You are probably familiar with the term “contrarian” as it relates to an investing philosophy. It basically means that whatever the majority of people are doing, you do the opposite. There are many people that have used contrarianism to become very successful. Warren Buffet made his billions by going against the conventional wisdom and being a contrarian.
I have always followed a contrarian approach to affiliate marketing. Although I didn’t set out to do that, it’s more of a personality trait for me so it seemed natural. Now that I recognize the success it has allowed me, I have embraced the concept even more. You have to be confident in your abilities to be a contrarian, because by definition you are going against what everyone is doing. But by doing so, you will find vast untapped markets, underutilized traffic sources and techniques, and hidden potential in offers.
Affiliate marketers tend to move in groups towards specific offers and tecniques. While you may have limited success within the roaming herds, I believe you will always do much better going in different directions. It’s more about the mindset of just thinking for yourself and not following what everyone else does.
It’s hard to give exact examples without giving away what has really worked for me. But here are few:
The two biggest affiliate niches – ringtones and dating, I do not run. A contrarian would not spend time in niches where 95% of marketers are working. When conventional wisdom said Adwords was the only way to drive big volume, I jumped on MSN early and was racking up even bigger spends. When everyone started using Aweber, I found an even better solution that I feel gives me an edge.
Basically whenever something becomes too popular and crowded, a true contrarian is already looking elsewhere. I think that’s a great business strategy to follow.
I don’t run ringtones either. I ran it when I first got into AM, just to test the waters, but there is so much more out there that you can make money with.
I don’t know why I would want to even work with such huge markets, wouldn’t be better to find things for smaller niches?
Couldn’t agree more Chad. I often think about your post a while back about a ringtone LP. Where you just had the word “Tones?” on it. With everyone fighting for the the coolest looking LP, that sort of thinking sets you apart. IMO, going against the grain is the easiest way to find big opportunities.
Never did ringtones, never will.
Ringtones are almost dead and so is the mortgage niche (?). Debt is too crowded but can you apply “contrarian” method in it. I don’t know?
gee
niche-affiliate-marketing.com
Awesome post. But wouldn’t you also agree that being a contrarian can also be quite painful in the meantime while you’re waiting for the market to agree with you? Many people just do not have the stomach for it. You often have to train yourself to think that way and keep reminding yourself of it. Most people would rather follow the crowd because it’s a lot easier. I’m not much of an affiliate marketer, but the more I have taken my drubbings in PPC, the more I’m convinced that finding these small areas where very few people are playing is a way better strategy than running the dating, ringtones, and weight loss offers that seem to be everywhere on all the major networks.
What is the tool that you use that is better than Aweber? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Good post. I have to agree that in order to make a HUGE amount of money, you have to be different.
~Jony
So are you long or short the market??
Right now I am completely OUT of the market, other than some private equity funds. I lost my ass a couple years ago with individual stocks and trading options so I’m pretty cautious these days.
Very good post.
I myself usually run under this same sort of “contrarian rule”.
Being contrarian sounds nice and might work in some areas of AM but when you’re paying for traffic a lot of times being contrarian ~ no clicks
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