I’ve been thinking a lot recently about basic affiliate marketing techniques for the novice affiliate marketer. I think sometimes people start learning an affiliate marketing system but get overwhelmed by too much information.
And then they give up.
So I spent about a week going through literally hundreds of affiliate marketing and online business courses that I own to find one that met the following criteria:
- The system would not require a website. For some people this is a huge stumbling block, so I searched for basic affiliate marketing strategies that do not require a website – (note this one sometimes requires a VERY BASIC free website/blog with a domain, which is covered in the product – please check Michael Brown’s comments in the comments section below if this concerns you).
- Ideally the beginners affiliate marketing system would focus on only one or two affiliate marketing techniques that were repeatable and effective in driving sales and leads.
- It had to be fairly easy, but still effective. I mean there are plenty of easy affiliate marketing techniques that don’t work. Obviously, you don’t want THOSE. LOL.
- I wanted to find a basic affiliate marketing system for you that only requires one or two hours a week. Certainly after seeing results, you might put more time into it. But it’s been my experience that people are relunctant to really work at a system until they are seeing some real results.
- The system had to be designed for a novice affiliate marketing person. In other words, it had to be right for someone who knows nothing about marketing online.
- The system had to cover affiliate marketing techniques that experienced online marketers use. Too many affiliate marketing systems aimed at newbies cover techniques that professional affiliate marketers really don’t use. In other words, I want you to master something that you can use for the long-term in your business.
- The system had to be designed in such a way to allow you to generate ongoing profits from work you do once.
- The affiliate marketing system had to be such that you could use it to promote just about any type of product or service.
Important update (I’ve pulled these comments from Michael Brown – the creator of this product from the comments section):
“You do not need a website… period.
But, some of the places require that you have a domain. A very easy workaround for this is to just buy a domain for $10 a YEAR. If you’re unsure what a domain is it’s simply a URL like http://www.workathometruth.com
OR… Simply go to http://www.blogger.com and make a free blogger account and make a domain from there both which are explained in Mega Classified Millions and on the training area of Mega Classified Millions that features 4 videos to help get your campaigns kick started.”
After scouring my hard drive and going around my office looking at tons of huge business courses I paid some serious cash for (don’t worry this course literally costs just about 265 times LESS than the price of the most expensive training I’ve bought to date – training that cost me $7,970.00 if you care to know)…and AFTER applying the above criteria to all the possible choices, click here to see the surprising simple beginners affiliate marketing system I found for you.
Nothing down here but us wordpress tags. 
When I was a newbie internet marketer it used to drive me balmy that no one was prepared to simply set out exactly how the pieces of the affiliate marketing puzzle fit together in a workable, practical system. Having the right system can be invaluable. It’s something I’ve developed for new to intermediate marketers to give them a leg up into the industry, and it sounds like you have too. Nice!
what product(s) do you sell, or can you choose? How many items can you sell at one time?
thanxs
ken, you can sell just about anything that’s legal to sell online.
As far as how many items you can sell at one time – that has more to do with your organizational skills. But you’re definitely better off selling multiple items.
What system is better for newbies: MEGA CLASSIFIED MILLIONS OR WEALTHY AFFILIATES UNIVERSITY? or is it worth joining both systems?
thx
Nowaday’s I’d recommend Campaign Blasts over Wealthy Affiliate, because Campaign Blasts is extraordinarily systematic and uses very low-risk methods.
But you’d be fine with WealthyAffiliate, too.
MegaClassifiedMillions is a great system to use while you’re learning the ropes of PPC, because it’s very simple, low-cost, and basically a “rinse and repeate” type of system.
actually, you DO have to have a web-site in order to apply for the affiliate programs that are required for this system. not really a good start for a beginner
Two of the biggest affiliate networks do not require a website – ClickBank and PayDotCom.
Let me check with Michael again. I believe he’s updated this since I did this review.
Hey all,
I’m Michael Brown author and creator of Mega Classified Millions. Paul is actually correct in his assessment of Mega Classified Million being great for newer folks. When I was first getting started online before I developed Mega this is how I made some really great money.
You do not need a website… period.
But, some of the places require that you have a domain. A very easy workaround for this is to just buy a domain for $10 a YEAR. If you’re unsure what a domain is it’s simply a URL like http://www.workathometruth.com
OR… Simply go to http://www.blogger.com and make a free blogger account and make a domain from there both which are explained in Mega Classified Millions and on the training area of Mega Classified Millions that features 4 videos to help get your campaigns kick started.
I spoke with Advaliant (an affiliate ad network) personally and they assured me that blogger accounts are still fine to use and other people whoa re clients of mine have signed up to shareasale and CJ with blogger accounts.
Just a quick tip and fast work around for anyone having any issues trying to get approved by the ad networks.
So, you do not need a website to use Mega Classified Millions.
Thanks and enjoy the system!
Hi Mr. work at home,
I am a subscriber of the workathome truth, I read your web site everyday. I am very interested in the affiliate marketing system Mega Classified Millions you recommended, since I know nothing about affiliate marketing at all, so this system is perfect for me. I am going to join it and there is an additional product “7 Day Info Product Greatness”. Should I purchase this product at the same time as I am a brand new learner for marketing online, I am afraid it would confuse me with both products. Can you please give me a bit of advice.
Thanks!
-Vicky
Hi Vicky,
I would recommend that you ONLY order Mega Classified Millions at this point if you’re new to this.
Once you have more experience it could make sense to buy a product on creating your own product. At this point it would be an unnecessary distraction for you.
Also, you might want to read Michael’s comment above yours where he explains about not needing a website as there’s been some confusion about that.
hi. is ther a programme which teaches affiliate marketting for free consirdering lots of people don wanna send money to someone they dont know
I am Beginner for Affiliate Marketing but I am SURE in this business
eFront-Интернет магазин Бытовой и компьютерной техники http://www.e-front.com.ua
Gidday,
My names Adrian I am from Auckland, New Zealand. I tried to send you an email the other day but am unsure whether it went through. Need some advice.
In short I know nothing about Affiliate Marketing (and while I use it everyday very little about the internet) until about a week ago I stumbled across a web site trying to sell an Affiliate Marketing ebook.
I have spend a lot of time over the last few days looking into it, and am very interested in having ago at it.
Using your website as a guide I have weeded down the list of potential programs to 4, but I don’t know which one would be best for me to purchase in the 1st instant to get going.
The 4 I like the look of are Niche Blitzkrieg, BANS, MegaGlassifiedMillions and The Silent Sales Machine.
Could you please advice which one in your opinion is the best. I know you rated Niche Blitzkrieg as the #1 on your site, but from what I have seen Niche, Mega and Sales Machine seem very similar, infact the websites are a bit to similar (I’m a bit paranoid about money making schemes on the internet) and only BANS seems to have a very different approach to the others with a very believable website etc.
Sorry about the long winded comment.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Adrian.
Hi Adrian,
I see you’re email. It came in yesterday.
I usually can respond in 48 hours or less, although yesterday this site was being migrated to a faster server.
Three of the products you asked about, Nicheblitzkrieg, MegaClassifiedMillions, and BANS are on the the top 10 recommended home businesses list. The other Silent Sales Machine dropped off some time ago, but is still recommended more for intermediate level marketers or in conjunction with a beginners eBay guide.
Anyhow, to answer your questions:
MegaClassifiedMillions:
If you are new to online marketing, MegaClassifiedMillions
is probably better suited as it’s a much simpler system.
Eventually you will want to add other revenue streams.
It’s a good starting point and is actually good preparation for moving INTO Niche Blitzkrieg, but I’d recommend you master ONE system first and NOT buy them all at once and NOT try to do them all at once, although I have seen a few people who have been able to do that.
Niche Blitzkrieg:
The advantage of Niche Blitzkrieg is that it’s a more
intensive, well-rounded education on how to run
profitable blogs. Once you gain the skills covered in
Niche Blitzkrieg it really opens up a lot more potential
for you. A beginner can work their way through Niche
Blitzkrieg but it’s definitely requires more time and
commitment.
One thing I really think is important in the Niche Blitzkrieg training is the fact that there are forums throughout the training where you can ask questions and the owner – Michael Brown – typically checks the questions and answers them at least once per day.
BANS:
Now, onto BANS – the downside is that it’s focused only on the eBay affiliate program and while obviously that’s a solid affiliate program, recently they moved their affiliate program and if they do that again there’s no guarantee that you’d be accepted into the new program – I HIGHLY doubt that would happen, but it’s possible.
The advantages – as with Niche Blitzkrieg and Mega is once you learn the process it’s a nice, repeatable process. ALSO, you CAN add in OTHER affiliate programs, because you do have the ability to put in your own content pages for things like articles or reviews.
And again, BANS comes with a Forum.
Personally, I think once you know the Niche Blitzkrieg process it’s easier to roll out sites and get them ranked and get traffic more quickly than with the BANS system. And because of the economy right now I think it’s important to be in more than one market as it’s not clear where the money will be at any given time – HOWEVER, eventually building a LARGE authority site in a major market is a good move, but I don’t think it’s something someone new to online marketing should attempt right off the bat.
Silent Sales Machine:
Silent Sales Machine focuses more on using eBay to develop repeat buyers. While many beginning marketers have bought it I think it’s better suited to intermediate marketers as it doesn’t cover the basics of eBay as some of the other eBay guides such as the ones covered in the eBay training recommendations at WorkAtHomeTruth.
In the three years of running this site I’ve learned MUCH more about what to assume people new to online marketing do and don’t know.
Hope that helps.
Gidday Paul,
Thanks heaps, great service mate and excellent advice.
Thanks
Adrian.
You’re welcome, Adrian.
Hi Paul,
Thanks again! Kath
I like your “no hype” style – we definitely need more of that in this business! Thanks for sharing your insights and information. On your point #4, you mention that you’ve noticed people’s reluctance to put more than a few hours per week into a system until they see results. I’ve seen that, as well. Must be human nature!
Hi Paul,
As a beginner I am looking at Mega Millions as a lead in to Affiliate marketing.
As a Newbie I have to ask two dumb questions.
Does one need a list to do this business and:
Can you do it if you don’t have a product.
I would appreciate your time in response.
Regards
JeanK
Hi Jean,
Those aren’t dumb questions at all as I see I didn’t cover them.
You do not have to have a list or your own product for Mega Classified Millions.
Paul,
Thank you for your quick resonse to my question. Would it be too much to ask which Home Business or Self funding Business you would recommend for me, baring in mind I have…no list…no product…!!!
I’m a retired person but willing to work to suppliment my fixed income
Kind Regards
JeanK
Paul,
Here I am again with my apologies. I must be getting dyslectic…..misread your reply, thought you said it required list and product. Again my apologies.
Anyhow perhaps you could respond to the other part of my question….which business you would recommend in my case.
Kind Regards
JeanK
Jean,
I think Mega Classified Millions would be the best one for you to start with.
Paul:
Convinced mega classified millions would be best for the newbie to start with, but what is the income potential with this. I have not seen this addressed either in the sales literature for the course or in these comments. Naturally, this figure would depend on how much time one is willing to put into it.
I can join any REAL affilliate program for free, why would I pay 27.95 ??
Ann, I’ll need to answer your question later tonight as I’m heading out.
Michael, it’s not an “affiliate program”. It’s a course that teaches you how to drive targeted traffic to affiliate programs on a consistent basis in order to generate affiliate commissions.
You’re comment doesn’t really make any sense, actually.
Ann,
I’m the creator of Mega Classified Millions, Niche Blitzkrieg and about 20 other products.
It’s extremely hard to give income projections and that’s why I hardly put them in my advertising. If you notice someone hitting you over the head repeatedly telling you that you’re going to earn $X,XXX a day or more, etc. – run. Way too many factors are relevant to give accurate projections If you commit to the course you can make some good money for yourself though.
Your last statement really sums it all up. People who go into the course and actually use the knowledge presented to them and just go “do it” are the ones who typically come out on top. Learn, apply, succeed and keep going.
Hi Folks,
Its the “Newbie” here. Just joined Mega Millions and looking forward to learning the system.
Michael, does the download only come in Winzip form. Looks like I will have to pay for Winzip to open it (my Free Winzip was out of date) or hopefully I can get another Free copy of Winzip which I’m about to try now.
Any other advice would be appreciated.
Kind Regards
JeanK
Jean,
There’s also another very good product that will work fine that is free here:
Zip Reader download
Hi Paul,
Thank you so much for your help. I will download Zip Reader, thanks for the tip.
Then I can get to the Mega Millions. Whooppee!!
Kind Regards
JeanK
You’re welcome, Jean.
I have noticed in my research for a home based business that there is a lot of company’s that put other company’s down to get you to there site and even some of the scam and online reviews try to recommend you to a supposed legit business, you seemed to be straight forward, but with all the competion out there, is it really possible to make money for a beginner in these kind of home based buisness and advertising markets.
Jean, if you’re still there. Were you able to get to all the materials OK?
Allen,
Usually the reason you might see so many products on a not recommended list is that they fall into a general category that has been proven to not be fruitful or not as potentially profitable as claimed. For example, paid survey sites would fall into that category and there are 122 of those on one of the not recommended lists here alone.
The other situation you’ll find at WorkAtHomeTruth has less to do with whether a product is good or bad, but at what point it makes sense for you to learn the kind of information it teaches.
For example I do NOT recommend people START with products that teach pay per click marketing, but they SHOULD learn pay per click marketing eventually. You can see what I mean in the section called bootstrapping your business.
And while it’s true that more people are trying to run online businesses these days it’s also true that more and more people are shopping online than they have been in the past so there is a MUCH broader range of products that can be sold online (note: with the systems I recommend you will be starting as an affiliate marketer which means that you will generate commissions when you sell OTHER people’s products and you won’t have to manage any type of inventory).
To understand more about that, consider the fact that even at the start of the current economic downturn, according to ComScore, non-travel online retail sales increased by 1% from last year on black friday.
You can see the ComScore report here.
HI Paul,
Thank you, yes, I received the e-book and have been reading it thru. I have done so a couple of times now since this is all new to me.
I have not joined usfreeads yet just getting familiar with the material.
I can see now there is quite a bit to take in and do, firstly sorting out what to sell and then making up ads with the best selected key words. Having never written an ad before its a bit daunting, but we’ll see how it goes.
Thank you for asking, its good to know someone is “out there” who undetstands what I am trying to do. No-one in my world here has a clue.
Kind Regards
Jean
Sure Jean. I understand.
The good thing is that the process you’re learning now is one of the fundamental processes of researching markets online in general – i.e. it’s a skill that will serve you well even outside of the MegaClassifiedMillions “world”.
We’re finishing up our big move today so I’ll be gone most the day, but am glad to know you’re starting to go through the materials.
Hi Jean K,
I was wondering how you are doing with MEGA CLASSIFIED MILLIONS. How hard was it to make an Ad. I am thinking of buying it but wanted to know a little more about it. I want to make sure making an Ad is to hard. I do not want to try something if I am not sure I am good at it or it will be to much of a struggle. I only say this because after reading what you had said to Paul (“Having never written an ad before its a bit daunting, but we’ll see how it goes”),makes me feel unsure. I have never written one either.
Thanks,
Vivian
Hi Vivian,
Please do not be swayed by what I said. I think I just needed a bit of encouragement on that day.
I haven’t done one yet as “family matters” have been taking up my time but I think , really, writing the ad should not be so difficult.
They need to be short and to the point, just like most classified ads one sees elsewhere, and use the old advertisers trick of mentioning the Product 3 times in the ad.
Mega Classified Millions is a good training manual to introduce you to the marketing pricipals and tools on the Net and the support network is first class. My problems have been answered without delay which is very important.
Have fun and go for it.
Kind Regards
JeanK
Note: I’ve updated the original recommendation concerning the need for a website since two people have mentioned it now. There are a couple other pages that link to this page and I’ve updated those too.
I’ve essentially just reiterated what Michael has already posted in the comments section here. I’ve modified point #1 at the top of this blog post to say:
“The system would not require a website. For some people this is a huge stumbling block, so I searched for basic affiliate marketing strategies that do not require a website – (note this one sometimes requires a simple blogger blog with a domain, which is covered in the product – please check Michael Brown’s comments in the comments section below if this concerns you).”
If anyone using MegaClassifiedMillions feels that’s inacurrate I strongly encourage you to post here.
I don’t have room to download this on my computer as I only
have 1% left. Can I put this on a flash card ? How much
space do I need ?
Roger,
The file size is only 2.8 MB so it should be a problem at all to put it on your zip card or even on your comp for that fact.
-Michael
What is the difference between “Megga Classified
Millions” and “Affiliate Money Revolution” ? I’ve never
done anything like this before. I don’t have a lot of
capitol so I want it to count! I want to be able to put money
back into the business to grow it and make a good return on
my investment without it being too complicated or take too
long to make money. I’m willing to learn ; not afraid to work!
I just don’t want to “spin my wheels”!!
Roger,
Both system are extremely different. In case you don’t know, I’m the guy who created both Mega and AMR.
Mega teaches you how to make money without building a website. You may have to make a small free blogger blog (which i show you how to do) with Mega to get into some of the affiliate networks, but that’s it.
AMR teaches you how to build a website from scratch from A-Z. Then how to monetize it , market it, and rank it in the top 10 on Google. AMR is a more complete system where Mega is more of shorter simplified course. Also with AMR it’s all training via video and like a classroom setting. You’ll feel like you’re watching m do everything and then you follow along with me. Some people love this style of learning, some hate it.
AMR will require a bit more work and focus time but ultimately is far superior in my opinion.
If you have any other questions please post them I’d be happy to help.
It just dawned on me that some people may not know about Affiliate Money Revolution which has a free trial (NO Credit Card needed) here:
http://www.affiliatemoneyrevolution.net/go/FreeTrial
Hi Paul and Michael,
I find this site very interesting. I’v tried The work at home millionaire with Michael Matthews which i think is a scam because it cost me more to advertize for him than i actually made which is zero, nothing!!! I’v tried ads on google (ppc) and know how it works, i’v tried being a affiliate also and have learned that it’s easy for them to tamper with your affiliate name so they get the sale and you lose out. Do you teach about this in any of your programs. I gave up on affiliates because i was so frustrated by it yet i haven’t given up on learning how to make money online. Can you recommend a good program where i won’t get screwed again. Sorry for being a little harsh,not trying to scare people off your site, just sick of all the bullshit on the net and really don’t want to fork out more money that i already have unless it’s actually going somewhere if you know what i mean.
Chris,
I’m sure you can probably tell that I really don’t censor posts here unless someone is just swearing throughout an entire post. Even then I’ll still post the comment and just asterisk out the curse words.
To answer your question:
I don’t know what Work at Home Millionaire is.
Also, you mentioned “you know how PPC works”. If you didn’t make money doing PPC marketing then you do NOT know how it works. It’s really as simple as that. One of the following has to be true…you either:
1) Got bad training
2) Didn’t have enough money to start with
3) Got good training and didn’t understand it
4) Are not suited personality-wise for doing PPC marketing.
I can almost guarantee anyone that they will LOSE money when they start out with PPC, which is WHY I tell people NOT to start with PPC marketing in the Bootstrapping Your Business post.
That’s exactly why I post in that section:
“So the idea is that you DO NOT spend any money in addition to the initial money you spend in step 1 until you’ve generated at least $300 from one of the systems in step 1.”
So, unless you’ve made money with PPC marketing then you do NOT know how it works. If you got up every morning and drove your car into a tree would you tell me “I know how to drive”?
There is a lot of great free training you can piece together. It won’t be as efficient as just starting with a specific course, but you should be able to come up with the end result. Probably one of the biggest pieces you’ll miss out on which would come with something like AffiliateMoneyRevolution.net or Niche Blitzkrieg is the help forum that is specifically geared toward THAT training system.
But you can piece together a lot of great free information/training using this section I put up recently:
Recommended Home Business Sites.
For example you could use
Again, the downside is you won’t get the personal attention you would in a forum devoted specifically to a course. But it’s certainly an alternative.
Here are some fundamental truths about business – and online business in particular:
almost always LOSE money at first.
As far as the “it’s easy for them to tamper with your affiliate name so they get the sale and you lose out” I assume you’re talking about getting your commissions hijacked. It’s an issue, but I have friends who are running ethical affiliate businesses making over six figures per MONTH…NET. I’m sure they’re losing money to affiliate link hijacking, but I bet they’re not going to shut down a six-figure per month business because of that.
From what you’re telling me it sounds like the biggest problem is that you got bad training. That would be my guess anyhow. You really might want to start with the free information I listed above.
Paul and Michael,
I have a few questions regarding Mega Classified Millions. I am brand new to affiliate marketing — as in, a month ago, I didn’t even know what it was.
I have a keener grasp on it, but it’s still very tenuous. Please be gentle and speak to me as though I were a third-grader, okay?
If I went this route, I would prefer to use blogger at first. I did register my domain; however, I’ve decided to do something personal with it for the time being. Not to mention, the website that I (tried to) design(ed) is not fit for public consumption. Blogger is within my realm of capability.
I am a **modestly*** succesful blogger, drawing around 100 comments daily. Occasionally, I can draw a crowd if I pick a more controversial topic. I have never considered meshing the ideas of my creative language and affiliate marketing together; do you think that this can be done tastefully and appropriately? Or will it be off-putting to readership?
Should I just start over with a new blog/site for purposes of learning affiliate marketing?
Oh, one more thing — I operate on Mac OS platform. Problems with this in the future?
100 comments is pretty good/day is great.
You can certainly use blogger. It’s not the ideal, but it’s not terrible either.
But with MegaClassifiedMillions you don’t really need a blogger blog to promote the products – you usually need that just to get into some of the affiliate networks.
Are you running Adsense on your blog? That may be a better way to go for a blog like the one you’re describing.
Yes, you can mesh your creativity with affiliate marketing. I don’t do it on this page, but I do that quite a bit (I originally was a jazz pianist/composer and studied at New England conservatory).
Now, there are technical ways to make good money with affiliate marketing that are completely left-brained, but you can also take the tact of speaking from your authentic voice and I’ve found that if you really stay integrity with that voice it can be a much more enjoyable and still profitable experience than just focusing on left-brain number-crunching aspects alone (although it’s important to develop that, too).
Just to be clearer about what I’m saying there:
1) On a blog like your describing I’d likely only run Adsense or advertising on the right-hand column. Something non-intrusive.
2) You can still use MegaClassified Millions to learn some of the basics of getting rankings in the search engines and promote affiliate products without having to mention products on your blogger blog.
3) You would use your blogger blog to get into the networks, but you don’t necessarily have to do any promotions on it.
4) Regarding the Mac OS – I assume you mean the PowerPc like the iBook G4 which i’m typing on right now…
It’s getting better, but there are still a lot of marketing tools only developed for the PC. The biggest hurdle for you will be getting your hands on a good keyword research tool.
The only one I’ve found so far is MarketSamurai which is $149.00. It’s an incredible tool but not cheap and could actually be overwhelming for someone new to online/affiliate marketing.
Paul –
I’m working on a new Macbook. Macs rule!
Not to sound like a completely dork here, but my blog is actually a “top blog” on a social networking site. Judging from the number of hits it receives, and the success of bloggers who took their blogs out of that particular forum, I think that I could do quite well if I translated it into my own forum.
I really prefer NOT to use Blogger/Blogspot; in a perfect world, I’d have Dreamweaver at my fingertips (that program rules!). But first, baby steps. My plan is to incorporate Adsense and drive the blog up the rankings. This is where I am critically deficient — in this particular area. And I have been told by successful bloggers that this is the most crucial aspect to promoting any blog.
I have considered the dry, left-brained approach, but I don’t think that I could get that motivated to support it. There are a couple of blogs that I’m thinking of that have managed to rank themselves way up there by providing quality content AND advertising. One of them is a very clever review site for women’s cosmetics. The level of interactivity amongst commentors and the site owners is high. Clearly, they are an Amazon affiliate; I’m also seeing a lot of Ebay advertisements on the site that promote the products they review. I don’t mind going there because, like your site, it provides dual services — information AND retail information. (If that makes any sense at all!)
In time, I would like to fully develop my own website with a lot of bells and whistles. But lacking the affiliate marketing experience, I need to choose the slow and steady route for a while, lest I do something stupid and lose my shirt!
Sounds like MCM might be helpful in helping me with get ranked, yes –?