The photo to the left was taken at Affiliate Summit last year. That's me with Rosalind Gardner, the woman who turned ME into a Super Affiliate - and of course a well-known and successful Super Affiliate herself.
Finally getting to hang out with her in person was a real pleasure. She's brilliant, successful, FUN... and a foodie like me. 😀
People often ask me what the term "Super Affiliate" actually means. They seem to be a different breed, don't they? They waltz into a product launch, or launch a new affiliate site, and blow the socks off everyone else.
What is it exactly that makes "super affiliates" so different than every other affiliate out there? That's what you're about to find out...
What is a Super Affiliate?
In any affiliate program, it’s the top percent of affiliates that make the majority of the sales. These are the super affiliates. There's no standard industry definition, but super affiliates are those in the top earning tier & winning affiliate contests.
The majority of affiliates in any given affiliate program make very few sales, if any at all. The earning curve is steep, with a very small percentage earning the majority of commissions - and everyone else nickel 'n diming it.
Don't let that discourage you, though. It just means there's more room at the top. 😉
The Top 6 Traits of a Super Affiliate
You might think it's in the research, the tools, or the niche selection. But that's not the case. While super affiliates do consider profit potential, a true Super Affiliate can work with just about any product in any niche.
So what is it that really sets them apart? Six things...
- They ENJOY their niche, and LOVE their market. A genuine interest shows, and it attracts your market to you. The more personality you have, the more you humanize your brand. Going the extra mile comes easy when you enjoy your work, and it pays off with a strong loyal fan base. One that links to your content, shares your content, and takes your content viral FOR YOU.
- They take ACTION. Super affiliates come up with a plan, and they work it. They don't just sit around and dream up ideas, read blogs & guides, then hope they'll one day be successful. They implement *everything*, keep what works, and constantly move forward.
- They're committed to their promotions. They don't just send out an email or write one article, post something on Facebook once or set up a PPC campaign for a few short hours. They get behind their product promotions 100%. They review them personally, test them, publish case studies, create bonus products, welcome questions from their market and help them make a smart buying decision, etc.
- They choose products carefully. A super affiliate doesn't always go with the highest commission rate, or the easiest sale. They choose products that are a good match for their market, and products they use and believe in themselves. They're in it for the long haul, and know they are putting their reputation on the line with every recommendation.
- They stick it out. Super affiliates don't get distracted by the next big thing. They follow through and follow up. They'll come back and post updates, implementation strategies, results, and even check in with their market and ask for their feedback on the product(s).
That genuine interest results in social proof, which helps more people in their market make a smart buying decision. Which results in more sales. 😉
- They don't give up when things don't work. They figure out why, fix it, and/or try something different. It's never about something not working. It's about WHY it didn't work, and finding a solution. Super affiliates DO make mistakes, and they DO have "flops". It's learning from those and moving onward & upward that sets them apart.
While today's super affiliates have an advantage, it's because of these traits that they HAVE that advantage. There's nothing stopping you from becoming one of tomorrow's super affiliates.
Super Affiliates are NOT Genetically Special...
Super Affiliates weren't born wearing a big red SA cape, or knowing all the tricks. They are just like you, and have the same resources available as everyone else. They learn by trial and error, get seriously committed, pick products that sell and markets that buy, take action... and follow through.
Join Us In The Top Earning Tier!
Rosalind Gardner's Super Affiliate Handbook was the very first ebook I ever purchased online. I've shared before how I waffled over that purchase for a couple of weeks.
Which is funny in hindsight, LOL. I mean, seriously. It completely changed my business... and my life.
And psst: it's still on sale for only $27!
I paid almost twice that 😉 - and believe me, it was worth 100x that to me, minimum!
And if you can get to New York in June, join both of us at BlogWorld!
Super Affiliates are fun to hang out with. 😀
Best,
p.s. There's nothing magic about Super Affiliates. And there's nothing magic about Rosalind's Super Affiliate Handbook either. The magic is in learning, implementing, and in YOU taking action!
There's no better time than TODAY to up your game!
About Lynn Terry
Looking forward to BlogWorld. It will be so neat to finally meet Ros. You both are big time inspirations to me.
Oh and I'm ready to up my game!
We're going to have a blast. 😉
I wish I was going to Blogworld....
But as Angie said both huge inspirations to myself and lots of others too I should think 🙂
Thank you Danny. Wish you were going to be there too!
Hi Lynn,
I am a regular at your blog these days and this post is highly inspiring!
I have a question, after deciding upon a particular market/product how do Super Affiliates get time to do research, come up with a promotion strategy, implement and analyze? Do you always outsource? Or keep other projects behind?
There might be "n" number of things you do at any single time, so how do you manage?
Personally, I don't spread myself too thin. I'm not one of those "build 100 sites that make $10/day" (or whataever) types. I prefer to focus on a project until it becomes established and in maintenance mode - before starting another.
Thanks for 'telling it like it is'. We can always rely on you to give us the hard truth about what it takes to be successful online! And all these traits don't just apply to being an affiliate. I'm working hard to follow them for my plr business too (though hopefully that will also mean affiliate income at some point).
I'm really looking forward to BlogWorld more than ever now. Not that your presence wasn't enough. 😉
Absolutely - you can apply it to a variety of business models! So glad you're going too. See you there!
Hi Lynn,
Interesting points, I think the key is about learning the techniques, and then implementing them.
I have one issue with the post...
You say just before the list of 6 things, that a super affiliate can work with just about any product in any niche. Then the first point is that they love their niche, and the 4th point is about choosing products carefully.
I think these 2 points are key, I think the 'any product, any niche' while could work if techniques are applied, can be a bit of a dead end for many.
If you can pick a niche you enjoy ,that's always preferable.
I did also note btw that you said 'just about' any product and niche, so I am only semi teasing - I just thought I'd emphasise some great points you made!
Cheers,
Gordon
LOL Gordon - leave it to you. 😉 What I mean is that we can work with products we love and niches we enjoy, and we can MAKE it profitable. Consider my newest niche affiliate site, and the fact that I did ZERO research going into it as an example. THAT is what I meant by that statement. 😀
Hi Lynn, all of us here want to become a super affiliate marketer and it really depends to us on how are we going take an action with it. By the way I am looking forward and excited to your BlogWorld. Thanks!
aren't SuperAffiliates a dying breed nowadays ?
Not at all, Tom! If anything, there are MORE affiliate opportunities, and more ways to reach targeted audiences, now. 🙂
Lynn,
Thanks for sharing some foundational tips about affiliate marketing. Although I've been an online marketer for some time, I'm relatively new to the whole affiliate marketing arena. Look forward to reading the ebook.
You'll love the guide. 🙂 You can still get it here - cheaper: http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/sah.htm 🙂 Enjoy!
What would be a real privilege, is to be able to one day stand next to You and Rosalind for a photo. And finally be a Super Affiliate, too.
I have the motivation, just working away at digging through this gold mine I'm in. Lots and lots of digging to do.
You just have to pay your dues to get there like anything else.
I would love that, Steve! Yes you have to "pay your dues" - which these days simply means: build your audience. That's it. It really is that easy. 🙂
I love this little formula:
Learn by trial and error - get seriously committed - pick products that sell and markets that buy - take action... and follow through.
Thanks for the post, I am a newbie but we all have to start somewhere. Solid principles like these seem like a great starting point. Thanks again.
That IS a great starting point, Stephen! Keep it that simple, and focus on building an audience. That's what it's all about. 🙂 *cheers*