State of Affiliate Marketing 2011-2012? (14)
I figured this would be a healthy discussion to have for newbies just breaking into the industry and part-time aff marketers like myself who are still undecided if this is the path we want to choose career wise.
Seems like there is always a discussion going on about how CPA arbitrage is dead (Ahem ... Directresponse Blog) and that the affiliate marketing model will go the way of dodo, I just thought it would be nice to have some expert industry insights from the more experienced members, moderators, and the network owners as to where they believe the industry is headed.
With networks like Epic Direct (Azoogle), Copeac, CX Digital, and Hydra going tits up and traffic sources booting affiliates off left right and center its tough to stay motivated and continue to believe that affiliate marketing is a viable long term business model. Not even 3-4 years ago it seemed like those networks were untouchable and were at the forefront of the industry, these days you would have to be insane to run even a cent of traffic to them. All this can be a bit disheartening, especially if you are new. The pace at which this industry changes and evolves is astounding and a little scary.
What advice would you give someone who was on the fence about going full-time at this?
TL/DR: Where do you think affiliate marketing is headed?
People have claimed the industry is dead since I entered in 2008.
There were big networks back then going under too. Yes, this industry changes at a bloody quick pace, but I wouldn't believe anyone saying it's dying.
Thanks for bringing this up, I was just thinking about this myself. Would love to hear some experts' opinions.
I'm very interested too...
Originally Posted by 403flux
Just rumors about payments issues, some affiliates owed $x,xxx+ not being paid etc... Two sides to every story though, run traffic at your own discretion.
I doubt they will go under since they're the AOR for so many offers, but I personally wouldn't run any traffic to them.
Here is my opinion. Affiliate marketing will always be around. However, I don't think it is a good business model anymore. The big traffic sources obviously don't allow it and it has been years since I've seen a quality offer on the networks. Eventually you have to ask yourself...is spending all this time working smaller traffic sources and/or working out ways to get around the rules on the bigger traffic sources worth the time? The only way I see myself getting wealthy with IM is with my own legit product. This is much harder to do than AM, but I when I look at how easy the traffic (and money) is for non-affiliates I just don't see another way. AM pays the bills right now but I doubt it can for much longer.
As long as people are overweight and horny no swagg single guys are looking for ass. I aint going nowhere!!!
I have NO IDEA where affiliate marketing will go. But, here's why it makes a LOT OF SENSE to be doing it right now:
1) There will always be marketing.
2) There will always be the internet.
So, I don't care if I market as an affiliate, and a business partner, as a gun for hire, etc.
All the skills I'm learning in AM can be transferred over.
Don't know if I would want it to be my "career" of sorts - but like inversion says, the skills are transferable to other areas of business.
My idea is to bank as much as I can, in as short of an amount as possible. Depending on how the trend goes then if I can still make money after x amount then I will. Otherwise I'll jump into new businesses.
I think if you're wise with your money, and you are able to make some decent profit from AM then you can set yourself up pretty well.
I've been in this business for 6-7 years now. And there is a few things that are always true
1. Most affiliates are lazy. Gold rushes come and go, but the affiliates that truly know how to market always can and will make good money.
2. Ever since the day I started the people right before me made all the money and the industry was going away. Right before i started With seo you could rank for anything by stuff keywords before that people were paying 10-20$ cpm's for clcikbot traffic. Then there was click arbitrage. Then can spam. All these things triggered doom sayers, theyre all full shit . It's only getting bigger and better. More traffic sources, more offers, more optimization tools, more account management tools, etc. The change keeps it interesting if you ask me. I think it's a good thing.
3. There's millions of spins to sell things of which most people haven't even thought of. Think of trials. They were around for years and until so done came up with the blog and news pages they didn't do much volume. Then everyone exploited them and they got frowned upon. There will be many more similar things in the future. We're working on a couple concepts withone of my other companies that's very compliant, profitable and gets approved everywhere. It's all about creativity.
4. traffic sources have no issues with affiliates. They do have a issue with uncreativepeople that want to copy each other and not come up with original ideas.
5. ... I don't have any more time but you get the point.
There millions to be made in this business it's it's rightin front of your face. You just may not see it yet.
Affiliate marketing has been dead since 2001. I sell 20" chrome spinner rims via late night infomercial to males age 65-85. Geriatric dubs. That's where the money is.
This year there have been 3 key trends for me:
* more people online = more traffic = more opportunity
* facebook = new google
* international international international
I dont see those trends changing in 2012
A More people will continue to come online, especially in places like indonesia, india, china and watch out for afrika
B For those affiliates that suss the facebook challenge and stick with it -> huge opportunity next year (less competition, more traffic)
C See A (international)
I am by no means an expert... but imo (and from what I'm getting from everyone else) is that things don't die, they just evolve. Specific things within an industry will die, but as everyone else has said already, you just need to adapt and get creative... Affiliate marketing as a whole will always be around because there will always be people looking for others to push their products for them, it's a great business model for a product owner, but the specifics and intricacies will always grow and change.
Honestly I'd like to see everyone "thinking" AM is "dead" because it's changing, because change means opportunity, and if more people think change = death of industry, then there will be less competition, and more monies para mi and those who adapt and grow.
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