Do you (like many online marketers) struggle to break even – let alone make a profit?
Have you fallen for the hype that surrounds new techniques and promises of ways to make “easy-money” online?
I did too.
By the time you finish reading this, you will have learned 5 ways to turn your traffic into money without having to dig into your pockets.
Is Traffic Generation Enough?
Generating traffic is one factor in creating a successful online business - it is not everything. (Never thought you’d hear me say that, right?)
Hold on - let me explain.
Lead conversion is just as important, if not more.
Conversion is what brings you results.
Conversion is what makes your business successful.
Lead conversion is simple once you master it - but without it, your blog is unlikely to succeed.
After all, what is the point of spending hours writing posts, marketing, Tweeting, doing Facebook updates, creating videos, posting tutorials on YouTube and backlinking - if you can’t convert those leads into cash?
I know that sounds harsh, but let’s face it - we are all here to make money.
Traffic on its own doesn’t always mean conversions and sales.
Doing More of the Same
Right, so back to the problem with “online hype”:
We are taught to first create a blog, make videos, connect to all the social media sites, optimize the blog using SEO, do one way quality link building, and use an opt-in email marketing box to capture your traffic.
You’ve heard it all, right? You went out and did everything you were supposed to, but you are still not making any/much money.
You are not alone! This is the reason why many affiliate marketers fail and become despondent.
There are few things worse than following a strategy which fails.
So how do you turn this around?
Let me just tell you that I am not going to say you need to buy a bunch of expensive tools that are difficult to use. You will not have to sign up for a lengthy (and expensive) course.
There will be no need for hand holding.
Instead, you will follow these simple yet powerful techniques to convert traffic into money.
It’s a matter of a changed perspective.
Best of all, this approach WORKS. It worked for me and it will work for you!
I’m going to show you how you can add more YOU to your business - as YOU are the missing ingredient in making those sales.
Your readers want to connect with YOU - they buy YOU, not your product.
Does this make sense? Of course!
Before going any further, I want to make it clear that you still have to generate traffic using video marketing, social networking, blogging, etc.
Once you get the traffic, you need to start working on building relationships with your readers.
Here’s where you need to show your leads the care they crave, build the hope they seek and the guidance and assurance that they can reach their goals.
There is a catch though… you need to FEEL this. You cannot fake it.
How to connect with your leads
Here are some FREE ways to connect with your leads:
1. Webinars
Invite your prospects to Question & Answer webinars where they can ask questions about your niche market. This is a great way to establish yourself as an expert and to gain trust with your readers.
You can use Frebinar to invite leads, customize registration forms, collect user info and to follow up.
Note: Don’t beg or try to convince people by giving them too much information. Simply refer them to the appropriate sites and then let them make their own decisions. Avoid information overload.
For instance, I used to do a series called “Sunday Coffee with Ana“, which my readers always loved.
2. Free Company Training
Invite leads to attend a free weekly training session. This session should be something they can use whether or not they join your business.
Most Internet marketing companies host these telephonic sessions weekly. The sessions are usually recorded, which means that you can use them in future with your prospects.
3. Personal Calls
A personal call immediately after opt-in confirmation is an excellent way to build trust with your leads. This call need not be too long. You can use Skype, which is free.
4. Staying connected
Affiliate marketing is much like dating - the relationship has to be nurtured in order to keep it going and helping it grow stronger.
Stay connected with your leads using:
- autoresponders and broadcasts (If you are not using them, you need to start now)
- social networking
- comment and email responses (Many online marketers fail at this most important step)
This should not take you too much time. However, even if it takes you an hour a day, it is a very valuable investment in your business.
Read more about what I think on the topic in this post:
5. Bonusses and Discounts
If you have spent any amount of time online, you will know that bonusses and discounts are all the rage. Valuable freebies are even more popular.
Great freebies include:
• PDF reports (made for free using Open office or NeoOffice)
• eBooks (made using Open Office and NeoOffice)
• MP3s
• Audio recordings (made for free with Audacity)
• Video Tutorials (using Jing for free)
…or any other valuable giveaway.
Did you see the post I just published yesterday? That’s a great idea on how to give away content and still get something in return - namely, traffic.
Lead Conversion Marketing Takeaway
These are just some of the excellent strategies that you can implement to build those essential relationships with your readers without it costing you any money.
Best of all, they can be implemented right away to increase your conversions today.
Your next step? To take what you’ve just learned and do it now!
So tell me, how do you do to convert traffic into cash?
The inspiration for this post was taken from this guest post by Mavis Nong: Lead Conversion Strategies – The Missing Puzzle To YOUR Success
This article is a reminder that we work hard to generate many traffic for our site for conversion which is the real success of our business. Sometimes websites earn traffic but do not have get conversions.
lucinda says
This information was not only useful but encouraging to know that I can learn w/o sending lots of money! This is what also makes you look more creditable, because you’re willing to share your knowledge without a pricetag on every thing you say.
My only question is; how long can it take to make at least your first $500?
Your question is impossible to answer, Lucinda - there’s no formula for that. LOL
It took me a month. How long will it take you? Only you are in control of that.
Linda says
These are all excellent ways to gain traffic and subscribers.
Have you ever done Joint Venture Giveaways? You do need a free report, video or something similar to giveaway.
Stop by my blog and check the tab at the top for current giveaways.
Linda
I have done that, Linda. Thanks for stopping by.
Great tips, Ana. You’re so right that traffic isn’t everything, generating leads is the flip side of that same coin. The traffic needs to also be directed in the right direction to generate income for the internet marketer.
I like that all of your tips demonstrate a personal touch. Making a personal connection is really effective in building trust with your readers.
Thanks for the nice words, Richard and thanks also for your comment - it echoes my sentiments.
Yuriy Zaremba says
It’s extremely important to have an overarching goal to any website strategy. If you have a ton of incoming traffic, but don’t lead it where you want it, It’s a wasted investment.
If your a small business trying to get more phone calls, there needs to be a bold call to action to get the person to call you. If your looking for quote submissions, there needs to be a call to action to request a quote. Etc. etc.
Yes, you are right, Yuriy. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail and this applies very much to any business, particularly online.
Brandon Connell says
It is tougher to stay connected with others once you are established. By then, you have networked with thousands of other bloggers, and general readers. It’s nearly impossible to keep up with them all unfortunately.
While it is not possible to stay connected with all of them, you must remember that a large percentage of visitors will comment once and then move on. Those that stay around for longer are bound to become part of your expanded network. You will comment on their blogs and a select amount of other blogs that you can resonate with.
Hey Ana,
Relationship building is the foundation for a strong internet business, no matter what niche you’re in. You have offered up some great tips for doing just that.
I miss your Sunday Morning broadcasts. Are you ever going to do them again?
Thanks for sharing Ana and have a great day!
Thank you, Ian. I may do those again when there is enough demand and my schedule allows. 🙂
Spot on, Ana. The key is to connect with your audience and you can do that effectively using these strategies, for free.
Thanks for sharing this with your readers once again 🙂
Mavis
Thanks, Mavis and you’re most welcome as always. 🙂
Hi Ana,
You’re quite correct here as people has belief on you and your products/services only then they want to buy you or your products/services. To make your readers or visitors to believe you, you need to create strong relationship and it can’t happen unless you help them when they needed it most.
That’s right. That’s the key to online success.
Wade Balsdon says
Stunning article Ana 🙂 I always learn very valuable information from your posts, thanks for sharing this with us.
You are so very welcome, Wade.
Hi Ana,
I agree that building trust and interacting with your readership is important, especially if you are selling your own products or services . You have nailed down 5 very effective methods of achieving that. Yeah, I agree those won’t cost you any money but I think those are very time consuming, especially number 1 and number 2. Anyway, I guess the results you get worth it.
Bye!
Christian, in no 2 I was referring to trainings put on by the company (affiliate group). All you have to do is invite your guests. You are right - the results will be completely worth it!
Hi Ana,
I agree with what you’ve said. I want to add that not only is YOU the missing ingredient that many people overlook, adding YOU makes it much for fun and rewarding for YOU.
And if you enjoy adding yourself to the mix and are finding it rewarding (personally and financially), you’re more likely to continue. The momentum builds and there’s no stopping you!
Thanks,
Peggy
You are right, Peggy. Adding YOU makes it more personal and rewarding in so many different ways.
Ana,
I have been to a couple of webinars in the past. I think that I will start with this strategy first.
It really is all about staying connected with your readers/customers. I am also not apposed to making a personal phone call if needed.
Yes, that personal connection is powerful and a webinar is a great way to connect with multiple people simultaneously.
Ana,
Great stuff. I especially like #3. There is nothing better than a personal phone call. Most people are blown away when you call them because not many people do that. The greatest way to make an impression, is to do what most people are not doing. Great stuff as usual Ana. 🙂
Mark Harbert
Yes! That’s it - you need to be different!
Ana,
Another great post. Doing those extra steps to convert are key. The way I think of it is like this…
Is it easier to go from
a. 5,000 to 10,000 unique visitors a month
-or-
b. go from 1% to 2% conversion
Either way will result in the same $$. Of course it is best to try both, but traffic conversion is something that is often overlooked, and may be a lot easier to “jump” ….particularly if you haven’t tried any of the steps you mentioned yet!
Thats right, Steve. Getting traffic is easy though, but you need to follow the necessary steps in order to convert, otherwise all the traffic will be worthless.