Your Questions Answered: How To Attract Affiliates To Your Product Launches

Well, I asked for questions about how I could help you with your fitness business and I certainly got them... HUNDREDS of them!

Yes, I got a few here on the blog but my Personal Trainer Success Community PM inbox and my private email box got a ton too.

So it looks like you'll be getting a good few blog posts from me for a while as I answer them all : )

Now, my first question has been asked by about 20 people so far so I'll start with this...


"Hey Dax

I need to know how to get good affiliates on board to help sell my Go Sleeveless program.

I've become all to aware that you can have the best product in the world, and even a decent sized list, but if no affiliates are interested, nothing happens.

I am assuming most of the steady flow of traffic and daily sales on most fitness pro's sites are driven by affiliate sales, so that's why I ask.

Maybe I am wrong on this? Maybe we need to drive our own traffic?

Dunno, I'm confused.

Love to hear your input mate!"

Rylan Duggan

My Answer...


Hey Rylan (and everyone else with an affiliate question).

Whilst I'm not the leading expert on affiliate marketing, I've had a fair bit of success at being an affiliate myself and recruiting others to my own products so I'm confident that what I'm about to share with you will work well.

First, the key to affiliate marketing is to be prepared.

By this, I mean having your product 100% finished, your website up, your copy written, your affiliate provider (clickbank for instance) prepared, your download pages ready, your auto responders set up and, to all intents and purpose, a fully functioning product that I could buy right now if I wanted to.

Nothing kills possible affiliate deals faster than having to wait for things to 'get ready'. Affiliates, the good ones anyway, are business people and they want ready-made.

Second, have all the traffic generation materials prepared .

This means keyword rich articles (in abundance), youtube videos (again, keyword rich), blogposts etc that your affiliates can point their lists to during the course of the promotion you'll be running.

Failing to provide this material pretty much kills any affiliate promotion dead.

Third, test small.

Start with a 'soft launch' to your own lists and gather data on click through rates, conversions etc before you approach the big boys. I know this is different to most of the launches you've seen but understand, these are to bigger lists with networks of other trainers supporting them.

As a first timer or newbie you need to think differently.

Gather your data and THEN approach the bigger affiliates and tell them how well you convert... and they'll love you for it.

As they say 'time spent in reconnaissence is never wasted'.

Fourth, use a 'reason why' approach to your launch

People will act if you give them a reason to. 'Because I'm Launching' is rarely one that engenders action. Sometimes it does but not often. Tie it into something. A national day, a movie release, your birthday. It doesn't matter, but give your release a reason why.

Fifth, don't just 'go for the goodies'

Most launches look like this;

Friday you announce a three day sale starting monday.

Monday you launch with an email telling people to visit your site and buy your product.

Tuesday is the same.

Wednesday you tell 'em to hurry as the sale is ending.

Game over.

That's it.

Sure, there's a bit more... but not much!

Instead, play the long game.

Think of a launch as a 28 day conversation.

This reduces the 'stress' to sell.

Have a conversation about fat loss, ask what the main problems your readers (or your affiliates readers face), answer their problems, give them articles related to your product, send them to videos that reinforce your message and, of course, funnel them through an opt in page.

DON'T squeeze them for the sale.

Just talk.

As you move toward the last week, put them on standby for the main event.

If you do this right, you won't need to sell, they'll want to buy. Big difference!

In short, make your launch an 'event' NOT a sale.

People don't like to be sold, but they'll line up around the block for an event, right?

And so will affiliates who, when they see how your launch is lined up, will smell easy money and jump at the chance to work with you.

There you go! : )

Dax Moy
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com
The Web's Largest FREE Online
Community For Fitness Professionals

Go on then... gimme more questions : )

What's YOUR Song?

One of my clients is a musician.

A very well known musician.

His face has adorned the cover of practically every popular magazine, his music is known worldwide and the band he's part of is one of the most successful in the world in terms of popularity, longevity and record sales.

He's definitely 'there' as far as realising his boyhood dreams of making it big in the music world, for sure.

Yesterday I was asking him about the success that he and his fellow band-mates had achieved and what, if anything, had been the turning point. That point at which they knew they were going to make it.

His answer was amazingly simple and straightforward.

He said, there hadn't been a 'turning point' as such, there was just a lot of putting one foot in front of the other and taking the steps necessary to reach their goal of stardom.

Sounds a bit vague right?

That's what I thought... at first.

But then I asked, "what were those steps?" and I got the following reply.

1. We knew we wanted to make a difference so we kept that uppermost in our minds at all times... especially when things got tough.

2. We knew we wanted to be more than just another band so we did things differently from the start rather than playing the copycat game. We practically created our own genre of music and that helped us stand out from the crowd.

3. We knew that we were entering perhaps the most competitive industry on the planet and so we'd have to commit to being the very best we could be every time we went onstage or into the recording studio.

4. We knew that the rewards would not be immediate but that if we committed to the other steps, they WOULD come.

5. We KNEW we would make it!

Amazing huh?

I mean, becoming a multi platinum selling band and known around the world has GOT to be tougher than many of the goals we've set for ourselves, right?

In fact, considering the attrition rates of rock-star wannabe's, making a measly hundred grand, writing a book, travelling the world or getting rid of 20lbs should be one of the simplest things in the world.

Especially if you were paying attention to the success lesson that my clients' answers provided!

You were paying attention weren't you?

If not, here it is again.

1. Make a difference to the lives of those you're 'performing' for.

Yes, your job, your relationships, your friendships and how you live your life are just as much a performance as playing an instrument or acting onstage. If you know your part well and you're truly committed to serving your 'audience' with the best possible service you're capable of, then you're halfway there!

2. Be unique right from the start.

Forget copycatting and trying to be like everyone else. People aren't interested in just another 'me-too' version of someone else, but they could be VERY interested in you... if you make yourself interesting.

Create a Unique Identity or 'brand' around yourself that differentiates you from everyone else and you're immediately in the spotlight.

3. Commit to being the best that you can be.

Gain the knowledge, skills and abilities to become a true professional in your field. Commit to excellence in all things that you do and ensure that your excellence shines through clear enough that you stand out from others. (Become outstanding!)

4. Be persistent in your actions.

Take consistent and persistent action toward achieving your goals. Even the tiniest step is still a step that will progress you in the direction of your dreams of success. Thinking about what you could do changes nothing.

Do!

5. Have faith and belief in yourself and your dreams of success.

It's been said that faith is the belief in something you cannot prove, yet it has a funny way of delivering proof if you believe for long enough.

Don't just wish, hope and dream of success. KNOW that it's on its way!

If this formula can work to create fame, fortune and world-wide recognition for a musician, just think what it'll do for YOUR life and your business.

The formula works... all you have to do is work the formula.

So work it! : )

Truth, Joy and Love

Dax Moy
www.personaltrainersuccess.ning.com

P.S - Everyone has a song inside them. That 'thing' they were put here to do.

Finding the song and singing it with all your might is the true key to lasting success.

What's YOUR song?

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is helping personal trainers from all around the world find their
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What I Believe...

I was thinking about beliefs yesterday for an article I'm writing.

As I was thinking, I came to the sudden realisation that for REAL success to happen for any us it is important not only to be 100% crystal clear on our own beliefs (and to live them) but to share those beliefs with others whenever and wherever we can.

After all, our success always lies in our interactions with others.

If we want more money, better health, better relationships, greater education etc we rely on others to get it and, needless to say, those who share our beliefs are those who are most likely to help up achieve our goals.

Funny though, few of us ever share our TRUE beliefs about... anything!

Sure, we write, we youtube, we blog, we Twitter, we facebook, we Myspace and do all the other 'real time sharing' stuff but, well, what are we really sharing?

We (myself included) are normally sharing 'stuff'. Links to stuff mostly.

Yet we never let people 'in' and allow them to know what we really believe.

I think this is a BIG mistake and one that, instead of creating true connection with others, keeps us separate. And separateness keeps us struggling... no if's, no but's.

Yet, how easy would it be to create a connection if you we just took the simple step of outright telling people upfront, in advance, as often as possible and in as many ways as we can what we are 'about'. What we believe.

Don't you think that would change things?

Just a little?

I think it would. In fact, I think that the transparency I'm talking about would take practically ANYONE and make them immediately more attractive, more compelling and more successful.

To put it simply, I believe that it's easier to develop what marketers call 'raving fans' if we move away from a marketing message approach and move toward a transparent 'what I believe' statement.

In fact, I'm going to prove it.

First, I'm going to tell you EXACTLY what I believe and then I'm going to challenge YOU with an idea (read the end of this post for the challenge).

So here goes.

Here's what I believe:

==> I believe that the role of a health and fitness professional is one of the most important roles on Earth and that those of us that are called toward this role are in a position to literally change the World.

==> I believe that health and fitness professionals have played the role of poor cousin to the medical community too long and that this must stop. Doctors are, in my opinion, at their most valuable during trauma, but that they have no place in the promotion of health to the general population as long as they remain dependent upon pharmaceutical interventions. To this end, health and fitness professionals need to stop taking orders from medics who, despite having HUGE budgets and a global empire to support them are failing badly. They are more educated but less qualified for this role.

==> I believe that optimal health can only be achieved with a combined approach that takes into account mind, mechanics, physiology, individual nutrition, hydration, energy management, rest, recovery, regeneration and respiration. I believe that approaches that do not take into account ALL of these areas are incomplete and, at best, will only serve to improve fitness qualities and not health.

==> I believe that there are 3 separate strands in fitness; instructors, personal trainers and coaches. The coaches are those who are already and will continue to make the biggest difference to the world. I define a coach as 'someone who helps you win'. Therefore, a coach should not be concerned with following the herd or dogmatically sticking to one approach but instead, do whatever needs to be done to help the client win. (Winning includes protecting all aspects of client health whilst accomplishing the goals they've set)

==> I believe that there is a fitness profession and a fitness industry and that they are not the same. Those in the industry are those that struggle. Those in the profession have a life of success ahead of them.

==> I believe that there is a HUGE difference between a client and a customer. A customer is one who enters into a transaction whereas a client is one who is under the care of another. This means that a coach should be caring about their clients and their goals OUTSIDE of the sessions, not just when they are paid to do so.

==> I believe it is our responsibility to be the most qualified, most experienced and most excellent coaches we can possibly be and that this means developing our incomes to levels that are as high as the market will allow. I think we serve no-one by selling our lives by the hour for minimal rates and further, that those who follow the instructions of the higher paid experts ALWAYS get better results as they tend to adhere to directions.

==> I believe that charging high fees does not involve 'selling out' and abandoning 'the public'. One can still impact upon the lives of others through clinics, articles and the sharing of information. The question to ask is "How many people around the world will listen to me whilst I'm a struggling trainer compared to when I'm a super-successful, high paid trainer?" Get more successful and you have a greater impact.

==> I believe that true success comes from living a life of passion and, more important, purpose and that those who feel a purpose to their work will always achieve more than those who simply want to earn more money.

==> I believe that money is good. Get as much as you can and spend it on things that make you feel better about yourself and your life.

==> I believe that there are 2 ways to go through life. The hard way and the smart way. The hard way involves focusing on money and crying because you don't have enough. The smart way involves focusing on service and sharing your message with those who are ready to hear it. When you do, those who like your message will pay you to hear more : )


==> I believe that what you have is a direct result of what you have given up to that point. If you don't feel you have enough then, no matter how you feel about things, you haven't given enough. Give more!

==> I believe that you cannot give what you don't have and that to try is a kind of fraud. Don't talk to others about success if you don't feel successful. Don't talk to clients about lifestyle if yours is all over the place. Don't tell people about establishing new habits if you can't establish them yourself. Don't tell people about the importance of good nutrition if yours is poor.

I could go on but I think you get my drift.

This isn't some kind of marketing message. I have no ulterior motive in sharing but to lay it out there so that others don't have to guess about me or what I believe. now you know and you can take it or leave it : )

Now, my challenge to you!

What do you think would happen if you did this on YOUR blog or in YOUR newsletter?

Do you think it would make any difference?

Do you think it would tell a better 'story' of who you are?

Do you think it would bring you closer to those who you're trying to share your message with?

If you think so, I challenge you to do exactly as I've done here. Post your beliefs and watch the ripple effect take place in your business... and your life!

Go on, I dare ya!

Dax Moy
http://www.personaltrainersucces.ning.com

P.S - Don't forget to comment here... and tell me if you'll be posting to your blog. I'd love to read it : )

Do You Have The Balls For This?

Way, way, WAY back in January I issued a challenge to the fitness industry at large and the big health club chains specifically that SHOULD have changed the face of fitness dramatically and lead to a major shakeup in the way fitness services are provided.

It should have.

But it didn't.

In fact, as I was researching for an article I was about to write today (I'll release it tomorrow) I thought I'd check in on Google to see whether or not anything had changed for the industry since January.

It hadn't.

Certainly not when it comes to selling real-life, honest to goodness results.

Sure, every ebook out there offers a guarantee nowadays but not so with the actual selling of results to attendees of bootcamps and personal training sessions.

I just googled "Double Money Back Guarantee Personal Training" and only found two search returns that pertained to physical training rather than ebooks.

Mine was number 1 and there is another company that promises a rather vague 'satisfaction' guarantee rather than a specific result.

I'm not knocking them, that's about 1000% more ballsy than anyone else out there, right?

But here's the thing I'm thinking... and you should be too.

Why aren't more people in the industry offering outstanding, jaw dropping, client attracting, risk reversing guarantees based upon the results that clients desire?

Why aren't YOU?

Every trainer I meet tells me that they want to be busier, earn more money, work smarter but most, if not all, seem to ignore the the most obvious truths and instead cling to systems and strategies that simply don't work.

Especially not in a recession.

It's not that people won't spend their money, they just won't spend it on training for training's sake. In fact, they don't even WANT training anyway.

They want the result that training is supposed to provide.

So why not just sell the RESULT?

I know, I know, this is heresy isn't it? It's not how it's done... but it should be!

YOU should be.

When you are, you'll be able to charge more, attract a greater quantity and quality of clients and thrive during the recession whilst others are going under.

On the other hand, if you insist on selling workouts to people who wants results then you may well be in for a bumpy ride over the next few months.

Food for thought : )

Dax Moy

www.personaltrainersuccessacademy.com 

Here's The Press Release!

Fitness industry challenged to provide 'real results' as leading UK fitness expert offers world's first guaranteed results or 

receive double money back refund. 

London, UK (PRWEB) January 26, 2008 -- Leading UK Fitness Expert, Dax Moy, today issued a challenge to gym chains and health clubs to provide 'real results' to their customers and clients or offer a full refund on memberships for those who fail to see a measurable return on the time, money and effort invested in memberships and fees.

In a dramatic break from fitness industry norms where money from memberships and personal training fees is routinely kept regardless of results attained, Moy has taken the bold step of announcing the world's first no-result, no-pay club model where members join in the certainty that results are never more than a maximum of 21 days away.

In fact, Moy has taken the concept a step further by adding greater incentive to both members and staff at his UK facilities by offering to pay all new members a penalty-fee if an appreciable fat loss goal is not reached by the 21 day deadline.

A full refund of double their fees if they're not a minimum of one clothing size smaller.

Moy, a regular guest expert on UK television and magazines said "With global obesity on the rise it's the job of every member of the health and fitness community to do all we can create effective strategies to help those who are seeking to lose weight, burn fat and look after their general health.

Simply setting up a gym with a bunch of shiny new gizmo's and gadgets and taking money from those who live and work nearby is not enough to make a difference. We've enough evidence of that. Right now there are more gyms, healthclubs and personal trainers on the planet than at any other time in history and yet obesity continues to rise in spite of this."

He continued "If the fitness industry truly wants to make a difference to those who really need help then it needs to start selling results, not just memberships. A guarantee is just the thing to inspire confidence in all those who believe that they're beyond help and will show the public at large that the industry cares as much about them as it does the revenues it creates."

Moy, whose studios in Central London and Hertfordshire service all manner of clientele from pop stars to polar explorers, actors to athletes, soldiers and stay-at-home-mum's as well as those with medical conditions and disabilities is currently the highest paid personal trainer in the UK and attributes much of his success to his results-only approach.

"We often hear that people don't have enough money to become healthy but that's simply not true in most cases. People have money but they're afraid of spending it on their health and fitness because they're unsure of what their money will get them.

If the big players in the health and fitness industry were to offer a no-risk way of looking after their health gyms would be full all day long everyday and with the people who need it most, not just those who want to stare at their biceps for a couple of hours a week."

Asked if he believed anyone would take him up on the challenge, Moy said "I doubt it. 'Big Fitness' has got a pretty easy ride of it at the moment, making most of its money from those who don't even attend. This challenge would require them to actually provide a service to their customers rather than just a facility and I don't think most of them are ready for that."

With the fitness set to become the next trillion dollar industry, it will be interesting to see how it rises to Moy's challenge in the days ahead.

Dax Moy
www.daxmoy.com