So I have conducted quite a few "social experiments" and forum experiments this year and what I have found is that people are very wary and they have a tendency to discriminate against marketers who are trying to make a living in this poor economy.

I have experimented with simple speech, simple sharing, and simple forum awareness models of promotion. Using some of my own accounts and watching others.

For this experiment I have used a Free service that when others you have invited purchase anything online the person whom invited that individual will receive a small commission. 

At this point in the experiment there is on average 1-2 people joining the "opportunity" or FREE service each day. I have made nothing in commissions but that was not my point. 

Most Marketers would suggest that this steady stream of people would be considered a great thing and that I should keep doing what it is that I am doing. In Synopsis I have....well that is a secret but it has taken me most of the summer to build the accounts and their followings.

What my results have shown is that most people are receptive to FREE things but they are bugged out when a FREE service could pay them. This notion is within the individuals mind and is a natural programing within our society to be wary of opportunities and anything that pays the individual on the efforts of someone else or the expenditures of others.

This natural programming zaps (stings people as their friends confront them on the programmed notion((btw I have been "talked" with 20+ times from friends and family ((can't argue when it pays bills)) most people who begin any affiliate marketing adventure and I say adventure because that is what it is.

Affiliates have it hard. They are given a product they themselves did not create and they are supposed to learn as much about it and explain it in plain English to others who may have need for the product. But often people are MISGUIDED and they do not receive the proper training or have not sought out a proper guide to help them with their affiliate promotions or short comings. Also the industry is plagued with Spammers who are people often enough in the basement of their homes and instead of actively engaging their mind to create constructive and new content they spew garbage (AKA their sales material) and they turn many many many people off to even taking a look at products that ARE properly sent to the right people.

To bring this train around and speak to the results and ultimate outcome of my Affiliate Experiment (that cost nothing to do((except for time)). I found that people who are given simple messages on their social walls or in their groups etc... often do not respond and they do not click. People who I have directly talked with and given the link have joined and shared with others over time.

Also I have to say that forums were by far the most responsive in both positive and negative reviews. You have to be on top of forum marketing and it is shunned by many. I am no pro by any means and I would suggest looking into forums as possible marketing places if you are willing to be a active (check it -2- 4 times each day) and respond to critics or others who are interested and keep the thread positive and never about making money; Lessons Learned and now shared.

As I continue to grow as a Marketer and spread my wings to other places online I must say Hubpages has done a fantastic job patrolling and eliminating spammers at every turn. Word to the wise: Make a system and never stop developing new ways of reaching people.

If you are curious about what "opportunity" I was sending people to simply leave me some fan mail or a comment.

Sincerely,

Brian Fanslau

Note: Sorry to have "bugged" people if you were one of those people I "bugged" simply making a living :o)