Domain name drama.  Trying to come up with domain names quickly and in mass quantities is tough work despite the fact it generally requires finding two to three words, many that are derived from a company’s name.  And for an affiliate marketer, as the business grows and even expands internationally, things like language and product recognition become even more imperative to the domain decision.
 
Trying to condense a good chunk of creative copy into a domain name is almost impossible.  While copy is catchy and descriptive, its important domains are clear and stick to the memory like glue.  Credibility doesn’t hurt either.  I’m not certain there’s a recipe for success, but believe successful domains share several of the same ingredients.  In my own humble opinion, they’re straightforward, revealing, and short.  Now if only they were available! 

Here are a few websites I found helpful:

www.wilsonweb.com

www.sportsbetting.com (wouldn’t think so by the title, huh?)
www.domainhandbook.com

And of course all bloggers out there are invited to share their tips and favorite links too!

Affiliate marketing is a part of almost every major industry both domestically and internationally.  I like to explore how affiliates tackle a specific field and if there’s anything unique about their approach and success.

I don’t like admitting the following, but after sitting through another mind-numbing Emmys’ spectacle I started thinking about how affiliate marketers plan and execute for such a huge media bonanza…especially one that is predominantly advertised on the tube.

Eonline.com is a good case study and template for burgeoning entertainment affiliates.  Visitors will find not only up to the second celebrity gossip and ‘news’, but links galore to newsletters, fashion, beauty, movies; essentially pages and pages of content promoting maximum SEO results.  Additionally, it’s weekly gossip column hit heavy on viral marketing and has a die-hard following.  And finally, check out the variety of website content which includes videos, photographs, blogs, quizzes, sound bytes, but hopefully not a database of Joan Rivers memorabilia.  

Finding a partner is difficult an any arena, be it life, work…tennis!  Successful affiliate marketers are dependent on partnerships, and the more the merrier.  Partners are not only your road to moola, but your major platform.   Need to team up and find a few new partners?  It helps to find partners with built in traffic who would could also profit from your offer.  Think of your partner as almost a customer…provide them with a quality product and they’ll keep coming back. 

Like some life partners, and my tennis partner, affiliate marketing partners can be flaky and non-committal.  All three scenarios stink and leave you losing game on all levels. So what do you do?  Keep searching for new partners!  Remain active and stay on top of new, exciting sites that meet your niche needs.  Two successful ways to land new partners is in affiliate directories and by advertising on your own site.  And if you’ve got some good partners, keep em’ happy.  Make sure they know the goings-on in your company…the good news anyway! Be timely with payments, and offer new ideas on how they can generate business.

Business etiquette is often an in person practice.  Certain rules apply when meeting face to face for instance at a restaurant or in office.  Conversation is edited, outfits are ironed out, and manners are displayed in full force.  Online etiquette, however, involves a different set of criteria.    
Sure it’s nice to conduct business knowing it doesn’t really matter if you still have coffee breath, or if your tie never leaves its rack in the closet.  Two important factors though to consider in the online etiquette arena are your phone and e-mail presence.  

It’s easy to become overly casual and tranquil if you happen to work from the comforts of your own home.  With this in mind, it’s important to maintain a professional voice on the phone, and to be sure ‘outside’ noise like your parakeet or microwave don’t disrupt conversations. 
E-mail etiquette matters too.  Double check e-mails for spelling-especially with names, the tone, and main points.  Affiliate marketing is a tightly networked industry where it’s common to develop close relationships with clients and competitors, yet a little practiced professionalism goes a long way. 

Several industries have flourished by expanding their business beyond country borders.  Unlike, say the retail industry, affiliate marketers aren’t bothered with the shipping costs, lost product, transportation taxes, and a whole lot more.

 There are some unique considerations however for affiliate marketers who decide to become international superstars.  The advantages for affiliate marketers to extend advertisements beyond domestic borders include the ease of marketing to specific ethnic and cultural groups.  In most cases too, it’s cheaper to market on international sites.

Roman Kilun, who is a research analyst at DMO Global Inc. suggested AM’ers consider the following in order to effectively market:

 - Make sure the ad content agrees with the spoken language

- Research the cultures and   customs of your chosen international market

- Know the laws…for example, spam laws differ in other countries

Whats a super affiliate and how do I become one- Nobody wants to be mediocre.  Or even worse…insignificant, no matter what world you’re living in, be it real life or online. I’ve searched for books on affiliate marketing on how to become SUPER and separate oneself from the pack and found most accolades directed towards Rosalind Gardner’s Super Affiliate Handbook.   

Readers rave about its down to earth style and concise directions.  If you’re suspicious of the industry and don’t trust the companies within, Gardner reveals both credible and big name players including Barnes and Noble and The New York Times as longtime industry vets. 

Gardner excels at grabbing readers with a lifestyle appeal.  It’s not computer jargon so much as ‘ditch the dead end job and get rich working for yourself’ proclamations.  Convincing?  Initially…yes.  Although, equally rich material can be found closer to the source…on the web.

It’s becoming more and more known that affiliate marketing is one of the fastest growing industries on the internet.  It’s still a young industry though with determined entrepreneurs at the helm, oftentimes without a business plan or a defined direction.

One way to start your affiliate marketing company is to find your niche market.  The financial potential is important, but so are your interests.  While the most competitive affiliate marketing niches are desirable in terms of quick money and a lot of it…they don’t always work.  There are industries galore on the web and several companies that will provide websites, banners, and creative material tailored for the chosen market segment, and needed to get your business off the ground.   

Here’s a great e-mail copywriting tip I learned today with help from Jason Hahn’s article  at dmconfidential.com

 
Subject Line Matters! Include the essentials.  If it’s an offer your promoting..say so. 

Originality matters too, along with air of professionalism.  People are becoming savvier at reading into suspicious and unfamiliar e-mails.  Note the similarities in the spam mail you receive and be sure to not use the same format. 

 
Know your audience and tailor your copy to catch their attention and identification.  

Yeah blogs are fun to write and it’s enjoyable to freely express everything that comes to mind in your own voice.  Blogs can be profitable though.  And no, you don’t have to forego your funnier than Will Ferrell sense of humor, but you can adopt a few habits that could provide more bang for your blogging buck.

Generate blog traffic be it through a crazy giveaway, savvy keyword (become familiar with Google Adsense), or become a self-proclaimed expert on something (color psychology!)

Link to other blogs…it helps if they’re relevant and you’ve established a blogging personality.  Offer to swap links to for incentive purposes.

Get people to stick around…include links to articles, past blogs, images, video, anything to generate additional interest. 

Become familiar with commercial blogs.  These blogs are created and controlled by corporate folk and can serve as decent templates.  

Ultimately, stick with your blog, and stay on top of it.  It contains your words, and is your endeavor be it for personal or profitable reasons.   

New to affiliate marketing?  The lure of this rapid growing industry is strong no doubt, but not everyone has the immediate online know-how to find their market, locate clients, and garner substantial commissions.  While there are a number of general business elements involved in an affiliate start up, the tangible aspects are missing (predominantly due to the freeing ability to work from a computer.)  Here are a few tips gathered from affiliate experts on how to quickly and officially launch an affiliate marketing business. 

1. Find your niche…be it financial or food related, become an expert in your area

2.  Expand your search engine optimization methods, and find your market with a newsletter and tailored e-mail campaigns

3.  Entice new clients with free offers and specialized information

4.  Choose link exchanges wisely..quality counts.

If you’re into affiliate marketing, you’re probably online a lot, so don’t forget that there’s a bevy of sites and people out there with solid advice and years of affiliate marketing experience.  You’re not alone, yet can learn to stand out!