SEM Times (Resources 1): SEM Discussion Forums

Dear Friends,

Do you know what has changed in the internet space over the last few years? One of the fundamental shifts that happened is that ‘information has moved from Scarcity to Abundance’.

Earlier, we were using net for the purpose of finding information which was otherwise not available. Today, the challenge is not to get more information about any topic but it is actually to find the right information from the abundance of information available.

Internet Marketers also face this challenge. Towards this end, I thought of sharing with you the ‘right or best’ available resources for various Internet Marketing topics. Thus, this ‘Resources Series’ will help you reach out to the relevant and most updated information.

Of all the available resources, I believe one of the best resources is “Discussion Forums”. Why? Because, through these discussion forums you can keep yourself ahead of crowd. Please find below the list of 3 best discussion forums on various Online Marketing topics.

- SEO Today
- Search Engine Forums
- Web Pro World

As always, your inputs are highly appreciated.

I will share more valuable resources in the next issue.

Happy Learning!
SEM Times

SEM Times (Issue 6): What is Affiliate Marketing?

Dear Reader,

The next topic to learn about Online Marketing is “Affiliate Marketing”. Dictionary.com gives the following meaning of the word “Affiliate”:

To adopt or accept as a member, subordinate associate, or branch

Affiliate Marketing as the name suggests is the way through which your affiliate (or member) does the marketing (brings traffic to your shop). Affiliate refers to another website that has been accepted by you as a member.

How does it work?

1. Affiliate (another site) sends traffic to your site through links, banners etc.
2. Some of these visitors who come to your site take the desired action (buying or subscribing to your product/service). These visitors are being tracked.
3. For each successful transaction (e.g. sale or subscription), you pay your affiliate a pre-decided commission.

















It is comparable to “Franchisee Model” in the traditional world. Today, there are lots of tools available which help you set up, launch, promote and track your affiliate program.

Amazon.com is an example of world’s most successful affiliate marketing program. It does significant portion of its business through affiliate marketing. You would have thousands of sites with links to Amazon books. When you go through those links and purchase book(s) on Amazon, the owner of the website gets commission from Amazon.

Your inputs have been highly valuable and encouraging!

Happy Learning,
SEM Times