Selling Online Products in the Offline World
By Scot Dantzer
Making online affiliate-based sales is becoming easier
every day thanks to the growing sophistication of online
sales tracking methods and affiliate marketing support.
It should come as no surprise that a large number of online
purchases are for computers, printers and accessories.
After all, these are things web surfers use every day.
But nearly every day I field questions from friends, family
and colleagues who are getting ready to make their first
computer purchase so they can get on the internet. In many
cases, these folks have never even seen the web or have
spent little time online. This dilemma presents a special
challenge and a unique opportunity at the same time.
How does the affiliate make this offline sale?
The answer to this question is a simple three-step process.
First, sign up for one of the many computer equipment
affiliate programs available on the web. I use a Dell
computer and heartily recommend them, so I signed up for
the Dell affiliate program through http://linkshare.com
The next step is to create a sales page that you load to
your website. If you don't have a website you can simply
sign up for a free site from one of the many free
providers. A favorite of mine is at http://hypermart.net
This page doesn't need to sell your customer; it simply
needs to provide the links through which the customer will
click (many affiliate programs such as Dell contain hidden
codes that require your customer to click from a web page.)
For an example of my Dell sales page visit
http://smarthomebusiness.com/dell.htm
You'll notice that the page isn't a hard sell; it's a
simple page with affiliate links to the Dell site. When my
customer clicks on any of these links I'll be credited with
any purchases he makes.
The third step is to get your customer to your sales page.
This is the obstacle, since your customer may not be on the
web yet.
If necessary, ask the person over to your house. Give your
him a hands-on demonstration of the very product he's
thinking of purchasing. Once you have your customer online,
show him around the net.
Let him navigate. Show him some of your favorite hangouts,
your website, your favorite discussion boards, favorite
game sites and anything that might interest him. After a
few short minutes on the web he'll absolutely NEED that new
computer!
Wrap up your presentation by taking him to your sales page.
For an extra-special touch, name the page after your
customer, such as "Mark.html"
By now he's thoroughly hooked on the web and thinking about
a purchase. Let him do it by clicking from your sales
page.
Now the Dell affiliate program pays a very small
commission, but what I've gained is far more important…a
relationship with that customer that he can't get at an
offline computer superstore.
I've walked him through the web, shown him all the bells
and whistles on my own computer (including some add-ons he
might like) and established myself as a valuable source of
technical information.
The next time he wants to make an online purchase, who will
he ask? When he wants to buy software who will he come to
for advice? And most importantly, when he has questions
about affiliate programs or starting his own online
business, who will he ask? You guessed it!
The value of this customer is far greater than the few
dollars I made on this original sale…it's the lifetime
value of the customer.
Keep your eyes and ears open for offline opportunities such
as this. When you discover someone with a specific need,
create a specific page to provide the solutions. Your new
customer will thank you many times over with repeat
business.
About the AuthorScot Dantzer is a media consultant and entrepreneur in
Philadelphia. Download his newest book, "Dimes-2-Dollars:
8-Steps to IMMEDIATE eBay Profits" from
http://smarthomebusiness.com/dimes.htm
SmartHomeBusiness.com
Internet Marketing for "The Technology Challenged."
http://smarthomebusiness.com
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