AFFILIATE MARKETING

3 Personal Branding Traps To Avoid

Published

5 months ago

December 23, 2023

How you build your brand is important. Here are a few common pitfalls many people make when … [+] establishing their brand.

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What we post, how we respond, and whose podcast we choose to be a guest on contribute to our personal brand. In fact, anything we do that can be posted online has an impact. Yet, how easy is it to read a post that excites or infuriates us, and before we know it, we hit “return” to a comment we can’t take back?

Consistent branding is attributed to business growth and increased revenue by at least 10%. Consistency extends to brand values, images, and messaging on all social channels, podcasts, other speaking engagements, and print. Even though statistics show that 85% of organizations have brand guidelines, only 30% follow those consistently.

Your personal brand is essential for career growth, whether working in a corporate environment or building your own business. It’s your calling card — who you are, what you do, your values, and how you express them. Good personal branding begins with being authentically who you are, using style, personality, persistence, and distinction. It’s easy to remember these “rules” when building your website, updating your social sites, or marketing your products or services because you’re devoting your full attention to these tasks as you’re doing them. But when you’re responding to someone else’s rant, it can be easy to make an off-handed comment that potentially damages your brand. Two other often overlooked branding mistakes include choosing non-congruent market affiliations or speaking engagements.

Here are some dos and don’ts to these three oft-overlooked mistakes in personal branding:

1. Comment mindfully or not at all on other’s social media posts.

One way to build brand exposure is to comment on what other people are talking about, especially influencers who align with your brand. But before hitting “return” on the keyboard, ask yourself if you’re helping or hurting your brand.

Never forget the importance of inclusivity. Your comments must feel inclusive. A McKinsey study found that two out of three people shared that social values helped shape their shopping choices. These consumers base their buying decisions on social media, friends’ recommendations, and personal stories from bands they like and trust.
Respond to posts that align with your brand. Avoid the temptation to tap the “like” button. Instead, write a response. Your name and photo are attached whenever you respond to someone else’s posts, so make it count. Following companies you would like to work for has been a common LinkedIn strategy for many years. In 2012, LinkedIn announced a new feature that allows recruiters to build a pipeline of warm leads from professionals who follow their business page. Today, LinkedIn Recruiter has search filters that let recruiters search for qualified prospects based on potential candidates’ profile visits, engagement metrics, and expressed interest in similar roles at other companies. Engagement on LinkedIn has become a powerful tool prospects can use to land a corporate position. This same strategy also works on Instagram, Facebook, or other social platforms for building a personal brand. Engaging on social media is one of the primary goals of creating a brand community, but keep your comments positive or neutral.

If your comment is not inclusive or you’re posting or liking outside your brand personality, think twice. That’s not saying you can’t like puppy videos or feel-good stories. It’s just important to think about substance over quantity when commenting or giving a thumbs up.

2. Use affiliate marketing to build your brand.

Affiliate marketing is a great way to make extra money. It can also be used to build brand awareness — whether you’re an affiliate or offer affiliate marketing to others. Affiliate marketing comes in three types: unattached, related, and involved.

Unattached affiliate marketing is exactly as it sounds: You’re unattached to the product or service you’re marketing. This type of affiliate marketing can earn you some extra spending money. Still, it likely won’t attract raving fans for your personal brand.
Related affiliate marketing implies a connection between the affiliate and the product or service. Usually, the products or services are related to your brand or niche. If you’re a podcaster, you might form an affiliate relationship with a microphone brand, or if you’re a life coach or counselor, your e-commerce shop might be filled with self-help books linked to an Amazon affiliate account.
Involved affiliate marketing relationships form based on a deeper connection with the products or services. The affiliate uses this product and makes recommendations based on their personal experience. In exchange for using the product and posting about your experience, you will earn a commission on sales.

When building your brand, you can also offer affiliate programs for your products or services. This can be a great way to sell ebooks — provide a commission for influencers who read and promote your book. This serves two purposes: selling copies of your new ebook and promoting your brand. Influencers charge anywhere from $10 to $10,000 per post or video. If you can entice a nano influencer, someone with 1000 to 10,000 followers, to promote your book or other product and, by extension, your brand through affiliate marketing, it’s a win-win.

3. Choose speaking engagements to reinforce your brand.

As a former career coach, expert TEDx speechwriter, and TEDx stage booker, I can attest that public speaking will change your endgame. My own experience speaking at TEDxBerkeley put me on the map. But you need a plan. You can’t chase every speaking engagement hoping one will “stick” or go viral.

Choose speaking opportunities that align with your brand, content, and your point of view. Here are proven tips based on years of experience on how to use public speaking to reinforce your brand:

Learn who the target audience is before saying, “Yes.” It might be tempting to book every speaking engagement you’re asked to do, but this can be a big mistake. Your time has value … even when you’re just getting started. Find speaking opportunities that align with your brand and target the same people you do. If you don’t know, ask the organizer. Politely decline if it’s not a match. But don’t leave without giving the organizer a summary of who you are, your brand, and what you’re looking for so they can watch for opportunities where you might be the perfect fit.
Identify the thought leaders in your industry. One of the best ways to discover new speaking opportunities is to watch what others are doing and where. The movers in any industry are not taking one-off speaking engagements. They’re asked to speak at high-quality events. Identify who the leaders are in your industry and follow them on social media. Attend events where they’re speaking and introduce yourself. I got my first TEDx talk through a chance meeting with a TEDx speaker. Turn conversations into an opportunity.
Follow your clients. A surefire way to find speaking engagements that target your audience is to learn which events they’re attending. Follow your most loyal clients on social media. Talk with them and ask them which events they like or don’t like. Grab a coffee with your favorite clients and ask if there’s an event they will attend where you would be the perfect speaker. Your clients may be able to make an introduction.

Small- to medium-sized events are a great way to get your feet wet. As a bonus, you get to mingle with potential new clients.

Public speaking is one of the best ways to get your name and brand out there. It builds awareness and boosts your reputation as an expert. Just as with email marketing, landing pages, and social posts, include a call-to-action (CTA). Your CTA doesn’t have to be a bright orange “click here” rectangle on a website. But give attendees a way to find you.

Your online footprint, responses, and affiliations shape your brand identity. That’s why engaging mindfully, choosing your partners carefully, and aligning speaking engagements that foster a robust brand image are important. Remember, your brand isn’t just what you say but also how you say it and where you choose to be heard.

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AFFILIATE MARKETING

Site Traffic Down? Google Just Made Some Big Search Changes

Published

19 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Site Traffic Down? Google Just Made Some Big Search Changes

Google is now doing the Googling for its expansive U.S. audience — and news publishers are facing potentially multi-billion-dollar consequences caused by the change.

Google announced on Tuesday that it is applying AI to high-impact elements of search, from AI summaries to pages of AI recommendations in clustered groups. AI summaries, which appear at the top of search results and neatly summarize content found across the web, started rolling out on Tuesday to all of Google’s 246 million unique U.S. users.

The AI summaries mean that websites across the board will get less traffic, as people simply search and read what the AI has generated without clicking on anything.

As newsrooms get less traffic and less money, their ability to create fresh content diminishes. At the same time, Google becomes less of a gateway to sources and more of a direct source Anastasia Kotsiubynska, Head of SEO at SE Ranking, shared with Entrepreneur.

“Most likely, there will still be misleading information in search results and hallucinations, and many users will probably use this information without double-checking,” Kotsiubynska cautioned.

^{Google I/O 2024 on May 14, 2024. (Photo by Christoph Dernbach/picture alliance via Getty Images)}

Google’s search changes could cost websites $2 billion collectively; some could lose two-thirds of their traffic, according to data from media industry growth company Raptive.

“This will be catastrophic to our traffic, as marketed by Google to further satisfy user queries, leaving even less incentive to click through so that we can monetize our content,” Danielle Coffey, the chief executive of the News/Media Alliance, told CNN Business.

This is Search in the Gemini era. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/JxldNjbqyn

— Google (@Google) May 14, 2024

Google, a major tech company with over 90% of the global market share in search, can now frame search results however it wants with AI summaries, and pull from websites without guaranteeing site traffic or profit.

“AI Overviews relies on content creators’ intellectual property, which raises serious questions about compensation and fairness,” said Raptive in a statement.

Google does link to sites within its summary, citing its sources.

Unlike OpenAI, which has entered into deals with major publishers like Axel Springer and The Financial Times to compensate publishers for training AI on their articles and linking directly to them, Google has yet to publicly announce a similar deal with a major publication.

OpenAI has also earned the ire of some publishers, with the New York Times filing a lawsuit against the company over copyright grounds in December.

Google does have a $60 million deal with Reddit, announced in February, to train its AI on Reddit data.

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AFFILIATE MARKETING

Carnival Cruise Line Installs Starlink Internet on Every Ship

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Carnival Cruise Line Installs Starlink Internet on Every Ship

It’s another massive milestone for SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

On Tuesday, Carnival Cruises announced that 100% of its ships have officially installed high-speed internet from Musk’s Starlink.

The installation took place on 90-plus ships in Carnival’s global fleet and allows for more reliable Wi-Fi when onboard (especially during remote parts of the route) for passengers and helps the ship’s staff with improving “operational and communications capabilities,” per a release from Carnival.

“Starlink has been a game-changer for the onboard connectivity experience our cruise lines deliver to their guests, and we’ve already seen a surge in guest satisfaction and positive feedback from the super-fast and reliable Wi-Fi service we provide onboard,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation in a release. “We see this technology as a win-win-win – it provides our guests with more flexibility to stay as connected as they’d like on vacation, it allows our crew to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, and it enhances our onboard operational systems.”

The installment of Starlink on Carnival ships began in December 2022 and has now expanded to all of Carnival’s smaller companies, including Princess Cruises and Holland America Line.

Musk reposted the news with one word to share his sentiments: “Cool.”

Cool https://t.co/v4Ljn2eMpw

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 14, 2024

Royal Caribbean started installing Starlink on its ships in 2022 and as of February 2024, said that it was “currently in the process of upgrading more vessels” from VOOM internet to Starlink.

Carnival is coming off a strong Q1 2024, setting the record for first-quarter revenue at $5.4 billion, while bookings hit a record high — despite higher prices.

“This has been a fantastic start to the year. We delivered another strong quarter that outperformed guidance on every measure, while concluding a monumental wave season that achieved all-time high booking volumes at considerably higher prices,” Weinstein said at the time. “These results are a continuation of the strong demand we have been generating across our brands and all core deployments, leading to an upward revision of full year expectations by more than a point of incremental yield improvement and setting us up nicely to deliver a nearly double-digit improvement in net yields.”

Carnival was up nearly 41% year over year as of Tuesday afternoon.

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12 Proven Methods to Make Money Blogging in 2024

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

This is a contributed article.

The world of blogging continues to thrive in 2024, offering a compelling avenue for creative minds to share their knowledge, build an audience, and even turn their passion into profit. Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or just starting, there are numerous effective strategies to monetize your blog and achieve financial success. Here, we delve into 12 proven methods to make money blogging in 2024:

1. Embrace Niche Expertise:

Standing out in the vast blogosphere requires focus. Carving a niche allows you to cater to a specific audience with targeted content. This not only builds a loyal following but also positions you as an authority in your chosen field. Whether it’s gardening techniques, travel hacking tips, or the intricacies of cryptocurrency, delve deep into a subject you’re passionate and knowledgeable about. Targeted audiences are more receptive to monetization efforts, making them ideal for success.

2. Content is King (and Queen):

High-quality content remains the cornerstone of any successful blog. In 2024, readers crave informative, engaging, and well-written content that solves their problems, answers their questions, or entertains them. Invest time in crafting valuable blog posts, articles, or videos that resonate with your target audience.

Focus on evergreen content: Create content that remains relevant for a long time, attracting consistent traffic and boosting your earning potential.
Incorporate multimedia: Spice up your content with captivating images, infographics, or even videos to enhance reader engagement and improve SEO.
Maintain consistency: Develop a regular publishing schedule to build anticipation and keep your audience coming back for more.

3. The Power of SEO:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ensures your blog ranks high in search engine results for relevant keywords. This increases organic traffic, the lifeblood of any monetization strategy.

Keyword research: Use keyword research tools to identify terms your target audience searches for. Strategically incorporate these keywords into your content naturally.
Technical SEO: Optimize your blog’s loading speed, mobile responsiveness, and overall technical aspects to improve search engine ranking.
Backlink building: Encourage other websites to link back to your content, boosting your blog’s authority in the eyes of search engines.

4. Monetization Magic: Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing allows you to earn commissions by promoting other companies’ products or services. When a reader clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you get a commission.

Choose relevant affiliates: Promote products or services that align with your niche and resonate with your audience.
Transparency is key: Disclose your affiliate relationships clearly to your readers and build trust.
Integrate strategically: Don’t just bombard readers with links. Weave affiliate promotions naturally into your content, highlighting the value proposition.

5. Display Advertising: A Classic Approach

Display advertising involves placing banner ads, text ads, or other visual elements on your blog. When a reader clicks on an ad, you earn revenue.

Choose reputable ad networks: Partner with established ad networks that offer competitive rates and relevant ads for your audience.
Strategic ad placement: Place ads thoughtfully, avoiding an overwhelming experience for readers.
Track your performance: Monitor ad clicks and conversions to measure the effectiveness of your ad placements and optimize for better results.

6. Offer Premium Content:

Providing exclusive, in-depth content behind a paywall can generate additional income. This could be premium blog posts, ebooks, online courses, or webinars.

Deliver exceptional value: Ensure your premium content offers significant value that justifies the price tag.
Multiple pricing options: Consider offering tiered subscription plans to cater to different audience needs and budgets.
Promote effectively: Highlight the benefits of your premium content and encourage readers to subscribe.

7. Coaching and Consulting:

Leverage your expertise by offering coaching or consulting services related to your niche. Readers who find your content valuable may be interested in personalized guidance.

Position yourself as an expert: Showcase your qualifications, experience, and client testimonials to build trust and establish your credibility.
Offer free consultations: Provide a limited free consultation to potential clients, allowing them to experience your expertise firsthand.
Develop clear packages: Outline different coaching or consulting packages with varying time commitments and pricing structures.

8. The Power of Community: Online Events and Webinars

Host online events or webinars related to your niche. These events offer valuable content while also providing an opportunity to promote other monetization avenues.

Interactive and engaging: Structure your online events to be interactive with polls, Q&A sessions, or live chats. Click here to learn more about image marketing with Q&A sessions and live chats.

9. Embrace the Power of Email Marketing:

Building an email list allows you to foster stronger relationships with your audience and promote your content and offerings directly.

Offer valuable incentives: Encourage readers to subscribe by offering exclusive content, discounts, or early access to new products.
Segmentation is key: Segment your email list based on reader interests to send targeted campaigns that resonate more effectively.
Regular communication: Maintain consistent communication with your subscribers through engaging newsletters or updates.

10. Sell Your Own Products:

Take your expertise to the next level by creating and selling your own products. This could be physical merchandise, digital downloads, or even printables related to your niche.

Identify audience needs: Develop products that address the specific needs and desires of your target audience.
High-quality offerings: Invest in creating high-quality products that offer exceptional value and user experience.
Utilize multiple platforms: Sell your products through your blog, online marketplaces, or even social media platforms.

11. Sponsorships and Brand Collaborations:

Partner with brands or businesses relevant to your niche for sponsored content or collaborations. This can be a lucrative way to leverage your audience and generate income.

Maintain editorial control: While working with sponsors, ensure you retain editorial control to maintain your blog’s authenticity and audience trust.
Disclosures are essential: Clearly disclose sponsored content to readers, upholding transparency and ethical practices.
Align with your niche: Partner with brands that complement your content and resonate with your audience.

12. Freelancing and Paid Writing Opportunities:

Your blog can serve as a springboard for freelance writing opportunities. Showcase your writing skills and expertise through your blog content, attracting potential clients.

Target relevant publications: Identify online publications, websites, or magazines related to your niche and pitch your writing services.
High-quality samples: Include high-quality blog posts from your site as writing samples when pitching to potential clients.
Develop strong writing skills: Continuously hone your writing skills and stay updated on current trends in your niche to deliver exceptional work.

Conclusion:

Building a successful blog that generates income requires dedication, strategic planning, and high-quality content. In today’s digital age, there are numerous opportunities to make money online through blogging. By utilizing a combination of methods such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and selling digital products or services, you can leverage your blog’s potential and achieve financial success.

Remember, consistency in posting, engaging with your audience, and staying adaptable to trends are key to thriving in the ever-evolving blogosphere. Embrace new strategies, refine your approaches, and always keep your readers at the forefront of your content creation journey. With dedication and the right approach, your blog has the potential to become a valuable source of income and a platform for sharing your knowledge and passion with the world, making money online while doing what you love.

Image Credit: DepositPhotos

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