Earlier today I was checking my email and I got a message from one of the guys that works at NetShops. You've heard me rave about NetShops before, and actually - if you follow this link - you'll notice my testimonial and a link to my site on their affiliate sign-up page.
But I was reminded today of what a great Affiliate Network they are. You see, I had just spent several hours of my time updating all of the product listings on my Dart Supplies website (page by page) earlier this week. I was also working on some other site additions, and fortunately had held off emailing the subscribers until I completed those...
Because I got an email from one of the guys at NetShops letting me know that my product links were incorrect. In fact, they didnt contain my affiliate ID at all. A silly mistake - but obviously a very costly one LOL. Geez! 🙄
I wonder how many weeks would have went by that I wondered why sales had dropped off to nothing? 😛
How many Affiliate Managers do you know that would give you a heads-up like that? How many Affiliate Managers do you know that actually pay attention to details like that, and take the time to contact their affiliates personally?
Not many, right? I know...
That got me thinking about the Affiliate Managers and Affiliate Networks that I work with (which is quite a few) and what it is exactly that I love about some, and really dislike about others. This is what I came up with off the top of my head:
I love:
- Personal contact
- Great creative
- Plenty of options (articles, datafeeds, deep linking, etc)
- A good follow-up & informative email system that keeps me 'in the loop'
I dislike:
- Pushy or persistent Affiliate Managers (that obviously care more about what I can do for THEM than what they can do for me as their Affiliate)
- Poor graphics and/or very little creative to work with
- Having no way to get in touch with anyone about anything
Feel free to add to that list 😉
Technorati Tags: affiliate marketing, affiliate programs, affiliate managers, affiliate networks, netshops
About Lynn Terry
It's really nice when they actually give you decent tools to work with. When you get brandable articles, free ecourses, text and solo mailing text it gives you a number of ways to promote a product.
And having lifetime cookies is good too. That way if you are the first one to introduce something to your list and later someone buys the product, you still get credit.
Last but not least, it feels good when the affiliate manager stays in communication with you, gets to know you, and makes you feel like a friend or valued part of the team.
Well, there's an invitation Lynn! You asked for it....
I hate...
1) Affiliate programs that start up, and then dissapear.
I just had to deal with one tonight. I spent many hours adding their products to my new website, only to have them disapear off of the face of the internet, leaving a 404 behind. (EEEEEEEEEEk). I only made ten bucks, so no biggy. I actually hope they come back.
They had really great content to ad to my new website.
2) Affiliate programs that dont provide good tracking.
I would almost say that it it is not wise to get involved with any affiliate program that dont provide third party tracking. I say this because you, as the affiliate, have know way of knowing if the folks that you are affiliated with are being honest with you, the affiliate marketer. On the other hand, many new companies that have great products cannot afford the high priced third party tracking systems that are available. The judgement is left up to you, the affiliate marketer. I have never had any problems with testing the affiliate programs that I have signed up with, by making a purchase.
3)Non-Responsive affiliate prorams.
Every good affiliate program that I have ever worked with or for has had someone there to answer questions that I might have, even if it is another affiliate. Some however, take their time to answer your questions. These are generally the same programs that take their time to pay you, also.
I love...
1) Affiliate programs that have good substance to work with. This includes articles, banners, direct page linking, and most of all , content that fits ito the content of your own website.
2) Tech help. Nothing better than to know that you are working with other people that are glad to help you with the tech side of things, and acknowledge that you, the affiliate, are not only working for your paycheck, but theirs also.
3) Affiliate programs that pay ontime. And pay you for your efforts.
If I was starting up a new business online, I think that the first thing that I would do is start an affiliate program. It would be a whole lot more productive for me to pay my affiliates for their results, then to shell out money for advertising, in the very unstable advertising markets that are available today, and take chances.
There are many established affiliate programs available today, that are operated by those successful business minded people, that understand this, and thrive on this. And they pay ontime.
I also love....
1) Small, Home based Businesses that started off with an Idea, and grew into major corperations. This makes me feel like their is hope for the small, home based business type of guy. I have been with one such company, as an affiliate, since their beginning. They have gone out of their way to make sure everything is working for me, including links from their website to mine, even helping build my tier.
2) Affiliate programs with great tracking.
Ok, back on this subject. It really helps when the company that you affiliate with provides you with the tools that you need to improve your sales. This includes, but not limited to tracking that tells you things like hits, impressions, click thru ratios, and sales to click ratios. These things help me to fine tune my efforts, and make it a win-win situation for both me and the company that I affiliate with.
3)Other Affiliate Marketers.
Many people have decided to put off the normal 9 to 5 routine to join a breed of people that are unique. I cannot say that it has been an easy road, and in fact there are many days that I wish that I could go back to line cooking at the local ihop, or be the face behind the counter at the local store. I dont think that I would feel this alive though, with the feeling that every check that I make was directly due to the effort that I have put out. It has, and is a road that I choose to travel. It is always great to chat with others that have chose to do the same. I don't think that it is always easy, but it really is rewarding.
4)I love affiliate forums. I wont elaborate here.
5) I love the fact that my bosses wont fire me because I came to work in my underwear, or my breath didn't quite smell right.
But, Most of all, I love the freedom that affiliate marketing has given me to get on doing the things that I really enjoy in life. Im sure all affiliate marketers will join me on that point. Isn't that the reason in the first place???
Peace,
Troy
I would second all that has been posted.
These are definitely some great additions to the list! 😉
I've had problems of my own with affiliate managers that dont pay, so I am surprised I didnt add that to the original list!
Detailed Tracking is definitely a plus!
Obviously the quality of the product/service you are promoting is a major factor as well - which is another thing I should have added to my list.
And I would also say that the character and reputation of the company or individual that you are working with matters... It doesnt matter how good they are to you, or how great their product is, if you know they have the tendency to be a 'worm'. Or worse if your own reputation is put on the line for promoting their program.