Select Page

Email Marketing Benefits

by | Email Marketing, List Building | 0 comments

email marketing benefits

There are many email marketing benefits and after I explain you’ll see why list building is one of the best things you can do for your business.

1.  Email marketing allows communication with your prospects and customers.

2.  Email marketing allows you to foster and grow a relationship with your prospects and customers, leading to goodwill and future sales.

3.  Email marketing gives your customer a way to share what you have to offer with others when they forward something valuable that you’ve sent.

4.  Email marketing is relatively inexpensive.

5.  Email marketing allows you to promote to your list any time you like, boosting sales.

6.  Email marketing increases conversion rates.

I’d like you to imagine this scenario:  It’s Thursday afternoon and sales have lagged this week.  Thankfully you’ve built an email list and you decide to send a promotion.  Maybe the next day your store is full of customers – or maybe you sold them something they can buy online.  Having a list is a powerful money maker and an absolute essential for any business.

More Email Marketing Benefits

Email marketing offers a wide range of benefits that can help businesses grow, build relationships with customers, and increase revenue. Here are some of the key advantages of using email marketing:

Cost-Effective: Compared to traditional marketing methods (like print ads or TV commercials), email marketing is relatively inexpensive. There are minimal costs involved in creating and sending emails, making it a budget-friendly option for businesses of all sizes.

Direct Communication: Email allows businesses to communicate directly with their audience. Since emails are delivered to an individual’s inbox, businesses can reach their customers at the right time and with personalized content tailored to their interests and behaviors.

High ROI (Return on Investment): Email marketing consistently shows a high ROI. According to various studies, for every dollar spent on email marketing, businesses can see a return of $40 or more. This is due to its direct nature and ability to drive sales, increase customer retention, and encourage repeat purchases.

Targeted and Segmented Campaigns: One of the key benefits of email marketing is the ability to segment your audience based on specific characteristics like purchase history, interests, demographics, and engagement level. This allows you to send highly targeted messages, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

Measurable Results: Email marketing platforms provide detailed analytics that allow businesses to track open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, bounce rates, and other key metrics. This data helps businesses assess the effectiveness of their campaigns and make data-driven improvements.

And More Email Marketing Benefits!

Personalization: Emails can be personalized based on a recipient’s name, preferences, previous interactions, or purchase history. Personalized emails create a more engaging experience for the recipient and can lead to higher engagement and conversions.

Automated Campaigns: With email marketing automation, businesses can send pre-scheduled emails triggered by customer actions (such as abandoned cart reminders, welcome emails, or birthday offers). This saves time and ensures timely and relevant communication with customers.

Increased Engagement: Well-crafted email campaigns with compelling subject lines, offers, and calls to action can boost engagement with your audience. Emails allow businesses to maintain a consistent presence with customers and encourage interaction.

Builds Customer Relationships: Regular, value-driven emails (such as newsletters, product updates, or educational content) help maintain and strengthen relationships with existing customers. By providing value over time, you build trust and loyalty, leading to long-term customer retention.

“Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to build lasting customer relationships, drive engagement, and deliver measurable results.”

Boosts Sales and Conversions: Email marketing can be used to promote sales, limited-time offers, new products, and special discounts, motivating recipients to take immediate action. Well-targeted and timely emails can drive traffic to your website, leading to higher conversions.

Mobile-Friendly: Since many people access their email on mobile devices, email marketing allows businesses to reach their audience on the go. Optimized email design ensures that messages look great on smartphones and tablets, increasing the chances of engagement.

Global Reach: Email can be sent to anyone with an internet connection, regardless of their location. This makes it an excellent tool for businesses looking to expand their reach to international audiences or those targeting specific geographic regions.

Builds Brand Awareness: Consistent email communication helps increase brand awareness and keeps your business top of mind for customers. By sharing valuable content, promotions, and updates, you create opportunities to reinforce your brand identity.

Encourages Referrals: Emails can be designed to encourage customers to share their positive experiences or refer friends and family. Incentivizing referrals through email can help grow your customer base.

In summary, email marketing is a powerful and versatile tool that enables businesses to communicate directly with customers, build strong relationships, and drive sales in a cost-effective way. When executed well, it offers measurable results and high returns on investment.

How to Find Top Affiliates

by | Affiliate Marketing, List Building | 0 comments

It might seem hard to believe, but you actually do need to ask this question.

In theory, offering a generous commission should attract strong affiliates to your offer. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way.

For example, paying extra fees to be listed on platforms like Commission Junction, Share-a-Sale, or ClickBank often doesn’t yield great results (at least in my experience). Unless you’re already a dominant player in the market, your offer can easily get lost in the noise.

The same applies to paying to have your product featured on launch boards, which are often crowded with inexperienced promoters or individuals hoping you’ll promote them—rather than the other way around.

In short, finding the right affiliates requires active effort.

So, what makes a good affiliate?

The best affiliates usually have two key assets: traffic (they rank well in organic search) and an engaged email list. Some may also pay for traffic, though these affiliates are harder to identify.

Your job is to find websites that are ranking well and also building an email list.

Here’s how you can go about it:

1.  Identify the right keywords: Make a list of search terms that align with your offer.

2.  Research top sites: Visit the top 20 websites ranking for those terms.

3.  Look for list-building strategies: Focus on sites that have strong list-building mechanisms, like opt-in forms, lead magnets, and more.

4.  Reach out: Contact site owners directly and start a conversation. Once you’ve built rapport, ask if they know of others who could be a good fit.

Securing just one solid affiliate per week who can drive meaningful sales is well worth the effort.

A great shortcut I’ve found is to reach out to people you already know who sell complementary products or services. This can be beneficial for two reasons:

1.  They likely have a list: If they’re not actively promoting offers to their list, they’re missing out on income.

2.  They have affiliates: They may be able to connect you with affiliates who already trust them, making it easier for you to build those relationships.

Finding the right affiliates and getting them to promote your offer can be challenging, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. Be ready to provide affiliates with everything they need to make their job as easy as possible.

Like many things in business, the first step is the hardest. But once you start making connections, it can snowball quickly—especially in markets where the key players already know each other.

Pro Tip: Some markets host affiliate launch contests with public leaderboards based on sales. These can be goldmines for discovering high-performing affiliates.

Finding top affiliate marketers can be a valuable step in growing your affiliate marketing program or partnership. These individuals can help promote your products or services to a wider audience and drive sales. Here’s how you can find top affiliate marketers:

1. Affiliate Networks

Affiliate networks are platforms that connect affiliates (marketers) with merchants (businesses). They provide a curated list of experienced affiliate marketers, often categorized by niche. Some of the most popular affiliate networks include:

  • ShareASale
  • CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)
  • Rakuten Marketing
  • Impact Radius
  • ClickBank
  • Awin

By joining these networks, you can access a list of top-performing affiliates, view their performance statistics, and filter them by niche, location, or marketing style.

2. Affiliate Marketplaces

Affiliate marketplaces are dedicated platforms where you can browse through profiles of affiliate marketers and review their success metrics. Some of the most popular marketplaces include:

  • Fiverr: Look for experienced affiliate marketers offering services like affiliate marketing strategy, management, and promotion.
  • Upwork: Many top affiliate marketers offer freelance services through Upwork, and you can review their portfolios and past client feedback.
  • Affilorama: This is an affiliate marketing training site with a community where you can connect with top marketers.

3. Social Media Platforms

Top affiliate marketers often build their presence on social media. Here are some ways to find them:

  • Instagram: Search for influencers or affiliate marketers who use affiliate links in their posts. Use hashtags like #affiliatemarketer, #affiliateprograms, #influencermarketing, or #makemoneyonline.
  • YouTube: Many affiliate marketers produce video content related to product reviews or affiliate marketing tips. Searching for “affiliate marketing tips” or “affiliate product reviews” on YouTube can help you identify influencers.
  • Twitter: Search for affiliate marketers by using hashtags or keywords like “affiliate marketing,” “affiliate success,” or “affiliate marketer.”
  • LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn’s search function to find experienced affiliate marketers by looking up profiles with affiliate marketing in their job titles or summaries.

4. Affiliate Marketing Forums and Communities

Joining affiliate marketing communities or forums allows you to network and discover experienced marketers. Some of the most popular affiliate marketing communities are:

  • Warrior Forum: A large community of digital marketers, including top affiliate marketers who share advice and opportunities.
  • Affilorama Forum: A forum for affiliate marketers where they discuss strategies, share success stories, and recommend affiliate products.
  • Reddit: Subreddits like r/affiliatemarketing and r/entrepreneur are good places to find experienced affiliates and learn about their strategies.

5. Competitor Research

Researching competitors in your niche can help identify top affiliate marketers who promote similar products. Look for the following:

  • Affiliate links on blogs: Many bloggers monetize their sites through affiliate marketing. Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to identify the top affiliates who are promoting your competitors’ products.
  • Product reviews: Look for product review websites and videos related to your niche. The creators of these reviews are often affiliate marketers promoting specific products.
  • Social proof: Check out social proof in the form of testimonials, reviews, and endorsements that affiliates might showcase on their websites or social media.

6. Top Affiliate Marketing Blogs and Websites

Some well-known affiliate marketers run successful blogs where they share their insights and experiences. These blogs often feature affiliate links and recommendations. A few top affiliate marketing blogs include:

  • Neil Patel: He is a prominent digital marketer and affiliate marketer who offers valuable tips and advice for affiliate marketing.
  • Smart Passive Income (Pat Flynn): This blog focuses on passive income strategies, including affiliate marketing, and often highlights top affiliate marketers and their strategies.
  • Affiliate Summit: This blog features industry news, case studies, and interviews with top affiliate marketers.

7. Affiliate Marketing Conferences and Events

Attending affiliate marketing conferences and events can help you connect with top affiliate marketers. Some major conferences include:

  • Affiliate Summit: One of the largest and most respected affiliate marketing conferences in the world, attracting top affiliates, networks, and brands.
  • d6 Affiliate Summit: A smaller, more intimate conference focused on networking with top affiliates.
  • ClickBank University: Offers workshops and networking opportunities for affiliate marketers.

8. Use Affiliate Marketing Directories

Several directories list top affiliate marketers. You can browse these platforms to find experienced marketers:

  • Affiliate Directory: A resource where you can find top affiliates by niche and performance.
  • Affiliates for You: Another affiliate directory that helps brands connect with top-performing marketers.

9. Reach Out to Influencers

Influencers in your niche often operate as affiliate marketers. Reach out to influencers on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok who might be a good fit to promote your products. Influencers are typically highly effective in affiliate marketing because they already have an established audience.

10. Leverage Affiliate Marketing Agencies

If you’re looking to partner with a team of top affiliate marketers, agencies specializing in affiliate marketing may be an option. These agencies can provide access to a network of experienced affiliates and handle campaign management. Some well-known agencies in the affiliate marketing space include:

  • Rakuten Marketing
  • CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)
  • MaxBounty

Conclusion

Finding top affiliate marketers requires a mix of research, networking, and leveraging the right platforms. By using affiliate networks, marketplaces, social media, forums, and influencer outreach, you can identify individuals who can effectively promote your products or services and help grow your business. Be sure to review their past performance, niche expertise, and reputation to ensure they align with your brand values and goals.

She Likes Me

by | Uncategorized | 0 comments

You know that feeling when someone you like likes you back?   She Likes Me attempts to emulate that feeling. One of my hobbies is creating original digital music using a program called FL Studio.  I’ll share some of my favorites here on the site.  Let me know what you think!

she likes me

She Likes Me

by John R Barker

How Do I Know if She Likes Me?

Figuring out if someone likes you can be tricky, but there are some common signs and behaviors that may help you get a sense of how she feels. Keep in mind that everyone is different, and not all signs are universal. Here are some possible indicators:

1. Body Language Can Reveal She Likes Me

  • Frequent eye contact: If she looks at you often and makes eye contact, especially when you’re talking, it can indicate interest.
  • Smiling and laughing: If she smiles a lot when you’re around or laughs at your jokes (even if they’re not that funny), it could be a sign that she enjoys your company.
  • Mirroring your actions: People tend to subconsciously mirror the body language of those they like. If she mimics your movements or speech patterns, it might suggest she feels comfortable with you.
  • Physical proximity: If she tries to be physically close to you, or if she finds ways to touch you lightly (like a tap on the arm or shoulder), it could indicate attraction.
  • Playing with hair or other gestures: If she plays with her hair, adjusts her clothes, or seems self-conscious when you’re around, these could be signs of nervousness, which often occurs when someone has feelings for you.

2. Communication Style

  • Initiating conversations: If she regularly texts or starts conversations, it could be a sign that she’s interested in you and wants to stay connected.
  • Engagement in conversations: If she asks personal questions or shows interest in your life, that’s a positive sign.
  • Responding quickly: If she replies to your messages quickly and shows excitement or enthusiasm in her responses, it might indicate she’s interested.

3. Attention and Focus

  • Remembering small details: If she remembers things you’ve said in passing, like your favorite food or a hobby, it could indicate that she’s paying close attention because she values your connection.
  • Active listening: If she seems genuinely engaged in your conversations, asks follow-up questions, or shows that she values your opinions, it suggests she’s invested in your relationship.

4. Making Time for You

  • Wanting to hang out: If she tries to spend time with you one-on-one or includes you in group activities, it might be a sign of interest.
  • Making excuses to see you: If she finds reasons to meet up or interact with you, even outside of typical settings, it could be a clue that she likes you.

5. Jealousy or Protective Behavior

  • Jealousy or attention-seeking behavior: If she seems a bit jealous when other people (especially other women) get too close to you, or if she tries to get your attention when you’re talking to others, it may indicate romantic interest.

6. Compliments

  • Giving compliments: If she frequently compliments you, especially on things that go beyond just your appearance (e.g., your intelligence, your sense of humor, or your character), she might be showing admiration.
  • Playful teasing or flirting: Light teasing, joking, or playful comments can be a way of expressing affection.

7. Physical Touch

  • Frequent touches: A hand on the arm, a light touch on the shoulder, or other casual, friendly physical touches can be a sign that she feels comfortable with you and might be more than just friends.

8. Other Signs

  • She remembers the little things: If she recalls personal details or past events you’ve talked about, it shows she’s invested in your conversations.
  • Being supportive or considerate: If she goes out of her way to help you, offer support, or make you feel good, it could be a sign she’s interested.

Be Mindful of Context

While these behaviors can be signs of interest, they can also be part of someone’s personality or habits. Some people are naturally affectionate or friendly without it meaning anything romantic. The key is consistency and how she behaves around you compared to others.

The best way to really know if she likes you is to communicate openly and honestly. If you feel the connection, consider asking her about it directly, either through casual conversation or by sharing your feelings.

Trouble with Stairs

by | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Trouble with Stairs is an original digital music creation, by yours’ truly, using a program called FL Studio.  I’ll share some of my favorites here on the site.  Let me know what you think!

Trouble with Stairs

by John R Barker

Famous People Who’ve Had Trouble with Stairs

Throughout history, a few notable individuals and groups have had challenges with stairs due to physical limitations or health issues. Some of these figures include:

1. Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte, the famous French military leader, is often said to have had trouble with stairs, reportedly due to his short stature. While there is some debate about whether he was unusually short (he was about 5’6″, which was average for his time), there are anecdotes suggesting he had difficulty ascending stairs, particularly when in his later years. His perceived difficulty with stairs might have been exacerbated by health problems or the physical toll of years of military campaigning.

2. Winston Churchill

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, known for his leadership during World War II, struggled with stairs, particularly later in his life. He had a variety of health issues, including chronic obesity and health problems related to aging, which likely made it harder for him to navigate stairs with ease. At times, he used a cane or relied on others to assist him when climbing.

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, had difficulty with stairs due to the polio he contracted at age 39, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. Roosevelt used a wheelchair for most of his life, and as a result, climbing stairs was a challenge. Special accommodations were made for him, including ramps and other modifications, during his presidency.

Who Knew So Many People Had Trouble With Stairs?!

 

4. Stephen Hawking

Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, who had ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), was known to have difficulty with movement, including the use of stairs. As his condition progressed, he became completely paralyzed and used a wheelchair, which made ascending stairs nearly impossible. Like FDR, special arrangements were often made for him to navigate spaces that were not accessible to wheelchair users.

5. Historical Kings and Queens with Health Issues

Kings and queens, especially those in later centuries, who suffered from obesity, arthritis, or other health-related issues, would have faced challenges with stairs. For example:

  • King Henry VIII of England, known for his later-life obesity, would likely have struggled with stairs as his weight became excessive.
  • Queen Victoria struggled with obesity and related health issues in her later years, which likely caused difficulty with stairs as well.

6. The Elderly in General

Historically, the elderly often faced difficulties with stairs.  This is due to the natural decline in strength and mobility with age. Before the invention of elevators and escalators, older individuals, especially those with chronic conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, might have faced significant challenges with stairs. This was true across social classes, although those in wealthier circles often had assistance or accommodations like servants to help them.

7. People with Disabilities

Historically, people with disabilities have always faced challenges with stairs, whether due to physical impairments like paralysis, limb loss, or congenital conditions. The development of accessible buildings and the introduction of ramps and elevators in modern times have alleviated some of these issues.  Though in earlier centuries, the lack of accessibility made stairs a significant obstacle for many individuals with disabilities.

Cultural and Societal Impact on Stairs

While some historical figures had personal challenges with stairs due to health issues, stairs as a physical obstacle also had broader social and cultural implications. In times before widespread disability rights and accessible infrastructure, many individuals with mobility impairments struggled with public and private spaces that were not designed to accommodate them. This made stairs a symbol of exclusion for a large portion of society.

In summary, people throughout history, especially those with physical disabilities, elderly individuals, and those suffering from chronic health issues, have struggled with stairs. While today, we have more modern solutions to help people navigate spaces (e.g., ramps, elevators), historically, this was a significant barrier to mobility for many.

Testimonials

by | Affiliate Marketing, List Building | 0 comments

Testimonials

Testimonials: Show social proof by highlighting testimonials from current subscribers about the value they receive.

The ideal testimonial points to specific gains the subscriber has made as a result of reading your newsletter.

Example:  Using a tip from one of John’s newsletters I nearly tripled my conversion rates and sales.

It’s OK to openly solicit testimonials from subscribers.  I like to include a PS in every 4 or 5 mailing that says something to the effect of “If you’re gaining value from these messages then please consider shooting me a testimonial.”

Using testimonials effectively can significantly boost conversion rates by building trust, addressing potential concerns, and reinforcing the value of your product or service. Here are several strategies for using testimonials to maximize their impact on your conversion rates:

1. Place Testimonials on Key Pages

  • Homepage: Display a few of your best testimonials on the homepage to immediately establish credibility when visitors land on your site.
  • Landing Pages: Place testimonials strategically on landing pages, particularly near the call to action (CTA). This creates reassurance at the decision-making point.
  • Product/Service Pages: Showcase testimonials directly on the pages where your products or services are displayed. Reviews relevant to the specific product can encourage visitors to purchase.
  • Checkout Pages: Display testimonials on the checkout page to reduce any last-minute hesitations and reaffirm that others trust your product.

2. Use Real, Detailed Testimonials

  • Authenticity: Use real names, photos, and even video testimonials where possible. This increases authenticity and trust. Fake or generic testimonials can raise skepticism, while real customer stories create emotional connections.
  • Detailed Feedback: Testimonials that detail specific problems solved, features that stood out, or benefits gained are more persuasive than vague statements. The more specific, the more relatable and convincing they are.

3. Highlight Customer Pain Points and Results

  • Focus on how your product or service solved common pain points. For example, “Before using this service, I struggled with [specific problem], but now I feel [benefit or result].”
  • Testimonials that highlight before-and-after scenarios are particularly powerful. Prospective customers can easily relate to the struggles your past customers faced and see how your offering can bring them similar results.

4. Leverage Video Testimonials

  • Video testimonials are incredibly engaging and have a higher conversion rate than written testimonials. People are more likely to trust a real person speaking about their experience.
  • Feature video testimonials on product pages, social media, and email campaigns. A compelling, authentic video can significantly influence buying decisions.

5. Include Testimonials from Influential or Respected Figures

  • Partnering with industry influencers, thought leaders, or notable figures who endorse your product can dramatically boost credibility and encourage conversions.
  • Testimonials from well-known figures can help overcome any skepticism, especially if you’re new or trying to establish authority in your market.

6. Use Social Proof for Urgency

  • Quantity: Showcase the number of happy customers you’ve served. For example, “Join over 50,000 satisfied customers.” This shows that many people have already trusted your product.
  • Recent Testimonials: Show recent testimonials to prove that people are consistently satisfied with your offering. Fresh testimonials suggest that your business is actively helping customers right now.

7. Segment Testimonials by Customer Type

  • Tailor testimonials to specific customer segments. For example, if you’re selling to both businesses and consumers, have separate testimonials for each segment. This increases the relatability of the testimonial to different types of customers, making it more persuasive.
  • If your product has different use cases, showcase testimonials for each use case to demonstrate its versatility.

8. Showcase Testimonials from Similar Customers

  • Highlight testimonials from customers who resemble your target audience in terms of demographics, challenges, and goals. Prospective buyers are more likely to relate to someone who shares similar characteristics, which helps to build trust.
  • For instance, if you’re selling a B2B SaaS product, use testimonials from companies in similar industries or of similar size to your potential customers.

9. Incorporate Testimonials into Email Marketing

  • Follow-Up Emails: After a customer shows interest (such as signing up for a free trial or abandoning a cart), include a testimonial in your follow-up emails. This provides additional social proof that can nudge them towards conversion.
  • Welcome Emails: For new subscribers or customers, include a testimonial from a satisfied customer to reinforce the value they’ll gain from your product or service.

10. Optimize Testimonials for Mobile Devices

  • Since many users browse and shop on mobile devices, ensure that your testimonials are easy to read and engaging on smaller screens. This may involve using shorter quotes, larger fonts, and optimized video content for mobile views.

11. Use Testimonials in Ads and Social Media Campaigns

  • Incorporate customer testimonials in your paid ads (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.) to increase trust with potential customers who may not be familiar with your brand yet.
  • Feature testimonials in social media posts or Instagram stories to encourage followers to take the next step, whether it’s clicking a link or making a purchase.

12. Combine Testimonials with Case Studies

  • For high-value or complex products, combine testimonials with in-depth case studies. Case studies provide the context and results that make testimonials even more powerful. They show how your product or service solved a real-world problem in detail.

13. Use Testimonials in Retargeting Campaigns

  • If a visitor leaves your site without converting, use retargeting ads to remind them of your offering, and incorporate a testimonial to help persuade them to complete their purchase.
  • Testimonials in retargeting ads can remind potential customers of the positive experiences of others, reinforcing their decision to come back and convert.

14. Address Common Objections Through Testimonials

  • Identify common concerns your audience may have (price, quality, difficulty of use, etc.), and use testimonials that address these objections directly. If customers mention how easy your product is to use, or how quickly they saw results, it can help address fears of frustration or inefficacy.

15. Create a “Social Proof” Page

  • If you have a wealth of testimonials, create a dedicated page on your website with a collection of customer reviews, case studies, and success stories. This can be used as a reference page to reassure skeptical customers, particularly during the consideration phase of their buying journey.

Conclusion

To effectively use testimonials to boost conversions, focus on authenticity, relevance, and emotional appeal. Testimonials should reassure potential customers, address their concerns, and provide evidence that your product or service works. By strategically placing testimonials throughout your site, email campaigns, ads, and social media, you’ll leverage the power of social proof to influence purchasing decisions and increase your conversion rates.