Have you ever had a complete stranger walk up to you and say, "Hey, will you marry me?"
Of course not! That would be awkward, weird, and way too soon—because relationships don’t work that way.
So why do so many people treat marketing and sales like a one-time transaction? You can’t expect someone to buy from you the first time they see your product. Just like in relationships, people need to be warmed up, nurtured, and convinced before they commit.
If you want consistent sales and long-term customers, you need to build trust first. Here’s why “warming up” your audience is crucial and how to do it the right way.
👀 Why People Don’t Buy Right Away
Imagine you’re walking down the street, and someone shoves a random product in your face saying, “Buy this now!” What’s your reaction?
🚫 "Who are you?"
🚫 "Why should I trust you?"
🚫 "Do I even need this?"
This is exactly how online visitors feel when they see a sales page, an ad, or an affiliate offer with zero context. People don’t buy from strangers.
Here’s what needs to happen before they purchase:
✔ They need to recognize your brand and know who you are.
✔ They need to trust you and believe your offer is legit.
✔ They need to see proof that what you’re selling actually works.
✔ They need to feel an emotional connection to your message.
💡 People buy from those they trust. If you’re just another random ad in their feed, they’ll ignore you.
🔥 The "Relationship Stages" of Marketing & Sales
Just like in real relationships, customers go through stages before they buy.
1️⃣ Awareness – "Who Are You?"
This is the first impression stage. People are just discovering you, so don’t push for a sale yet—just introduce yourself.
✅ Content Marketing – Blog posts, social media, YouTube videos, podcast episodes.
✅ Social Proof – Reviews, testimonials, and success stories.
✅ Branding – Clear messaging that resonates with your audience.
💡 Example: Instead of running an ad that says, “BUY THIS NOW!”, run an ad with a valuable blog post or free training that educates your audience first.
2️⃣ Interest – "This Looks Interesting, Tell Me More"
Now that people know you exist, they’re interested in learning more. This is your chance to provide value and build trust.
✅ Email Marketing – Capture leads with an opt-in page and start nurturing them.
✅ Educational Content – Send free guides, case studies, or how-to videos that position you as an expert.
✅ Engagement – Encourage interaction on social media, answer questions, and start conversations.
💡 Example: Offer a free guide like “The Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing” and collect emails so you can continue warming them up.
3️⃣ Consideration – "I Like This, But Should I Buy?"
At this stage, the prospect is thinking about buying but needs a final push.
✅ Success Stories & Testimonials – Show real people getting results with your product.
✅ Webinars & Live Demos – Let them see how your product works in action.
✅ Limited-Time Offers – Give them a reason to act now.
💡 Example: Send an email that says, "Meet Sarah, a stay-at-home mom who made $5,000 in 3 months with affiliate marketing." When people see real success stories, they’re more likely to take action.
4️⃣ Decision – "I’m Ready to Buy!"
Now your prospect is emotionally and logically convinced—it’s time to make the sale easy.
✅ Clear CTA (Call to Action) – Make it simple to buy or sign up.
✅ Money-Back Guarantee – Reduce fear and risk.
✅ Bonuses & Extras – Offer an exclusive bonus for taking action now.
💡 Example: Instead of saying "Sign up now", say "Sign up today and get a free 30-minute coaching session!" This adds value and increases conversions.
💡 The Biggest Mistake: Skipping the "Warming Up" Phase
Most people fail in affiliate marketing and online business because they go straight for the sale without building a relationship.
🚫 Running Facebook ads directly to a cold audience? – Won’t work.
🚫 Sending traffic to an affiliate product without an opt-in page? – Low conversions.
🚫 Posting random sales links on social media? – No engagement.
💡 People need time to warm up. When you skip this step, you’re leaving money on the table.
🔥 How to Warm Up Your Audience (The Right Way)
If you want consistent sales and long-term success, here’s how to properly warm up your audience:
✅ Step 1: Provide Value First
People don’t care about your product until they see how it benefits them. Give them free, helpful content before asking for a sale.
✔ Write blog posts about common problems your audience faces.
✔ Create a YouTube video that explains solutions.
✔ Offer a free guide or checklist to capture emails.
🚀 Example: Instead of saying "Buy this weight loss supplement", write a blog post called “5 Proven Ways to Burn Fat Naturally” and include an affiliate link inside.
✅ Step 2: Capture Leads with an Opt-In Page
Don’t send people straight to a sales page—send them to an opt-in page first.
✔ Offer a lead magnet (free guide, checklist, mini-course) in exchange for their email.
✔ Follow up with educational content before selling anything.
✔ Build a relationship through email marketing.
🚀 Example: If you’re promoting Share a Biz, create an opt-in page for a “Free Affiliate Marketing Training” before introducing the paid program.
✅ Step 3: Follow Up & Build Trust
The fortune is in the follow-up. Use email sequences to build trust, answer objections, and move people toward a purchase.
✔ Send weekly emails with valuable tips and success stories.
✔ Use social proof (reviews, testimonials, case studies).
✔ Offer exclusive bonuses to make your offer irresistible.
🚀 Example: Your email sequence could look like this:
📩 Day 1: Welcome email + free guide
📩 Day 3: Share a success story (someone who made money with affiliate marketing)
📩 Day 5: Overcome common objections (Is affiliate marketing too hard?)
📩 Day 7: Make the offer + limited-time bonus
💡 By the time they see your sales page, they’re READY to buy.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Nurture, Don’t Push
Sales and marketing are like relationships—you don’t ask someone to marry you on the first date, and you don’t ask a cold audience to buy from you right away.
🔥 Warm them up with value.
🔥 Build trust through education.
🔥 Nurture leads until they’re ready to buy.
🚀 Want to start earning with affiliate marketing the right way?
Join the Share a Biz Affiliate Program and start earning now!