The Economy Killing Affiliate Marketing – Blah, Blah…Blah.
Ok reading and listening to things out there regarding the US economy is starting to get kind of old. I hear the exact SAME thing over and over…
The rough economy will affect affiliate marketing. People won’t have the disposable income to buy products online that they did before. We’ll see a massive drop in online sales and affiliate marketers will suffer. BUT, offers like payday loans and credit offers will do better than ever because people won’t have money and will need it.
We’ll get over the first quick thing – people saying how payday/credit offers will do great. Well first off congrats on making the GENIUS assumption that if less people have money and have to pay bills, they may be more likely to look at a payday loan. Sheer genius there I would have never thought of that myself. Expect a massive increase anyways because Q4 is king for affiliate marketing.
Next is this crazy thought that affiliate marketers will suffer and see revenues drop. Three points I want to make :
1) We’re in Q4 and like I said, affiliate marketing kicks ass over any of the other quarters.
2) People are still going to be spending money, there will always be consumers (unless we go into a depression, which we will not.
3) The vast majority of affiliate offers are shady anyways and the consumer doesn’t actually think they’re going to spend money.
Furreal, what are the biggest offers? Ringtones…dating…acai/green tea…credit reports…mobile, etc. In all of these offers the consumer is usually blind to the fact that they’re going to be charged. They either think what they’re getting is free, or they just have to pay $2.95 for shipping.
We’re only going to see affiliate marketing tank if everybody goes poor and has to sell their computer, and that won’t happen.
So let’s quit crying about the economy and go make some more money, eh?
P.S. I haven’t seen my own personal stats suffer at all.
No decline here either… ;)
hahahhahahah. I love how blunt you are.
I completely agree with what you are saying and not just about affiliate marketing. I am SO tired of hearing crap about our crappy economy and it is just to sell newspapers and get higher ratings on all the news stations. Everyone is SO scared and they shouldn’t be.
As you said, we should ALL just focus on making money, not crying about it.
Great post btw.
THANK YOU.
Finally someone saying useful shit. Some people are completely stupid. heh
Oh Affiliate Marketing is dying, everyone quit :) :D
Amen! Thats the great thing about affiliate marketing, you can adapt to the way the economy is headed – shitty economy you can sell em anything you want. Good economy you can sell em anything you want.
First off, I have to say I love your site, and I think you provide an amazing amount of information here. More than just about any other site I’ve come across. And if I ever get off my ass and take a whack at this affiliate business, I’d credit your site with any success I had.
That being said, I have to disagree with your statement that we “will not” go into a depression. I’d be interested to hear you elaborate your opinion as to why you think we wont.
My personal belief is we’re only just starting to see the tip of the iceberg.
Q4? In general yes we can agree that Q4 will bring you like any other year, the most profit. But, looking at the current situation, there will be a drop in revenue if you compare to previous Q4s. I hope you agree to this as a businessman that you are. :)
Here, you have done a solid job of countering views that might be arising against using affiliate marketing during this time period. Reading this may assist certain individuals that would have started to accept statements made about their activities.
People will go to stores less and research purchases more. Consumer reports-type sites and resources will become more popular. Review sites will become more popular. Evil will be everywhere, and we will see kitten raping become a sport in West Virginia.
These claims always make me yawn. Things are rough, but not so bad as that.
Haven’t been here for a while but it looks like you’re loosing subscribers… quick!
“They either think what they’re getting is free, or they just have to pay $2.95 for shipping.”
Yeah,ripping people off doesn’t get affected by the credit crunch….neither does robbing phones off kids…
Fo Realz…
It’s easy to get bogged down by the fear of a crumbling economy. However, affiliate marketers have a unique opportunity as they are their own bosses. Don’t pay attention to what you read about the economy: work harder, and test more campaigns!
Yeah, so affiliate marketers could focus only on profitable campaigns and pause the one losing them money.
well, to say the economy won’t affect affiliate marketing is wrong. the middle class is suffering and their disposable incomes are depleting… however it definitely won’t put affiliate marketers out of business, there’s still plenty of money to be made.
I think that’s some great advice. Affiliate marketers (and freelancers in general) have flexibility. That allows us to ride out economic turmoil easier than big, lumbering corporations.
Hi, Nice post thanks …….
These claims always make me yawn. Things are rough, but not so bad as that.
Yes …nice thanks
I think this will be more of a benefit in AMs favor. I mean, you mentioned the credit card and loans thing so isn’t it the best time to take advantage of the opportunities?
Jay
I’ve seen a small drop in sales but still making a profit. The market is on a roller coaster ride, I do not think even the best economist can predict where the economy will end up.
I tjink nothing bad will happen to the affiliate marketing, beacause it’ll work until people make money on it
Even in a depression people will have to consume something. You still need food and clothes. Also statistics show that people tend to drink more and spend more money on fun stuff (movies etc.) because they want to “leave the depression” for a few hours.
same here ;)
A trend followed by marketers shortly after 9/11 was termed cocooning, in which people retreated to the safety of their homes due to the uncertainty of the outside world. The net effect was more money spent ON the home, e.g. home theatre, furniture, etc. I think we could see a similar effect of the poor economy where people will spend more money IN the home with the internet because they may feel that staying home is cheaper. Regardless of this, people love to spend money, so what is $19.95 here and $47 there. Just my thoughts.
I have felt the recent economy. How could you not? most irs lost 30%
There is always going to be people with a bit of money set aside for emergencies such as an economic crisis of financial instability so let them spend on the things that will help them or improve their lives somehow.
I’ve just changed my focus slightly and my business is increasing. Offline marketing consulting + shifts to markets/niches that thrive in bad economies has worked very, very well for me.
There’s money to be made during poor economic periods just like there is during good times.
People will always buy… I mean how else did they get into so much debt in the first place :P
This time is good for those who new in affiliate because they can do better when economy is good.
Although I completely agree with you… I was kinda happy that people were discouraging affiliate marketing… more pie for me!!! But your ruining it.. thanks a lot! ;p
Um, I disagree. Less people are buying online at the moment…
Haha, yeah, but he does post some useful things now and again…
I agree too. Ive even seen a slight increase in some of my campaigns. Probably because im trying harder in fear of the crunch.
the economy isnt killing affiliate marketing. people buy because the want a solution to a problem. if your product supplies that solution, then guess what. THEY WILL BUY
cant disagree with pie!
no decline at all. we have seen an increase in growth on all areas of our Advaliant network. I think the economy is very positive for performance marketing. we are having an increase in major brands and agencies wanting to start affiliate performance marketing.
A lot of newbie will have no confident to start their affiliate at this moment and just do wait and see stuff. This is good opportunity for those who dare enough to float above all.
I think there is a decline…There is no money, like no ‘real cash’, that’s why the financial crysis started. So it’s obvious that promoting Pay Per Sale isn’t the best idea atm..
Yeah, great post.
The economy just bring more opportunities cos lots of people look on to the internet for solutions to their problems.
Rob
I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.