I confess I’m a liar. But I have a point to make and since you took the time to stop by you should stick around and read what I have to say. First I’ll say I’m going to help you. And judging by the fact that you came to this article hoping to see Mr. Chow nude I think we can all safely assume you need help. That kind of help however is for someone else to give you as it’s far beyond me. What I am going to help you with, just this once, is making money online.

Lesson 1: Hook

Why did you come to this page? For most people it will be because they saw the title and their curiosity got the best of them. That’s simple enough. We can deduce that the title hooked you. Maybe not completely but it got you to nibble at the “bait”, and to be sure the title was pure linkbait.

The questions becomes why are you still here? The answer because you’ve decided that I am talking about something that interests you. By the way if that something is John Chow nude please seek help, that’s not what we’re here to discuss! No you’re still here because at some point not only did you take a hold of the hook, but you let me set it and I’m slowly drawing you along towards the shore.

Lesson 2: Line

Just a moment ago I told you I am drawing you along. If you don’t believe me go reread the previous paragraph. Are we agreed? Good. That’s the line. It’s intangible, undefinable and yet there you are still getting reeled in. Ultimately you’re headed towards a destination I’ve already decided on for you. Of course at anytime you can decide to cut the line and swim off wherever you like to go. But I suspect since you’ve come this far along you’ll stick with it to see where we end up.

Lesson 3: Sinker

In fishing the sinker is a small weight that is tied just above the hook and is designed for two purposes:

1. Make the bait sink faster into richer waters
2. Increase the distance a fisherman can cast his line out

In this instance it is much the same. The sinker has allowed me to get the bait (John Chow Nude) into richer waters (more exposure) and it has allowed me to reach further out than I ever have with my “cast”.

What is this sinker I’m talking about? It’s psychology and that NOT John Chow nude, is the topic of this article. Rather the psychology of advertising is the topic.

What is advertising?

Traditionally advertising is a one way communication via various mediums designed to influence, direct, and persuade a person into a reaching a certain decision. Most often we think in terms of advertising being used to buy stuff, but it is also used to influence us in things like politics.

You’re a living breathing ad-unit

Most people know when they are advertising but few of them realize how often they do it. Not many take into consideration that every time they wear a certain brand of clothing they aren’t making a fashion statement they are advertising for the clothing maker. Every time you open your mouth and mention going to McDonald’s you’re advertising. Each and every business you mention throughout the course of the day you are advertising. And the best part (for the companies at least) is that you aren’t being paid a dime! Yet you still do it.

People flock to what they know

That’s a fact. Everyone likes to be in their comfort zone as much as possible. So what makes us feel like we know something? Talking about it. Especially on a consistent basis. The more we talk about something the more people will view us as experts in that particular discipline. If we are or are not experts has absolutely no bearing on anything. It’s the psychology of discussion that gives us an edge.

Not convinced? I don’t blame you, but try this experiment out. Find an affiliate program such as DealDotCom and write a post about it. I guarantee people will be attracted to it simply because you talked about it. And the more people trust your judgment the more are going to click on the link and the more money you’ll make.

Let’s talk about John Chow

No, we’re still not going to see him nude, but I did use his name for a reason (beyond the obvious linkbaiting I mean). John Chow is a prime example of all of the above.

He’s always working

Before I mentioned living breathing ad-units. Witness John Chow, That’s what he does and he is VERY good at it. Spend some time reading some of his posts. Each and everyone of them is an advertisement for one thing or another. Sure other bloggers advertise, but Chow has it down to a science. It took me a long time to appreciate how much advertising he really does.

There are the obvious posts such as this one where he talks about Kontera. Then there are the ones where he is more subtle such as this one about the Seattle bloggers meetup in which he gives a plug (replete with a link to the directions) to Ralph’s Grocery and Deli. Have you ever heard of Ralph’s before reading John Chow’s blog? I sure the hell never had. But here they are getting some free advertising. And if you’re ever in Seattle and happen to see Ralph’s chances are decent you’ll stop in just because John Chow mentioned them.

We know John Chow

Maybe “know” is a bit bold, but know of is certainly accurate. There’s something about knowing about someone who knows about something that gives us a measure of comfort we would not normally have. The bottom line is when John Chow mentions something we click, we sign up, and he makes money. Why? Because we know of and we trust John Chow. After all he makes tens of thousands of dollars a month using those very same programs so why can’t we?

But wait, do we really know John Chow? Does he really make that kind of money he claims to make? It really doesn’t matter if he does or doesn’t. We’ll still click and we’ll still make him money because we “know” him and we know he wouldn’t talk about anything but the best, right?

Wrapping things up

Very quick review. If you want to make money online do the following:

• Figure out a way to hook people
• Make sure you have a line to draw them along
• Use a sinker to reach deeper and richer waters
• Learn your lesson from John Chow and talk about what you want to sell
• Don’t give up, always be working one angle or another

Take my advice to heart and you will make money online. I never promised you’d get rich, but you will make money online. I know this to be a fact because every time I follow my own advise I make a few dollars. And that my friends is the reality of making money online. You have to start somewhere. In my own experience I’ve seen the pennies turn to dimes turn to quarters turn to dollars. All because I talk about it.

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Tags: affiliate programs, john chow, link bait, making money online