Affiliates: Kick the Hype Habit and Increase Conversions
Overly hyped pitchy affiliate sales copy is a pet peeve of mine. If you are selling to the “make money online” crowd they are used to it, I suppose, but in the real world that type of copy just turns people off. What goes through your mind when you read the high pressure stuff in your inbox? Why would you want to replicate that feeling when people read YOUR marketing message?
Ros Gardner recently wrote a piece that could have come word for word from my brain, to my fingers, to keyboard. Actually she probably says it better than I would have, so I’ll let her tell you. 
*Advertising Disclosure Policy*How to Kick the Hype Habit – By Rosalind Gardner
As an affiliate marketer, you’re far too smart to fall for a line like “Make $100 Million (Lose 20 Pounds, Score a Hottie, Cure Your Acne) by Tomorrow – Guaranteed!!!” Right?
Well, if you’re under the mistaken impression that your prospects are somehow less savvy than you, or that the best way to promote products online is by mimicking the copy that shows up in your spam folder, it’s time to reconsider your approach, as all but the most indiscriminate and unsophisticated buyers are sick and tired of hype.
Like you, they have endured “snake oil” pitch bombardment for years. And with less money to spend in this down economy, smart shoppers are even more resistant to blatant sales copy. Write just one word to make the needle on their B.S. detector flicker ever so slightly and you’ve killed the potential for a sale. Worse, you have also lost the opportunity to build a profitable long-term relationship.
If you really want “killer” conversion rates and “eye-popping” commission checks, learn to tone down your “amazing” promotional vocabulary and kick the hype habit with the following 5 tips. More…
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#1 djbaxter wrote on May 10, 2010 :
Thank you for posting this. I missed the Rosalind Gardner’s blog post but I wholly and totally agree .
Affiliate marketers have to stop acting like snake oil salesman and late night/early morning infomercial hosts. It’s a total turn-off.
If you’re using those techniques and making money doing it, imagine how much more you’d make if you weren’t insulting and annoying people!
#2 Make My Own Website wrote on May 11, 2010 :
No joke!
I am kind of, but not quite in the “make money online” niche. I am in the “make my own website” niche, and I can’t stand the hype either.
“Make $10,000 by sending one email!” (Ya right, if you already have a list of 50,000 people!)
Give me a reasonable, attainable reason to click on your link!
Good luck!
Matthew Zinda
#3 Andrew@BloggingGuide wrote on May 15, 2010 :
Customers are smart. What they do is research or look for reviews regarding the product. They check testimonials. They just don’t fall easily on hype. So it’s best to be real and to just give it to them straight.
#4 Laura wrote on May 21, 2010 :
I’m so glad there are well known marketers like you and Rosalind who take a stand against over-hyped sales copy. It’s a pet peeve of mine, as well. It’s incredibly condescending. I agree sometimes it may take longer to build your business without resorting to hype, but it will be a better business and more profitable in the long-term.
#5 Marion Johnson wrote on May 29, 2010 :
I agree completely. But I remember when I first started and it was those type of tactics that bombard your inboxes with what I call Hype Marketing.
New marketers are looking for ways to learn and most try copying the tactics in front of them. I do not believe it is all intentional for a large percentage.