The Affiliate Diary

Today Jeremy anounced The Black Ink Project 2.0.  I could go into detail about all the cool stuff TBIP 2.0 will offer but I will let Jeremy do the honors!

I am really looking forward to TBIP 2.0.  The first version was packed full of great info that I as well as others are still trying to digest.  However, for me TBIP 2.0 is more down my alley because I already have a good affiliate marketing foundation.

I am a visual person and learn far more by watching then by reading.  That’s why I love video tutorials vs. written tutorials. With TBIP 2.0 members will be watching Jeremy build an affiliate site from A to Z step by step.  This is going to be awesome!

Here’s a quick summary of the benefits of Black Ink 2.0:

• A complete step-by-step blueprint and instruction guide for building an affiliate marketing site and campaign. You’ll see every action step required to build a profitable site. This course will be about 10% theory and 90% work.
• Pre-recorded high quality videos offered in Windows, Mac, and Ipod formats (for those who like to listen on the road). This will result in better video and audio quality.
• Action guides delivered the same day that the recording is posted. This will keep you on task while you’re learning.

The course will be delivered over a series of 15 days. Rather than joining me for a live call every day at 3:00 PM Pacific, you will be downloading the recorded sessions and action guides at that time. Since the training sessions will be pre-recorded I will be able to pack a lot more material into each session.

Rather than having a daily question and answer session, we’re going to have a live chat at the end of every week.

TBIP 2.0 starts July 7th!

For complete details please visit TBIP 2.0 web site.

I have been corresponding with Justin Premick from AWeber over the last couple days.  We have been discussing their recent price increase and new features and tools.

I wanted to share with you what Justin had to say.

Me: Justin, can you tell me why AWeber increased their prices and what new features you will be offering your customers?

Justin: “Our pricing and service is designed to provide small and medium-sized businesses with an affordable yet powerful email marketing platform.”

“While we certainly provided that before, we feel that the additional tracking and segmentation opportunities that our Email Web Analytics package deliver will help our customers significantly increase the effectiveness and profitability of their email marketing campaigns.”

“We feel that the additional value these tools bring to the table more than offsets the change in our pricing structure.”

“Also, keep in mind that for the tens of thousands of small businesses who communicate with fewer than 500 subscribers the cost of an AWeber account is actually cheaper than it was before, at $19/month rather than $19.95. And those businesses will still be able to utilize all of the powerful tracking and segmentation tools in our Email Web Analytics package.”

I want to thank Justin for taking the time to answer my question and hope eveyone finds the information usefull.

Just when you thought it could not get any better Jeremy is offering us an encore to TBIP and will be announcing The Black Ink Project 2.0 tomorrow at 4PM Pacific time.

For me TBIP v1.0 was not only the most informative affiliate marketing reference and training bar none, but it was also very motivational.  Not only did Jeremy do each session live but he also answered live questions, and provided us with action guides.  He has also been very receptive and quick to answer my questions via email as well.  I personally don’t know how he does it.

Even now I am re-reading each session presentation and watching each session video to make sure I did not miss anything.  The amount of information that was provided is amazing.

TBIP v1.0 has been an insperation and I have made the most progress with my affiliate sites over the last month.

I for one am looking forward to both the encore sessions and TBIP v2.0.

Yesterday I blogged about the success of my Email marketing campaigns using AWeber.  AWeber used to be only $19 for unlimited contacts, campaigns, auto responders etc.  However, yesterday I found out that AWeber recently incorporated a new tiered pricing structure and I wanted to discuss that in today’s post.

With the price increase comes additional features such as Web Analytic Tools. Here are just a few of the things you’ll be able to do in both plain text and HTML emails:

• See exactly when subscribers click on links in your message so you can focus on the right time to send your message.
• Send a broadcast to only subscribers who didn’t open or click on your previous broadcast.
• Send a broadcast to only subscribers who did click on your order page, but didn’t order.
• See which subscribers are responding to your campaigns — which messages they’re opening, which links they’re visiting, and where on your website they’re going after clicking through.
• Target subscribers by sending broadcasts to only those who responded (or didn’t respond) by clicking or opening a specific message or link.
• Track revenue generated by campaigns and subscribers to see which subscribers and campaigns are making you money, helping you create future campaigns that are more relevant and valuable.

These new tools more than make up for the price increase and I still feel that AWeber is the best value for your money.

A couple months ago I purchased a subscription to AWeber so I could do some email marketing to the members of my dating site and my other affiliate sites.  I was using another email marketing company but they recently jacked their prices up and their interface was clunky and not very intuitive.

One feature that sold me on AWeber was their test drive and their video tutorials.  I love sites that walk you step by step through their business process.  I also like the fact that AWeber is only $19 per month for unlimited campaigns. Plus they offer a Risk Free 30 Day Trial.

I had to import all my contacts from my previous email marketing company and AWeber had to verify each contact and allow them the option of opting out. I was really worried as I was afraid a lot of my contacts would opt out.  I was pleasantly surprised when a majority of my active members opted in.  Out of the 7,341 contacts I imported, I still have a couple thousand who have not opt-in or opted out. AWeber gives contacts 30 days to verify /opt-in before they are removed from your list.  Even today I am still getting members who just now opened and verified their subscription.

AWeber makes setting up auto responders and campaigns a breeze.  Within 30 mins I had set up and authored my first email broadcast.

My first AWeber email campaign to my dating site members was short and sweet.  I was simply letting them know that I had made some important changes to my site and invited them to stop by for a visit. This campaign increased traffic to my site by nearly 20% and my conversion rate increased by over 20% as well.

I like email marketing for so many reasons.  The primary reason is the ROI.  AWeber only costs me $19 per month and my ROI is more than worth the price. In fact, I would be willing to pay 10 times the amount.  Email marketing is a very simple and easy form of communication and does not require any technical skills.  Everyone who is on the Internet has an email account and uses email on a daily basis.

Of course you need a list of contacts before you can begin any email campaign.  I have found the best way to populate your list is to offer your visitors something for free.  On one of my sites I offer a free financial planning guide and on my dating site I offer some dating advice and tips.

I have done some successful email campaigns is the past but The Black Ink Project reignited that flame.  The session “List Building and E-mail Marketing” was a big help and motivator and I encourage anyone interested in email marketing to watch this video.  There are also several very informative email marketing videos and articles at AWeber.

Once you have built your list, email marketing becomes the single best way to keep intouch with your customers and has by far the highest ROI.

Sorry for the lack of posting but I have been busy working on my affiliate sites.  It’s easy to manage one or two sites but half a dozen takes a lot of time.  I must confess that I have also been playing outside a lot too. Hey all work and no play makes… well you know the rest.

I will post my progress with my sites shortly and will share the success and failures with eveyone.

A majority of my success I must credit to Jeremy Palmer.  The Black Ink Project has been a great insperation and is bar none the best affiliate resources available.

Attended TBIP webinar Session 8 “Concept to Construction” and download the power point presentation.

Attended TBIP webinar Session 7 “Designing a Visually Appealing Site” and download the power point presentation,

• Attended TBIP webinar “Architecting a Bulletproof Site” and download the power point presentation.
• Reviewing TBIP Site Map Resource PDF and Wire Frame Guide doc.
• Still doing some SWOT analysis of my niches.

• Completing the Session 4 and Session 5 Action Guides.
• Read another great Senjo Marketing blog review about TBIP “Why Most Affiliates Fail“. So true.
• Completed TBIP week 1 Survey.
• Here is a great singular reference point for all TBIP materials.  Thanks Les.
• Reviewing Session 1,3,4,5