hi Richard,
Thanks very much for your question.
I doubt very much that Google Product Search (GPS) will put affiliate marketers out of business for the simple reason that most people use Google’s ‘Web’ based search link (or the search form in their toolbar) to do product research as opposed to using Google’s ‘Shopping’ link and Affiliate marketers can still attract searchers using the latter via the Sponsored Links / placing Adwords.
Should the GPS search become more popular search method, I’m sure we’ll find a way to get ourselves noticed. 🙂
Your thoughts?
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Richard
Google has tried out several ideas over time. Not all of them take the world by storm.
I think people are so entrenched in their search ways that this GPS isn’t going to affect us at all.
Focus on the opportunities!
Wendy Owen
Hi Rosalind,
Can you let me know which is a good software for finding out a niche area – which will give me data on how frequently the keyword is used across various search engines, their demand-supply, etc.
Are there any free tools available for this?
Thanks
Hi Girish,
So sorry that I missed your question initially.
Although I usually recommend Wordtracker as a full-fledged keyword research tool, the best free tool available is the Google Keyword Tool
When you plug in your keyword or keyword phrases, the latter will give you:
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Ros
I sent a comment and it stated it was sent to you but it does not appear to be in the questions section?? so what do I do??
Hi Mel,
Thanks for mentioning your comment… I just found it in the spam box and will reply to it today.
Cheers,
Ros
Hello,
Firstly I fully enjoying reading your down to earth approach to affiliate marketing and thank you for it!
I hope maybe you can help shed some light on my following question..so to get to the point I am having difficulty knowing if I have a niche or not?? strange question I know..
My interest that I would to build an online business from if I can, is basically eating and health (the connection) I am a true believer that what you eat effects all aspects of your life..energy levels,moods,skin,overall daily health,concentration.
I also love and drink daily smoothies and love to juice too. So I am sure you can guess I would love to have a site related to this subject but I have come up with a few ideas but whether its a niche is what I am not sure?? was thinking along the lines of like of a site about smoothies/juicing and healthy foods by approaching it with specific articles depending what they are looking for ie….subjects would be listed like..foods for skin…foods for your mood…foods for energy…foods for kids..foods for pms.
obviously there comes with these subjects lots of connecting keywords as it is under heath,food,diet..
But is this specific enough or should it just be on one subject only ie..foods for your energy levels??
Or would it be best to do a review site on smoothie blenders/juicers as I also read it is the best place to start a ew online business…
I know what I have a big interest in and knowledge on but find it hard to know if its a niche or whether I need to move in even tighter within the subject??
I have taken time during this holiday season to ask my questions as I have to do a fulltime job while trying to change my direction daily into what I would really like to be doing so this is some free time for me to do that..so a merry christmas and thank you for your reply if you can help in anyway.
Hello Mel,
Because you are obviously passionate about the topic of smoothies and juicing, I’d say that it is a great one to pick – and also because there are lots of products that you can sell in addition to juicers (think vitamins and other supplements).
Do a search for juicer reviews on Google and see what floats. I simply searched for juicers and an affiliate site about juicers reviews came up in second place. Take a real good look at those sites and see what / how you might be able to improve upon… i.e. more professional site design which is easy to do if you outsource your header graphic design work.
As to selecting a specific ‘food for mood’ or ‘food for pms’ niche, I’d concentrate on the product and then build articles about each topic that naturally lead back to your product reviews.
I hope that helps!
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Ros
Did you see my question? (Dec 20th)
Thanks and have a good Christmas
Wendy Owen
Hi Wendy,
I just answered it above… sorry that I missed it on the first round and thanks for pointing out my oversight.
Cheers,
Ros
Thanks for the prompt reply Ros! Merry Christmas to you! May joy and peace be with you always!
Hey Ros,
I wanted to know what about a computers and computer parts and accessories niche market?
Hello Lamaris,
The computer parts and accessories niche has huge demand and also huge competition.
I’m never too concerned about the latter though…. especially if I have significant expertise with the topic.
Cheers
Ros
Hi, Ros!
Currently, Bluehost’s server is down and from what i heard, they are under attack by hackers.
I am really very disappointed with the uptime and downtime of bluehost. I hope to seek your advice in recommending another good webhost for me.
In addition, do i need to do anything to shift my whole business website from bluehost to the new webhost?
Please advise.
Regards,
Anson
Hi Anson,
Sorry to hear that your site was down this morning. I didn’t notice a problem with those of mine that are hosted at Bluehost, but then again, I probably didn’t look at the right time.
As to switching your site from one host to another, it all depends on what you have set up. If you have a blog, you’ll need to port the database over… likewise you might have to copy and upload any static HTML pages over to the new server.
As to recommendations, I’m currently in negotiations with an excellent company (they currently host my servers) to come up with a great deal for NPT subscribers. I expect to have news on that in early to mid January. If you can wait that long, I know you’ll be thrilled with their service.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Ros
I have a content site started in 2004. It does make some money via organic traffic & article marketing, but I want to boost it up a bit via PPC.
I’m a bit nervous about attempting PPC on affiliate products given the high CPC of Adwords these days!
I did buy your book about 3 years ago (lost in computer crash) and remember you recommending PPC. Is this still a viable option today?
Thanks & best regards
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
My apologies for having missed your question originally… thanks for pointing that out.
If you get in touch with Joel through our Support Desk, we’ll set you up with a new version of the Super Affiliate Handbook.
As to PPC being a viable option for generating website traffic today – absolutely! You don’t need to spend a fortune either.
Here are some articles on NPT on the topic..
http://www.rosalindgardner.com/categories/Market-Your-Site/Pay-Per-Click-Advertising/
Too, if you’re interested in PPC instruction, I understand that Anik and Amit will be re-opening PPC Classroom to new students fairly early in 2009.
I hope that helps!
Cheers,
Ros
Thanks so much for your reply. I will definitley ask Joel re the book. I lost a lot of good information that day and have been backing up ever since!
Also thanks for the article links
I hope your have a great New Year!
Wendy