In Episode 039, Mark records just before heading to Asia and covers three main topics: Cliff Ravenscraft's example of affiliate marketing done right with the Fitbit, a listener question about Web 2.0 backlinks, and a corn sheller niche site traffic update.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
- What ethical affiliate marketing looks like through Cliff Ravenscraft's Fitbit promotion
- Three types of Web 2.0 backlinks and their relative value
- How to add genuine value when promoting affiliate products
- A real-world niche site earnings update
Episode Summary
Affiliate Marketing Done Right
Mark uses Cliff Ravenscraft's Fitbit promotion as the gold standard for affiliate marketing. Cliff genuinely uses the product, talks about it naturally across his shows, wrote a helpful article about why he loves it, and includes affiliate links. This is how it should work: the affiliate is road-testing the product so potential buyers can make informed decisions. When you add genuine value into the purchasing process, everyone wins.
Web 2.0 Backlinks Explained
Listener Jeffrey asks about Web 2.0 backlinks. Mark identifies three categories: content-based links from platforms like Blogger that act as authority funnels, profile links from social site accounts (questionable value), and social signals from people sharing your content (increasingly important). The key strategy is diversification across all link types with varied anchor text.
Corn Sheller Update
The corn sheller site continues performing well with traffic on a record pace and earnings trending upward. Mark notes that eBay cookie tracking means buyers who enter through corn sheller pages end up purchasing items across many categories.
Key Takeaways
- Promote products you genuinely use and believe in for authentic affiliate marketing
- Diversify your backlink sources and anchor text for sustainable SEO
- Social signals are an increasingly important ranking factor
What's Changed Since This Episode
Mark recorded this in October 2012. Both SEO and affiliate marketing have evolved substantially.
Manufactured backlink strategies are largely ineffective in 2026. Google's algorithms now detect and discount most artificial link building. The emphasis has shifted to earning editorial links through quality content. Social signals and brand authority carry far more weight than Web 2.0 link pyramids.
FTC disclosure requirements now mandate clear affiliate relationship disclosure, making Cliff's transparent approach not just best practice but legal necessity.
Resources Mentioned
- Cliff Ravenscraft — Podcast Answer Man
- Pat Flynn — Smart Passive Income
- LNIM Podcast
Related Episodes
Listen and Subscribe
Listen to Late Night Internet Marketing on Apple Podcasts or subscribe at latenightim.com/internet-marketing-podcast/. Have a question for Mark? Call the digital recorder at 214-444-8655 or drop a comment below.
