I wanted to take a few minutes and talk about the new fangled automated competitive analysis tools coming onto the market. I”m not going to mention any specific one; I’m quite sure most of you reading this might know one particular new one that sparked this.
The reason I want to handle this subject is some are marketing it as though it’s changing the game so profoundly that if you don’t own one, you might as well pack your bags and go home. And that’s to be expected because they want you to buy their tool.
But I care a lot about the average person trying to build an Adwords and Affiliate Marketing business that may not want to use these type of tools, can’t or just plain can’t afford it.
I tend to stay in the trenches a lot as a coach. I don’t use a lot of pricey tools because I teach a lot of people that don’t have them. So I play the game with some advanced methods and tools, but I also play the game from the perspective of people that don’t have them. It just simply makes me a better coach.
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WHAT DO THESE TOOLS DO?
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Basically they track keyword markets over time and figure out what keywords are profitable for what merchant and affiliate.. it gives you all their data including the URL.
The idea is to track them over time.. the ones that are there for long periods of time are most likely to be profitable. Simple.
In one of the latest tools to hit the market, it not only automates the process of studying these niches, but it is tied into a piece of software that creates and tracks the campaigns for you.
Pure automation.
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THE QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED…
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The question I want to answer with this article is…
Where does software like this that uncovers profitable campaigns and automates the whole process leave those who don’t or choose not to use this type of software?
Here’s why I think.. everything is going to be ok. This is NOT the end of marketing as we know it.
1) This software can’t learn about new merchants coming onto the scene. Some niches marketers aren’t profitable, but a new or different merchant might convert better.
2) It can’t learn about or follow Trends and follow the buzz.. While others are studying current markets, you could be watching things like:
3) It can’t learn about new markets that open up or have yet to be discovered. Maybe you have certain qualifications that will make you affective in markets no one else could.
4) It will be difficult for software like this to know for a long time all the influences of holidays and seasonal trends.
5) It does not tell you anything about niches that contain poor affiliates/merchants. There is still a TON of opportunity to find new niches without using these type of tools
If you come into a keyword niche that has someone there that found that market using this tool.. they emulated another affiliate there… and is promoting the same merchent etc.., what if you Blasted a campaign in there with an entirely different merchant? Or what if you had a landing page and the other didn’t?
There a millions of possibilities..
6) The approach is only step 1.. it’s still up to you to do better then the merchant you are emulating. So there is still room for competition and the best man/women wins.
7) **AND MOST IMPORTANTLY** This type of software doesn’t automatically make the people using it good marketers… Remember that!
So no one needs to shake in their boots if they can’t get this type of software or don’t want to. It’s based on an approach that can only do so much.
I just want to make it abundantly clear that these tools, though powerful, are just one way; one method..
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THIS IS JUST A TOOL
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..They do not replace all the other skills you need. They don’t magically make you a good marketer. It should be your goal in the first place to learn how to market using a variety of techniques including:
–Using Audio & Video
–Capturing E-Mails
–And Web 2.0 Techniques
You still need to learn how to build a good site.. Even better then those you are emulating.
I don’t have a problem with these type of tools. Competitive Analysis is not new. I’m sure since the dawn of man we have been analyzying the competition and seeking out weaknesses or moving into their territory to get a bit of their business (or food).
But I am afraid the good marketers.. even if they do truly mean well.. might squash some dreams and strip hope away from those who have thought about pursuing affiliate marketing and Adwords. It might stop someone from acting if they see this and maybe can’t afford the
software or don’t want to use it for this reason and that..
I’m telling you to forget about it.. I use the tools to some degree, but it is a very small degree. I spend most of my time doing actual marketing, using the Blast Method and expanding my already profitable campaigns.
I hope this makes sense and helps clear up some questions and concerns.
Though I agree some of the more popular niches and affiliate networks might be more prone to this software and it might upset established marketers, overall it’s just a drop in the bucket in terms of the real affect.
And remember, once you find some great niches, you probably won’t have time to even use the tool as much because you’ll be expanding your campaigns in other ways. Maybe you’re already there?
-Matt Levenhagen
