From the time I have set my mind on affiliate marketing, I would often come across great reviews about AWeber. But I had some major reservations against stepping into “e-mail marketing” shoes. Partially because I did not fully understand the entire idea of it. But today I have joined AWeber, and of course I also join all people who swear their lives on it! In this article I would like to write about the reservations I’ve had. But before I do that I just would like to write why now, after over a year in affiliate marketing.
It was because of one single website. It is a datafeed driven website, with decent amount of visitors. One particular thing about this website is that a single visitors views on an average 15-20 pages. I get about 700-1000 visitors a day (including PPC traffic). But only few of those visitors actually end up going to the merchant’s website, resulting in laughable commissions. One good thing about the merchant, is that I receive e-mail notification about upcoming discounts and coupons once or twice a week. I believe that with AWeber I will be able to turn some of the visitors into subscribers and eventually into buyers. With the low sales I was ready to move on and concentrate on other opportunities. But I joined AWeber, and decided to give this website another chance. And now is the time to write about my former reservations.
Reservation #1: Pop-ups
I hate pop-ups. Or should I say I hate poorly implemented pop-ups. I don’t mind seeing a pop-up here and there, but I get annoyed to be presented with the pop-up every time I visit your website. Or even worse, every time I go to a different page within your website. Well, AWeber sold me when it comes to pop-ups. If you decide to implement one you can chose an option (shown in the image below) where pop-up will be shown to your visitor once and never again.
What about if a return visitor changes his mind? AWeber offers you to create more than one sing up form per list. With that option you can create a page just for sign up purposes, making sure your visitors see the link to it.
Reservation #2: Managing Huge Lists of Subscribers.
While it will take some time to build huge number of subscribers, I was always afraid of facing the management of such lists. Not until I have joined AWeber today that I realized how easy it is to create and manage lists from within the account. While the basic account allows you for 10,000 contacts before incurring additional charges, there is no limit on the amount of lists you can have.
Reservation #3: Spam.
Not only do I hate spam, but I also would hate to be seen as spammer. AWeber assists you in two ways.
- With Verified Opt-in your subscriber receives a e-mail request to confirm the subscription where you can once more ascertain that you have permission to send your e-mails, blog posts or newsletters.
- When creating a newsletter, or if you have a blog RSS feed associated with the list, every single item is check by so called “SpamAssasin”. A little gadget that analyzes your message to whether or not it has an “appearance” of spam. While I did not notice this feature until after I have set follow-ups on my lists, it may prove helpful in the future. But surprisingly enough my follow ups and the items in RSS feed did passed this little analyzer with a green color (image below). When the score reaches “red” the gadget suggests for you to review your message even though you have permission from verified opt-in to market to your subscribers.
So what started as my intention to implement just one single list, turned out to be a great adventure of creating 6 lists so far. I only wish I have joined AWeber long time ago. While I have joined today for free test drive (if ater 30 days I am not satisfied, they will refund me my money), the forcast is that I will stay with them for some time.
P.S. AWeber also has an affiliate program where you can earn money by referring new clients as well as other affiliates.
“So what started as my intention to implement just one single list, turned out to be a great adventure of creating 6 lists so far.”
Glad you are having fun Vlad.
You will need to update us in the future on how the journey turns out or if you pick up any excellent tips.
“So what started as my intention to implement just one single list, turned out to be a great adventure of creating 6 lists so far.”
Glad you are having fun Vlad.
You will need to update us in the future on how the journey turns out or if you pick up any excellent tips.
I will Mark. Btw, your review helped me to join them. And I am gald I did. Probably the best money I spent in 2007.
“your review helped me to join them”
No problem. Did you sign up for through my affiliate links?
I don't care if you didn't, however it's not showing in my stats if you did. Not sure if it's delayed or my links are broken.
Yes I did. That was another question I meant to e-mail you about it. Did you get paid?
“Yes I did.”
Thanks a bunch, I didn't see the commission however. Let me go reread the documentation and if nothing speaks about a delay I'll email them.
They say about their affiliate program:
“Real Time Web Statistics”
So something is broken, I'm going to email them.
Great. I am looking forward to find out. Also signed up for the Affiliate program as well. I wonder if I will appear as your “sub-affiliate”.
“Also signed up for the Affiliate program as well.”
Oh yeah I asked them that also. You'd be awesome as another affiliate. Shawn Collins is above me. I'll keep you updated on their response.
I've got on my “todo” list to make a competition for myself to see how large of list I can build starting from scratch with people that want deals (or to buy stuff). Maybe set a goal of 500 or so. Should be fun when I get to it.
“to see how large of list I can build starting from scratch”
They have very nice totorials which helped me yesterday. I think you should be able to compile a 500 list in a short time.
I will Mark. Btw, your review helped me to join them. And I am gald I did. Probably the best money I spent in 2007.
“your review helped me to join them”
No problem. Did you sign up for through my affiliate links?
I don’t care if you didn’t, however it’s not showing in my stats if you did. Not sure if it’s delayed or my links are broken.
Yes I did. That was another question I meant to e-mail you about it. Did you get paid?
“Yes I did.”
Thanks a bunch, I didn’t see the commission however. Let me go reread the documentation and if nothing speaks about a delay I’ll email them.
They say about their affiliate program:
“Real Time Web Statistics”
So something is broken, I’m going to email them.
Great. I am looking forward to find out. Also signed up for the Affiliate program as well. I wonder if I will appear as your “sub-affiliate”.
“Also signed up for the Affiliate program as well.”
Oh yeah I asked them that also. You’d be awesome as another affiliate. Shawn Collins is above me. I’ll keep you updated on their response.
I’ve got on my “todo” list to make a competition for myself to see how large of list I can build starting from scratch with people that want deals (or to buy stuff). Maybe set a goal of 500 or so. Should be fun when I get to it.
“to see how large of list I can build starting from scratch”
They have very nice totorials which helped me yesterday. I think you should be able to compile a 500 list in a short time.
Vlad they wrote me back. They say that you need to email them now to hear from both sides and they'd take care of it. I'm sending you an email with the details.
Thanks again.
Just did. Snet you a copy as well.