Affiliate Products
Here’s my philosophy on affiliates.
First, you might be asking: “What’s an affiliate?” I didn’t know what they were until recently. I learned that affiliate marketing is an Internet-based practice in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for customers brought by the affiliate’s marketing efforts.
So in my case, I offer other people’s stuff for sale, and if you buy it, the product’s creator is paid and I get a percentage. From what I can tell, the percentages range from 5 to 50 percent.
Why did I decide to offer other people’s products? Well, the purpose of The Solopreneur Life is to provide you with resources that will help your business succeed. I appreciate when a trusted friend and/or colleague recommends products that will help me. Thus, it made sense to me to offer affiliate products at The Solopreneur Life. I know that my reputation is on the line when I make recommendations, so I offer only products that have helped my business.
The way I see it, everybody wins: you get a product that helps your bottom line, the person who made the product gets paid, and I get a percentage. I am very proud to be able to offer the products on this page, and I encourage you to check them out.
Ten percent of all revenue (not just profit) earned by The Solopreneur Life is donated to The Nature Conservancy. Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy works to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Nature Conservancy holds a four-star rating, the highest rating given by Charity Navigator.
“Copywriting Phrase-Book: 501 Shortcuts to Compelling Content”
Amy Harrison is a copywriter based in England, and she has written a pearl of an e-book titled, “Copywriting Phrase-Book: 501 Shortcuts to Compelling Content.”
I reviewed the book in September, and I keep a printed copy of “Phrase-Book” next to my laptop. “Phrase-Book” and a thesaurus are the only two reference books that I keep within reach.
I use “Phrase-Book” because it saves me time and makes me money. And it will do the same for you, if you use it.
Click here to learn more and purchase, $12.
Third Tribe, online marketing Web site
Third Tribe is a membership-only Web site consisting of online business owners who take a special approach to Internet marketing and social media.
Third Tribe was founded by four geniuses/gurus/super heroes of the blogging world: Darren Rowse of Problogger, Brian Clark and Sonia Simone of Copyblogger, Chris Brogan of ChrisBrogan.com.
But there’s substance behind the hype. These four people have found where Internet marketing and social media overlap. They have profited from their wisdom and have been very generous in teaching other people their methods.
Third Tribe is like many other pay-for-content sites that I have joined. It offers podcasts, chats, discussion boards and access to the site’s principals. It’s different from other sites in two ways: 1) it will spark a lot of outstanding ideas for your business, and 2) it’s expensive—$97 a month (membership can be canceled at any time).
I have been a Third Tribe member since April, and I have concluded that Third Tribe membership is a very wise business investment for me. It may or may not make sense for you, but you need to investigate it.
Click here or on the Third Tribe logo above to learn more and join, $97 per month.
The Fire Starter Sessions: A Digital Experience for Entrepreneurs
Danielle LaPorte, publisher of WhiteHotTruth.com, has published The Fire Starter Sessions, a digital experience for entrepreneurs that will light a fire under your aspirations.
Danielle has worked with more than 450 entrepreneurs in her one-on-one Fire Starter consultation sessions (which are $500 and booked six weeks in advance). She works with CEOs, coaches, artists, retailers, bestselling authors—on everything from site design to big dreams. Those consultations form the basis for The Fire Starter Sessions.
The Fire Starter Sessions is packed with inspiration: worksheets that help you draw conclusions; quick videos with motivational punch; connections to current thinkers; practical smarts; and frank wisdom.
I think Danielle is an extraordinary individual. I find her blend of real-world pragmatism and mystical aura to be authentic and utterly unique. I purchased a sneak peek of The Fire Starter Sessions and it wowed me, quickly sparking several new ideas that will have a big impact on my bottom line in 2010. And I am thrilled to offer the Fire Starter Sessions at The Solopreneur Life.
I know that $150 is a lot to pay, but with The Fire Starter Sessions you receive hours of Grade A guidance at a fraction of what it would cost to hire a top consultant.
July 29, 2010 update. Here is the text of an e-mail I sent today to Danielle: “I wanted to let you know that yesterday I listened to the interview in The Fire Starter Sessions with brand expert Elizabeth Talerman. Her description of “brand neighborhoods” has turned my worldview of business upside down. I’m totally serious. My perspective on my business, work, and brand and how it relates to the rest of the planet has shifted overnight. The world looks much different (and cooler, better) to me than it did yesterday. I could babble on and on about this, but you get the idea.”
