Urban Legend or Mythical Entity
posted in Affiliate Marketing |
I wonder whether in a few years time, the traditional pyjama affiliate or scruffy bedroom affiliate will be written into the historical archives as an urban legend or mythical entity that once graced the internet marketing world, unless some radical improvements are made … with the 2009 message being diversify, consolidate skill sets, think outside the envelope or become extinct. It’s not about evolving into a better being or developing a corporate persona or becoming entrepreneurial, but unfortunately becoming more ruthless & less conscientious by relinquishing the values once guarded, because it certainly doesn’t pay dividends being a solitary sentinel “facing” into the wind. So then, what will be inscribed or delineated onto the traditional affiliates epitaph?
Good blog post. Hopefully the one man lone warrior will always be able to fight his way through the digital jungle and prosper. Bigger is not always better.
Just because somebody has loads of staff or fancy offices does not mean they are profitable (just check the news every single day over the last six months to see how the supposedly-mighty have fallen). Too many larger companies have got people who have managed to blag their way through an interview and are in cushy well-paid jobs yet barely know what they are talking about, and certainly don’t generate profit for their businesses. I know a few one-man band affilites who are generating a quarter of the net profit of affiliate networks and agencies with 50+ staff. And, as a business, net profit (NOT turnover) is what it’s all about, not how ostentatious your parties are or how many exotic holidays your staff enjoy.
Ironic how those with huge business footprints are in dire straights and floundering already (in my opinion we haven’t seen the worst of it yet :() whilst those with low overheads and sensible expansion plans are stable and braced for the turbulent times ahead.
Just a few months ago I recal one merchant refusing to work with anyone without a LTD CO number and a VAT number, as these were the clearly the “professionals”
I’m sure there will always be a place for the bedroom affiliate, they’ll just end up working with those merchants who still “get” affiliate marketing and understand it’s not about fancy offices, 20 page docments abouth how they’ll drive traffic (then do 90% of it via brand bidding) with big fake smiles but it’s about generating esults and adding value to the merchant’s business.
The biggest opportunities come in periods of wild change so the bedroom affiliates are as well placed as any to exploit them, I seriously recommend everyone buys and reads the four hour work week by tim ferriss, especially bedroom affiliates!
I’m still essentially a one man band with a little help from friends, family and contractors and I’ve never been tempted to expand into offices and take on full time staff and although I can’t easily cut my costs any further they are minimal to start with.
I’d also recommend reading Tim Ferriss’ blog, it’s inspirational.
Just like in every industry, you need to grow and diversify. You also need good strategic planning and a 2,3,4 year plan. Affiliate marketing is a business and it must play by the rules of the trade.