Affiliate Program Woes...

[DotNetAllDay]

I am new to this forum, so I'm not completely sure about policies and postings, but I have a question regarding affiliate programs. :confused:

My company has created an in-house affiliate marketing module (tracks clicks, sales, etc.), and I have taken the role of promoting this program. Since the program is in-house, the most common programs (CJ, ShareASale) don't really apply to us.

How can we promote our affiliate program effectively? Our products are awesome (I am biased, though), our payouts are pretty good (12% - 15%), and our average sale is pretty good too (~$80).

I am asking you guys because you are the experts!

Thanks,
Jason Kiesel

[rustybrick]

There are many ways.

(1) PPC
(2) SEO
(3) Ask experts to try them out for free and write reviews
(4) Partner with hosting companies
(5) Email Marketing
(6) Exhibit at Conferences
(7) Word of Mouth

The list goes on.

Welcome to the forums!

[Marcia]

Jason, when you're talking about promoting, are you talking about promoting the site itself, or about finding affiliates to sign up - and making the program attractive so that good ones will sign up?

[DotNetAllDay]

I'm referring to marketing the affiliate program itself. I'm trying to get quality affiliates to sign up and help drive sales. :)

We are already marketing the website through PPC, SEO, Online Ads, and Print Ads.

Thanks,
Jason A. Kiesel

[sugarrae]

If you don't have any connections within the affiliate industry, you're best bet would probably be hiring a quality affiliate manager with a good reputation with larger affiliates. They can be well worth the money when you get a good one.

Outside of that, sponsor industry shows, advertise on sites/message boards that cater to affiliates, attend industry shows and network. You can have the best affiliate program/conversion/payout in the world, but if the right type of affiliates don't know about it, the program can still sink.

[Marcia]

You'll probably want to make your cookie duration a little easier to find, and also guarantee that it's "parasite free."

There are others out there, but the one I'm familiar with is Haiko's: aBestWeb (http://www.abestweb.com/)

He's got a special forum to announce (advertise) new programs, and it might be a good way to reach some good people and maybe get some helpful feedback that's AM specific.

[AussieWebmaster]

I'm referring to marketing the affiliate program itself. I'm trying to get quality affiliates to sign up and help drive sales. :)

We are already marketing the website through PPC, SEO, Online Ads, and Print Ads.

Thanks,
Jason A. Kiesel

Write some great ads and buy advertising at places like ADSpyre and other publications that push newsletters out to affiliates... Revenue is a new print mag and online zine that is absolutely geared to your needs.
Find affiliate forums and post there in the SPAM thread or offer tips with your signature linking to your site.

[AussieWebmaster]

The one cavaet about the software is that most affiliate marketers like working with the big companies since they have a sense of security with payment and an independent body tracking sales etc.
The shaving of clicks and sales is a huge issue in this area.

[5starAffiliatePrograms]

Hi DotNetAllDay,

I do affiliate management consulting and promotion for a living, so can tell you that one of the best ways to promote your program is to become active in affiliate forums. NOT just to promote, but to help, support and build REAL long lasting relationships. The one listed in the post above charges a fee, but most of the other affiliate forums allow a free new program announcement. I mod the affiliate forum at WebProWorld and we allow a free new program announcement there.

There are many great affiliate forums out there but my favorite for lots of reasons is Affiliate Boards (http://affiliateboards.com/messageboard/index.php?act=idx). You do need to be active and make 20 contributing posts before you can promote your program there or you can pay to open a merchant forum for less than 500% of what that other forum charges.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

[Drastic]

Passive-

Make your aff info page easier to find and use.
First I clicked "online partners" then "Camera Bag Resellers" before I found the link under "about us."

You're already wasting my time. Most of the time I find aff program links in the footer of the home page.

Throw up some bullets about the specifics.
Mine time is very valuable, and I don't want to waste it reading paragraphs to find specifics.
%
bonus
cookie duration
tracking
payment
etc

Active -

Instead of trolling noisy forums and getting people to join who may or may not succeed, why not find the guys who already have the traffic.

So who is ranking for camera bags? Are they an aff? How does the program they are promoting now compare to what you have? Maybe you need to be more competitive. Email them.

You have a great cross sell product - find camera affs - plenty of 'em. Send the guys getting the traffic an email. (again, you'll find them on the serps)

People bidding on PPC - same thing, contact them. (DON'T click their PPC listings)

When you send an email, do not send a bunch of marketspeak. I don't have time for that, I already know the deal. Something like:
"Hi,
We sell x, y and z. We pay abc. Let us know if you're interested."
That's quick, to the point, and shows you might not be a pain to deal with.

If I sign up with you, then leave me alone. I don't want a relationship, I already have a woman - I just want checks.

If I send you a question before or after we partner, answer it on the spot. Otherwise leave me alone unless you just want to pay me more.

[NFFC]

Might as well make the first post a good one, rep duely hit.

"If I sign up with you, then leave me alone. I don't want a relationship, I already have a woman - I just want checks."

Thats what I hear from all the playas.

Psst, Welcome Drastic :)

[sugarrae]

LOL, man drastic - couldn't have said it half as well, much less better LOL.

If I send you a question before or after we partner, answer it on the spot

Highly agree. Easiest way to get me to drop your affiliate program is for you to be lazy with *my* money.

[AussieWebmaster]

Absolutely customer support/service is one of the most important elements of a successful affiliate program
Then the resources necessary to help your affiliates to make solid sales. Great banners, full page ads, successful methods for marketing - passing along as much information as possible.
Simple sign-up and good stats - independent reporting and payment - should also be factored in.

[Affiliate Program Manager]

NFFC
>"If I sign up with you, then leave me alone. I don't want a relationship,"

There is a lot of "over management" going on at some forums I visit.