How To Turn Your iPod Into A Money Machine

Congratulations on taking the first step in turning your iPod into a money machine. Keep in mind, this is a process of steps you need to go through. Any one of these steps could cause you to stumble or give up. Just be patient, keep trying, and if you need a break, take one. People with internet experience should be able to go through this process in an hour or so. For someone that is new to the internet, this process may take several days to work through or complete. In fact, if you want to sell on the internet, you are never really done. Selling is a process that takes constant marketing, testing and improvement.   

1. Create A Free Website At Blogger.com

First, before you are approved by Apple to receive commissions for iTunes, you need to setup a website. This is much easier than you might think. There are many places you can setup a free website, but I recommend Blogger.com. If you decide to use another website, be sure that you can place sales links on the site. For example, wordpress.com does not allow you to sell any products on your website even though it's a great place to build a site--so be sure you can place sales links on your website which should be explained in the terms of service or TOS. If you have trouble creating the website, just do a search on Google or Youtube.com for "How to create a website on Blogger." You should get many results and videos that can help walk you through the website building process. Just don't get discouraged. Keep trying, you really can't mess anything up. If you do mess up, you can always start over again.   

2. Post Articles On Your Website To Create Traffic

Next, it is helpful if you have traffic on your website. You do this by writing and posting articles on your new website. These articles can really be about anything you want. It might be helpful to write about something you like as a hobby, do for a profession, or really have an interest in. Post as many articles as you like--the more you have the better chance you have of getting more traffic. It is helpful to have a lot of traffic on your site not only for sales, but also so you can get approved to sell iTunes on your website. If you have trouble writing articles, you can go to a site like ezinearticles.com and use up to 10 articles already written on that website. Just search any subject, find articles you like, then re-post them on your website. Just be sure to follow their terms of service--which means you can only use so many articles and have to give the writer of the article credit.

3. Get Approved by Linkshare.com

Next, in order to turn your iPod into a money machine, you need to be approved by Linkshare.com as an affiliate for Apple. What that means is once approved, you will be allowed to receive a commission on each iTune you refer for a sale to Apple. To do this, go to Linkshare.com and click on "join" in the top right corner. Or, you can go to this link which is the Linkshare.com sign-up page. After you enter your personal information, it will ask for website information. Enter your new website information from the blog you started at Blogger.com. They will ask you to estimate traffic numbers to your website. If you aren't sure of your numbers, you may want to over estimate rather than under estimate. Once you are approved by Linkshare.com, you will have several vendors (including Apple) that you can apply for to receive commissions. Once approved by Linkshare, just go to "Programs," then"My Advertisers." Once in, just search for new advertisers, then it just takes one click in order to "Apply" to Apple. After you apply to Apple, you should hear back within about 24 hours via email. Once approved, you can start putting iTunes links on your website to start earning commissions.    

4. Start Posting iTunes Links On Your Website

Once approved by Apple, you just go to "My Advertisers" under "Programs" in Linkshare.com. There you should see Apple listed as "approved." Then, undreneath Apple, click on "view links." Once there, you can choose from the different offers Apple has. then click on "Get the Linking Code." The linking code looks like 4-5 lines of jibberish, which is really html. Just copy and paste that code into your blogger website. If you have any trouble, on the links page on Linkshare, just click where it says "how do I add links to my site?" Now, just post as many links on your site as you can so you increase the chance of a visitor clicking on them and buying a song.

Now you know everything I know about posting iTunes links on your website and making money with iPods. You will probably encounter some obstacles along the way--such as your computer freezing up, frustration with programming your website, etc., which is to be expected. Just don't get discouraged. If you need to, take a break from the computer and try again later or the next day. Many times, in building a website with links, there is a lot of trial and error involved. If you run into trouble, you can search forums or Google--just type in your question--like "How do I post linkshare links on my blogger website?" You will be surprised at how much helpful information is out there. Sometimes, half the trick is just learning the right question to ask, i.e. like "how can i change my blogger template?" 

So, now that you have all the information you need, get started posting links on your new website. Remember to expect problems along the way--if it was that easy, everyone would be doing it. Now, go write those articles, drive traffic to your website, post iTunes links, and start turning your iPod into a money machine!