Afraid of Competition? Competition Is Good!

Staying Ahead of the Competition
Wherever there is opportunity, there will be a demand for supply. Internet marketing and affiliate marketing is generating thousands of dollars of income to individuals who are making this their business and taking that business seriously.

Research Your Competition
While there is a tremendous demand for affiliate programs, joint ventures (JV), it is not so easy to decide which one is best for you. Using the tips in my series on affiliate marketin basics gives you a lot of information you can use in making this decision. But the one topic that we are going to focus on in this section should be considered as well: researching your competition.

KISS
Most people already have an idea of a product or service they would like to promote and sell when they begin to explore internet marketing or affiliate marketing programs. Generally, in the beginning while you “learn the ropes” of affiliate marketing, it is a good idea to use the KISS rule: “Keep It Simple Stupid”.

By far the most popular item on the Internet- free and sold - are information and software products such as utility programs, e-books, e-course, downloadable CD or audio programs.

Their popularity with internet marketers, affiliate marketers and JV’s is easy to understand; you do not need a lot of money or space for inventory to get started. Consider your interests or expertise and the scope of the product, who would be interested in the subject matter. For informational products it is best to choose a subject that give you room to specialize such as:

· money management
· relationship issues
· business operation
· health and fitness

These general topics appeal to most people. From this point you can begin to narrow your focus, using the research you’ve done with Keywords or Key Phrases. From the point of “expertise” it is important to keep in mind what you know is your motivation.

You Write - Communicate Enthusiastically When…
Enthusiasm is contagious, it is easy to talk about the topics that interest or excite your imagination. Here is where you can find the answer to the question of which information products do you want to promote and sell - What Are You Passionate About?

It makes sense to choose something that interests you, because you will be spending many hours learning about how to accomplish the goal of creating the income you desire with this business. Here is your opportunity to break away from the tedious working for a paycheck doing tasks that you do not like.

Once you have made your choice of what you want to learn about and help others learn about, you will be surprised by the liberating feeling you will experience after you make this decision.

And this passion for your work is a vital ingredient that will carry through to your target audience; in your website content and your other promotional material, the life and vitality that you have for your product will be felt. You will be more believable because you are sincere in what you are saying. As time goes by this energy will be instrumental in building trust and sales with your audience.

But…What About Competition
Let’s look at the other side of the situation; your competition. Because informational products are easy to promote and sell, you will find that there are many others who share your perspective and in many cases, your passion for their affiliate marketing business. Many of these marketers have been in the business for years. How can you compete with them?

Study Your Competition
You do not have to, it is much more to your advantage to study what they are doing, how they do it and then test their methods to see if they will work for you. Keeping the idea of targeted niche marketing in mind, research your competition and the product they are promoting.

Visit their website and study the design, sign up for their newsletter and review their sale material. Check their website stats on Alexa.com, run a search on Google and see where their site ranks.  If you take the time to do this type of research on your product, competition and prospective customer base, you will be in a better position to begin earning an income once you website is up and running.

It is also important to keep your finger on the pulse of the events that affect whatever topic of interest you choose to use as the basis of your internet marketing business. For example, if you are fascinated by video production, it is a good idea to subscribe to newsfeeds that cover this area to stay current on the new developments, products and services being offered and install them on your website for your visitors.

Market What Your Competition Lacks
Understanding that you have competition is one thing. Approaching your customer base with confidence comes from offering them something that the competition is lacking.

Be aware, that just like you are watching the competition, they are watching you as well.

In operating your business in an electronic environment, your website, product and services are just as accessible to them for review as theirs is to you. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the game of “who can do it better”. Take the challenge in stride and enjoy the ride!

Michael Wise
eMarketProfitStrategies.com