Wanna hear my two cents? Below you’ll find a 20-minute audio where I was interviewed by Pam Zimmer. Feel free to download, SHARE, or listen straight from this post.

What questions did I answer?

• Why would someone want to sign up as an affiliate and what are the benefits?
• What is a “mask URL” and when/why would you want to use one?
• How can you leverage being an affiliate to market and grow your business?
• If someone is new to social media and wanted to create the most opportunity for a book release, what are the top things they should do?
• What other tips can I offer to have more success with affiliate marketing and social media?

Click to Download

I’d love to hear your comments and takeaways. Please ask a question or send a comment through Facebook comments below, and/or share this article with others to spread awareness and help educate.

Thank you!

Brendon Burchard is right when he says people are uncomfortable talking about making money – especially off their message. They WANT to do it and NEED to do it, but they’re uncomfortable talking about it. I am too, but it’s natural and necessary. We need to put income in our pockets to sustain the message.

One way to “make money more quickly” online is with promotional partners. This can be an affiliate who registers to *sell your product for a commission*. A promotional partner can also be someone you joint venture with where you combine forces to sell a product or service – anyone that has an audience, that aligns with your message, that can help promote you. Collaboration is KEY and there are a few things you need to be educated about to make the most out of gaining these promo partners.

I’m laying out these insights below under the assumption that you are to do one of two things:

1. You have a product you want others to sell and once it’s ready, you’ll ask people to support you. (affiliate)
2. You have an IDEA for a product and you are going to invite someone to partner with you to make it a success. (jv partner, joint venture partner)

Insight #1 about Promotional Partners: Make the Product (or Idea) Count

You can’t just create a product in day then expect people with big email lists to want to promote it. I know that I will only ever tell my audience about something that I truly believe in and know would make a positive impact. Spend the time to make the product the best you can – insane value and professionally packaged. If you want to collaborate and build a product with a partner instead, then do your research and flush out your ideas first, THEN approach your desired jv partner. Show your promotional partners how badly you want this, and how much you deserve their help.

Insight #2 about Promotional Partners: Your Message must Align with Theirs

If my whole business is about generating income off of Google AdWords and you are offering meditation CDs, we are not in alignment with each other’s messages. You could approach me because I have a loyal and big email list to promote to, but I still wouldn’t promote you because your CDs don’t align with my message. It’s important to connect with industry leaders that can relate to what you are promoting. It must align naturally with their products and services and message.

Insight #3 about Promotional Partners: How to Ask?

This is the biggest question I get and the answer is mostly, “Just Ask!” … but there’s a touch more to it. First, know this will be a numbers game like anything else. You can’t target one person to help and if they say no, you give up. Make a list of 50 people that might align with your message and product (idea). Then do your due diligence and see the way they speak to their audience – what are their key points – how do they ask for the order with their audience (soft, hard, etc.). Then use that information to your benefit and create a strategy around it. Email the potential promo partner and follow this type of sequence:

• Compliment them and let them know why you are excited about what they’re doing
• Explain that the more you read and researched them, the more you felt in alignment with their message
• Briefly explain who you are and what your message is
• Unveil your product or product idea
• Ask for the order in a way that is mutually beneficial: “I think that if we work together we can get our message out there in a bigger way and help more people. Can we setup a time to discuss my ideas?”

The whole email should NOT be long. You’ll have to work on refining your message so it’s short, concise and to the point (not in a pitchy way but in a super genuine, want-to-help-the-world way).

Insight #4 about Promotional Partners: How Much Is Too Much?

We are all extremely busy. When you look at the people you target, expect them to be 2-5 times busier than you. They have been building their empire, they have dozens of products, tons of people contacting them all the time. They will not be excited to do MORE work just because you need help and have a nice message. You want to make it as EASY as possible for them to help you. For example, one key to success for an Amazon Bestseller Book Campaign is to write ALL marketing materials for the promotional partners so they just have to copy/paste on the book launch date. We write multiple emails, dozens of Facebook posts and Twitter tweets, etc. We want to make it super easy for people to share our message and then our chances for success increase!

Promotional partners IS the way to do business this year. I’m telling you… Promo partners and guest blogging (more to come later) should be a constant priority for you. Above Facebook – above it all. This is the way to MUCH faster results.

Your Challenge:

Start today by doing 1-hour of research online. Open an excel spreadsheet and start keeping a record of interesting websites that could be potential avenues for you. Look at how often the website owner is blogging, how active are they on social networks, are they consistently building their business, do they have great testimonials, etc. Just keep making record of all the websites that are in alignment with you and look to be doing things right. Then the next time you can carve out an hour (ahem, make this a priority) you’ll go back into each site and study the website owner even more to carve out their message and see what their interests are. You’ll basically just keep building your case until you’re ready to take action and ask for the order.

Today is the day though… it’s time to take action!

If you thought this article was helpful, I would love to hear your feedback and help me share it on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. If you are interested in writing for InsightfulDevelopment.com, click here to learn about out Guest Writing program.

I’ll let the quality and beauty speak for itself:

[Show as slideshow]

JOIN US in Tucson this upcoming weekend at Lambert and LaCanada! (view details)

* FREE product giveaway
* Donations to Charity based on sales
* Meet the artist, Sharon Ludwig

Outside of Tucson? Contact Sharon to place your Valentine’s Day gift order today.

Dates: February 4th & 5th
Times: 9am – 4pm
Location: 10325 La Canada, Oro Valley, AZ

View Larger Map

Help us get the word out about these awesome products by clicking the share buttons and the top of bottom of this post! Thank you SO much in advance for your support!

But at the end of the day, the week, the month… does your value and expertise get transformed into a product your audience can buy? Are you consistently adding new products to continue having a stream of income to turn a profit in your business?

The nerve-wracking thing about the online world is that there are SO MANY DISTRACTIONS. You know you need to be on Facebook so you go spend a lot of time on Facebook (maybe too much? wink). You are getting pulled in every which direction with flashing lights and signs “pay attention to this!” .. “download and learn about this cool new widget you must have” .. “one time only to learn about x, y, z to fuel your business!”

There’s just so many distractions. But, at the end of the day you need to turn a profit. You must – otherwise this isn’t much of a “business” for you, right?

So my advice is to FOCUS on developing product and generating traffic back to your website. Today’s topic is on product development and a few key tips to make the idea turn into a reality.

Step 1 to Create a Product: Brainstorm.

Shut off the computer, take out a piece of paper and brainstorm your product idea until you are out of juice. I’ll do this a few times usually. If I have a product idea to create a home study course on how to maximize social media, I need to strongly consider all moving parts, all talking points, all visual aids, all examples, etc. I don’t make it a perfect process. I allow my mind to jump from idea to idea so that I just get it all out in a barnstorming frenzy!

Step 2 to Create a Product: Create the Outline.

Next, block out time for creating a product outline. You would block out time for a call with a potential client, right? So WHY NOT block out an hour to develop a product that could be worth more than ten or twenty clients? We must realize what our “money making” to-do’s are and make time for them. I would take out a clean piece of paper (or you can do this on your computer as long as you don’t take a detour to email or Facebook during this time – busted!). Then take out your brainstorming notes and rewrite them, separating your thoughts into categories. Then take your categories and organize them into a natural flow (A to Z) of this topic.

For example, if I was creating the home study course on how to maximize social media, I would start my outline with a category of “What is Social Media?” then a natural transition would be “Getting Started with Social Media and Account Setup” >> “How to Strategically Post Content and Gain Followers” >> “Turning Social Hour into a Marketing Channel” >> “Advanced Learning Tips for Advanced Users” (or something like that).

Once you have your main categories that is the foundation for your outline! Write quick points to cover beneath each category and now your outline is much more complete. This gives you the CONFIDENCE to keep going and finish the product.

Step 3 to Create a Product: Momentum is Key.

I know many, many entrepreneurs who have dozens of “half finished” products laying around. The excitement and incentive was strong in the beginning of the creative process, but half-way through it started to seem like a lot of work, or the business owner was running out of time. Putting it off one day turned into one week which turned into never. Think of product development like working out. You can’t just start, stop and expect to get the motivation back “next week”. You gotta keep going if you want to hit your goal!

I would suggest blocking of a realistic amount of time a few times a week. How about 1-hour, 3 times a week. If you can do more, great! But I think half the reason people don’t achieve their goals is because they set these crazy goals which creates a ton of pressure. People say I’m going to get this product done in 1 week! Even if it was one month that’s better than never finalizing the product because you got burnt out and quit. Take your time and get it done right. Create “block time” to keep the momentum up and get that sucker done!

Step 4 to Create a Product: Make it Professional.

Nothing is worse than when someone hypes up a product and it looks like the creator made it in Microsoft Word in 30 minutes. People want real value so they can make better progress, faster. The best thing you can do to make even more of a profit and to provide a better product for your audience is to get your product professionally formatted and designed. For example, if you create an eBook, you can add a neat font, headings, a cover page that is beautifully designed and more. When someone buys your product and sees that you took this one extra step, they will be more likely to share it with their friends (which you want!) and come back as a repeat customer.

Make this year all about “getting stuff done” and making a profit. You have a message to get out to the world. That message was given only to you through your experiences so that you can help others. We all learn in different ways and there are people in the world RIGHT NOW that are standing by waiting for your message and product. It’s true. So all you gotta do is take action and get ‘er done!

If you thought this article was helpful, I would love to hear your feedback and help me share it on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. If you are interested in writing for InsightfulDevelopment.com, click here to learn about out Guest Writing program.

I first met Brendon 5 years ago at event I was planning and managing called The Capital Factor. He was on stage talking about partnering with non-profits to expand you network, get paid, and make your mark. He also shared his Life’s Golden Ticket book and experience. I got to spend a lot of 1-1 time with Brendon back stage and leading up to the event. All I kept thinking was, “Wow, this guy is going somewhere. He has talent and information that no one else is talking about. He’s one to watch.”

Since then, his career has absolutely SKY-ROCKETED. Last year he earned $4.6 million dollars. His empire had been created and it’s not slowing down. It’s super impressive and important to learn from.

Last October I went to his Live training for Expert’s Academy. I was literally blown away by the information he gave to us. What other expert can you event think of that literally shares ALL of there steps, secrets, and tips that built their business. I mean, he shared what he failed at, what he succeeded at, what resources he uses, what format he used for products – everything! I was proud to have met him all those years ago. Now this is a person with his light on, with high integrity that truly wants to make the world a better place and help people.

I’ve been watching him even more closely over the past few months. It was no surprise that when his recent video training series, and more recently his webinar opened, I was all signed up within seconds of getting the email.

Today, Brendon has his final video in this series and I wanted to share it with you since a few have asked for it. I’m off to go watch it myself now.

Click Here to Watch Brendon’s Video

Warning that he’s launching his Experts Academy Elite so there will be a sales pitch at the end.

Note that a blog post is currently in the works and should be publishing next week that will be the takeaways from his last webinar. When we were listening to the webinar together Zoya Bokhoor said,  “I love his energy and what he has to say. It makes so much sense.”

Why am I going through the effort to promote Brendon so much? Because out of everyone in this industry, he is the most authentic and the one that I think is the head hauncho to watch. Period. A lot of what I know is thanks to his training (combined with a handful of others).

Let me know your thoughts – I’m standing by to hear from you.

In short, these bills are efforts to stop copyright infringement committed by foreign web sites, but, in our opinion, they do so in a way that actually infringes free expression while harming the Internet. Detailed information about these bills can be found in the Stop Online Piracy Act and PROTECT IP Act articles on Wikipedia, which are available during the blackout.

GovTrack lets you follow both bills through the legislative process: SOPA on this page, and PIPA on this one. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the public interest in the digital realm, has summarized why these bills are simply unacceptable in a world that values an open, secure, and free Internet.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

In December 2004 Andrea and her husband Hunter sat in their kitchen on pins and needles waiting to hear if their friends had survived the southeast Asian tsunami. Asking themselves, “What can we do to make a difference?” prompted a life-changing journey which led to founding their own nonprofit organization, Aid Still Required (ASR).

This influential nonprofit has enlisted the help of former President Clinton’s United Nations office, in addition to musical artists such as Paul McCartney, Norah Jones, Maroon 5 and Bonnie Raitt, and NBA stars such as Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Grant Hill.

Collectively, the Aid Still Required community has created powerful outreach raising awareness for the survivors of the 2004 tsunami, the Darfur genocide, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Long after the media dies down, Aid Still Required presses on to champion forgotten people and issues and to identify sustainable, impactful solutions. WOW, right??

Well today is an important day for Andrea and I wanted to help support her. Will you join me?

My friends and clients at Aid Still Required (ASR)  have galvanized 40 plus musicians, athletes, and actors with 120 million followers to FB , tweet, comment, and make challenges to raise awareness and funds on January 12th, the 2nd anniversary of the devastating Haiti earthquake. Campaign participants include Alicia Keys, Deepak Chopra, Maroon 5, Sting, Slash, The Killers, Lady Antebellum, Don Cheadle,  and many many more.

Hundreds of thousands in Haiti are still living in tents, there is vast unemployment, and many abandoned kids…and Aid Still Required has programs to help!  January 12th you can help by LIKING ASR on Facebook and following on Twitter, Liking Campaign participants, commenting on posts, engaging with followers, retweeting, posting to your friends.

New cause-marketer snoball allows participants to make mini-challenges, such as “Donate  $.05 every time someone likes ASR or Donate $.50 for every point in the next Lakers game  or Donate $1 every time I buy a Latte at Starbucks!

Please help ASR trend and help garner donations from those who are able to contribute and are inspired.  You can be the miracle in someone’s life! “Just because it left the headlines doesn’t mean it left the planet.”

Click Here to go to the Website for Aid Still Required

As we face a new year, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with resolutions and the desire to improve upon last year’s success or the lack thereof. But, sometimes the hardest part is placing proper focus on the right priorities. With a plethora of choices to market your message, it’s easy to fall into analysis-paralysis. So, I’ve provided twelve marketing tips to prevent you from freezing up and get 2012 off to a great start:

1. Enhance your author brand

If you don’t have an author brand, your first marketing move of 2012 is to start creating one. With all the voices competing for your audience’s attention, you must stand out more than ever. A brand is what makes you memorable and communicates your value. Thus, make sure your brand is infused into everything you do, including any of your books, products, services, bios, social media pages, etc. If you’re struggling to create a brand, review these seven principles on my website (http://www.startawildfire.com/buildabrand.html).

2. Grow your newsletter list

If you don’t have a regular author newsletter, start one today. I recommend inexpensive services, such as ConstantContact or MailChimp. If you already have a newsletter, maintain consistency and focus on growing your database. Encourage people to register by offering an exclusive resource only available to new subscribers. Give a prize at your author events to induce new signups. Ask people you meet for permission to add them to your database. Set a goal to add at least 100 new subscribers per month.

3. Launch new spin-off products

For every book, there are usually three or more spin-off opportunities you could offer. Yet, most authors fail to capitalize on these options. You’ve already got the content. Why not offer it in various formats that people prefer? For instance, turn your printed book into an e-book, audio book, or video study with participant’s guides. Turn your novel into a theatrical play, movie script, or broader series of stories. By doing so, you can penetrate your audience deeper or entice a new section of your target market.

4. Seek high-profile endorsements

A great way to boost your expertise and credibility is to have well-known people publicly support you. So, start out this year by seeking to add at least 2 – 3 written or video testimonials from leaders who would be respected by your readers. Credibility is the foundation for trust, and trust is the foundation for purchasing your books or services.

5. Pursue bulk sales

No matter what kind of book you write, there is almost always an opportunity to sell it in large quantity. Bulk sales mean more revenue with less effort. For example, if you speak at events or conferences, ask the director if they’d like to buy your book or product for every attendee. Provide volume discounts as the quantity goes up. You can also garner bulk sales by creating a special version of your product that is unique to the customer, such as a custom cover, exclusive content, bonus features, etc. Don’t overlook the lucrative opportunity to sell caseloads.

6. Create a media calendar

Most radio and TV producers get so many requests that they rarely chase authors down for interviews. Instead, they usually wait for people to contact them. Increase your ability to land bookings by setting up your own media calendar. Examine January through December, and list any holidays, occasions, or seasonal periods when your expertise would be desired. In addition, create a list of topics that you could speak about as an expert if those issues hit the national headlines. Write press releases and submit 2 – 3 months ahead of time. It’s easier to get more media coverage when you plan ahead for it.

7. Use social media to promote your value

Twitter and Facebook are fully integrated into our society, but 90% of all social media chatter is idiotic drivel. However, this makes it easier for you to stand out by providing value, rather than inane comments and discussions. Use social media to give away more of your expertise than the year before. Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas. You can’t be seen as an expert if you keep your expertise under wraps. Give away free advice, articles, discounts, samples, resources, etc.

8. Attend a major conference in your field

Where do influential leaders and readers gather? At major conferences and events. If you want to meet them, you’ve got be in the same room rubbing shoulders. Pick at least one new conference and put it in your 2012 budget to attend. Technology is cool, but social media will never replace face-to-face interactions to build relationships and promote your book.

9. Say “no” more often

Who you are is more defined by when you say “no,” rather than when you say “yes.” Anyone can say yes to everything. But, they will wind up stressed out, watered down, and ineffective. It’s better to be an expert in your field than a “jack of all trades – master of none.” So, make a conscious effort to say no to projects that don’t fit your brand or area of expertise. This can be emotionally difficult in the short-term, but wildly rewarding the long-term. Shut the door on selfish people trying to use you, products or books that aren’t profitable, negative people who drain your energy, etc. With the time and energy you gain, you’ll be better positioned to maximize the opportunities you encounter.

10. Raise your fees

Take a look at what you charge to speak, write, consult, or train, and consider raising your fees. Inflation is always going up, and if your fees aren’t rising along with it, you’ll soon fall behind. If your fees have stayed the same for the past two years, then your products or expertise can look stagnant. Assuming that you’re an author who is smarter and more skilled than you were a year ago, you should be worth more. Thus, raise your fees.

11. Set aside time now for vacation and rest

Many authors work tirelessly to write a book. In the process, vacations and periods of rest tend to get pushed to the backburner. This leads to burnout, stress, and lowered creativity. Instead, set aside vacations and downtime first, and make your writing schedule work around it. You will feel more relaxed knowing that a vacation is established, rather than relying on the crumbs of your schedule. I say this from personal experience.

12. Invest in your professional growth

Your marketing this year will only be as good as your knowledge and skills. And, you won’t learn how to be a better marketer through osmosis. So, my final piece of encouragement is to invest in yourself. Don’t look at professional development as an expense. You are spending money to make a lot more money. There are books, coaching programs, tutorials, and conferences available to help you improve your marketing. I’ve just launched several new learning opportunities for authors. If you want to increase book sales, then you’ve got to increase your marketing skills.

Don’t let my list of 12 marketing moves overwhelm you. Pick a couple of the issues I’ve discussed and start on them this week. With focus and enthusiasm, your marketing can reach new heights in 2012.

Rob Eagar is the founder of WildFire Marketing, a consulting practice that helps authors and publishers sell more books and spread their message like wildfire. He has assisted numerous New York Times bestselling authors and his new book, Sell Your Book Like Wildfire, will be published by Writer’s Digest in May, 2012. Find out more about Rob’s advice, products, and coaching services for authors at: www.startawildfire.com

Here is what is on my mind for 2012:

• I really want 2012 to be about building a rock solid community of superstar authors, speakers and entrepreneurs all who have a message of hope, transformation or inspiration to get out to the world. I know that through this community we can make it through days of doubt, moments of fear and help promote each others messages.
• Collaboration on a larger scale is something I will be scouting. I want to help connect like-minded individuals and help give a giant boost to the success of my community.
• I want to connect on a deeper level with website visitors, social networking friends, clients, friends and family.
• A few important product development ideas have been swimming in my head and I’ve been developing them in chunks in any spare time I can muster. All 2012 products will be intended to provide REAL help to those in need.
• As usual, the goal to improve and be a better person and better friend, companion, contractor, webmaster, etc. – that’s always on my mind.
• I am going to open up Guest Blogging on my site this year. I’ve received lots of requests in the past few years and I know this is where it’s at for 2012. More to follow.

…just to name a few. I am feeling such an immense gratitude for everyone that supports me. It is you that keeps me going at full steam ahead every day, and for that, I thank you.

What I really wanted to do is open a Suggestion Box today. I would love to hear any ideas you have about what you would like to see more of from me – teleseminars (what topics?), product-wise (what would you like to see?), social networking, contests (what prizes?), opt-in gifts, blog post topic ideas – anything and everything. I thank you in advance for your time to provide valuable feedback.

BONUS! If you fill out the form below, you will be automatically entered into a drawing (held until January 31, 2012) where one winner will win a FREE Facebook Banner designed for their fan page! (Serious suggestions only please.)

cforms contact form by delicious:days

Thank you so much and Happy New Year!!

I have listed 3 ways below to help push you outside of the no-touch zone with your audience:

1. What I do the very most is write in a conversational style. I write how I talk and act. I do not try to sound perfect, or corporate or stuffy. I want my authenticity to shine through and for my reader to feel I’m right there with them – because I am! I get feedback often that website visitors feel comfortable on my site and they get engaged with my writing. I would WAY rather have that feedback than a perfect design or 0.001% better conversion rate. If your visitors can connect with you, the sales will naturally follow. I want to make my writing 100% about YOU. I want it to breathe life into your business and spur your creativity so you go out and produce something new to spread your message. When your are conversational, your message will be remembered.
2. Since I brought it up in the first tip, I make sure that everything I create is about YOU, not me. I have no interest in being one of those service providers that just pushes my agenda or pushes product in your face all the time. If I write blog posts, or send an email to my followers, or create a Facebook post, it truly comes from my heart as something that I think will help you. (Isn’t this the way it SHOULD be??) People can smell a salesman a mile away and that is a huge turnoff to most. One of the biggest trends I’ve noticed that will carry into 2012 is that people crave to work with genuine, real, authentic, trustworthy people. That’s it. We are tired of scams or salespeople saying their product does one thing when it does another. I know I would keep following a leader that genuinely wanted ME to have success in life. If you ever wonder what your audience wants, it’s generally the same qualities you want in a leader or service provider or friend.
3. Another key way to connect with your audience is through the use of video. This is also why so many people are afraid of video – they feel so exposed once the recording starts. But isn’t that the best part of video? We are totally in the spotlight. Learn to love it everyone – get excited to show your true self to others. You are here because deep down in your gut you discovered that you have a message to share with the world. It’s time to get that message out and video is a great way to help accomplish that. Stay tuned for a great post I have scheduled for January by Guest Blogger Beth Rosen, “6 Ways to Make Your Video Go Viral.”

I suggest that before you finalize that eBook, before you push that new product, before you publish that new blog post – you ask yourself, “Did I really show up and try to connect with my audience?” If the answer is no, then go back and rework it. The online world is like a giant library where everything you do gets indexed. Make sure only your best is out there for the world to learn from.

If you felt this post was a good reminder, please help me share it through Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. I would also be curious to hear your comments and see what else YOU do to connect with your audience.

Thank you all – have a safe and Happy New Year!