Joining Affiliate Networks?

[cbpeanut]

I have an affiliate program finally setup for my website with DirectTrack. They have listed me in the DirectLeads network. How do I get listed with other networks so more publisher looking for affiliate programs will find mine?

Thanks for any help.

Charlie
LocateAmerica.com

[Marcia]

I have an affiliate program finally setup for my website with DirectTrack. They have listed me in the DirectLeads network. They have you listed because you're enrolled with their network.

How do I get listed with other networks so more publisher looking for affiliate programs will find mine?You can't get listed with the other networks unless you're signed up with them as a merchant, like you are with DL. Part of the services networks provide is to present offers to potential affiliate partners, but that's a service only rendered on behalf of their own merchants who are signed with them - and have paid them.

There are some "affiliate directory" sites out there that list programs, and though I haven't looked at any for quite a while I seem to remember that many of those seemed to be all two-tier, so that the people running the sites got an override commission off of those they referred with their tracking code.

There are affiliate community sites where you can announce your program, but that's different from being listed with a network - which you have to be part of to get listed with. One of the sites where you can announce or advertise is ABestWeb (http://www.abestweb.com/advertising/) but as you can see, as would be expected, it costs to advertise or announce.

[5starAffiliatePrograms]

Hi cbpeanut,

Yes Marcia is right on all counts.

Getting on a big network like Commission Junction cost around 5K to set up and then you pay them 30% of whatever you pay affiliates monthly on top of that. CJ is also very selective and not easy these days to get into. A smaller network like Shareasale only costs 150 set up and 20% per month so that may be an option.

Couple other things you can try. DT has a cross publishing feature. If you have not activated that option it many help a little. You can get listed in some of the top directories - that does not usually pull many new affiliates but it is good to be listed. I would focus on getting listed in about the top 7 or so.
http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Internet/Web_Design_and_Development/Authoring/Webmaster_Resources/Affiliate_Programs/Resources/Directories/

There are several affiliate forums that allow free affiliate program announcements. I mod a few of them.

Basically building an affiliate program up requires constant recruiting efforts on multiple fronts. Joining multiple networks is one way, but it can be very costly and is not always the best option. Try DT cross promote, get listed in some directories and announce your program on forums that allow it, being careful to read the rules. Getting good affiliates is tough, but I hope these suggestions help.

Linda