In this post, I want to share some insights regarding ACTUALLY MAKING MONEY ONLINE. I believe that the information creators and those producing content will always rule the day. Those being straight-up affiliate marketers will always have a more difficult time achieving the financial freedom they seek.
I’m going to go on record and tell you your greatest probabilities of getting out of the rat race you desire to exit is to create products and/or services around your passions. Yeah, folks succeed with cpa, ebay, yadda yadda. But a lot of winning the affiliate marketing game involves writing articles every single day (tons of them) about stuff you aren’t passionate about.
Instead, I implore you…find something you are passionate about. Then, brainstorm some products/services you can offer around it. THEN, start building your online presence. You have a lot higher chance of making profits right out of the gate. (Albeit, they may be small at first, but if you stick with it, market, blog, JV, do webinars, etc….it’ll happen.)
I think that is one of the huge advantages many typical small business owners have, versus straight up Affiliate Marketers. They already have a product or service they want to market. Then, they create high value, product/service driven content which makes their brand more customer friendly. This eventually leads to more profits. Yet, most small businesses have no idea how to perform they other half of the marketing…the online stuff.
We are all customers. We enjoy content and videos that is amusing, informational, inspirational, etc. We want to be “happily educated”. 
If you are into SEO, blog about it like my mate Alex Whalley. If you are into living on the run, do it Sean Ogle Style. However, always remember, you want to form a path that leads to profits.
Offer something of value, for free (Yes, you are looking at my blog seeing no autoresponder signup right now…ahhh….alas, one man can only focus on so many things. ) Yes, yes, I know…. if I was a woman, I’d have it done already. Anyway…build your funnels. Focus on giving great content for free. If they like that nugget, up the ante and offer something paid. if they like that….well, you get the picture.
Talk to you later InfoPreneurs,
Brandon Yeager
photo credit: Phillip Pessar
Brandon, I smiled when you said there was no auto-responder. I have recently taken mine off the blog, as I had no reason to eMail my visitors.
I am travelling down the route you suggest, for one main reason, it will be enjoyable.
Thanks for your insights. I will be back for more.
John
John McNally´s last [type] ..5 Ways to Schedule Blog Posts
Hey John,
Don’t get me wrong man…the a/r is critical. My suggest, possibly reconsider placing your a/r back on your site. If for no other reason than to load up maybe 7 or 10 preset messages and provide some great content for your visitors.
I’m just in the process of redesigning how I want to TIP to operate. I understand I’ve made some vital mistakes with it, and in order to provide great info, yet make some type of a profit from it…I needed to do some reconsidering…
Brandon
I have been trying my luck online for more that a year and I had a difficult time with affiliate marketing. I have let it go and I figured that I would do much better if I create my own–one over which I have knowledge, experience and as you’ve emphasized: passion.
Succeeding online is trial and error, but one important lesson I have gained: PERSISTENCE.
hey Walter,
Thanks for dropping by…yes…persistence rules the day. I have found, sometimes we just need to recharge our batteries also…they go dead after not seeing any results from your efforts.
Brandon
I have an ebook in mind, a good one and somewhat unique I think.
What are your thought on a first product being a paid one…if your name is already known, at least somewhat?
Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last [type] ..Decembers Agenda – Will You be Involved
Hey Dennis….if your name is already known somewhat…you could give it a shot. However, I’m a huge believer in capturing those email addresses first…by giving away something free.
Basically, give something free away, and then try to sell them. It’s a tough road going right for the sale. You will capture a percentage of the folks for the email optin, but even less going straight for the sale. I’d recommend…create your ebook, and then create a smaller free optin report, or a video or two, and then tell them where they can get additional information.
Just my 2 cents.
Good hearing from you,
Brandon
I think the interesting thing about knowing how to blog is that you can literally choose a new career / business, by beating out your local competition. That’s essentially what I’m doing in my real estate market at the moment since I was first a fairly successful blogger, but now am using that knowledge to rank well for local real estate terms and launch another business. It’s really powerful stuff knowing seo, blogging, and web design.
I think you’re definitely right in that having your own business or product makes it a lot easier to make money rather than talking about things you’re not necessarily passionate about.
Ryan @ Milwaukee Condos´s last [type] ..Terrace Row Condos
Hey Ryan,
Great stopping by! Actually, real estate is in my blood too. I have a flip under contract that I’m selling right now. And, yep, I know exactly what you are saying. I outrank all the agents for certain search terms in my local market just by using SEO. another thing…I rank for the video searches also by being keyword specific…cracks me up.
do you know Brian Meidam ? Just curious. he’s from Mil, WI.
Haven’t heard of him, I’m going to Google the name now.
Ryan @ Milwaukee Condos´s last [type] ..Contact
Hi Brandon,
thanks for share the info in your post.
Actually build a business online and make money with it is not easy.
But day by day, step by step, you learn more and with persistence you will succeed.
Patience is the virtue of the strong.
Erik
Hey Erik,
You are right on…persistence wins the day in any endeavor. the last one still swinging wins.
Brandon
Wow an article about content rich blogs … Amen. For years I have been pushing the content barrow uphill – or so it seems while all around me are spouting SEO, CPA, marketing etc.
In my heart I know that I like content rich sites and get very frustrated when I am looking for information and hit yet another squeeze page, or quasi squeeze page. You know the ones .. set up to look like they have content but exist purely to funnel you into buying something.
Yes I do buy products online .. probably more than my bank account can properly afford but I like to find my content first, then look for relevant links to products I might use.
These days if a site looks like a squeeze page, or a marketing ploy with no real content I click the X and move on. If they pop up a second chance offer they go in the blocked file.
On the matter of earning money, I have to say that the only site of mine that has ever earned me anything is a content rich site I run about death and dying (28 pages on the subject). Who would believe that a site on such a subject would earn money?
So please … let’s have more real content.
Infomum
Infomum´s last [type] ..Review – Useful Money
amen….
but, those seo, cpa, and marketing sites can still be great sources for great content. Not sure if that’s what you were meaning or not.
PS…thanks for the review on your site.
Brandon
Ahh yes I see I have not made myself completely clear.
I am not against SEO, CPA and marketing sites. I have learned a lot from some really great ones. It is the ones that are nothing more than a glorified squeeze page selling the same old thing that I dislike.
I don’t object to making money on the internet – after all that is why most of us are here, but I want sites to give me content too otherwise I feel I have wasted my time visiting the site.
Infomum
Infomum´s last [type] ..Review – Orwell Diaries Blog
Hey Infomum,
thanks for the clarifications…now I understand better. I’m in your boat…content is good. brings back happy readers.