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Sites Like About.com

about.com

About.com, now defunct, was great because the site covered dozens of niche markets and the ads on the pages were highly targeted making it a great place to find offers.  

No site that I’ve found, yet, rivals About.com.  What you’ll find below are a wide range of sites that vary in markets.  You will need to do some hunting to find offers but they’re out there!

Here’s a list of websites similar to the original concept of About.com, which provided a wide variety of expert-curated articles across multiple topics. These sites offer general information, how-to guides, or niche content:

General Information and How-To Sites

    1. Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
      A free, crowd-sourced encyclopedia covering virtually any topic in depth.
    2. eHow (ehow.com)
      Offers how-to guides and tutorials on a wide range of practical topics.
    3. Quora (quora.com)
      A Q&A platform where users can ask questions and get answers from experts or enthusiasts.
    4. WikiHow (wikihow.com)
      Specializes in step-by-step guides for solving everyday problems.
    5. Lifewire (lifewire.com)
      Provides straightforward, expert-created tech advice and tutorials.

Niche Content Sites (Former About.com Verticals)

After About.com was restructured, its content was split into niche-focused sites:

    1. Verywell (verywell.com)
      Focuses on health, fitness, and wellness information.
    2. The Spruce (thespruce.com)
      Covers home improvement, gardening, and DIY projects.
    3. TripSavvy (tripsavvy.com)
      A travel-focused site offering tips, destination guides, and reviews.
    4. Lifewire (lifewire.com)
      Tech-focused tutorials and guides for everyday users.
    5. Investopedia (investopedia.com)
      Provides financial and investing advice.

Other Similar Sites

    1. HowStuffWorks (howstuffworks.com)
      Explains how various things in the world function, from science to pop culture.
    2. ThoughtCo (thoughtco.com)
      Covers educational content on science, history, math, and more.
    3. CNET (cnet.com)
      Focused on technology reviews, news, and how-tos.
    4. TechRadar (techradar.com)
      Offers detailed guides and reviews of the latest tech and gadgets.
    5. Stack Exchange (stackexchange.com)
      A network of Q&A sites specializing in various topics like coding, math, and more.
    6. Instructables (instructables.com)
      Focused on step-by-step DIY projects and creative builds.
    7. Healthline (healthline.com)
      A comprehensive site for health and wellness information.
    8. Better Homes and Gardens (bhg.com)
      Covers home, gardening, and lifestyle advice.

These sites cater to a variety of interests, offering a mix of general and specialized content like About.com once did.

SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham Summary

SPIN Selling is a sales methodology developed by Neil Rackham, based on research into successful sales practices. It focuses on understanding customer needs and providing solutions, particularly in complex, high-value sales. The acronym S.P.I.N. stands for the four types of questions that sales professionals use to guide conversations with prospects:

1. Situation Questions

  • Purpose: Gather information about the prospect’s current situation to understand their context.
  • Examples:
    • “What systems are you currently using?”
    • “How do you handle [specific process] today?”

Tip: Keep these questions limited, as excessive focus on gathering information can lead to disengagement.

2. Problem Questions

  • Purpose: Identify challenges or pain points that the prospect is experiencing.
  • Examples:
    • “What issues are you encountering with your current solution?”
    • “Is this process causing any inefficiencies?”

Tip: These questions help uncover potential areas where your product or service can add value.

3. Implication Questions

  • Purpose: Highlight the consequences of the prospect’s problems to create a sense of urgency.
  • Examples:
    • “What impact does this issue have on your productivity?”
    • “How does this problem affect your ability to meet your goals?”

Tip: These questions demonstrate the cost of inaction, motivating the prospect to consider change.

4. Need-Payoff Questions

  • Purpose: Lead the prospect to articulate the value of solving their problem and the benefits of your solution.
  • Examples:
    • “If this issue were resolved, how would it improve your operations?”
    • “Would having a more efficient system help achieve your goals faster?”

Tip: These questions make the prospect more likely to see your solution as essential.


Key Principles of SPIN Selling:

  1. Customer-Centric: Focus on the prospect’s needs rather than pushing a product.
  2. Build Value Gradually: The method emphasizes guiding the conversation to help the customer realize the need for your solution.
  3. Works for Complex Sales: Particularly effective for high-value deals that involve multiple decision-makers.

Advantages:

  • Builds deeper relationships by focusing on customer needs.
  • Increases the likelihood of closing deals by addressing pain points and demonstrating value.

Would you like insights on applying SPIN Selling in your sales strategy?

Email Marketing and SPIN Selling

The SPIN approach lends itself well to email marketing.  SPIN selling gives us a framework that brings our prospect to see their own need and to acknowledge the pain of not taking action.

spin selling by neil rackham

How to Find Top Affiliate Offers

It's in the bottle.  How to find top affiliate marketing offers.

Finding good affiliate marketing offers is essential for success in affiliate marketing. The quality of the offers you promote directly affects your conversion rates, commissions, and the trust you build with your audience. Here’s a guide on how and where to find top-notch affiliate marketing offers:

1. Affiliate Networks

Affiliate networks act as intermediaries between affiliates and merchants. They provide access to a wide range of affiliate programs across various niches. Some of the most reputable affiliate networks include:

  • ShareASale: Offers a large variety of merchants and products in different niches. You can search for programs based on your audience’s interests.
  • CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction): One of the largest networks, featuring both well-known and niche-specific brands. It provides a broad range of affiliate offers.
  • Rakuten Marketing: Known for offering high-quality brands and a well-structured affiliate program management system.
  • ClickBank: Specializes in digital products, such as ebooks, courses, and software. It’s a popular platform for affiliate marketers in the Internet marketing, online education, health, and personal development niches.
  • Impact Radius: A premium network that connects affiliates with top-tier companies. It’s more focused on high-quality partnerships.  Only recommended for more advanced marketers.
  • FlexOffers: Features thousands of affiliate programs in various industries like fashion, travel, finance, and health.

How to use these networks:

  1. Create an account on these platforms.
  2. Browse the marketplace to find offers that match your niche.
  3. Check the merchant’s reputation, commission rates, cookie duration, and conversion potential.
  4. Apply to the programs you’re interested in and get your unique affiliate links.

2. Direct Affiliate Programs

Many companies and brands run their own affiliate programs independently of networks. This can often lead to higher commission rates or exclusive deals. You can find these programs by:

  • Visiting Brand Websites: Many companies have affiliate links at the footer of their website or in the “Partners” or “Affiliate Program” sections.
  • Contacting Companies: If a brand you’re interested in doesn’t have an affiliate program listed, you can reach out directly and ask if they offer one.  Some companies have their own, in-house, affiliate tracking systems.
  • Checking Competitor Websites: Look at what affiliate programs your competitors are promoting on their sites. This can give you a clue about lucrative offers in your niche.

Examples of Direct Affiliate Programs:

  • Amazon Associates: One of the largest and most popular affiliate programs. Although commission rates are low, the vast product selection and high conversion rates make it a great choice for beginners.
  • Bluehost, SiteGround, and other hosting companies: Hosting companies typically offer high commissions per sale. Their affiliate programs are often highly optimized for conversion.
  • Shopify: Offers a generous affiliate program for promoting their eCommerce platform. It’s ideal for marketers in the entrepreneurship or online business niche.

3. Affiliate Program Directories

Affiliate program directories are websites that list a variety of affiliate programs from multiple niches. These directories allow you to search for offers based on your specific interests, commission rates, and other factors.

Popular Affiliate Program Directories:

  • AffiliatesDirectory.com: Offers a categorized list of affiliate programs across industries like finance, health, and tech.
  • AffiliatePrograms.com: Another resource that allows you to browse thousands of affiliate programs by category.
  • Awin: A global affiliate network with a directory that lets you search for the best affiliate programs across various industries.

4. Niche-Specific Affiliate Programs

If you have a specific niche, it’s often better to look for affiliate offers tailored to that niche. Niche-specific programs often offer higher-quality leads and more engaged audiences. Here’s how you can find them:

  • Google Search: Search for “[your niche] + affiliate program” or “[your niche] + become an affiliate.” For example, “fitness affiliate programs” or “technology affiliate programs.”
  • Industry Forums & Communities: Join online communities like Reddit, Facebook groups, or niche-specific forums where people discuss affiliate marketing and share offers.
  • Look at Successful Influencers or Bloggers in Your Niche: Many successful bloggers or influencers openly share the affiliate products they promote. Check their blogs or social media profiles for affiliate links.

Examples of Niche-Specific Programs:

  • Health and Wellness: Programs like HealthLine or Thrive Market.
  • Finance: Programs from companies like Credit Karma, Personal Capital, or Webull.
  • Technology: Affiliate programs from companies like Apple, Dell, or specific SaaS products like SEMrush or Ahrefs.

5. Offer Affiliate Promotions via Social Media or Forums

Many affiliate programs run special promotions or deals that are exclusive to certain channels. This includes social media, affiliate communities, and forums. You can often get access to higher payouts, limited-time offers, or unique products by being part of these affiliate communities.

Platforms to Explore:

  • Facebook Groups: Look for affiliate marketing groups or niche-specific communities where offers are shared.
  • Reddit: Subreddits like r/affiliatemarketing and r/entrepreneur often share affiliate marketing opportunities.
  • Twitter/X: Follow affiliate marketers and companies in your niche to spot new affiliate opportunities.

6. Affiliate Program Reviews and Comparison Sites

There are websites that review and compare affiliate programs. These can be helpful in determining the best offers for your audience. Some platforms provide in-depth reviews of affiliate programs based on commission structure, products, and payouts.

Some of the best resources:

  • The Affiliate Lab: Offers a comprehensive review of various affiliate programs and their performance.
  • AffiliateFix: Provides expert reviews and resources for affiliate marketers.
  • Authority Hacker: Offers insights into high-converting affiliate offers and strategies.

7. Affiliate Summits and Conferences

Affiliate marketing conferences and summits are great places to network with affiliate managers, discover new programs, and learn from top marketers. Some of the most notable affiliate marketing events include:

  • Affiliate Summit: A large-scale event where you can network with affiliate managers and brands offering new affiliate programs.
  • Traffic & Conversion Summit: Offers insights on digital marketing and affiliate marketing strategies.
  • FinCon: Focuses on finance and personal finance affiliate programs.

8. Reviewing the Affiliate Offer’s Quality

Once you find potential affiliate programs, ensure the following:

  • Commission Structure: Understand how you’re paid (CPS, CPA, CPC, or CPL). A higher commission rate isn’t always better if the offer has low conversion rates.
  • Cookie Duration: This is the period during which you’ll earn a commission on sales made through your affiliate link. Longer cookie durations are more favorable.
  • Conversion Rates: Look for affiliate programs that have high conversion rates (i.e., a high percentage of visitors who click your link and make a purchase).
  • Reputation of the Merchant: Always promote products or services from reputable companies to build trust with your audience.
  • Tracking and Reporting Tools: The affiliate program should offer detailed analytics so you can optimize your performance.

Conclusion

To find good affiliate marketing offers, focus on a mix of affiliate networks, niche-specific programs, and direct offers. Utilize directories, forums, and reviews to identify profitable opportunities. Always prioritize the quality of the products, the merchant’s reputation, and the affiliate program’s terms (commission, cookie duration, etc.) to ensure you promote offers that resonate with your audience and drive conversions.

How to Build an Email List for Affiliate Marketing

how to build a list for affiliate marketing

How to Find Top Affiliates

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.

Testimonials

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.