What are effective ways to market an affiliate program (from the Affiliate manager point of view)

by eflo

Posted: 14 years ago 14 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

I just launched an affiliate program using Share A Sale for my day job.
ShareASale.com and Buddha Board Inc.

It managed to get 52 affiliates in a week, but only generated a single sale thus far. I'm new to the Affiliate Manager side of the equation - where the heck do I get new affiliates from? It's not something I can exactly list on CB and we didn't meet the qualifications to hit CJ or some of the other aff networks as it's just getting off the ground.

Are there any good forums for this sort of thing? I might be an intermediate in the Affiliate Marketing world when it comes to selling stuff, but I'm out of my element on the other side of the coin, and basically a beginner again.

Also as I presume the majority of this forum are affiliates like myself - I'm wondering if there are any best practices that you'd like to see from an affiliate standpoint that you WISH your Affiliate Manager would do. The first thing I did was have a graphics designer make every banner size known to man ala wikipedia File:Standard web banner ad sizes.svg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Then I upped the commission rate to a single tier high paying system (Mainly because I just heard about the other problems when dealing with two tier systems) and finally I'm just starting work on a video that explains the product a little better.

Other than being clueless at how to recruit more affiliates en masse besides contacting our customer base, did I miss anything a "somewhat decent" Affiliate Manager should do?

#affiliate #effective #manager #market #point #program #view #ways

fcf360 14 years ago

Try the JV forum, and try to partner up with people with much bigger lists.
- [ 1 ] Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature
WarriorForum.com
The Warrior Forum
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2361886].message }}
- steven-brandon88 14 years ago
  
  To expand a bit more why dont you offer a high commision to entice affilates to promote your product.
  
  if i were you i would start at this warior forum in the JV section, also offer a deal to those with a big list.
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2361918].message }}
RGallowitz 14 years ago

Why not post a blogger job and pay bloggers to write about your affiliate program?
It will drive tons of traffic to your affiliate program.
- [ 1 ] Thanks
Signature

Make INSANE money by promoting PHYSICAL affiliate products.
The one and only "GALLO Affiliate System" -
>> Click Here! <<
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2362043].message }}
Ken Durham 14 years ago

There are a ton of affiliate directories and forums to announce your package.
Participating in their forums can also draw a lot of attention. And if you become known as an authority, not just for your product but by helping others, you will often find your affiliate program highlighted and referred to via moderators and such.

One thing to keep in mind is that many of your new recruits are also going to be new to marketing. Good training material besides marketing material can be essential for the newb.
Also, being available to your affiliates via IM has it's benefits. These guys are your sales force so the more that you help them do their job the better it is for everyone.
Share your marketing knowledge with them and treat each one like they're special and needed. Look at their sites and see how they are displaying your product. Make subtle suggestions on how to improve their sales strategy etc...
Before you know it people will be saying to their friends or on suggesting products to use to give you a try because you are always there to help and will do whatever it takes to make your affiliates successful.

Best of luck to you!
Ken
- [ 1 ] Thanks
Signature

yes, I am....
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2362072].message }}

Lance K

14 years ago

Originally Posted by eflo

It managed to get 52 affiliates in a week, but only generated a single sale thus far.

Is that because of lack of promotion or a poor conversion rate?

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

"You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
~ Zig Ziglar

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2362206].message }}

eflo

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Lance K

Is that because of lack of promotion or a poor conversion rate?

Lack of promotion really - I've seen that most of the sites that are joining are coupon sites, so I'm currently working on figuring out the technical details to setup a coupon code. Been reading articles on how to setup unique codes per affiliate so that people don't steal other coupon codes etc.

Has anyone taken a look at my banners? - They're on the artsy side - I wonder if it's eye catching enough being of the whole "zen" route we're trying not to be overtly obtrusive pitching CLICK HERE in blinking letters and what not.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2362282].message }}

eflo

14 years ago

Originally Posted by fcf360

Try the JV forum, and try to partner up with people with much bigger lists.

Thanks, I'll check out that part of the forum.

Originally Posted by steven-brandon88

To expand a bit more why dont you offer a high commision to entice affilates to promote your product.

if i were you i would start at this warior forum in the JV section, also offer a deal to those with a big list.

We're actually offering a much higher commission going this route than via Amazon - I think Amazon is paying 4-8% or so - while we are paying 12%.

Originally Posted by RGallowitz

Why not post a blogger job and pay bloggers to write about your affiliate program?
It will drive tons of traffic to your affiliate program.

Could be an interesting idea. Actually currently a few blogs have contacted us to do a piece, so I'm shipping them samples - they're doing a giveaway, and to get bonus entries into the system they have to follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook - which makes those two facets grow as well as getting exposure. We're attracting lots of Mommy Bloggers at the moment, but I'd love to get into the Yoga and Martial Arts Niches as well.

Originally Posted by Ken Durham

There are a ton of affiliate directories and forums to announce your package.
Participating in their forums can also draw a lot of attention. And if you become known as an authority, not just for your product but by helping others, you will often find your affiliate program highlighted and referred to via moderators and such.

One thing to keep in mind is that many of your new recruits are also going to be new to marketing. Good training material besides marketing material can be essential for the newb.
Also, being available to your affiliates via IM has it's benefits. These guys are your sales force so the more that you help them do their job the better it is for everyone.
Share your marketing knowledge with them and treat each one like they're special and needed. Look at their sites and see how they are displaying your product. Make subtle suggestions on how to improve their sales strategy etc...
Before you know it people will be saying to their friends or on suggesting products to use to give you a try because you are always there to help and will do whatever it takes to make your affiliates successful.

Best of luck to you!
Ken

Thanks a bunch Ken - you wouldn't happen to know any of these affiliate directories and forums would you? I joined ABestWeb because that's where ShareASale is - but I suppose I'd want to recruit outside of the SAS network because we're already getting exposure within the network.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2362307].message }}

Lance K 14 years ago

Originally Posted by eflo

We're actually offering a much higher commission going this route than via Amazon - I think Amazon is paying 4-8% or so - while we are paying 12%.

What is your average order size? Does Share A Sale have an extended cookie so that future sales get credited to the same affiliate or is it a one shot deal?
- Thanks
Signature

"You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
~ Zig Ziglar
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2362760].message }}

InitialEffort 14 years ago

Offer excellent fair commissions and always pay on time. There are some programs where I am the only affiliate promoting the product. This can be useful as a manager if you can find high quality affiliates.
- Thanks
Signature

--> [10,000+ SOLD] Rank Your Affiliate Website & Video [$1 MILLION PROOF INSIDE] <--
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2362356].message }}
Metro1 14 years ago

I think it is Vendor choice for cookie length at Share A Sale - they average anywhere from 30 days to 6 months
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2363018].message }}
Metro1 14 years ago

I really did see one for 6 months at Share A Sale... but that is unusual, I think
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2363022].message }}
Metro1 14 years ago

Oh - maybe you were referring to something else- pardon me :-)
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2363025].message }}
- Lance K 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Metro1
  
  Oh - maybe you were referring to something else- pardon me :-)
  
  Nope, that's what I was asking. Was just offline for a while. Thanks.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  Signature
  
  "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
  ~ Zig Ziglar
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2363525].message }}
  
  searchnology 14 years ago
  
  I tired Shareaslae once but also got a bunch of coupon sites signing up as affilliates. (not a single sale)
  
  My best approach was just to conduct Google searches for my target keywords (including competitor product names) and use the SERPs to find sites that were in my niche that appeared to have an interest in advertising revenue. (PM me and I'll tell you how to semi-automate this)
  
  Tell-tale signs for good prospects include:
  
  1. They have an opt-in form on their site. This means they could be moneitzing it on the backend.
  2. They already have affiliate and/or Adsense banners on their site.
  
  Once I had a list of prospective sites, I would contact them to pitch me product. Be sure to include some of your banners in the email. It shortens the sale cycle.
  
  Good luck!
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  Google's Keyword Tool is Gone!..You will NEED this! - Watch Demo that Uncovers 1000s of KEYWORDS Other Tools Miss! Â»
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2363564].message }}

What are effective ways to market an affiliate program (from the Affiliate manager point of view)

Trending Topics

How do I effectively build and nurture an email list for affiliate marketing purposes?

Are billboards still effective in driving customers?

Are Solo ADs the Most Cost Effective Way to Promote your Product?

Been a while! Any of you Old Timers here?

How much does the rebranding affect CR ?