subject: Choosing The Right Product Mix To Maximize Success [print this page] Choosing The Right Product Mix To Maximize Success
The internet is host to a dazzling array of products available for sale. Online companies often allow their affiliates to promote products with the aim of meeting their sale targets. The affiliates then earn commissions for their efforts. The sheer volume of products available for promotion makes the affiliate's selection of an ideal set of products difficult. To effectively tackle this problem, it is important to understand the two main approaches to marketing.
The product to consumer approach.
Under this approach, the product is first selected then customers willing to purchase that product are sought. This is the traditional approach to marketing. It is vested on the belief that where there is supply, demand will follow. The downside of this approach is that the consumer preferences are unknown. The supplier has no idea whether the prospective consumer will actually like the product or not. A lot of time is required under this method to package the product in such a way that it appeals to the prospective consumer. Many companies are moving away from this mindset. They spend millions of dollars to determine the consumer preferences and fashion their products accordingly. Unfortunately, many internet marketers predominantly use this approach.
The consumer to product approach.
Under this approach, a target consumer base is selected. This is commonly referred to as the niche market. A study is then conducted to determine the preferences of that target consumer base. Their likes and dislikes are determined and noted. A list is compiled detailing their preferences. Products matching those preferences are sought and made available to the target market.
What then is the correct method? Both methods can produce results. At first glance, it may appear that the second method is more superior to the first. This may however not be the case. Research shows that 80% of products are purchased because of emotional factors. This seems to suggest that product appeal is an important element in purchasing decisions. From a marketing perspective, aspiring affiliates should first select the target market. They should then determine the preferences of that target market. Finally, search for products that match those preferences. The products should then be packaged such that they generate the greatest appeal and made available to the target market.
This last approach is more effective than either of the earlier mentioned approaches. It combines the two methods in such a way that the rate of success is maximized. Products that are needed are made available to the people who need them. They are packaged and presented in such a way that makes them irresistible. In this manner the rate of success is greatly improved.
