As a bit of a follow on from my Education As An Investment post, I have got a few more books. The first is Crush It!
But all these investments can become quite costly – so I want to take a look at one way that we can minimise the actually cost of the investment, while still receiving the same content.
What Is Clickbank?
Founded in 1998, ClickBank is a secure online retail outlet for more than 12,000 digital product vendors and 100,000 active affiliate marketers.
- – From Clickbank.com
For those of you who have no idea what Clickbank is, then you need to make it your new best friend!
As a list builder, with Clickbank we now have 12,000 products at our fingertips to educate ourselves and also to promote to our email lists for profit!
Why I Love Clickbank as an Internet Marketer
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Large Commission Rates
The majority of products in the Clickbank marketplace have an affiliate commission of between 57-75%! That is a pretty decent amount when you are looking at $30-$100 products, and sure beats focusing on Adsense clicks (although it is always great to diversify)
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60 Day Money Back Guarantee
All products on Clickbank are required to provide a 60 day money back guarantee. This may seem like a bit of a burden to the product creators, but for us affiliates it is a fantastic trust building tool that we can use to sweeten the sale.
However, don’t see this as a way to get free products. Clickbank keep an eye out for regular abusers of the money back guarantee and you may find that you can no longer purchase products at all! Plus I have a great way to get a very nice discount on most Clickbank products without the need to do anything unethical like this.
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Great Affiliate Backend
If you are anything like me, you are an affiliate to quite a few products and it can become quite annoying checking all the stats and waiting patiently to reach the minimum payout. With Clickbank, no matter what products you promote from their marketplace, all your sales and clicks get displayed in one place – and all your commissions combine to help you reach that elusive minimum payout much quicker.
How To Never Pay Full Price For Products On Clickbank!
As I am a big believer in not just promoting for profit, I strongly advice purchasing a product before promoting it. Now I know that this may not be possible on every occasion, but I believe the more we do it, the better response we will get from our email list.
Now I know there are a couple of people around promoting ways of getting Clickbank products for free, but these are usually unethical and illegal and nothing that I would consider doing on promoting. This method I am going to show you is something that I just stumbled upon and after a while, realised that the majority of the Clickbank product creators used this strategy.
Step 1. Never Purchase Off The First Sales Page
Alright, I have always been much better just using examples, so let’s take the Quick Profit Formula as an example!
If you visit the Quick Product Formula’s sales page, read the typical really long sales page and get to the end of it realising that you really want this information – WHATEVER YOU DO, do not buy that product yet!
But I Want It!?!?!
These sales letters are written in a way to induce impulse buying – and that is not a bad thing, because that means it will most likely appeal to your list subscribers as well! However, this first page is used to ‘Skim the Cream’ – meaning that there will always be people willing to pay full price, BUT these marketers also have a fallback for those who want the product but are not willing to pay the full price. (Which happens to be $46 in this case)
Step 2. Close The Page!
Yes, you heard me right! This may seem a little counter-productive, but wait and see what happens.
Sorry it is so hard to read, I tried to make it fit my blog. If you cannot work out what is says, let me give you the transcript 
Are you sure you want to navigate away from this page?
TODAY’S SPECIAL HALF OFF DISCOUNT
——————————————————————-
Wait… Before You Go:
I want to offer you a special last minute discount!
You can get MORE than HALF OFF my Quick Profit Formula by clicking the CANCEL button below.
You will get my entire system for only $17.95 that is MORE than HALF OFF the normal price of $46.95!
To get INSTANT ACCESS to my special “last minute” discount page where you can use the HALF OFF discount code click on the CANCEL BUTTON below.
——————————————————————-
To gain access to my complete system for more than half off the price everyone else paid simply
CLICK THE CANCEL BUTTONPress OK to continue, or Cancel to stay on the current page.
Over Half Price Off! – Would You Have Missed That?
So make sure you click CANCEL and check out the Quick Profit Formula discount page.
Suddenly the price is only $17.95 – And you were willing to pay $46?
But Wait There Is More!
Surely I can’t get it any cheaper can I?
Why don’t you try for yourself and close the window again!
Once Again The Transcript
Are you sure you want to navigate away from this page?
TODAY’S SPECIAL 75% OFF DISCOUNT
——————————————————————–
Wait… Before You Go:I want to offer you a special last last minute discount!
You can get more than 75% OFF my Quick Profit Formula by clicking the CANCEL button below!
You will get my entire system for only $11.95 that is more than SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT OFF the normal price of $46.95!!!
To get INSTANT ACCESS to my special “last last minute” discount page where you can use the discount code click on the CANCEL BUTTON below.
———————————————————————-
To gain access to my complete system for more than SEVENTY FIVE Percent OFF the price everyone else paid simply
CLICK THE CANCEL BUTTONPress OK to continue, or Cancel to stay on the current page.
Suddenly A $46 Product Is Only $11.95!
So click cancel this one last time to be taken to the Quick Profit Formula’s second discount page!
And this isn’t the only product on Clickbank that has discounts similar to this. If you visit the Marketplace and just test the sales pages, by closing them – and if they don’t have a discount and you still want the product, then just visit the page again (no harm done).
Pretty simple strategy that will save you a whole lot on your education. Have you ever purchased a product using this method?
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I use this type of selling with several scripts and some full fledged programs that you actually need to install on your server.
It is effective marketing to gain something from a lost visitor, but it can lead to
people not getting to value your product.
“Either your want it or you don’t and have the best of luck with whatever you do.”
Nice post thanks
Jorge Diaz´s last blog ..10 Tactics To Make Your Blog Stand Out
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Tom Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:26 am
That is a good point you bring up about value. I think this is a very extreme case, and if I were to do it myself. I would try to ‘value add’ with my first offer – and give them something extra for the price. And if they said no to that maybe offer a 25% discount. 75% off really discounts the value of the product itself.
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Thanks for sharing this trick. I really don’t like such sales tricks that try to juice you to the max when you’re just being honest rather than treat you fairly and give you a honest deal. But now that I know about this, I’ll watch out.
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Tom Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:30 am
I think it is a valid sales tactic, but maybe just a little bit skewed in this case.
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That’s a sign of a good landing page to me. If you’re an affiliate marketer and looking inside Clickbank for products to promote, here’s a a way you can test the product for free: Just Ask!
Ask the owner of the product if you can have access to their programs for a trial run. Most owners will be more than happy to give you access because you’re going to promote his product(s).
Jack@Online Marketing Blog´s last blog ..The Art of Smart Commenting…For Dummies.
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Tom Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:31 am
I totally agree! I love the concept, and would the same with any product launch I had (because you would catch a lot of extra sales.
Asking for a trial is a good idea. I have had mixed success with it myself. A couple of years ago I got a couple of free products, but have tried it lately with no success.
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But wait, there one more.
There was one really good example that I saw and nearly signed up to. Their process is like this.
1. To get started, just enter your name and email to the left–>
2. I still havn’t signed up, I close the browser and got offered a 50% discount. Ok seems fair.
3. Few weeks past, still not having signed up, i got an offer of 75% of.
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Tom Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:11 am
Yea, it must really work, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it, but I think it can be done a lot more efficiently -without the need to be so drastic with their discounts.
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Jack Cola from CreateASuccessfulBlog Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 4:20 am
But when you think of it, how much money do they actually make.
If they give sell a $100 item with 75% off, they will only make $25. Then you have to factor in the commission from clickbank which again, could be 75% of the $25, thus only making $6.25 on a $100 profit. Therefor, you a losing $93.75 per transaction.
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Robyn-Dale from Sam's Web Guide - Web Tutorials & Tech News Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
I wonder the very same thing Jack.
I honestly have a really hard time buying a product where the sales people are so desperate to make a sale that they would almost give away the product. Maybe I’m just tough headed, but I just don’t get it.
Robyn-Dale@Sam’s Web Guide – Web Tutorials & Tech News´s last blog ..Will SEO Be Necessary in the Next 5 Years?
This is a great tip. I have seen this a few times, but never thought of using it. Problem is that if it becomes widely known about no one will ever pay full price and you will deteriorate your profit margins.
As well as really annoy those who bought at full price. I think rather than discounts maybe add in free stuff at least that way your sales price will be maintained without necessarily deteriorating your margin
Matthew Needham´s last blog ..Spend money on the things you love
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Tom Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 1:13 am
Totally agree Matthew! Value add!
We see this happen a lot with the new apartment buying market, because the agents know that if they offer a discounted prices, it discounts the value of the rest of their stock. So what they do is offer a free $30k furniture package, or free stamp duty – instead of reducing the price.
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I have seen the discount go upto 90% as well. I have purchased from clickbank only 2-3 times.
Agent Deepak@Blogging, Marketing & Success´s last blog ..Interview with Melvin Dichoso – The Versatile Young Blogger
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I loved the idea here. It truly is funny how you can get that much money off a product.
I actually hate it when these things popup but again if it helps you to save money than that’s great. Thanks for sharing that tip, I really loved the idea. Keep it up Tom
Julius Kuhn-Regnier´s last blog ..The 3 Unwritten Rules of Blogging
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Yeah I’ve come across sales pages using this method as well – I wonder if it undervalues peoples products?
Anthony Feint´s last blog ..8 Simple Ways You Can Earn a Passive Income
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The main reason why clickbank has become such a huge hit is that they have incredible commission charges and an unbelievable moneyback program. I havent directly used it for me, but I have internet marketing friends who just keep showering praises about this website particularly. I think I might as well get launched with it asap. Thanks to the wonderful tips you provided here which definitely helps newbies to understand whats the process and how to use this service wisely. Will keep you folks posted with my endeavors. Thanks a ton
Melvin@Houses For Rent Auckland´s last blog ..Otahuhu, Auckland City
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Yeah… I’m right there with Anthony on this one… When I see things that get massive discounts like 50% off when I hit the back button, it makes me want the product less.
Then when you think about it… as an affiliate… A $100 product drops to $50 then $25… Let’s say you’re getting 50%… So now you’re down to $12.50 on a $100 product… To me it makes promoting that product much less appealing.
On the other hand, if it’s a good product and I believe in it… it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick…
BrianJ | Online Business Blogger´s last blog ..TypePad VS WordPress & Thesis
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Very interesting Tom.
I think I will give clickbank a try, though I’m still trying to find the best earnings strategy for my blog. Maybe you can give me a few pointers there.
I’m loving your blog, its really holding true to list building strategies.
Robyn-Dale@Sam’s Web Guide – Web Tutorials & Tech News´s last blog ..Top 30 Massive Earning Blogs – Its Time To Take Action
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Hmmm, this is an interesting post. I was recently reading John Chows blogs on Clickbank and how to make a money with repeat buyers from it. I never did succeed with Clickbank, but when I was using it I was a complete newbie. Now, that I have 3 years of affiliate marketing experience I think I am willing to give it another try.
Good point about how they track everything together on Clickbank. I wish CJ would use that, most marketers have script installed now on where their clickouts are going.
Garen @ Best Web Hosting Service´s last blog ..Sitemeter vs Google Analytics – Got Sitetracking
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This is great advice for buyers Tom – but terrible news for the sellers and shame on them for making it so easy to undervalue their products.
The more folks that are willing to sell their soul and discount to near free because it worked a year or two ago, the less it works in general.
The fact the most everyone knows these days not to buy at the first chance is exactly the reason why I’ll never offer an instant discount until they finally do buy.
I’d much rather sell my goods at full price and occasionally offer a legitimate sale than use those types of rubbish tactics. All that tells me as a buyer is that you agree I shouldn’t be buying it at the price I offered! What kind of precedent is that?
Tim Bourquin – MemberCon.com´s last blog ..Beware Membership Site Advice From People Who Don’t Have Membership Sites
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You might eventually get the sale from the customer, even at a very low price, but you’ve destroyed the relationship.
If your product is worth the price you put on it then these tactics make no sense. There are plenty of opportunities to offer genuine, short term discounts such as at launch time or for special events (eg upgrades to the product) but stay genuine and stick to the sale period and put your price back up again at the end.
The “permanent” discount technique in e-commerce bugs a lot of people and I just won’t go for it myself.
Paul Cunningham´s last blog ..My Guest Post at BuildThatList.com
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A great trick Tom! Btw, did you got my JV email?
Cheers,
iYingHang
iYingHang´s last blog ..The Top Secret Manifesto To Success
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i have set a squeeze page to capture list, but the result is not so good, i uses solo ads, facebook marketplace… but turn out not so good…
any suggestion?
Stanley
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Tom – can I rant? I hate this annoying pressure selling, discounting, ps there’s one more thing schlock. I agree with others – why can’t people just create a good product and sell it at a fair price. I understand the psychology of influence and perceived value, but it just pi$$es me off. I’m probably in the minority of people who get put off by the hard sell and these sales letters. If someone is using them I always assume that their product will be similar – full of hyperbole and claims but typically lacking substance. A pet peeve of mine – thanks for letting me sound off.
Phil
Phil – Less Ordinary Lliving´s last blog ..How to Keep Going
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I despise these kinds of offers… no problem with a $10 discount or something like that offered when the page is closed, but some people take it way too far and that’s what I hate.
I once wanted to buy a really decent looking SEO themed product from Clickbank, it cost $97… closed the window to come back later and 4 screens later the product was being offered to me at $7. Heh
Jason @ Make Money At Home´s last blog ..Make Money With Adsense
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Tom- What a great hack you’ve found. I know about these kind of offers, but I never thought to go out of my way to find them.
I do agree that Clickbank is awesome. It’s great for managing an information product and it’s an excellent resource for letting affiliates find and promote your stuff.
Steve Scott Site ´s last blog ..Successful Info Product Creation and Marketing [Part 1]
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Tom,
Noone ever tackles ClickBank so this was a refreshing read. I have an account with them but unfortunately can’t seem to find a product I’m okay with. Seems like there are a lot of complaints about whatever I try to pick and then people start to label the item as a scam.
I guess that can be the case with anything, even with a physical product at a regular store. Are you an avid user? Do you make decent money through CB?
Moon Hussain´s last blog ..Clash Of The Titans: Pros & Cons of Various Types Of Passive Income Streams
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I’m a member of ClickBank but I have yet to take advantage of their program. I haven’t tried selling anything of their and I don’t think I ever will.
I just don’t think my blogs are within that niche of people that but stuff online. I think this is more beneficial if you’re a blogger that blogs about these products and perhaps even does reviews.
That way at least if you’re blogging about the product the person on your blog already has an interest. The chance of someone buying something especially a tech gadget while reading my latest article is very slim I think.
Perhaps I’m also thinking closed minded. It could be as simple as walking down the hallway in wal-Mart and randomly grabbing something that grabbed your attention on a side shelves.
Well at least I know the option to earn this was is here. For now I don’t think I will entertain the idea. Thanks for the write up
Regarding the get it half off concept it’s a little offending and personally I wouldn’t buy it that’s for sure. How freaking ride is that huh? As a consumer that may have paid full price this would upset me a lot.
bbrian017´s last blog ..How to make money from blogging
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Really, this is something i was not aware of. I have not used clickbank for a long time and I think it’s high time i try it out and make some money out of it.
Gautam Hans @ Blog Godown´s last blog ..Boosting your Google Adsense Earnings using Google Certified Ad Networks
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Well, well – thanks for all the zuper-useful tips.
I’ve avoided Clickbank like the plaque, and now I know why !
Thanx for the strategy, but it really doesn’t speak for the product or marketer if the value just drops by canceling the sales pages. How can I buy a product that feels so in-your-face spammy ? Image an Apple product dropping 80% of its value because nobody seems to be interested.
Goodbye Reputation !
Mars Dorian´s last blog ..The World needs YOU !
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Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve never been satisfied with either of the two products I bought on Clickbank. Not saying they are all bad, it’s just that both times I bought the same-old, same-old rehashed info that I already knew, just packed in a shiny box.
That said, if I were in the position to promote a clickbank product, I would buy it (probably using your trick – which is uber cool!) and make sure I like it/find value in it.
Rock on
Lee@Search Engine Viking´s last blog ..Boise Website Part 1: Conceptualization
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Astonished to see this. Thanks for the share bro.
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As much as I hate scripts like this, when I am willing to buy a product this is definately a great tip though. Top work Tom
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..Top Sites That Will Bring You Free Traffic
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Ha,
U Rock! Gr8 info here BTL. I’ve been hearing a lot about clickbank lately, all good by the way.
lees shizzle´s last blog ..I Am Not Naked and You Are Not In Charge
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Interesting. I will have to check them out. I wouldn’t be totally opposed to doing this if I found a product that I liked and that my visitors would like.
Chris Roane´s last blog ..10 Things I Wish I Knew as a Web Programmer 10 Years Ago
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Bad ass tip Tom! I never knew about this. I will definitely use this in the future.
Alex´s last blog ..The Virtue of Obsession
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There is another good way to get products cheaper from ClickBank. I am not sure if people consider it legal or not, but let me explain that.
Open any sales page of a ClickBank product, try the method mentioned in this post, if you don’t find any discount, then reopen that page and follow these steps:
> Look for the affiliate page of that product.
> If you have friends using CB, ask them to create a affiliate link of that product.
> Make a deal with your friends (depending on relation). Lets say the product you wanna buy is of $100 and it gives 50% to affiliates, so if you buy it with your friend’s link he will get $50 back. You can decide how to divide those $50 between you and your friend.
I guess this sounds cool.
What do you think Tom?
Akash @ AM Blogger´s last blog ..What Exactly Is Google Buzz?
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Woah Tom,
Great tips. I have noticed that when i try to close some sales pages they make me another offer but i never knew they slash prices so low.
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Akash, that’s exactly what my buddy and I have been doing with Clickbank and with paydotcom.com. Somebody asked if this devalues the products and I believe the answer is no because it’s mainly practiced within the IM community which is relatively small compared to the Internet consumer community. It could be an issue if one is selling an IM product, but price adjustments can be made.
Joe @ Carpet Cleaning Websites´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at
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Thanks Tom, I would be lying if i said i had any clue about this although I have a feeling i will find this interesting in the future..I have a friend that is recently getting started, he will love this..cheers!
Joseph´s last blog ..University student at birmingham city Dave Scotford on how he started his own record label
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This is absolutely great. Its a shame I did not found this tip before I purchased from Clickbank last month. Anyways, thanks for this very nice post. Truly helpful.
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This is a pretty good tip. I’ve bought a couple things on Clickbank and didn’t realize that I could have had a discount if I had tried to close the page. I’ll definitely do this from now on.
Josh@Monmouth County Movers´s last blog ..Ocean County Movers
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This is a pretty good tip. I’ve bought a couple things on Clickbank and didn’t realize that I could have had a discount if I had tried to close the page. I’ll definitely do this from now on. Thanks for the tip.
Josh@Monmouth County Movers´s last blog ..Ocean County Movers
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You are absolutely right. I visit ClickBank a lot and click on many sales pages just to see what they look like – I’m not there to buy. Over and over I have these “special offers” pushed at me when I click my back button. People could save some serious $$$ if they only knew.
Anne´s last blog ..3 Ways To Blog and Make Money with ClickBank
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I have added you to my bookmarks, can anyone else suggest other related topics that I can search for to find out more information?
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