Affiliate Marketing and Twitter
Recently I read an article written by ProBlogger where he was discussing the concept of using Twitter and Affiliate Marketing.
The basic argument or question was…
Should affiliates use Twitter to promote products as an affiliate?
As more and more tools pop up it will inevitably attract the marketing minds who will look to find a way to get their messages out to more people (me included).
So do I think Twitter should be used for affiliate marketing?
Here is my response to the campaign that was being discussed designed by Joel Comm…
NOTE: See the original article posted here on the ProBlogger blog:
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/10/08/affiliate-marketing-on-twitter-does-it-belong/
My Response:
Personally I think the danger here is not so much for Joel but for the affiliates promoting Joel using this technique.
The best way for affiliates to promote products is to separate themselves from every other affiliate by creating a unique promotion. If all affiliates have the exact same Tweet, it looks like spam and turns people off (as evidenced by the negative reaction posted on the ProBlogger blog).
The same principles apply to affiliate email promotions. Joel did the right thing for his affiliates by making it easy for them to promote (just like creating an email template). At that point it’s up to the affiliate to take what was given and personalize it so that the promotion has meaning to their list/following.
Obviously that didn’t happen and that’s why we’re having this conversation.
If these same affiliates took 30 seconds to customize the tweet, give an opinion on the book or tailored it in some way, I think you would have a different reaction.
Twitter is an intimate and personal platform. The minute you start being “generic”, you’ll lose people.
That’s why it’s dangerous for the affiliates in this case because they stand the biggest risk of people selecting the “Remove” button after they see these generic tweets.
Marketing products on Twitter is fine (even as an affiliate) but the tweets still have to be personal - NO Generic Tweets!
What are your thoughts?
Let me know and leave a response below.
Excellent topic Stu and very good advice from you. Each time I have read what I consider an excellent campaign from an affiliate marketer is because that person personalized the campaign.
Your conclusion that the question is not an issue about Twitter is correct. The issue is about promoting something that you have reviewed or plan to use yourself.
Recently I noticed what I felt was a excellent training package on how to use video for marketing. As the founder of YouTube Mastery http://youtubemastery.netand the group by the same name on Facebook my antenna has been on alert for people selling video training packages.
I purchased this package, reviewed most of the training then prepared a video on the key features and benefits of this package including why I felt this was an excellent value for my list. Anyone reviewing this material would not be able to tell initially that I was an affiliate in this instance. I posted a couple tweets on Twitter and so did several other people. My messages were unique and actually so were theirs. No complaints.
Thank you Stu. Great topic
Steve
The Profit Expert
http://stevepohlit.com
PS Your new membership software looks very cool. I am just not sure how it addresses affiliates.