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Let People Work For You

Do you have a great product available that you don’t have time to market? Maybe you wrote an e-book in your spare time. Maybe you designed a program that is valuable to other entrepreneurs. Maybe you’d just like to wake up to fresh sales with your morning coffee. Of course, marketing your own products or services and building a brand that reflects your vision will reward you with the most success. Still, don’t neglect affiliate programs that let other people do your selling for you.

Have a Great Product

Value is subjective. It depends on the needs of an audience and a hearty dose of timing. Nonetheless, even if a product or service is not valuable to somebody, it can still be recognized as high quality. Create a high quality product that commands attention from users and potential affiliates. If you can offer something that is truly life enhancing or undeniably entertaining, people will be jockeying for position in an effort to sell and market it for you. Everybody–product creators, marketers, and users–wants to be associated with quality. Start from the top and let the quality trickle down into the hands of the users.

Have a Great Commission

Offer a high commission even if you may feel a little uncomfortable doing so. Put yourself in the position of somebody looking for a product or service to sell. Obviously, their time is as important to them as yours is to you. They want to receive the most reward for their investment, and they’re drawn to high commissions. Of course, the best and brightest marketers are not making decisions solely on commission rates. But if you’ve taken care of the first step and created something of true value, your offer will have a dual shine. Good money for an easy sell. Who wouldn’t jump on such on opportunity? You may feel a little sour presenting high commissions, even those that offer a marketer greater profit than yourself, but step back a moment. Your goal here should be high volume. Entice sellers to work for you by giving them high rewards.

Actively Seek Out Great Reps

Don’t limit yourself to letting affiliates come to you. Seek out the most eager and productive marketers yourself. If you’re active on a relevant forum, let people know that you have a great new concept, and you’re providing great commissions to those interested in joining your team. On your personal website, have a section reserved for affiliate information, and go into detail about your plan. Proactive marketers will be checking out your site and contact you directly. Reward your best reps with bonuses or permanent positions, and people will start to clamor to become a part of your team.

Expose Yourself

On the Internet. Wait, that sounded wrong. Expose your ideas and your vision on the Internet. Be transparent and honest with your employees and your customers. Take pride and responsibility for what you’ve created. Let all roads lead back to you, your website, and your company. If you don’t like a method that someone is using in order to sell your product or service, cut them off. Let your honesty and your integrity join forces with your generosity, and you’ll inspire confidence in those around you.

Chances are many of you have marketed someone else’s product or service before. After all, an effective entrepreneur not only creates opportunity, but she knows high quality and potential when it’s laid out in front of her. If you’re looking for people to work for you, give them something they can become excited about.


Matthew Toren
 

Matthew Toren is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, investor and co-founder of YoungEntrepreneur.com. He is co-author, with his brother Adam, of Kidpreneurs.org, BizWarriors.com and Small Business, BIG Vision: Lessons on How to Dominate Your Market from Self-Made Entrepreneurs Who Did it Right (Wiley).

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