Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Affilorama | Affiliate Marketing Training Review

Affilorama Review
Affilorama Review

In this post reviewing Affilorama,  I am going to try and give you a good overview of what the Affilorama program is all about.  I’ll be going over the advantages and disadvantages and what the benefits would be and basically help you decide if Affilorama  is the right fit for you or not.  You may be wondering if the affiliate marketing product Affilorama is legit or a scam and I hope that this Affilorama Review will answer the question for you.

How Affiliate Marketing Works
Before we begin here's a quick refresher info-graphic about how affiliate marketing works.




Affilorama: Overview

Name: Affilorama
Website: www.affilorama.com
Price: Free for Basic, $67 monthly, $497 for three years + upgrades
Owner: Mark Ling
Overall Rank: 80 out of 100

You’ll find that Affilorama is basically a website that was started by Mark Ling in 2005 and is a community that gives training instructions, guidance, tools, and helpful tips that are associated with affiliate internet marketing. The purpose and goal of the Affilorama website is to assist beginner online affiliate marketers to develop their internet business from scratch. Affilorama also provides free training program material  that is intended for newbie online affiliate marketers.

Premium membership, in addition to more advanced training material, also includes the ability to access AffiloBlueprint, which happens to be a 12-week course that is made of 40 videos created to take you through building a successful affiliate website step-by-step.

Affilorama is probably one of the better products within the affiliate marketing industry at keeping up (although they don’t always do the best job) and with this review I’ll be going  through the program along with many of the additional “up-sells” of this particular affiliate marketing product.

But first of all, I’d like to provide you with a quick overview of the positives and negatives when it comes to this program. Then I’ll get into details regarding the various features of the Affilorama membership.


Affilorama:  Review – Pros vs. Cons

Pros:

  • Affilorama is a straightforward very easy to use educational learning tools that include software programs.
  • Upon joining Affilorama you will be able to access one of the major leading internet affiliate marketing communities.
  • The free option lets you check out basics without having to invest any money.
  • If you do decide to further your learning experience and buy into the premium program you will have a payment option which provides a three year payment plan.


Cons:

  • Once joining Affilorama you may find that their are way too many options which might tend to make selecting the right program difficult.
  • Affilorama’s free basic program is very limited in comparison to the paid programs.
  • There is some obvious apparent conflicting information (that might be harmful) training for your new online business.
  • Deciding to buy into the Premium Programs could become very costly especially when you start to add in the additional “offerings” and upgrades.
  • If you need help or support it’s handed off to a support team,  and you rarely have the opportunity to talk or connect directly with Mark Ling himself.


Who is the Affilorama Program For?

Affilorama is intended to be used by any person who would like to make some extra money online as an affiliate marketer. The training inside the Affilorama website is focused on anything from the basic website set-up to the more complicated marketing approaches.

There really isn’t any requirement for you to have any prior understanding of hosting, website building, marketing or content management.

Affilorama: Who is Mark Ling?

Mark Ling


Mark is one of the better affiliate marketing teachers out there. His training courses have been praised by many and are said to be easy to understand. Mark Ling teaches his audience in a style that makes everything simple. Mark creates his products for newbies (beginners) and intermediates.

What Do You Get From Affilorama’s Training


Affilorama’s training starts off with the initial basic free program which is made up of videos along with some other other online tools to follow step-by-step.  Additionally there are several software apps which can be used as well as. ( analysis tools and site ranking).
The Premium level of Affilorama offers interviews with various successful Internet Entrepreneurs, bootcamp, videos and added training.

You get 100 lessons that teach various subjects such as (site building, SEO, PPC, email marketing and more)
You get access to Affilorama’s forums ( that is one of the largest affiliate marketing forums online)
A virtual “lesson book” so that you can keep a record of the training sessions you have already covered, and thus keeping you on track.
The Affilorama Premium level includes content that has been created specifically for your selected niche.
Premium Level includes Affilorama Jetpack (this is the customized website creation and hosting package)
Affilorama Premium level also has the Affilorama Theme which is another part of that service.
My Conclusion Of The Affilorama Review

Affilorama is known for a reputation of being simply a trustworthy service that’s accurate in carrying out what it says it will do. It has been generally renowned as having a very good free source for beginners who are searching for a step-by-step blueprint to be succesful with affiliate marketing, along with more skilled affiliate marketers who are searching for more advanced advice.

Affillorama’s free lessons are well known for being a superb starting reference when it comes to the beginning online affiliate marketer, and of course the premium membership is deemed a goldmine for keeping in the front of the competition.

Overall, Affilorama is deserves the good reputation it has established for itself and from my own experience I know for a fact that Affilorama is totally Legit.

Mark Ling’s Affilorama Quick Overview

Name: Affilorama
Website: www.affilorama.com
Price: Free for Basic, $67 monthly, $497 for three years + upgrades
Owner: Mark Ling
Overall Rank: 80 out of 100
My Conclusion: Affilorama is Legit and perfect for the total beginner to the intermediate marketer



Have you had any experience with Mark Ling or any of his Products? If you have had I’d love to hear your feedback.

Please don’t hesitate to leave your own review of Affilorama below and I’ll be sure to include it on this page immediately.


Sunday, April 10, 2016

Federal Law Holding Financial Professionals to a Fiduciary Duty Standard

The guidelines governing how financial professionals deal with the trillions of dollars they invest on behalf of Americans saving for retirement are about to get a lot tougher.

Judgement

The Labor Department, following years of battling Wall Street and the insurance coverage market, issued new regulations on Wednesday that will demand financial advisers and brokers handling person retirement and 401(k) accounts to act in the best interests of their clients.

"A fiduciary duty is a legal duty to act solely in another party's interests. Parties owing this duty are fiduciaries. The individuals to whom they owe a duty are called principals. Fiduciaries may not profit from their relationship with their principals unless they have the principals' express informed consent."

The government move is anticipated to encourage a shift of retirement funds into reduced-price investments — potentially saving billions of dollars for many ordinary investors — although setting off 1 of the largest upheavals in the financial services business in decades.

“The marketing and advertising material that I see from several firms is, ‘We place our consumers first,’” Thomas E. Perez, the secretary of labor, said in an interview. “This is no longer a marketing and advertising slogan. It’s the law.”


The new regulations, which might be challenged in court, were proposed a year ago by the department — which oversees pensions and retirement accounts — and had been modified following hearings and business criticism. They are not expected to make an impact till next spring at the earliest.

Many investors assume the people and firms investing their cash are operating under the exact same sort of ethical and legal standards as a loved one's doctor or Realtor — someone who is obliged to supply the best guidance.

But brokers are typically only responsible to recommend “suitable” investments, which indicates, for instance, that they can push a more expensive mutual fund that pays a larger commission when an otherwise identical, more affordable fund would have been an equal or far better alternative.

The Obama administration, relying on extensive academic analysis, estimated that conflicts of interest embedded in the way numerous investment specialists do enterprise cost Americans about $17 billion a year, top to annual returns that are about 1 percentage point reduction.

“It has the potential to truly change the way advice is delivered to retail investors,” stated Barbara Roper, director of investor protection at the Consumer Federation of America. “It is actually a big deal. Revolutionary, even.”

The so-called conflict-of-interest rule covers only tax-advantaged retirement accounts and does not apply to most other investments. But it could lead to more sweeping modifications across the financial services industry, making it tougher for some smaller sized firms to do enterprise and possibly encouraging an additional consolidation into larger companies in a better  position to manage the detailed rules of compliance.


It is also expected to promote a shift away from commissions for personal transactions toward a higher reliance on flat annual fees for managing accounts, a move that would not give an advantage to all investors equally.

Critics of the rule in its earlier proposed form mentioned they were nevertheless reviewing the specifics of the new regulations to determine its effect on investors.

Jules Gaudreau, president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, whose members consist of insurance agents and brokers, stated the organization was pleased that the Labor Division had incorporated some of the adjustments it recommended.

But he mentioned his members nonetheless had reservations. “We stay concerned,” Mr. Gaudreau stated, “that the expenses to implement such a complex rule will result in higher costs and decreased access to guidance, service and items for retirement savers.”

For the final year, the market has lobbied Congress to delay or kill the guidelines, so far without success. Prior to going ahead with the final rules, the Labor Division held 4 days of public hearings at which nearly 80 parties testified it also received more than 3,000 comments on the proposal from consumer advocates, business stakeholders and other people.

“We heard the issues. We listened. We acted,” Secretary Perez said. “And I believe we improved the rule as a result.’’

Usually speaking, the new guidelines — six years in the making — need a broader group of experts to act as “fiduciaries,” the legal term for putting customers’ interests first. They can not accept compensation or payments that would develop a conflict unless they qualify for an exemption that ensures the customer is protected.

If brokers want to obtain particular kinds of compensation that can pose a conflict, it will be necessary to provide an enforceable contract that promises to place the customer’s interests first.

The firms should also disclose any conflicts and direct investors to a site that describes how they make money. Firms can charge only “reasonable compensation,” and they can not offer advisers financial incentives to act in a way that would hurt investors.

Reasonable Compensation

In making use of the contract, brokers will nonetheless be permitted to charge commissions and engage in a practice recognized as income sharing, which enables a mutual fund company, for instance, to share a slice of its revenue with the brokerage firm selling the fund. Organizations that pay much more, for example, may secure a spot on the firm’s list of advised funds.

The rules also aim to protect investors when they roll more than cash from a 401(k) retirement program to an I.R.A. Right now, since the recommendation supplied is considered “one-time” advice, brokers do not necessarily have to act in the investor’s best interest.

There are piles of money at stake: Individual retirement accounts held $7.3 trillion at the finish of 2015, according to the Investment Organization Institute, while 401(k)-type plans had $6.7 trillion — money that may eventually be rolled over into I.R.A.s.

Mr. Perez stated that government rule makers had created numerous modifications to their final proposal in an effort to respond to criticism and avoid creating a bias toward specific investment products. He said advisers would not be obliged to sell lowest-expense goods if a much more expensive product like a variable annuity makes sense for a specific individual’s scenario.

The business was also concerned that just supplying educational information could set off the rule. Regulators mentioned that education would not be regarded as suggestions till a broker made a certain recommendation.

Wall Street was worried that brokers would be required to offer a contract even before they began talking with a prospective client. Regulators stated the contract can be signed at the same time as other account-opening documents, although any suggestions offered just before the signing should nevertheless be in the customer’s greatest interest.

Partnership Agreement

The new rules also simplify disclosures. For instance, firms will no longer be needed to disclose performance projections for 1, 5- and 10-year periods.

There are also allowances for small 401(k) plans. Under the final rules, advisers who provide advice to small businesses that sponsor 401(k) plans, or plans with less than $50 million, as well as advice to participants, can qualify for an exemption from the strictest rules.

Customer advocates and lawyers say that a robust fiduciary duty rule will help thwart a lot more unscrupulous brokers, like the a one encountered by Russell Kazda, a retired mechanic, and his wife, Christine, a fourth-grade teacher in Illinois.

Their advisers took $172,000 of the Kazdas’ I.R.A. savings and place it in illiquid genuine estate investment trusts and later invested money in an alternatives strategy. They ended up losing about $125,000, which prompted the Kazdas to sue the advisers.

“I could have had my fourth graders do it and they would’ve done a far better job,” Mrs. Kazda stated.

Andrew Stoltmann, a securities lawyer in Chicago who represented the Kazdas, applauded the adjustments.

“By imposing a fiduciary duty normal, this will result in the brokerage firms to self-police,” he said, guarding most individuals from often unsuitable investments like “nontraded REITs, variable annuities in I.R.A.s and active trading of stocks and alternatives.”

 

Thursday, April 7, 2016

The Basics of Day Trading | Making Money in the Stock Market

There is an aura around Wall Street and the stock market that involves a lot of money. Most people are vaguely acquainted with the stock market and only understand that there’s a lot of money involved.

Wall Street

Some of us in recent years have even begun to dislike everyone associated with the stock market because they have all the money that we are supposed to have. If you can beat them join them right?

As I continue to get more and more questions about day trading I plan on explaining a bit more on what day trading is and how I make a living doing it.

Basics of How Professional Day Traders Make Money in the Stock Market

The financial system is significantly more complex than it used to be even 10 or 20 years ago. The basic premise behind why the stock market exists is because companies need money to grow. After a company gets to a certain point they need more money to grow. A private company turns into a public company and that is when a company first appears in the stock market.

The stock market can be compared to eBay. EBay is the 21st-century version of a garage sale, we have things we don’t need that still have value and we want money for them.

The stock market is essentially the same thing but with companies that need capital (money) to continue growing. Eventually a company gets so large that they stop borrowing money from their friends, local banks, and family. They go public to receive a cash infusion they need to keep growing and compete in their industry.  Once a person initially invests in a company via stock market we become part owners of the company.

Stock markets deal in shares of stock. If there are 100 shares of Google and I buy one share I therefore own 1% of Google.

This is relative because there are actually millions of shares of stock for certain companies.


Every company is placed in a group of stocks called stock indexes much like categories on eBay. If we want to purchase a camera or laptop we will look in the electronics section. When one wants to purchase a new bed we look in the furniture section.  Categories on eBay vary a bit to stock indexes but to the untrained eye we can look at it the same way. The NASDAQ composite index for example is mostly known for having technology stocks. The S&P 500 index is an index of the 500 largest public companies in the United States.

So once a company goes from private to public we begin to invest in it. The left over shares have value and the general public decides what that value is based on the stock market. With anything that has value one can determine a future value. This is the reason why the stock market exists and the fundamental way that professional day traders really make money in the stock market.

They buy and sell stocks based on their future value.

Fundamental vs Technical Analysis

In order to determine the value of a stock or company traders and investors used two typical models, fundamental analysis and technical analysis. It is important to note that these two types of analysis are the main forms of investing/trading in the stock market.


Fundamental analysis involves someone understanding concepts like the health of a company via its competition, revenue and profit, it’s management, and potential for future growth (think Warren Buffet). The concept here is to understand a company is in a good position to grow and increase value.

Fundamental Analysis

Once a company increases its value it pleases investors and professional traders.

A trader or investor would have purchased the stock at a lower price and since the company has a higher value (higher priced stock) it makes a person money.

Technical analysis does not include any of the above. Technical analysis strictly involves looking at a chart with a set of indicators and recognizing patterns. One random example would be if a certain company goes up during a certain time of year.


If we assume that Apple will make more sales during the holiday season then we may be able to assume that its stock price will go up during that time of year. A professional trader that is looking at Apple stock might look for patterns in changes in price during a specific date or time of year.

Technical analysis does not involve analyzing the company’s financials or management.  It simply involves looking at a chart and making decisions.

Professional day traders have advantages and disadvantages with both types of analysis but it also depends on what kind of trader a person is.

If one is looking to invest in a company long-term we may look more at fundamental analysis. I prefer strictly a technical analysis approach due to the uncertain economic times we are in.  I simply prefer to not have my money in the markets when something erratic or volatile can happen.

It also takes a lot of work to look at news and connect the dots with all of the different opinions and news sources online. Instead I turn on my computer and begin looking at a chart, do a few minute pre-market analysis, and begin trading.

Most people that we call day traders look at the market which strictly technical analysis. They are normally classified into three different types of traders; scalpers, intraday traders, and swing traders.  All three types of professional day traders are looking to do the same thing, make a profit based on a different in value. The only difference between the three is the amount of time they are involved in positions.

Scalper Traders

Professional day traders that make money in the stock market with high frequency and lower profit are called scalpers. The goal is to take advantage of small inconsistencies in the market in addition to quick movements (changes in value in a matter of seconds or minutes).

A scalper may only be in a position for five or 10 seconds or possibly a minute. A scalper also tends to place a higher frequency of trades and as their profit is normally lower per trade.   A higher frequency of positions (entering and exiting trades) is needed in order to make higher profits.

Intraday Traders

Professional day traders that make money in the stock market on a daily basis are considered intraday traders. An intraday trader never holds a position overnight hence the term “intra-day”. Intraday traders are typically in positions from within a few minutes to possibly a few hours.  Intraday traders are typically not as high frequency as scalpers but due trade more often than swing traders.

I would consider myself an intraday trader as I normally trade between an hour or two a day with TheDayTradingAcademy.com. Most of our traders make their money within an hour or two a day. Our live classes are normally a few hours as well since the best activity in the markets come within the first few hours.

Swing traders

Professional day traders that make their money swing trading involves a much longer period of time. A swing trader uses fundamental or technical analysis but stays in trades over a few days or even weeks. To compare the differences between a scalper or intraday trader, a swing trader may be in a position for a few days or weeks whereas an intraday trader never holds a position overnight.

This swing trader term infers that someone plays the swings in the stock market rather than the quicker movements.

There are also much longer term day traders called position traders which hold trades for several weeks or even months.  We won’t highlight these kinds of traders on today’s post.

Conclusion

The whole basis of a professional trade day trader making money in the stock market involves accurately gauging the value of a stock.  A stock of a company is in essence the price at which the general public says it’s worth.

Since the financial system has changed it has become more complex and there are more investment vehicles than just stocks to invest in. These can be stocks, futures, options, and even forex (currency fluctuations).  The basic premise of making money in the stock market is simple, gauging the value of something and making a profit when your estimation was correct.


One of the most important things to understand is that a day trader can make money when the market goes up or down. If we are estimating the value on something we can also estimate that the value is going down and make a profit on it.

Day traders can actually make more money when the market is going down, when the economy is in a recession, or when there is a crisis. One of the reasons I love to make a living day trading is because we actually make more money and an economic downturn and a crisis than we do when things are going well. I do still hope the best for you!

So there you have it! A bit of novice background of how I make a living day trading and traveling around the world.

Source: Wandering Trader