How to Promote Affiliate Programs While Serving Your List
Recently, a product launch took place that caused most email inboxes to go into overdrive over the debate of forced vs. hidden continuity programs. If that type of mental fencing interests you, there are plenty of forums and blogs bantering about both sides of the issue.
From the response, it was clear that many of the prospects reaching that sales page (the majority via email), did not recognize that it was obligating them to more than a small shipping fee. Again, I’m not here to argue the merits of the marketing. But I think we can agree that if a purchaser didn’t realize – for whatever reason – that they were obligating themselves to $29.95 a month, they might be a wee bit aggravated to discover this on their credit card.
I received two emails on this subject from marketers who are friends of mine. One seemed to be the standard affiliate “copy and paste” job that screamed FREE about every third word! The email in no way cautioned List Owner A’s readers to carefully read the sales page.
The other email was pretty ingenious. The subject line and first sentence said:
Subject: “I Hate XXX’s Method of Marketing……”
….but I LOVE his product!”
Rather than cutting, pasting, landing on “GO” and collecting $200, this marketer positioned himself as someone who cared about his list. He pointed out the terms to which they’d be agreeing and even told them what to do if they did not want to continue to be billed monthly.
But, he went on to say that even though he didn’t agree with the method, you owed it to yourself to purchase this product. Since he owned the original product (from which this one was based), he was able to back up his opinion as to why it was a great offer that shouldn’t be missed.
My impression? The first marketer wanted my money.
Period.
The other marketer recommended a tool that, he felt, would benefit my business. He even cautioned me to read the fine print.
Which one used the Law of Reciprocity? If I was predisposed to buy this product, who do you think I’d buy from?
My mastermind group refers to me as the “Moral Compass”. I would hope that over time that second marketer outshines the others because s/he realizes that you can make great money while treating your readers with respect.
Debbi Bressler
Email Marketing Specialist
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