Tutorial

HD Publishing Group Affiliate Training
Lesson One: Getting Started and Using Links!

Thank you for becoming a HD Publishing Group affiliate. My name is Jan and I’ll be your guide on the path to success!  If you haven’t yet joined our Winning affiliate program, please visit our affiliate page for details.

If you have joined our program, you no doubt have dreams of depositing big checks in the not-too-distant future. With a bit of hard work, a ton of enthusiasm, and a little guidance, we can make it happen! I’ll be working closely with you throughout this training program and if you have any questions along the way, please feel free to contact me at affiliates@hdpublishing.com.

This is the first in a series of instructions. They’ll be filled with insider tips and tricks for novices and pros alike. Read ‘em, study ‘em, ask questions – that’s what I’m here for! Establishing your online business is going to be a challenge, so let’s hit the ground running!

So you’re in – what now?

Your very next step is to get a link up on your site – one that your visitors will see and want to click. There are two options that have proven effective: text links and banner links.

Log in to the Affiliate Zone and check the product specific links or banners. Hover over “Resources” and click on “Links” or “Banners”.

Select the links and/or banner link you like, copy it, and paste it onto your site.

Ultimately, the decision on the type of link you’ll use and the placement of that link is entirely yours to make. Based on our experiences, we can tell you that some links are better than others. It all depends on the task at hand.

Text links are great because visitors know what to do with them. They are familiar, and perhaps most importantly, they can be used in context. Nothing sells better than a text link that you have inserted into a piece of ad copy, a review, or a testimonial. People are more likely to react when their attention is not diverted from what they are reading. They see an item of interest, and if a link allows them to explore it further, they do. Here’s an example of text links both in the body and at the end of a testimonial as a call to action using Net Detective:

“Net Detective: the easiest way to discover the truth about anyone. It’s completely legal. Use it in the privacy of your own home without anyone ever knowing.”

Try it today!

In most cases, banner ads are better at branding a company than they are at selling a product. Using a banner in conjunction with strategically placed text links can do a great job of raising visitor awareness of a product or merchant. When visitors read the content of a site, with text links embedded, they will have a better likelihood of clicking to take action.

An advertorial is a pre-written combination of product information and ad copy. These can be very effective as they combine images to build familiarity and strong ad copy to solicit a call to action.

Adding small bits of ad-like copy to your email signature allows for subtle work in areas like message boards, where overt commercial postings are often frowned upon. Use signature links when actively participating in a group that you and your potential customers have interest in. Here’s an example:

Jan Lemkow
Affiliate Manager
HD Publishing Group
affiliates@hdpublishing.com
https://affiliates.hdpublishing.net

When beginning strategic link placement, ask yourself the following question: ‘What areas of a website do I spend most of my time looking at?’ Here are some pointers:

• Think like your prospect!
• Place links where visitors can see them easily and most often!
• Always place your links “above the fold” so that they are visible without scrolling down!
• Optimize the free space in your navigation bar by placing text or banner links there!
• If you have space at the top of your page, you can use a banner/text combo like I used above!
• The top right hand corner of your page is prime real estate – reserve it for your best sellers!

To review the various linking choices or access to your stats, log into the Affiliate Zone with the 6-digit, numeric username that was assigned to you and the password you chose when you joined. If you can’t remember your username or password, contact me and I’ll be happy to send them to you!

If you really want to make money working with us, remember: we’re here to help. If you get your links up, work hard, and put the information in these lessons to proper use, you should be depositing those checks in no time!

These lessons have been developed to assist you in your efforts to become a successful affiliate. Please work through the examples and tips we provide and be sure to visit the Affiliate Zone, for additional resources. If you have any comments or questions, please let me know.

Best regards,
Jan Lemkow
Affiliate Manager
HD Publishing Group
affiliates@hdpublishing.com
Affiliate Zone