Branding - What is it and why do I need it?
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If you are marketing on the internet the odds are that you are an affiliate of some programs. This is a great way to get started and even to continue making an online income. The problem comes when you start promoting the various programs. All affiliate programs make it extremely easy to promote their programs. They give you a replicated web site and tell you what a favor they are doing for you because you don’t need your own site to make money and this is true.
What? You are not sure you are an affiliate?
Do you belong to a traffic exchange and promote it to build a downline?
You are an affiliate.
Promote clickbank products?
You are an affiliate.
Do you belong to any program that pays you if you promote and get sign ups?
You are an affiliate.
The problem comes in when you do the promotion of their site you are increasing the brand awareness of their site. Yes, they pay you if you get the sign up but you have now created a customer for them. As you advertise using their page you are creating branding for them. Everyone that sees your promotion gets to see that page which promotes that program not YOU.
Now, why should this matter to you?
I guess the answer to that is really decided by answering the following question.
Do you want to be successful?
Seems like a stupid question doesn’t it. But if you want to be successful you have to do the things that successful people do. That is to brand themselves.
How much better to send people to a page that promotes both you and your affiliate program. It is easily done. Create a logo or signature that carries through on all your promotions. Use that and run people through your own website and give away something to get them to sign up for your newsletter before you send them to the program you are promoting. If you get them to do that you then have the way to continue to build a relationship with that person. If you treat them with respect and give them valuable information they will stick with you.
So the choice is yours. You can give away your prospects or you can create an awareness of you and your business. Which do you think will be more successful?
Michael Paetzold is the owner of MP Marketing and specializes in helping people to earn an income on line. You may reach him at mike(at)mpaetzold.com or visit his business at mpaetzold.com
