Frank Garon-top affiliate marketers

Frank was making $14.75 an hour as a truck driver. He now is one of the Internet’s top marketing affiliates who publishes the successful Planet Gram ezine.

Frank’s web sites are:
http://www.internetcashplanet.com

http://www.cash-giveaway.com

How much do you approximately make monthly promoting affiliate programs?
Typically, $8,000 to $12,000

How did you start affiliate marketing?
Well, I got my start in Network Marketing back in 1996. As the Internet started getting popular, I saw it as a way to generate more leads for my Network Marketing business. So I started to learn about it as much as I could. I was able to find some ways to create leads at little or no cost. That was pretty exciting. But – it got even better. It wasn’t long before I saw just how lucrative the Internet could be as a source of revenue from people who were not interested in joining me in my main program.
So, I started recommending the tools that I was using to other people. From there it just took off.

What are some of the key points you look for when choosing an affiliate program to promote?
HONESTY, first and foremost. Is the product or service being presented in an honest and practical fashion? Or is it just all smoke and mirrors and hype?

Second, does the product or service make sense, is something that is honestly worth the money? Or is it just part of a money game that doesn’t offer anything of value?

Third, is it new and risky? Or is it from someone who has a track record already, someone who has a good reputation in the industry? I am a big chicken – I hate taking chances. So, I try to find credible people that have proven themselves, and then I follow everything they tell me to do.

And fourth – can I REALLY make some money with it over the long term? If it’s just a one time hit, I don’t even want to bother with it. I want to only recommend things that will still be worth buying a year or two from now.
If someone is on a tight budget, what are some of the first steps they absolutely need to take to get started on becoming a top affiliate?
Start an opt in mailing list, first and foremost. I really go into detail about this over at http://www.internetcashplanet.com/Teleseminar.htm . My list makes me 98% of my money. It’s easy for the average person to learn how to build a good list.

Second, have your own domain name, and create redirect URLs for each program.

I had to plan every move, I always had to think about what I was doing and how it would affect my business in the future. Too many people just jump online and expect the money to show up from somewhere. It doesn’t work like that, not at all.

How do you suggest promoting affiliate programs?
(i.e.: Do you suggest using the web sites, ads, URL’s provided or doing your own unique promotion?)
Well, I like to add my own personal opinion on top of the ad copy the affiliate program supplies. I want people to buy from ME based on MY recommendations, and I don’t want to be seen as "just some guy" who sells stuff.

In your experience, why is it that most affiliates never receive a commission check?
Most people fail to treat their internet business the same way they would treat it if they had just spent a million dollars on a McDonald’s franchise.

Most people don’t understand that they have to believe in themselves and work on reshaping the way they think of themselves.

See, this business is 90% psychology and 10 percent technique. You make what you think.

So you need to think BIG, and you need to like yourself. Most people don’t understand the importance of all of this.

What would you say is the one most important thing you have learned as a top marketing affiliate?
That how you view yourself is directly related to how much money you will make.

What do you feel is the #1 most important thing you are doing to stay a successful top marketing affiliate?
I show up for work every day, and I never quit. Nothing special, just persistence.

What information do you wish you had when first starting out?
More information on just HOW important it is to understand the psychology of making money.

You have to understand how and why money is attracted to you, before you can ever make even a dimes’ worth of income.

What is the difference between you (The Top Affiliate) and all of the other affiliates promoting the same programs?
I am probably crazier than they are, LOL.

I am not afraid to make people laugh, to make people cry, to get them to THINK about what I am telling them. I am willing to do almost anything to make myself stand out in a crowded marketplace.

What are some ways you do NOT recommend when promoting your web site or affiliate programs?
Spamming people, for starters. Sending people you have no relationship some junk mail about your program is not going to make them real happy.

Another way, to be honest, is to use the exact same ad copy and to have your link look the exact same as everyone else in your program.

You have to tell people why YOU are different, why they should buy from YOU. Any other way is not going to work.

What do you think is the biggest mistake new affiliates make?
Giving up too soon, and not learning to trust their own instincts.

In your experience, do you think you need your own product to succeed online?
Eventually, it is probably a good idea.

But at first, no – I really don’tthink you need to have one of your own. I made close to a half million dollars online before I ever developed my first product (http://www.internetcashplanet.com/Teleseminar.htm ), and I only made one once I felt I had enough knowledge about everything.

I think if you try to create your own product too soon, you will probably create a bad one. It takes time and experience to come up with something worthwhile.

Frank Garon-top affiliate marketers