The following interview with Shawn Collins, a prominent authority in the affiliate marketing area, must prove instructive for the viewer. Shawn
has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the area and so operates his affiliate program management and consulting firm. As this particular job interview is inherently
limited in scope, one is encouraged to read about Shawn's experiences
in the field and also the advice he dispenses through his books, conferences, blog, articles, reports, and weekly radio show. The reader can also meet
Shawn in the Affiliate Summit, a "can't miss" convention for all those thinking about excelling in the competitive world of affiliate marketing.
Q. Shawn, how would you describe your initial experiences with affiliate
advertising?
A. It was again in 1997. I had a dial-up account on AOL, and a 14.4 modem and
a wish to make extra money. At the time, I did not know a thing about
creating websites, marketing, etc. But I went by way of a tutorial at AOL on
writing HTML and picked up the basics. Then, I created a hideous, kibo eclipse - https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/national-marketplace/kibo-eclipse-rev... single
page website about New York City and put up some Amazon links. I never earned
a cent on that website.
Q. What growing aches did you endure initially? What were the biggest
challenges and obstacles from that period of time?
A. Back then, there was really a monopoly on registering domains, and also it cost
thirty five dolars a season. At the point in time, everything above was a bit prohibitive for me (I didn't
realize what an excellent investment - http://Www.covnews.com/archives/search/?searchthis=excellent%20investment a quick name will be). That has been a trend -
an unwillingness to buy my affiliate marketing attempts. I was going the free
route with tools, hosting, etc. That certainly delayed the progress of mine.
Q. What was the first "Ah-ha" moment of yours? How did you incorporate the
lesson learned into the affiliate marketing corporation of yours?
A. The very first time I got the reporting of mine via email from Amazon with
info on commission generated. In the past, there was no choice to login
to an interface - only a periodic - http://Www.Martindale.com/Results.aspx?ft=2&frm=freesearch&lfd=Y&afs=per... email with affiliate stats. When I
realized it was serious that I could generate profits this way, I was excited and motivated. This persuaded me I was wasting my time working in
magazine publishing - it was time for me to get into a type of work that had been stimulating and rewarding.
With my limited internet marketing knowledge, I was able to obtain a job with a start-up in 1997 called Medsite.com, as well as I bluffed my way into
running the affiliate marketing program there. I have enjoyed the business of mine ever since.