Blogging

  • Blogging, Business, Marketing

    You can’t compete with Amazon (And why that’s a good thing.)

    November is here, which means the holidays aren’t far behind. 

    For some people, it feels like it’s too late in the year to reach the revenue goals you set for your product business.

    I’ve been seeing people say things on Insta and Threads like:

    • I can’t compete with Amazon.
    • People are only paying attention to the election and then it’s going to be chaos depending on who wins.
    • No one is spending money on $28 candles when they can barely afford to go to the grocery store.

    But there are still 56 days left in 2024 as of today.

    And that’s still plenty of time to make more product sales.

    Because here’s what I believe:

    🤓 No, you can’t compete with Amazon.  But that’s a good thing. Amazon doesn’t build relationships with its customers the same way you can on Instagram.  Amazon doesn’t take the time to beautifully gift wrap the item someone purchased and include a personalized thank you card from the person who created it.  You can’t compete with Jeff Bezos, so don’t even worry about it.  Stay in your lane, create amazing products, and delivery exceptional customer service.  {I love and recommend this book for all my product seller friends.)

    🤪 Yes, people are paying attention to the election, and yes, things might be chaotic for a while.  But the holidays are still going to happen.  Think about it… has there ever been a year when people didn’t buy Christmas gifts?  Not that I can remember. So don’t stop marketing your products now.

    😍 People will absolutely still buy your $28 candle (or whatever you’re selling that you think is “too expensive” for people to buy} even if bread costs eleventy billion dollars.  Christmas is happening regardless of what’s going in the world, which means gift buying will still be happening.  As a product seller, you’ll want to make sure that you are getting your products in front of as many people as possible this Christmas.  Facebook ads is one way to do that (but can be costly this time of year) and participating in in-person markets is another way to make more sales (though it requires a lot of your time).  My favorite way of course is starting an affiliate program so you can get other people sharing your products all across the internet this holiday season. 

    I know you have amazing products. Don’t let what’s going on in the world discourage you from marketing your business these last 2 months of 2024.  

    Cheers to more sales in 2024 (and also cheers to the election texts and calls ending today! 😂)

  • Blogging, Marketing

    20 Ways to Get More Traffic to Your Online Shop

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    Below is a list of 20 ways to get more traffic – aka potential customers – visiting your online shop.  

    My favorites are ideas 1, 3, 5, 12 and 19 – they would be the fastest ideas to implement from the list if you are wanting to make more sales asap.  

    I sprinkled in some resources that align with some of the ideas below, too. They are my affiliate links but as always I only recommend resources I personally love and use.

    Okay, let’s hop into the list….

    🚦 20 ways to get more traffic to your online shop 🚦 

    1. Run paid Social Media Ads 📲 – Use Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest ads to target your ideal customers and direct them to your website.  I highly recommend Jana Bishop’s Facebook ads course.
    2. Start a Blog 📝 – Share helpful tips, stories, and product insights to boost SEO for your website.  If you’re worried you won’t have enough ideas, check out Lucy’s Endless Content Ideas Bank.
    3. Collaborate with Influencers 💁‍♀️ – Partner with influencers who align with your products to promote your products.  Influencers in the 5k to 25k followers range seem to be the sweet spot with my clients – they are often willing to promote in exchange for free product and a commission without requiring large fees.
    4. Start an Affiliate Program 🤝 – Reward people with commissions for promoting your products and driving traffic to your site.  Get started here.
    5. Offer Time-Sensitive Discounts ⏳ – Run flash sales or limited-time offers to create urgency.
    6. Create Eye-Catching Pinterest Pins 📌 – Pin your products, blogs, and gift guides on Pinterest to boost visibility. 
    7. Start an Email Newsletter 📧 – Build an email list and share regular updates, promotions, and product launches.
    8. Go Live on Social Media 🎥 – Host live product demos, Q&As, or behind-the-scenes IG lives to engage your audience and get them curious about what you are offering.
    9. Optimize Your Website for SEO 🔍 – Make sure your product titles, descriptions, and images are SEO-friendly to improve search rankings.  This isn’t a “get traffic quick” strategy but definitely something you should be doing for long-term growth.
    10. Run a Referral Program 💬 – Give customers rewards for referring friends to your Shopify store. 
    11. Use TikTok Trends 🎶 – Jump on TikTok trends to showcase your products in a fun, engaging way.
    12. Host a Giveaway 🎁 – Collaborate with other brands or influencers for a giveaway to expand your reach.
    13. Collaborate on a Bundle 📦 – Partner with another brand to create a special bundle and promote it to both audiences.  One of my favorite brands, Wondermint Goods, does a great job of partnering with others brands.
    14. Leverage User-Generated Content 📸 – Share reviews, testimonials, and customer photos on your website and social channels, and tag the creators if you can so their audiences see it, too.
    15. Write Guest Blog Posts ✍️ – Partner with other websites to write guest posts and link back to your Shopify store.  For example, if you sell stationary, you might write a blog post for coaches on the power of sending thank you cards to your clients. Or you could write a blog post on how best to address Christmas cards.
    16. Start a YouTube Channel 🎬 – Create tutorials, unboxings, or product reviews to attract new customers.
    17. Run Google Ads 💻 – Use Google Ads to show your products at the top of relevant search results.
    18. Partner with Local Businesses 🏙️ – Collaborate with local stores to promote your products to their customers.  If you sell physical products, this is also a really great way to start building relationships so you can get more wholesale orders for your products. (Side note: Cat with Kitty Meow Boutique is the wholesale queen.)
    19. Create Seasonal Promotions 🎉 – Align your marketing with seasonal events and holidays to attract new buyers. You might even consider running a Black Friday Sale for a cash-injection in November.
    20.  Engage in Facebook Groups 👥 – Join groups related to your product niche and provide value while subtly sharing your products.

    Hope this helps boost your traffic. Head over here and let me know which ones you’re going to implement next!

  • Blogging, Favorite Things, Marketing

    🍋 Post Malone, Lemon Tumblers + The Affiliate Program Directory

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    Today I’m sharing my Favorite Things blog for May. 🔆 Earlier this month I vacationed to Arizona and then onto California to see the Pacific Ocean and then attend Ultimate Product Party which was amazing… I’ll share more in a blog post with you next week!

    Okay, now, back to the reason for today’s blog. If you’re new to the Create Your Affiliate Program community – WELCOME! Every month I try to share some of my favorite business and product resources with you as a behind-the-scenes of what I am using and loving in my own business and with the product sellers I work with.

    I hope you’ll enjoy reading through this email, and will take time to check out all the resources available to you!  Have a very safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend. 💙

    Please note this blog post contains a few affiliate links, but I only share products and resources I use, love and can personally recommend!

    🥳 Favorite Current Work Project

    I launched The Affiliate Program Directory last week.  Before I launched it, I set a goal of how many business owners I’d like to initially join it… I am excited to share that last Friday I surpassed that goal!!  YAY!

    The Affiliate Program Directory is a directory of affiliate programs that I will be sharing out publicly so that we can get your affiliate program in front of new potential affiliates who want to promote your products.

    Here’s what you’re getting when you join the Directory:

    🤓 Your affiliate program will be listed in the Create Your Affiliate Program (CYAP) Directory available at creatyouraffiliateprogram.com

    💌  The Directory is shared every week on CYAP socials and in the CYAP newsletter to 3500+ people

    ⚡ CYAP will spotlight 10 affiliates per month on CYAP socials, in a blog post, and in the CYAP newsletter {you will have the option to sign up to be spotlighted.}

    🎁 BONUS: Empower Your Affiliates: 10 Proven Strategies to Get Your Affiliates to Promote Your Products Every Single Month {value $47}

    📆 The Directory is launching June 10th! It’s $39 to be listed in the Directory and promoted to my community for the entire year.

    My goal with this directory is to help your affiliate program get in front of new potential affiliates who will help promote your products to their audiences.

    More affiliates will equal more sales! 

    This Directory is a perfect fit for physical and digital product sellers.  

    If you want more visibility for your business and affiliate program, you can simply head over here to secure your spot for only $39 FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR until June 10th.

    🤓 Favorite Blog Posts

    Behind-the-Scenes: Sharing My Top 3 Reels, Templates + Events

     Staying Legally Compliant in Affiliate Marketing: A Guide for Product Sellers – guest blog by Amber with The Boutique Lawyer

     Behind-the-Scenes: Sharing 3 Tasks that Helped My Client Earn $33k in Product Sales from Affiliates
     How to Make More Product Sales This Month

    🛍️ Favorite Products

    🍋 I met Shannon of CraftyCurations at Ultimate Product Party.  She was so sweet and I *love* her cute tumblers in her Etsy shop.  I just ordered this lemon tumbler this morning… Check out here shop here {and use code INSTA25 to save 25% off your order.  She said I could share this code with you – see, so sweet!!}

    ☕ If you haven’t sent a newsletter to your affiliates for May, now is the time to do that.  These Affiliate Newsletter Templates are designed to make it easy for you to know exactly what to say to your affiliates every single month to encourage your affiliates to promote for you and help them drive conversions!

    💌 Want to improve your email marketing?  Social platforms may come and go but your email list stays with you. If you’re able to invest 10 minutes a week in taking bitesized actions you can improve your email marketing significantly.  Check out The Email Experiment™ here which will help you.

    🎥 Favorite Reel

    👀 I made a reel featuring Post Malone.  It’s one of my most viewed reels of all time.

  • Affiliate Programs, Blogging, Business

    Behind-the-Scenes: Sharing My Top 3 Reels, Templates + Events

    Today I thought it would be fun to give you a behind-the-scenes look into my business by sharing my “Top 3” in different areas of my business.

    ⭐ My Top 3 Reels on Instagram

    Reel #1 – This reel was a trend I jumped on and I was convinced I was going viral… but then the views stopped. 😂

    Reel #2 – I have a feeling using a Taylor Swift song on her album release day is why this reel got so many views. 😊

    Reel #3 – Having a cute dog in your reel never hurts, imo. 🐩


    ⭐ Top 3 Events I’m Excited about in 2024

    Event #1:  I’m beyond thrilled to attend and be speaking at the Product Powerhouse Summit! This summit is THE go-to summit for handmade makers, shop owners and any one who sells physical products. It’s 3 days dedicated to helping you build, grow, & thrive in your online product business.

    Event #2:  I’m headed to Arizona on May 4th for a little exploring in Scottsdale before driving over to California to attend Ultimate Product Party.  This is such a fun and helpful conference for product sellers who want to learn how to scale!

    Event #3: I really, really want to go to the Powerhouse Women event in August.  I’ll just be getting back from a cruise ten days before, so not sure it’s a great time for me to leave out of town again, but I am considering attending.  I plan to make a decision by June!  Are you going?


    ⭐ Top 3 Templates I Use Every Week

    Template #1:  For my private affiliate management clients, I use this pitch template every single week when pitching potential affiliate partners for them.

    Template #2: I’m working on a few sales pages for myself, and I constantly refer back to this sales page template from Launch In Style.

    Template #3: Danielle Canty’s 100 Email Subject line list (also I just realized this isn’t a template, per se, but I do reference it every single week!).  Get on her email list here and sign up for it the next time she shares it.

    ⭐ Top 3 Must-Haves for Starting an Affiliate Program for Your Product Business

    There are 3 things you’ll want to have in place when starting your affiliate program:

    🛠 Affiliate Tracking Software
    📝 Affiliate Program Terms and Conditions
    💌 Welcome Sequence for Onboarding Your Affiliates

    See the exact tools and resources I recommend here. 😊

    That’s it for today… If you enjoyed this blog post, comment here and let me know one of your own top 3 from the categories above!

    *This blog post contains a few affiliate links, but as always, I only share things I personally recommend, use and love!

  • Blogging, Favorite Things

    My 2023 Review

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    I love reading people’s end of year recaps and wrap up emails.  Partly because I am nosey {my mom calls this trait “being interested and concerned” lol}  and partly because I find them inspirational and encouraging.  

    I love giving my community a behind-the-scenes glimpse into my own business, so today I’m sharing my own recap of 2023.  I hope you’ll enjoy reading this and that you’ll take some time to do your own end of year recap.

    🤓 Favorite Work Project

    This wasn’t a work project so much as a major work decision, but niching down has been my favorite thing I did in 2023.  In October I decided to fully niche down to working with product sellers {digital and physical}, and to let go of speaking directly to course creators in my marketing.  I’ll admit… I was super nervous to shift to focusing on product sellers because much of my 3000+ community are course creators and I didn’t know if they would stay with me if all my content is directed towards product sellers.  Spoiler alert: It’s been fine. LOL.  Because at the end of the day, a course is a type of digital product, to an extent.

    I’m so glad I decided to niche down because supporting product sellers is my favorite and I have gotten to work with some amazing product sellers inside the ✨Make More Together✨ 4-Week Intensive for Product Sellers as a result.  

    ⚒ Favorite Product Created

    402 people have signed up for the Invitation to Send Potential Affiliates this year, and it’s my favorite digital product I created.  I created this $9 product after taking Elizabeth Goddard’s mini-training on creating a $9 product (affiliate link}, and it’s been one of the most impactful things I’ve done in my business in 2023.

    My second favorite product was a little extra moolah – which was more of a passion project than a strategic business move. 

    🧳 Favorite Trip of 2023

    This is hard, because I went on some awesome trips in 2023.  Las Vegas in January was awesome, Nashville in May was amazing, DC with my bestie was so fun in July, but my trip with Jason and his son Tommy to North and South Dakota in September was my absolute favorite! It was a 9 day road trip, and I loved seeing all of the bison and other wildlife and just exploring the country with my boyfriend and his son.  Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of my favorite national parks and it was so fun to do some hikes and see the scenery.  

    📝 Favorite Learning Resources from 2023

    In May, I attend Ultimate Product Party in Nashville.  This is an amazing conference for product sellers, and was one of the highlights of my year.  I am attending their 2024 conference, and encourage my product seller friends to sign up as well.  

    I mentioned it above, but that $9 Small but Mighty Offers course from Elizabeth Goddard was amazing and very impactful to my business.

    Rich Girl Reels by Abigail Peugh has helped me tremendously with getting better at creating IG reels.  She’s doing another round in January – learn more on her insta: https://www.instagram.com/abigailpeugh/ 

    I am in a small number of online biz memberships, and Transparent Sales with Taylor Lee is one of my favorites.  Taylor’s program is what inspired me to launch my 4-week Intensive and I can’t recommend Transparent Sales highly enough!

    Gemma Bonham-Carter’s Passive Project membership is another of my favorites. I’m not super active in the community {I plan to change that in 2024}, but I use the resources inside this membership ALL.THE.TIME.  Learn more and join her upcoming workshop here.

    📅 What’s Next in 2024

    I’ve got a new digital product coming in January 2024 for those who already have an existing affiliate program and want it to make you more moolah every single month.

    I intend to host a round of the ✨Make More Together✨ 4-Week Intensive for Product Sellers every quarter.  {Next round begins in January!}

    I’m headed to Ultimate Product Party 2024 in California in May.

    I will continue to host Product Sellers’ Coffee Chats {more details soon!}

    And I’ll continue to be just so dang grateful that I get to work with the most amazing clients and customers here at Create Your Affiliate Program!  

    Thank you to everyone in my entire community for being here, reading my newsletters and blogs, and purchasing resources to help you set up your own profitable affiliate programs. Wishing you a great end to 2023 and a very Happy New Year!

  • Blogging, Business, Marketing, Social Media

    Why MRR (Master Resell Rights) is CRAP. ? (And what to do instead to make moolah online!) ?

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    Maybe you’ve seen the thousands of TikToks and Reels about MRR floating around online… (and if you haven’t, consider yourself lucky!)  

    MRR = Master Resell Rights, and basically it’s someone buying a “ready to sell course” for $X amount, then turning around and selling it for $X amount.  

    It’s kind of like a pyramid scheme… All you are doing is trying to sell this same course to other people so they can sell the same course to other people so they can… you get the point.  

    NO ONE actually uses the courses being sold {and that’s why no one will tell you the name of the course or what it helps you do}.  Doesn’t that feel a tad… scammy?  

    It’s get rich quick BS and in a few months you won’t hear anything about it because it’s not a sustainable way to make money long term.

    If you are looking for a legit, long-term way to make money, I strongly urge you to consider affiliate marketing.  

    But not just posting our affiliate links and hoping someone buys.

    Instead, become an affiliate for things you actually use and care about in your business.  

    With this strategy, you are making money in an ethical way, you aren’t scamming others, and you can feel good about what you are promoting!

    I’d love to share with you the 3 strategies I use every month to earn extra income through promoting the things I am an affiliate for.  

    These are truly simple strategies that you can begin using today to earn extra income online.

    Head over here to check out a little extra moolah. ?

    Because there are legit ways to make extra income online that are sustainable.  MRR just isn’t one of them.

    Thoughts on MRR?  Drop a comment under my post here.

    Ready to earn some extra moolah online?  Head over here.

  • Blogging, Business, Marketing

    BEHIND-THE-SCENES: How I Created my $9 Offer ? + How You Can, too!

    • Comments Off on BEHIND-THE-SCENES: How I Created my $9 Offer ? + How You Can, too!

    I really like sharing behind-the-scenes content of how I’m building my business with you, and the resources I use, because I know business can be hard and trying to figure out how to do all the things and make a living from it can feel overwhelming sometimes.

    In this post, I’m sharing how I’ve made $500+ in digital product sales in just 23 days . I hope you’ll find this helpful and encouraging, and will consider creating your own $9 offer {resource below!}

    On March 5th, I purchased a $9 course on how to create my own $9 offer from Elizabeth Buckley-Goddard

    I listened to it that same Sunday afternoon laying in the hammock in my backyard – it’s really bite-sized and easy to digest, and I could listen to it like a podcast, which I love. ?

    On Monday, I made a super simple sales page for my $9 offer, which is my Invitation to Send to Potential Affiliate Partners. {You can check it out here.}

    I’ve very casually been promoting it on social media and to my email newsletter list.

    But here’s the cool thing…

    As a result of taking action from that one $9 training, I sold $500+ in digital products in just the first 23 days. ?

    So, what could you create and sell for $9 this month to start making more digital product sales?

    If you are running an online business, I know you’ve probably got an idea for a $9 offer inside of you! ??

    I would highly encourage you to check out the Small But Mighty $9 Offers training through my affiliate link here: ? https://checkout.elizabethgoddard.co.uk/referral/9/HzGArk4x2nHLHhKd ?

    —

    Do you like reading stuff like this? If so, I share more behind the scenes in my weekly newsletter… Sign up for it here.

  • Affiliate Programs, Blogging, Business, Marketing

    What to Include in Your Monthly Affiliate Newsletter

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    Kelly here, with a super quick tip and to-do for you today that is going to help you help your affiliates make you more sales.  

    {Not working with affiliates yet? This template will get you started.}

    Here’s the tip:

    If you have an affiliate program set up, make sure that you send your affiliates a newsletter to let them know how they can promote for you this month!

    Why?

    Because sending a monthly newsletter is a great way to keep your affiliates updated about what’s happening in your business, and to remind them how they can earn commissions as your affiliate partner.

    Sending your next {or first!} affiliate newsletter in April is great timing because it’s a new quarter! 

    Here’s what to include in your next affiliate newsletter:

    ✅ Check in with your affiliates to let them know what you’ll be focused on in Q2 and encourage them to continue sharing out your affiliate link {or to start if they haven’t already}. 

    ✅ Make sure you are making it easy-peasy for your affiliates to find where their unique affiliate link is, as well as the promotional materials you have created for them. 

    ✅ And remind them where they can go to see their monthly commissions inside your affiliate tracking software!

    Your newsletter does NOT need to be long or complicated.  But it does need to tell your affiliates the important details they need in order to be successful in promoting for you.

    Want some support with writing your affiliate newsletters each month? ??? Click click click to check out the Affiliate Newsletter Template Pack I’ve put together for you.

    This template pack is delivered in Google Doc format, and contains 12 newsletters {one for each month of the year!} ready for you to customize with your specific affiliate program details and information.  You can simply copy the google doc, and then edit the newsletters straight away.

    I’m not doing a big launch around it or anything, just wanted you to know it’s available for you if you’re committed to sending out a monthly affiliate newsletter and want it to be easy.

    Leave me a comment if you found this blog helpful – I’d love to hear from you!

  • Affiliate Programs, Blogging, Business, Marketing

    The biggest misconception course creators have about affiliate programs

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    Today I’m jumping straight into the biggest misconception people have about affiliate programs:

    “My business isn’t big enough to work with affiliates yet!”

    My friend, that’s simply not true!

    You don’t have to reach a certain level before you start working with affiliates.

    In fact, I believe there’s just two things you need to have in place in order to be successful with affiliate programs:

    1. A Digital product or online course that you know you can sell.
    2. A solid affiliate program set up

    Let’s discuss number one first:

    1. A Digital product or online course that you know you can sell.

    The reason you need to have sold your own products/courses first is so you can ensure that there is actually a need for it.  You don’t want to have affiliates promoting something that isn’t going to sell. This will be a disappointment to you, and a waste of time for your affiliates when all you are hearing is crickets.  

    Once you know that people are buying your product or online course, you are in a great position to work with affiliates.

    (more…)