What is The #1 Mistake in Affiliate Marketing

Do you know the number-one mistake most affiliate marketers make?

Back in 2014, I started my journey into the world of affiliate marketing with high hopes and dreams of making it big.

My first online business was selling T-shirts on Facebook, targeting eager buyers in the USA.

To me, it seemed like a an easy business: find a product, advertise it, and watch the sales roll in.

However, despite my best efforts, I soon realized that I was making a critical mistake that was hindering my success – I was neglecting the importance of building an email list.

In fact, I was promoting the products using facebook ads without capturing any leads.

And it was my biggest mistake.

Then, I heard via top digital marketers like Russell Brunson that money is in the email list.

Eventually, I changed my affiliate marketing strategy towards building my email list.

Moreover, I discovered that email marketing is the most profitable online business because it makes $42 for a $1 investment, according to research.

Let's answer the question:

What is the #1 mistake in affiliate marketing? It's not building your email list.

In this article, I'll delve into why building an email list is crucial for long-term success in affiliate marketing and share insights on how an automated affiliate marketing system can revolutionize your approach.

When I first started out, I didn't understand how to capture leads and build an email list.

My main focus was on promoting the product and driving sales through Facebook ads.

However, I soon discovered that I was missing out on a golden opportunity to create a sustainable source of income.

Your email list is a digital asset that belongs solely to you. Unlike social media platforms or search engines, where your reach and visibility are subject to algorithm changes and platform policies, your email list provides a direct line of communication with your audience.

It allows you to nurture relationships, provide value, and promote affiliate offers consistently.

Consider this scenario:

You have a list of engaged subscribers who are genuinely interested in your niche. Instead of relying solely on paid ads to reach them, you can send out targeted emails promoting relevant products or services.

Since these subscribers have already shown interest in your content, they are more likely to convert, leading to higher affiliate commissions.

Furthermore, building an email list gives you the freedom of time and money. It only takes 15–30 minutes to write an email, send it to your list, and watch the sales.

You don't need Facebook and Google advertising skills to run ads and drive traffic; you can use solo ads to build your email list fast, even in 24 hours.

Solo ads involve purchasing clicks from other marketers' who have large email lists in your niche.

If you want to grow faster in affiliate marketing, I motivate you to read this article now.

One of the keys to successful affiliate marketing is efficiency. With the right tools and systems in place, you can streamline your processes and maximize your results.

An automated affiliate marketing system can be a game-changer when it comes to building and nurturing your email list.

Imagine having a system that automatically captures leads, segments them based on their interests, and sends out targeted email campaigns without you having to lift a finger.

This level of automation not only saves you time and effort but also ensures that your marketing efforts are highly targeted and effective.

For example,

let's say you run a blog about fitness and wellness. With an automated affiliate marketing system, you can set up lead magnets, such as free workout guides or recipe books, to entice visitors to join your email list.

Once they sign up, they receive a series of automated emails providing valuable content and promoting relevant affiliate products, such as fitness supplements or online training programmes.

You need 4 things to build your email list and start making money with affiliate marketing.

1. Email marketing software

2. Opt-in page

3. Thank you page

4. Traffic

Now I explain each one below:

A headline on an opt-in page is like the title of a book or the headline of a newspaper article.

It's the big, attention-grabbing text at the top of the page that tells people what the offer is about and why they should be interested.

Here are 3 ways to write an attention-grabbing headline for your opt-in page:

Subheadlines or bullet points support the headline on an opt-in page and further explain the benefits of your offer.

Let's see an example of a headline and a subheadline below:

Once you build your opt-in page and thank-you page using email marketing software, it's time to start driving traffic to build your email list.

There are two types of traffic:

1. Free Traffic

2. Paid traffic

Free traffic sources are platforms where you get visitors without the need to pay for them. It's also called organic traffic sources.

Some common free traffic sources include social media, search engines, email marketing, forums, and YouTube.

Free traffic takes time, content creation, and consistency. For example, you need to create valuable content around your niche on Instagram for months and years to get free traffic.

The fastest way to drive traffic to your opt-in page is to use paid traffic sources.

Some common paid traffic sources include Facebook ads, Google ads, and solo ads.

Running ads on Facebook and Google are very difficult for new entrepreneurs and require some skillsets, so it would be better to use solo ads for ease.

Solo ads are a powerful traffic source that can help you rapidly grow your email list and reach a targeted audience.

Essentially, you're paying other marketers to promote your opt-in offer to their email list, allowing you to tap into their audience and acquire new subscribers.

I have been using solo ads a lot because it has helped me build my email list from zero to thousands of subscribers quickly, even in 24 hours.

Here's how it works: You find reputable solo ad vendors within your niche, negotiate a price per click, and provide them with your opt-in page URL.

The vendor then sends out your offer to their list, and you pay based on the number of clicks received.

While solo ads can be a quick and effective way to build your email list, it's essential to approach them with caution.

Make sure to thoroughly research potential vendors, track your results diligently, and test different offers to optimize your campaigns for maximum ROI.

Start small first. Begin with 100–200 clicks first and check how your opt-in page is converting.

If your conversion is above 35%, then it's fine; if not, you need to optimise your opt-in page copy in order to increase your conversions.

Not building your email list is the #1 mistake in affiliate marketing.

In my journey as an affiliate marketer, I've learned firsthand the importance of building an email list as the foundation of a successful affiliate marketing business.

Neglecting this crucial aspect can lead to missed opportunities and stunted growth.

By prioritising the growth of your email list and leveraging automation and strategic traffic sources like solo ads, you can create a sustainable and profitable affiliate marketing business that stands the test of time.

Remember, your email list is more than just a list of contacts; it's a valuable asset that can generate consistent cash flow and provide long-term stability in an ever-changing digital landscape.

So don't make the same mistake I did.

Start building your email list today and watch your affiliate marketing efforts soar to new heights.

Do you want to discover the benefits of an email list? Click here to read more...