How many networks are there now?  At least a few thousand.  And a continuing trend we’ve been following is the propensity of networks built out of network affiliations.  What?  You got it.  There are Affiliate Networks that are nothing but a network who’s entire portfolio of offers are in reality nothing but that network being a member of many other networks.

So what’s the point?  We think it’s consolidation.  Now think about this for a little bit.  The longest chain you probobly have right now is yourself, being an affiliate of a number of networks and enrolled in multiple programs across multiple networks.  Each with either in-house or OPM management.  It’s very easily feasible that your dealing with 10 managers for 20 programs on 12 networks and you have 20 or more sites running.

What’s the path of least resistance all around?  Shedding unprofitable relationships and consolidating your offers and management.  Which is why (we think) that so many of the newer “network of networks” are owned/operated by OPM’s.

By being enrolled in a hybrid model like this the network (of networks) is consolidating offers, management, etc. and your dealing with fewer people to be able to either reduce your workload or increase the number of offers/sites your creating.  Not a bad concept.  There is also a “dual edged sword” effect where in the long run costs will be driven out of the system (leaving more money for the merchant, the network, and you) or that this is the harbinger of an industry wide consolidation.  Where your options will be reduced.

If I had nearly unlimited funds, I’d build a network of networks myself, buy a coupld strong OPM firms, buy a couple regional ISP/Hosting companies for infrastructure, toss in a couple agencies (Advertising and Social Media) and wring all the shared costs out of the system.  Then use the cost savings to increase affiliate payouts and build the company itself.  It wouldn’t take long for someone with big pockets to literally drive the entire marketplace into a model like this.  And I do believe it’s already underway.

The big questions are if the merchants will go for it, if affiliates will see the consolidation as a profit opportunity, and if the existing “network of networks” companies continue to increase in number / scale or not.

Hello, I’m Scott and I’m an Accordion-A-Holic.  And in being that geeky tech guy that is into things, well, like accordions I’ve learned alot about Internet Marketing.  No, I mean it.  I’ve learned that to be a terrific Internet Marketer you need to Be Like Mike.

Who is this Mike?  Mike is one of my marketing heros.  I’ve never met him.  I don’t need to.  Mike is someone that by simply watching what and how they sell on Ebay you can take valuable lessons back to apply to your own efforts in ways that you cannot go wrong.

I introduce to you, Accordionist/Pastor/Ebay Seller Extrordinaire Mike Macchia of Hobart Indiana.

Accordionist Mike Macchia (photo from indiana.edu)

Mike does what he does so well that we should all “Be Like Mike”.  Here are the things I picked up on after running across a couple of his Ebay listings.

1) Mike has focus.  He knows accordions.  He sticks to it.

2) Mike is honest.  He tells it like it is.

3) Mike is consistent.  His item titles ALWAYS have the same phrasing.  Just search on Ebay for Accordion In Tune.  Almost every listing will be one of Mikes.

4) Mike embraces technology for what it does, not that its the “latest thing”.  He uses YouTube to demonstrate every accordion.  And yes, Mike can play.  Maybe even up to the par of Tony Lovello.  He’s very, very good.

Here’s a guy that started learning how to play the accordion at the tender age of 10.  Grew up, got an education, has been a Pastor for 45 years, teaches accordion and is obviously one busy guy.  And he’s developed his own style and method for selling used accordions on Ebay using all the same elements we all need to be using with our own affiliate marketing efforts.

And to digress just a second…  I’m looking for a Nobel 120 Bass 3/5 Set Reed Accordion..  And Christmas is coming.  I’m just saying.

You have to have watched his Ebay activities for a while.  And I have.  I’ve watched Mike sell accordion after accordion.  Proving that they’re in tune and very playable with his YouTube videos.  He says the same thing at the beginning and end of every video demonstration..  “Hello, it’s Mike Again…  This time I have a (insert detail and demo here)…  Bid high and take a look at my feedback I’m batting 100%”.  I did mention that Mike is personable, charismatic, consistent, and honest, didn’t I.  And all without being pushy, arrogant, or obnoxious.  And he sells alot of accordions.  A whole lot of accordions.  I’m guessing just a bit, but I think he’s selling nearly 100 per year.  At an average sell price of $350 or more.  That’s $35,000+ Gross Revenue in accordions!

And no, if you didn’t do the research you wouldn’t know that Mike is a church pastor, that he’s involved in the Indiana Master Artist Program, that he is an accordion instructor.  He doesn’t flaunt himself to sell his accordions.  He doesn’t claim to be a “guru” or an accordion wizard.  He doesn’t use his career as a pastor to convey trust to his customers.  In other words, Mike is just “Accordion Mike”.

Now go find out how you can apply the lessons from Mike on Ebay.  Watch his videos, watch how consistent his listings are while being true to the instrument he’s selling.  Look over his feedback and you’ll see why you should Be Like Mike.