What? Me say that dirty word – J.O.B. – not once, but THREE times?
I know, I know, but what with the Big 3 bailout on its last legs today (unless the White House steps in), my guess is that more than just a few NPT readers will be among the 1.6 million workers affected by the fallout – not to mention those of you who are already looking for work or have concerns that your job may be in jeopardy.
Seen in that light, ‘job’ isn’t such a bad word and I thought you should know that there are PLENTY of jobs in the affiliate marketing industry. Here’s a screenshot taken today of Monster.com returns for a search for ‘affiliate marketing’.
Note that there were 396 job listings just in the States, posted by companies such as Amazon, Commission Junction, Google and Netflix. A search of the U.K. site resulted in 76 returns and the Canadian site returned another 16 job listings, including postings by our friends at EcomAccess / ShareResults and MaxBounty had posted a full-time entry-level affiliate manager’s position.
If you – already having some knowledge of affiliate marketing – think that you’re not qualified to be an affiliate manager, I’d like you to read the following list from MaxBounty’s listing:
We are looking for people with the ability to:
- Learn the INs and OUTs of Internet advertising
- Accomplish tasks with initiative and little supervision
- Develop strong friendly relationships with our clients
- Utilize the Internet for research and prospect development (email, browsing, instant messaging)
- Converse well in the English language (oral or written)
If that didn’t convince you of your potential to qualify for an affiliate manager’s position, here’s another snippet from their ad:
We can’t emphasize strongly enough that finding the right type of person is far more important than finding someone with experience.
MaxBounty wasn’t the only company willing to provide affiliate manager training, however most DO expect some experience and/or training.
So, can you translate your experience as an affiliate marketer into a job as an affiliate manager? Well, let’s just say that you stand a much better chance of doing so than someone who doesn’t know the meaning of affiliate marketing. And there are ways that you can improve your chances of landing a job in the affiliate marketing industry.
-
First, you have to start looking. Search the industry job listings on Monster and other job sites. Is there anything that interests you and are qualified for? Apply.
-
Don’t automatically reject those listings for which you don’t qualify. Take note of the skills and experience that they are seeking. Now, think about your own experience. Perhaps the 2 – 5 years that you spent in offline retail sales or managing a small office IS helpful.
-
Now, dust off your resume. Emphasize your online experience by adding “Expertise in website development, online marketing strategy, email marketing, affiliate marketing strategies and search engine optimization” for starters. Hint: Use the wording in job postings to guide your resume preparation. If you don’t have a resume or need help with preparing a new resume, consider letting a professional resume writer customize your resume for that job.
Affiliate marketing is one of the few industry’s that is forecast to grow in the coming years… so, NOW is the time to start looking for that job or set yourself to be in a position to land that job when the position opens… because guaranteed, there’s going to be a ton of competition for all available spaces.
And one more thing to consider – many affiliate managers do enjoy the luxury of working from home!!
Comments, questions or suggestions? Please leave a comment below!
Cheers,
About Rosalind Gardner
Sometimes the best thing that can happen to us is that we’re jolted out of our comfort zone and we have to choose a new direction. Affiliate marketing can certainly provide a very nice lifestyle, It also allows you the freedom to work when you want from where you want. You do have to put a lot of time and effort into it, but at least you can do it on your terms. Good luck to everyone displaced by corporate America. May you find the freedom you deserve. It is out there for you.
Hi Bob,
How very true. I doubt very much I would have given up my cushy ATC job had I not been forced to by health concerns… and now I’m SO SOOOOOOO glad I did. What a great industry! Still growing, and still lots of opportunity.
Cheers,
Ros
It’s true that there are a lot job boards on the internet. Thousands of jobs are posted, but some of the companies will be sticklers on experience. It depends on the company. Plus, people could consider tailoring their resume to the position that are applying for.
Hi Rebecca,
Good point. Tailoring your resume to suit the job listing / position is an absolute must.
Trimming of the non-essentials should also be considered. Who wants to know where we went to kindergarten?
Cheers,
Ros
Hello Rebecca & Ros,
I will add that some of those things deemed “non-essential” can, in fact help. While perhaps not directly related to the position applied for, they can shine a positive light on you. For example:
While in the military I accumulated many special awards and commendations as well as some from companies I worked with after. I keep them as an “attachment” if you will, and not in my resume. In my resume, in the “personal” section, I put a small note referencing my list of accomplishments and state that they will be provided upon request. At interviews, when requested, I have provided said list – with very positive results every time.
Think of it as an “Unannounced Bonus” and pitch it subtly. The “smart” ones doing the interviews will catch it, trust me.;)
Hello, Rosalind:
I just purchased your book SAH and I am trying to absorb the wealth of information in it. I am basically a newbie in affiliate marketing and determined to learn as much as I can to get started.
Regarding this Jobs and more Jobs today, I need your advice.
I am currently in my late 50′s and have been unemployed for the past 8 years because when my father passed away, and I had to take care of my mother full-time.
When I was working an receiving an income, the companies I worked for were not very stable because they either went out of business or the bigger companies were merged and relocated to a different location or moved out of state where I could not commute.
I do feel my work history is not very attractive and my resume will not produce any one to hire a work at home, soon to be an affiliate marketer.
I would like to know if you have any advice for me at this time, on a plan of attack that I can follow to get started and organized. The year of 2009 is almost here and I am very serious about becoming an successful affiliate marketer who can make money from home.
I am still learning how to get started with Google adwords and getting a domain name so I can create a website.
Rosalind, I am currently spending $10 a month for trying to promote Global Domain International and very depressed because I have not made a sale yet.
The method of marketing that I am using is entering my referral url in Traffic Exchanges and is not working and it seems I am wasting alot of time surfing and nothing to show for it but spinning my wheels.
Can you HELP me Rosalind or at least offer alittle advice for me??
I would appreciate any help and will be forever grateful.
Thanks,
Denise Michiko
Looking forward to your Reply
Hello Denise,
Sorry to hear of your troubles, but it sounds like you’ve got a super positive attitude and that’s a good thing.
First of all, I’d suggest that you cancel your contract and save that $10 a month. Promoting in traffic exchanges is not something I would recommend. I also don’t recommend programs that require you to pay to play as there are so many free affiliate programs out there.
Your $10 will be much better spent on having your own web site.
Please read the Super Affiliate Handbook completely through and you’ll have a good understanding of what affiliate marketing is about and the approach to take.
As to jobs… you might want to take a look at some of those listed here. particularly, HireMyMom.
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Ros
This may be just want I need to look into, Ros. Thanks for the post!
Sales are way down right now and doing something in the corporate rat-race that I know and love would be great.
I’m SO glad to hear that Tony.
I figured there must be lots of affiliate marketers who might want (or need) to supplement their online income with something a little more steady until times get better.
And what a great way to gain some additional knowledge and perspective on the industry as well. See things from the other side can only help improve what you eventually do as an affiliate.
Cheers,
Ros
Am I the only one confused by the differences between affiliate marketing (products) and affiliate marketing (ebooks, get rich quick plans)? Lately it has seemed that wherever I turn for advice on how to grow my product-related affiliate publishing businesses, I end up on someone’s site that only wants me to sell their millions-in-a-day marketing ebook. I don’t begrudge those who want to sell programs like that, but I don’t sense that that’s where I belong if I want to sell plus size fashion and my other product-based niches.
Can you provide guidance?
Hi Casey,
Did you have a specific question?
Either I or one of our fantastic forum moderators / members can definitely help you out with your product-related affiliate marketing questions.
You just have to ask.
Cheers,
Ros
Excellent post! I lost my mortgage job last month and, while internet marketing is making me a nice part-time income, it’s not enough to feed the wife and kids yet. I’m going to check this out.
I found out about you from following Shawn Collins blog. I am very glad he speaks so highly of you. I was able to get a copy of your book from my local library. I have being trying to digest this whole industry, then bam, it hit home with in your book. I am going to purchase it. I am a disabled veteran and working from home is important to me I also have kids whom I very close too. After reading your book, ideas began to flow. I can honestly say, the other so called “Gurus” who just push products will be getting a request to unsubscribe from me. Thank you very much. I hope all is well with you health, you are a intelligent beautiful lady. Take care.
Wow, thank you, Terrance. You just really made my day and I’m thrilled that I’ve been able to help make sense of this industry for you.
I know it’s not ‘easy’ to digest and implement – especially if one has expectations of getting rich overnight. But, if tackled the way we’d tackle anything else we want to learn well, then there’s no reason not to succeed.
I wish you the very best in your pursuits and please participate in our community forum where you can ask questions and share your experiences.
Cheers,
Ros
Ros,
Just watched your presentation at last year’s PPC Live and bought and read your book. I recently closed my mortgage company to focus on promoting my own products (in the real estate investing niche) and other offers.
I love your relationship approach and am modeling (re-modeling?) my plan to incorporate many of your strategies.
I am a new fan, but a am rapidly becoming a big fan. I especially love the fact that you are a woman which is unusual in this testosterone-laden field that we are operating in. Happy holidays to you and much success in 2009.
Thanks again for all the insights via video, blog and book. Look forward to more in 2009.
Susan Lassiter-Lyons
Thanks again for another outstanding posting!
Not quite sure how you are able to consistently provide a such powerful and positive solutions to our current challenges. But please, keep up the good work . . . you really set the bar high for all of us who who to hope to provide help and guidance to those who follow our various sites.
Take Care, Just plain Bill
Hello Bill,
It takes time and effort to stop by and leave kudos, so you’re hardly ‘Just Plain Bill’ to me.
Thanks very kindly for your message. Know that I DO appreciate your effort very much and will keep doing the best I can for you and all the NPT readers.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Ros
I live in South Africa so the economic crisis is not quite as bad here but just a note to those asking about setting up affiliate marketing sites: – A program called SiteBuild It has been a huge success for me. Not so much on the affiliate marketing side but getting a website set up with no previous experience. Ros, I know you promote Sitesell, so folks interested could just do a search on your site for the link. (and they are running their “2 for the price of 1 special”)
If you view my website you’ll see it’s a basic site with no fancy bells or whistles but I set that up with no previous experience of website building. I still know very little coding or anything technical about websites so I could probably do a lot better if I did. My site gets over 700 unique visitors a day, so thats over 20000 visitors a month.
My niche isn’t the best for affiliate marketing but it sure does well with advertising sales. I had a baby 5 months ago and he had a stroke at birth so I havent been able to work much on the website but the traffic keeps growing and the advertising checks kept rolling in. They were very helpful with our medical expenses.
My point: – you never know when a disaster or setback will happen in your life (economic, health or otherwise). Internet marketing works even for the non-gurus like me. Dont let the fear of needing a website for affiliate marketing scare you. It does take work to set up something that will be successful in the long run but it’s not impossible. Ros offers brilliant tips and resources to get you started.
Happy holidays, hope its prosperous for you all.
Kate Oosthuis
Hello Kate,
Thanks kindly for stopping by and leaving your inspirational message.
I’m SO glad to hear that you’ve had such good success with SBI and I just blogged about their Buy-1 Get-1 Free Holiday Special — thanks kindly for the reminder.
You’ve done a great job with your site considering the turmoil that you’ve been through lately and I DO hope that your little guy is doing well.
Give yourself time and you’ll find that the site grows as will the affiliate sales that you can make. Consider selling kitchen aids and appliances.. you know, stuff like those chicken and turkey lifters.
By the way, I think I’ll try your Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe. Mmmmm… sounds REALLY good.
Happy holidays to you!
Cheers,
Ros
thanks for SAH. I so have to revisit this its a very long time since i read it.
so needed the motivation
so glad i read your email.
thanks a million.
cheers
carlene.
My pleasure, Carlene.
Great last name, BTW.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Terrance and Ros,
Terrance, Ros sure hit the nail on the head…
“I know it’s not ‘easy’ to digest and implement – especially if one has expectations of getting rich overnight. But, if tackled the way we’d tackle anything else we want to learn well, then there’s no reason not to succeed.”
The above statement from Ros is dead on, and reminds me of this quote…
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
The value Ros passes on to all of us is extraordinary, thus being of value has rewarded her with success.
Blessings,
Randy
Hi Randy,
Thanks kindly for stepping by and adding your comment and support. I think you put it much better than I did.
Cheers,
Ros
Great post Rosalind,
I was reading and couldn’t help but think how your post today applies to me directly. I was someone that was able to take my experience as an affiliate marketer and parlay into a job working as an affiliate manager for a mid sized CPA ad network. It gave me a front row view of CPA networks work, and a clear understanding of the huge dollars that flow in traffic monetization, you think the “guru’s” with their big product launches are the ones making money, I’ve seen publishers that routinely do $1 million in monthly volume or more.
The experience has turned a passion into an addiction for me, now I eat, sleep, and drink, affiliate marketing, I’ve since been able to create a successful business, created industry relationships that have allowed me to launch my own ad network.
Ros is right, as the economy slows down more opportunites will open up in this industry as it grows. Advertisers are now scrutinizing ad budgets like never before, they want more bang for the buck. The best place to get that bang is online, and the performance based model allows them to get a better ROI when it comes to customer acquisition.
Again, great post Rosalind, you never disapoint.
Hi Michael,
LOVE your story. How thoughtful of you to share that with us — thank you!
I know a number of people who have chosen to use their experience as affiliate marketers and take jobs as affiliate managers. They’re usually the BEST AM’s ’cause they’ve seen and worked the other side of the coin and really know what we need to succeed.
And for you to go on and create your own ad network is simply fabulous.
Continued success to you!
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Ros,
Saw a video of you speaking at PPC Classroom Live 2007 and I bought your book. I think you’re awesome and I love your relationship marketing based approach.
I have slowly built a list in my niche (real estate investors) over the last few years and have developed a few of my own products but have always shied away from making affiliate offers to that list. Mainly out of fear of “making them mad”, etc. weird stuff that’s all in my head.
I recently closed a mortgage company that I owned for 9 years and am pursuing internet marketing full time now. The decision was pretty easy since the marketing revenue from my own products had finally exceeded the mortgage co revenue but I still have A LOT to learn.
Your book gave me a more thoughtful way to make offers to my existing list. Much different than the “hit and run” approach of many affiliate marketers out there. So, thanks for that!
I look forward to following your blog and perhaps meeting you in person one day at an event.
Happy Holidays and thanks again for all you do.
Susan Lassiter-Lyons