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No Clickbank vendor replied to my email...

by Lucian Lada
54 replies
I've sent 11 emails 4-5 days ago and nobody replied at all! I'm getting real fed up by their behavior.

I wrote them saying that I want to promote their product, explaining them in detail how I will do it and so on, and at the end I kindly asked for a review copy.

I get it, they don't want to send me a review copy, but is that hard to hit the reply button and say "Sorry, we do not send review copies" ?

Now I'm in the situation that I don't have what to promote, because the other products in those niches are either low priced either have leaks like opt-ins etc.

Has this happened to you?
#clickbank #email #replied #vendor
  • Profile picture of the author Venturetothetop
    I get tons of similar requests each day - I have a gatekeeper handling these requests but here is my take on it:

    i would like to promote your product: - Fantastic, well we have a dedicated affiliate section with tools and tutorials to help you

    BUT - I need to review it first: - oh I see, you using marketing tricks on me. You do not want to sell my product - you just MIGHT want to sell my product.

    Ok, I can live with that but here is the only time I would consider a review copy to people I do not know:

    1) When you clearly tell me your successes with affiliate marketing thus far. Do not try to excite me with the concept that you MIGHT promote my product, excite me by the fact you are an affiliate I really should have onboard.

    2) Link to some of the stuff you have mentioned - Don't just tell me why you are a super affiliate show me proof. Remember, I get tons of these each day, and once we read the first few lines we hardly read the rest unless you stand out.

    3) Tell me something about me - If you want a review copy then show me that you have clearly read my sales page already, perhaps you have even researched me and seen the reaction from customers to my other products.

    4 - If you gave up after one email, then you were most probably a freebie seeker. I know people who rarely reply to anyone on the first email when they do not know them... if they really care about the product they will write twice.

    Unfortunately every email reply costs me money as someone spends the time to compose it. Not every email deserves a reply, so make sure your email helps the recipient feel compelled to reply.

    If you think you are being clever by asking them for a review copy - you are not as there are scores of others doing the same - stand out and you will see reply rates improve.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
      Originally Posted by Venturetothetop View Post

      BUT - I need to review it first: - oh I see, you using marketing tricks on me. You do not want to sell my product - you just MIGHT want to sell my product.
      Why would I want to sell a product that I know nothing off? the sales page could be good but the product not that great. So yes, of course I MIGHT and I'm not sure until I see it.
      It's the same thing when a person goes into a bookstore and wants to buy a course on how to learn English better. They want to take a look at it before they buy it.


      I've recently seen a product that had a good sales page but when the vendor offered me a trial membership to his website I was shocked. The information was horrible put together, the loading time was infinite and the whole website screamed amateurish.

      Originally Posted by Venturetothetop View Post

      4 - If you gave up after one email, then you were most probably a freebie seeker. I know people who rarely reply to anyone on the first email when they do not know them... if they really care about the product they will write twice.
      What should I write in the second email? Is it ok to write the same thing again and just mention this is the second email?
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      • Profile picture of the author sharkey
        Originally Posted by canyon View Post

        Why would I want to sell a product that I know nothing off? the sales page could be good but the product not that great. So yes, of course I MIGHT and I'm not sure until I see it.
        Here's some insight for you from a seller.
        I don't have an affiliate program yet - but I'm setting one up for my products.
        I already get a ton of emails asking for freebies every day when I have a trial available on my website for 4 dollars. BUY THE TRIAL
        I have a retail product - and I have to spend not only my own money but my time to either ship someone a product or pay someone to ship a product for me.
        I have hundreds of reviews already for my product which are stellar.

        Every day I deal with tons of stores who won't sell a product unless I send them a sample. I used to send samples when my product was new. I was inundated with sample seekers. When I follow up with them about the product 90% of the time they didn't try it 3 weeks later. about once a month I get an email from one business I sent the sample to saying they just bought the business and they know i sent a sample to the previous owner, can they have one too?

        bottom line - I ignore almost every request for a sample unless I know they are serious about selling my product. I have hundreds of extremely positive reviews, why do I need to send someone something for free? read the reviews.

        To my retailers, I usually ask them to buy the product at wholesale and then I'll refund it when they send me their first order, or I'll send them an extra free one. When I make people purchase their samples, when I follow up with them they've almost always tried it out. When they have money invested in something - even if it's a few dollars, they're gonna try it out. I make exceptions to this frequently depending on who the retailer is, but I have to triage my time and who I'm talking to. If I get an email from a little 1 person web store who will maybe sell 1 product all year because they don't promote their website and they have 2 facebook fans - I'm not sending them a sample.

        If you're going to be an affiliate, why don't you make some sales first and build a relationship with the vendor or buy it yourself? by asking for a free sample right off the top, you don't seem serious about selling their product and you look like you just want a freebie. when you try it out and you don';t like it - then just stop sellign their product if it's not something you can get behind. The bottom line is IS IT SOMETHING THAT SELLS?
        as an affiliate that should be the only thing that matters to you. can you sell it?
        depending on how expensive the item is that you're asking for a freebie for, they may not even see you as worth their time/money. How do they know they are getting that investment back?

        if you want to try out all these products -Start a blog where you review items if you just want free stuff.
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      • Profile picture of the author Venturetothetop
        Originally Posted by canyon View Post

        What should I write in the second email? Is it ok to write the same thing again and just mention this is the second email?
        The second email should make it very easy for them to reply. It should not put them in a position where they feel, you are angry at not being replied to, or that it will be a tough conversation.

        Somebody sent me one this morning which fits well. I didn't use the ignore trick on them, I genuinely forgot to reply, but here is what they wrote.

        Hi Dee Kumar

        Just a gentle reminder about the email I sent last week. I would really love the opportunity to work with you, and feel we could create some magic when we put our heads together!

        Look forward to hearing from you.

        President Obama.


        I guess you can see, that perhaps now I would take the time to craft a reply!

        It was easy for me to reply, as the email generally only asked for some of my time to talk, so my reply could simply have been 'Hi, add me on Skype and let's talk'.
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        • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
          Ok so I've read all the replies. Thank you all.

          Bottom line I don't see why some vendors here think giving away a review copy is such a big deal and don't respond to emails.

          My emails were all over 1,100 words and I clearly took me at least an hour to write them. If you as a vendor can't see this, then you have a problem with your attitude.

          A simple hit of the reply button and insertion of a pre-written content like "Hello, Thanks for your email <my_name>, however we do not send review copies at the moment" takes under 30 seconds. Not to mention the content is canned.

          Also, for God's sake people, do you think that your ebooks are not shared between friends? Do you always think that there is only one person behind a sale? There are lots of cases of group buys.

          But you know what is the difference between me and the persons from a group buy? They won't make you money anymore for that product, but I will.

          So many vendors deserve refunds from people who ask for it after 3 minutes. They treat new affiliates the same way some people treat vendors, so they are even.

          I don't want to offend anyone, but this is true for lots of vendors. Of course this is true for some affiliates as well, but you want to make more money? learn which affiliate is a serious one and which isn't. Because saying no to a new affiliate will make him go to another vendor until someone says yes. And when he gets he won't even look back at your product.

          I also don't see why some vendors see themselves above affiliates... maybe someone can explain this to me? (especially when they give out 75% commission).
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          • Profile picture of the author Harveywhite
            Banned
            [DELETED]
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          • Profile picture of the author drmani
            Originally Posted by canyon View Post

            My emails were all over 1,100 words and I clearly took me at least an hour to write them. If you as a vendor can't see this, then you have a problem with your attitude.
            Sorry, but no.

            Entitlement is an attitude that won't get you far, be it
            negotiating affiliate deals or more complex JVs.

            I also don't see why some vendors see themselves above affiliates... maybe someone can explain this to me? (especially when they give out 75% commission).
            BOTH sides are partners in such deals.

            Expecting something as a "matter of right" from the other
            isn't the best attitude to begin a relationship.

            My 2 cents.

            ...but you want to make more money? learn which affiliate is a serious one and which isn't.
            If you're a great affiliate, I (the vendor) will approach
            you to ask for your support in promoting.

            Until then, you (the affiliate) are an 'as yet unproven'
            entity to me - and you can't expect any preferential
            treatment just because your communication to me was well
            thought out or elaborate.

            Relationship-building is key. It can happen in so many
            different ways. Asking for a review copy isn't the best,
            as your experience with 11 rejections shows.

            Because saying no to a new affiliate will make him go to another vendor until someone says yes. And when he gets he won't even look back at your product.
            Like I said, it's a two-way street.

            If I have a killer promotion with a high EPC and great
            conversions, believe me you (and other super-affiliates)
            will be back. (Unless our relationship sours for some
            reason, and it gets personal )

            All success
            Dr.Mani
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          • Profile picture of the author ryanjm
            Originally Posted by canyon View Post

            My emails were all over 1,100 words and I clearly took me at least an hour to write them.
            Holy crap, that's the main problem right there. You have to think about the product creator's position as well. For instance if you asked the "Diet solution" guy to read that email, you're basically asking a millionaire to spend 10 minutes of his day reading an email from someone that wants something for free which may or may not make the millionaire a few extra dollars. Granted, he probably has answering emails outsourced at this point, but it costs someone money to read a huge email like that.

            I'd much rather get an email from someone saying, "Hey, I'd really like to promote your product on my site xyz.com which is ranked #1 for how to lose weight and gets 1,000 unique visitors a day." That would instantly tell them you're a serious marketer and have a way for them to recoup their "freebie" cost to you almost immediately.
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            • Profile picture of the author Harvey Segal
              Originally Posted by ryanjm View Post

              That would instantly tell them you're a serious marketer and have a way for them to recoup their "freebie" cost to you almost immediately.
              Your aim should be to get the vendor to say

              "That sounds grand, canyon"

              .
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              • Profile picture of the author MariusBakken
                Hi Canyon,

                I've got one of the better selling Clickbank products, top 10 in one of the main categories, and I got an email 4 days ago that sounds very similar to what you explain (it may even have been yours), see below. Names taken away.

                Read what ryanjm said - you want to change your approach to focusing on numbers, instead of listing all kinds of marketing techniques that are already well known to any successful marketer. They don't have time to read through all that.

                I didn't bother to reply to the below mail due to 1) it looked copy + paste - probably sent to several vendors 2) it said nothing about volumes and I was not sure it was worth the time, in a very busy schedule.

                That email may not be yours, but sounds like a similar approach, so take it as an example.



                "Dec 12 (4 days ago)

                to me

                Hello,

                My name is [contact name], and I would like to promote your product "[my product]" which I found in the Clickbank Marketplace.

                So why am I interested in your product?

                The first reason is that the market is huge and the competition is little. Also the price is right for a product with so great bonuses and in a niche so small. It cost less than a good pair of running shoes so potential costumers won't have a hard time buying it.

                In addition I like the sales page. I think it suits well my traffic.
                How exactly will I promote your product?


                1. Article marketing


                I like and I am good at writing articles. Here is my model so you'll see that it works. Every one of my articles feature:

                a) 1,000 - 1,200 words so they contain lots of information I gain trust this way because people often see only 400 - 600 words articles. When people see one that long they think: "this person really did some work here".

                b) It will be entertaining - meaning that it will have some humor in it and it will be very enjoyable to read it. It will be like an easy afternoon lecture but packed with great information.

                c) It will have lots of controversy and be provocative so readers will be engaged and will hang on until the end of the article.

                As you can see this is a great recipe for articles that people remember and share.

                What I do next is contact ezine publishers, bloggers and webmasters in the running/ fitness/ other related niches and offer them my article in exchange for a "Resource Box" that contains the link to my webpage at the bottom of the article. This way I get access to their already built list and loyal visitors. What usually happens is that I will get a flood of highly targeted traffic to my website all craving for more information, information that your product will offer them.



                2. Free eBook with your product promotion at the end


                Visitors will be offered a free incentive to opt-in in my list. This incentive is a mini eBook with some general tips how to achieve better results in a marathon run. The last point in the eBook is called "Call In The Expert". Here is where your product promotion takes place. I will talk about it in 1-2 paragraphs making sure I include all the benefits they will gain by purchasing your product. Of course, after this there will be a link for them to click on to your sales page.


                As you can see the promotion of your product will be integrated seamlessly in the mini eBook and most of them won't even notice it's a promotion and just go ahead and click the link.


                Why do this? Because I've seen from my experience that good free materials are shared between people so you will get the chance to have potential costumers even if they never visited my website or yours.


                3. Autoresponders and broadcasts


                As you've probably noticed I build list of highly relevant potential costumers. So what do I do this this list? I sent periodical emails to them. Once in every 3 emails there will be a promotion of your product. That specific email, will have lots of great information, humor in all the right places and will leave them wanting for more because again, it will not contain full information on the subject. The natural thing for them is to click on the affiliate link and visit your website where your sales page will make them buy the product.


                4. Review page of your product


                On my website there will be a dedicated page that will review your product. The review will seem genuine because I will not feature any deceptive claims or credibility losing promises. Also it will be neutral with a positive touch to make it look more natural to people. The negative points of it will include irrelevant facts for people like "not to many reviews because it's new" and so on, nothing that in reality is a turn off.

                The review page will be advertised using an eye-catching image and text in the left sided sidebar because that's were the golden triangle is so more people will notice it. As you can see, the review page will be displayed on all pages when navigating through the website, except of course when they are on the review page itself.


                Additional promotion techniques:
                a) In every email I send there will be lots of links for the subscribers to click on. Why? Because I want them to get accustomed to doing this so when I send an email with your product promotion they will be more likely to click on it and visit your sales page.
                b) At the end of each article that I publish on my website there will be a "push" paragraph towards the review page. This means that I will give them real reasons to convince them to at least visit the review page on my website.

                Research carried out in this niche :

                I've been looking around to see how others are doing. There are lots of website and forums but they don't really offer a free viable solution. What these websites contain most is tips and tricks but not a complete and easy system. Also many of them miss out on other important things such as food advice and injury recovery.

                Questions about your product :

                I am curious to know if the ebooks are suitable to print or can they be easily read on a Kindle or iPad?
                Also will you develop in the future another product at a similar price? I think the market is so desperately wanting for these kind of products since hiring a coach is very expensive.

                With this in mind, I respectfully ask you if you could please be kind enough to send me a review copy. It will make things easier for both you and me because now I can pre-sell your product better. This way they will know exactly what they get so the chances of refund will drastically decrease.

                Thank your for taking the time to read this email and I hope this turns out in a great business relationship that will benefit the both of us. If you have any questions or require additional information, do not hesitate to contact me.

                Yours Faithfully,
                [name]
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                • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
                  Originally Posted by MariusBakken View Post

                  I didn't bother to reply to the below mail
                  I wouldn't have either.

                  This sounds like someone who has done a lot of research, but very little actual marketing or selling.

                  Another one I don't respond to is "I can drive X clicks." I don't give a crap about clicks. Tell me how you can tell you've got the attention of people who want my product.
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            • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
              Originally Posted by ryanjm View Post

              I'd much rather get an email from someone saying, "Hey, I'd really like to promote your product on my site xyz.com which is ranked #1 for how to lose weight and gets 1,000 unique visitors a day." That would instantly tell them you're a serious marketer and have a way for them to recoup their "freebie" cost to you almost immediately.
              It does no such thing...

              All it tells them is that you have a page that ranks #1 for a pretty generic term within the niche, and that you get a little traffic for it. It says nothing about how successful you are in getting those visitors to click your affiliate links, or in how successful the vendor is in being able to turn those click-throughs into buyers.

              I don't care how many unique visitors you get if they bounce immediately, or wander off into a maze of Adsense blocks and other ads that many affiliates insist on packing onto their pages.

              You want to impress me with how serious you are? Instead of raw traffic numbers or search rankings, tell me some numbers that benefit me. Like, for a similar product, how many clicks you were able to generate from that 1,000 per day. And how many sales per day, on average, those clicks turned into.

              The numbers themselves are less important than the fact that you know what benefits me, and that you know those numbers in the first place...
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              • Profile picture of the author ryanjm
                Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

                It does no such thing...

                All it tells them is that you have a page that ranks #1 for a pretty generic term within the niche, and that you get a little traffic for it. It says nothing about how successful you are in getting those visitors to click your affiliate links, or in how successful the vendor is in being able to turn those click-throughs into buyers.

                I don't care how many unique visitors you get if they bounce immediately, or wander off into a maze of Adsense blocks and other ads that many affiliates insist on packing onto their pages.

                You want to impress me with how serious you are? Instead of raw traffic numbers or search rankings, tell me some numbers that benefit me. Like, for a similar product, how many clicks you were able to generate from that 1,000 per day. And how many sales per day, on average, those clicks turned into.

                The numbers themselves are less important than the fact that you know what benefits me, and that you know those numbers in the first place...
                Meh, I disagree with this. If he's showing you his site, you can make that quality determination yourself in a 10 second glance of his site. The sales per day for another product has nothing to do with how well a different product will sell. I've had a dozen different products promoted on a weight loss site, and there was a clear winner simply because the product's sales page converted way better than the others. The affiliate sends targeted traffic to your sales page, if you can't make the sale, hit the bricks pal cuz I got no use for you (glengarry reference ). As a vendor I want my product in front of as much targeted traffic as possible, and seeing as how 1,000 uniques a day is nothing to sneeze at, I can make a snap decision that sending a review product to an affiliate which costs me almost nothing is a profitable decision.

                Furthermore, the affiliate could pull those sales/conversion numbers out of his arse. Rankings don't lie, and they show at least a basic competence (if not advanced) in understanding how to generate traffic. Traffic is 90% of the sale in my experience since even terrible sales copy will still get clickthroughs if the site has enough visitors, but if you don't get traffic it doesn't matter how great your sales copy is.
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        • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
          Originally Posted by Venturetothetop View Post

          The second email should make it very easy for them to reply. It should not put them in a position where they feel, you are angry at not being replied to, or that it will be a tough conversation.

          Somebody sent me one this morning which fits well. I didn't use the ignore trick on them, I genuinely forgot to reply, but here is what they wrote.

          Hi Dee Kumar

          Just a gentle reminder about the email I sent last week. I would really love the opportunity to work with you, and feel we could create some magic when we put our heads together!

          Look forward to hearing from you.

          President Obama.


          I guess you can see, that perhaps now I would take the time to craft a reply!

          It was easy for me to reply, as the email generally only asked for some of my time to talk, so my reply could simply have been 'Hi, add me on Skype and let's talk'.

          Wow, the email worked like a charm! after 3 hours the vendor replied and gave me a review copy and he even offered his help in case I needed it!

          Thanks Venturetothetop!
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          • Profile picture of the author Venturetothetop
            Originally Posted by canyon View Post

            Wow, the email worked like a charm! after 3 hours the vendor replied and gave me a review copy and he even offered his help in case I needed it!

            Thanks Venturetothetop!
            You are welcome. It is always nice to know when your knowledge helps people.
            Sometimes doing the 10% of things that other people do not (following up) can bring 90% of the results.

            I am confused as to how this thread became an affiliate verses vendor attitude debate. The way I see it is simple, 'affiliate marketers' are really.... MARKETERS!

            If they cannot 'sell' their abilities and themselves to me (WHEN THEY CONTACT ME!), then I assume they will also have little chance of successfully selling my product.

            and with that, I exit this 'debate'....
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    • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
      Originally Posted by Venturetothetop View Post

      I get tons of similar requests each day - I have a gatekeeper handling these requests but here is my take on it:

      i would like to promote your product: - Fantastic, well we have a dedicated affiliate section with tools and tutorials to help you

      BUT - I need to review it first: - oh I see, you using marketing tricks on me. You do not want to sell my product - you just MIGHT want to sell my product.

      Ok, I can live with that but here is the only time I would consider a review copy to people I do not know:

      1) When you clearly tell me your successes with affiliate marketing thus far. Do not try to excite me with the concept that you MIGHT promote my product, excite me by the fact you are an affiliate I really should have onboard.

      2) Link to some of the stuff you have mentioned - Don't just tell me why you are a super affiliate show me proof. Remember, I get tons of these each day, and once we read the first few lines we hardly read the rest unless you stand out.

      3) Tell me something about me - If you want a review copy then show me that you have clearly read my sales page already, perhaps you have even researched me and seen the reaction from customers to my other products.

      4 - If you gave up after one email, then you were most probably a freebie seeker. I know people who rarely reply to anyone on the first email when they do not know them... if they really care about the product they will write twice.

      Unfortunately every email reply costs me money as someone spends the time to compose it. Not every email deserves a reply, so make sure your email helps the recipient feel compelled to reply.

      If you think you are being clever by asking them for a review copy - you are not as there are scores of others doing the same - stand out and you will see reply rates improve.
      What an odd attitude for a vendor!

      What are you losing if you give away your $47 or maybe $67 product to an affiliate? WE are the ones spending our money on ads, making websites, spending time SEOing and ranking for YOUR product.

      We are the ones selling your product, mostly.

      And by the way..explain to me your "cost" of an email....because this point very much eluded me! Obviously, seeing your post, you have NO desire that an affiliate sells your product.

      Why an affiliate should go through lengths to obtain a review copy of a product is, 'excuse me, beyond me...

      You make it sound like it's a privilege if you let someone test/review your product before they promote it...for something which (IMO) should not be a big deal at all and should rather be mandatory for every affiliate/vendor relationship. For once, it would help somewhat getting rid of the HUGE mass of "pseudo review web sites" where it's obvious that whoever wrote the "review" never did take a look at the product in question AT ALL.

      I can also assume that the nr. of affiliates should be dwindling low compared to the nr. of normal customers...so giving out review copies for the sake of having an affiliate actually take a look at it can hardly be such a big loss.

      Obviously (as seen in the past) it seems to be normal for many vendors to give their affiliates the SAME thing they give to their potential customers: HYPED UP promises and sales letters which very often have nothing to do with the actual product...letting the affiliates promote products and make sites based on the hot air in promo material, as opposed to what the real product is actually about.
      This is especially true BEFORE a launch since you can see that the huge majority of "reviews" is outright nothing more than a collection of the words mirrored from the promo material celebrating and lauding some "upcoming" product which no-one hasn't even seen or tested yet. (Which we all know can often turn out as a big TURD once the first real people bought the product and the first REAL opinions come in). Wouldn't be the first time...
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      • Profile picture of the author Venturetothetop
        Originally Posted by GeorgR. View Post

        What an odd attitude for a vendor!

        What are you losing if you give away your $47 or maybe $67 product to an affiliate?
        I lose nothing if that person is an active and potentially good affiliate - that is why I state I would give review copies if the affiliate CONVINCED ME that I really need them on board. Oh yeah - my product is a $522 retail value.

        Originally Posted by GeorgR. View Post

        And by the way..explain to me your "cost" of an email....because this point very much eluded me! Obviously, seeing your post, you have NO desire that an affiliate sells your product.
        Then I suggest you read it again, because I clearly stated how someone could get a review copy if they passed certain criteria. Affiliates should tell me 'what is in it for me' -and convince me it is in my best interests (I like to see proof!). That is basic marketing which surely every affiliate should be well aware of.

        As for each email costing me, well let me explain, Every email takes time to read and respond to. It is also usually done by one of my staff. Since I PAY my staff and it takes TIME then every email reply is costing me money. Simple. Every cost is a cost that hurts my bottom line.
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      • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
        Originally Posted by GeorgR. View Post

        What are you losing if you give away your $47 or maybe $67 product to an affiliate?
        Roughly $47 or maybe $67.

        WE are the ones spending our money on ads, making websites, spending time SEOing and ranking for YOUR product.
        And since you're spending so much money promoting it, surely another $47 or maybe $67 is no big deal to you. After all, if it wasn't profitable, you wouldn't do it.

        Obviously, seeing your post, you have NO desire that an affiliate sells your product.
        I certainly have no interest in an affiliate selling my product when he's unwilling to invest $47 or maybe $67 in it, because he clearly doesn't really believe in it.

        Bluntly speaking, I expect every affiliate for my products to believe in them enough to buy them, and be successful enough at the affiliate thing to afford them. If you don't believe in my product, then don't promote it. And if you aren't any good at this stuff, PLEASE don't promote it, because you'll bork up my stats for all the other affiliates.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Titan
    Originally Posted by canyon View Post

    I've sent 11 emails 4-5 days ago and nobody replied at all! I'm getting real fed up by their behavior.

    I wrote them saying that I want to promote their product, explaining them in detail how I will do it and so on, and at the end I kindly asked for a review copy.

    I get it, they don't want to send me a review copy, but is that hard to hit the reply button and say "Sorry, we do not send review copies" ?

    Now I'm in the situation that I don't have what to promote, because the other products in those niches are either low priced either have leaks like opt-ins etc.

    Has this happened to you?
    You already know why they do not respond. Why does it bother you that they don't send you an email?

    If you really want to get their attention, show them that you are actually interested in being an affiliate of their product. Approach them with an email that explains why you are interested in their product and show them where you will feature the review of their product (show them your website). Also, follow up a second time if you don't get a response. And make sure your email headline/subject line does not read something like "product review" or "I would like to review your product".
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    • Profile picture of the author Tris
      What Eddie said...

      Just show 'em your website and use the same email, they should reply. I've ignored those emails - just had too many fakes & not serious people. These days I do reply, but I explain I give a free copy after you sell your first/second copy and that's how it works. Giving away free copies to everyone that asks is not a great business plan.

      Having said that I gave away a review copy yesterday without thinking to someone I had never even heard of. Why? This affiliate:

      - Is clearly pulling traffic
      - Showed me his website and
      - Explained his marketing strategy
      - He basically sold me.. :rolleyes:

      I have a strict "no free copies until you (at least) sell 1 copy" policy, but this guy managed to sell me and bypass this policy in my mind - I gave in quickly because it was worth it (I hopes anyways)..
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  • Profile picture of the author Tadresources
    I wouldn't have given you a review copy either. I get a lot of freebie seekers for my products on clickbank and I used to give them out and then when none of them affiliated me I decided what the hell.

    But the way I see it if you are serious why not buy the product? if the product is rubbish and not worth promoting get a refund via clickbank and move on.
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    • Profile picture of the author bretski
      If you really are going to promote the product then pick up a copy through your own affiliate link. It is a cheap investment and a quick way to find out if the product is junk or not. One sale and you've made your money back and time wasted waiting around for a vendor to get back to you could be spent setting up a site, writing content for said site and driving traffic to that site.

      Send the vendor some traffic (hops) like maybe 100+, see how the product converts and then you have a foot in the door to start a relationship with the vendor.

      Vendors get a lot of junk email, spam etc. I know that even the vendors that I have worked with for a while take some time to get back to me but I do value that relationship. I have never asked anything of them (such as a review copy) and they do keep me in the loop when they have a new product coming out. And, no, I don't work in the IM/MMO niche at all.
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      • Profile picture of the author myob
        I have always found it far more advantageous, faster and better to buy sample copies for review using my own affiliate link rather than beg for review copies. This also provides a favorable barrier of anonymity and prevents having to reveal sensitive marketing methods and techniques to vendors who may try to copy my competitive edge.
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    • Profile picture of the author AlphaWarrior
      Originally Posted by Tadresources View Post

      I wouldn't have given you a review copy either. I get a lot of freebie seekers for my products on clickbank and I used to give them out and then when none of them affiliated me I decided what the hell.

      But the way I see it if you are serious why not buy the product? if the product is rubbish and not worth promoting get a refund via clickbank and move on.
      This is a good idea.

      While I would like to review a copy before trying to sell it for a number of reasons, I can also see why vendors do not want to just give out review copies. The idea of buying a copy, reviewing it, and then ask for a refund if it is rubbish seems like a good compromise.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by canyon View Post

    Has this happened to you?
    Yes.

    It tells me what I needed to know.

    If they won't reply to a serious email from a potential business associate, I can guess what their after sales will be like when some of my customers buy their product, so I won't be promoting it. (I don't mind them replying and saying "No, sorry, we don't give review copies". When that happens, I'll buy one.)

    (In case anyone's interested, I ought perhaps to mention that I happen to have seen the type of email that Canyon is sending to these people, and it's very professional and detailed, and fully deserves a reply!).

    Originally Posted by AlphaWarrior View Post

    The idea of buying a copy, reviewing it, and then ask for a refund if it is rubbish seems like a good compromise.
    Not to me, it doesn't. (I respect that your opinion's different - I'm just offering mine ).

    If I have to buy a copy for review purposes, I'll happily buy it through my own affiliate link, but in this case never ask for a refund, however bad it is, for two reasons: first, it fulfilled the purpose for which I bought it ("reviewing and assessing"); secondly, if I buy through my own affiliate link and ask for a refund as well, that might just be the end of my ClickBank career - and it's how I make a living, so I'm taking no chances on it!
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    • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      If they won't reply to a serious email from a potential business associate, I can guess what their after sales will be like when some of my customers buy their product.
      Agree with this 100%.

      Well said.
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    • Profile picture of the author drmani
      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      If they won't reply to a serious email from a potential business associate, I can guess what their after sales will be like when some of my customers buy their product
      I disagree - that can be quite a stretch.

      Unless the vendor is ACTIVELY soliciting affiliates for his/her promotion,
      an approach message from a 'potential' affiliate is just another business
      communication which will be suitably prioritized for response.

      A *customer* communication goes above and beyond - and vendors who
      ignore those willfully may be shooting themselves in the foot.

      There are only X hours in one's work-day, and all business communication
      goes into categories to be responded to in accordance with one's own
      priorities at the time.

      And don't forget email filters. I've had JV approaches to even people I've
      known well and personally for over a decade ignored - and I'm sure they
      wouldn't do that without good reason.

      As most folks who ask for JVs know, and accept, the percentage of 'No' -
      or ignores - you'll get FAR exceed the positive responses... so don't take
      it too personally. Keep trying, if it's worth your time and effort - or else
      move on to another thing.

      My 2 cents.

      All success
      Dr.Mani

      P.S. - Personally, I'd buy the product to review, because it frees me from
      the 'obligation' to say nice things about something that's gifted to me instead
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  • Profile picture of the author iamtheceo
    Sounds like bad business practice to me.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by canyon View Post

      Why would I want to sell a product that I know nothing off? the sales page could be good but the product not that great. So yes, of course I MIGHT and I'm not sure until I see it.
      It's the same thing when a person goes into a bookstore and wants to buy a course on how to learn English better. They want to take a look at it before they buy it.
      Think about the difference between these two statements, and how you personally react to them.

      I really want to promote your product. I need to check it out for myself first.

      I might want to maybe promote your product. Can you send me a free one so I can decide?

      If Alexa says the emails you were sending were professional enough, that's good enough for me. But there are different ways to say the same thing that send completely different vibes.
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      • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
        It can be insulting to tell someone: I want to promote your product to others, but I'm not going to buy it myself.

        These requests come in all the time. Often by someone with zero posts or little forum contribution.

        The unfortunate fact is, on the WF and in the IM niche there are a zillion scammers who have no intent to promote the product.

        And even if they did, quick background research shows they have no capability of generating sales from their terrible site.

        It can also be a time suck setting up a free membership for someone. And incredibly annoying when, time after time after time, you can see from the logs they never bothered to check it out.

        On the other hand, someone I know, someone on my friends list, someone who has made a prior purchase, someone I have bantered back and forth with on the forum, etc., all they have to do is ask and it's no problem at all.

        The answer may be doing something more than just sending an email asking for a review copy.

        .
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          If they won't reply to a serious email from a potential business associate,
          I don't agree.

          A serious email from a potential business associate would include information on what qualifies you to promote his product. Past sales campaigns and results, site traffic statistics, expertise in the subject matter, similar products, sales numbers....etc.

          There's nothing wrong with asking for a copy - but that doesn't create an obligation for the seller to answer an unsolicited request for a freebie.

          kay
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  • Profile picture of the author Gaz Cooper
    You can clearly see who is contacting you seriously and those that have just quickly typed a letter as Alexa said a well put together request normally gets my attention but I do try to be courteous and reply to every mail.

    Kickin it on Amazon

    Gaz Cooper
    Amz Training Academy
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  • Profile picture of the author orielcans
    Maybe they don't like you.. Joke only. Just wait. Maybe they are busy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brendan Vraibel
    If someone won't reply to a professionally written email of mine, they're not someone that I'll be going out of my way to do business with. I make sure that every email that comes into my inbox gets answered unless it's clear that the person is lying or being disrespectful for whatever reason (and I still usually answer).

    Having said that, I very rarely give review copies especially in the IM niche. If I want to review a product I purchase it myself. How can I recommend my subscribers spend money on a product if I won't? And to be clear I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with asking, it's just not something that I'm into.
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    • Profile picture of the author jhontimy1
      Originally Posted by Brendan Vraibel View Post

      If someone won't reply to a professionally written email of mine, they're not someone that I'll be going out of my way to do business with. I make sure that every email that comes into my inbox gets answered unless it's clear that the person is lying or being disrespectful for whatever reason (and I still usually answer).

      Having said that, I very rarely give review copies especially in the IM niche. If I want to review a product I purchase it myself. How can I recommend my subscribers spend money on a product if I won't? And to be clear I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with asking, it's just not something that I'm into.
      Exactly review on brought products only.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChadOath
    I noticed the big wig marketers/affiliates usually just go ahead and buy my product to check it out...sometimes with their own affiliate link (which I'm OK with). I even noticed one affiliate doing that after they already sent in a good amount of sales. I offered to refund his purchase and give him free access since he had already brought in so much money for me, and he almost seemed offended. LOL.

    Point being, they never ask for freebies. I think they include the cost of reviewing the product as the cost of doing business. You gotta spend money to make money.
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    • Profile picture of the author DGFletcher
      Only 11 emails? It's a bit of a numbers game. Personalize each email, but send out at least 50. One out of those might respond.

      Also, yes send 2 emails! In the first one, tell them 'if they aren't interested in your email, email you back and tell you to not email them'. That can work.

      That can be really useful.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Chicas
    The vibe from sellers on this thread and the overall vibe which seems to be the industry standard: If you want to promote you have to buy first. It seems pretty reasonable to me.

    And I would follow all industry standards when I'm starting out in a business/career... maybe when I'm a big fish that could change.

    And actually I do wish this could change because I'm an Amazon affiliate and I'd like for them to send me free products first before I decide to promote them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeff Lenney
    Originally Posted by canyon View Post

    I've sent 11 emails 4-5 days ago and nobody replied at all! I'm getting real fed up by their behavior.

    I wrote them saying that I want to promote their product, explaining them in detail how I will do it and so on, and at the end I kindly asked for a review copy.

    I get it, they don't want to send me a review copy, but is that hard to hit the reply button and say "Sorry, we do not send review copies" ?

    Now I'm in the situation that I don't have what to promote, because the other products in those niches are either low priced either have leaks like opt-ins etc.

    Has this happened to you?
    Perhaps the fact that you sent 11 emails in one day might have something to do with it? :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author mendyk21
    clickbank takes forever to reply
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    • Profile picture of the author fin
      Have you tried not asking for one, lol.

      I know that sounds stupid and probably is, but there seems to be a lot of vendors who have been burnt before so don't like people asking.

      I've researched tons of clickbank products and there was one that stood out. One that I had to promote for a new site if the content was great. I think the sales page is amazing.

      I was so pleased that I just sent a random e-mail saying how optimistic I was about promoting their product. No mention of review copy and it wasn't business like.

      Next thing I know, the guy sends me one, out of the blue.

      Personally, if I was a vendor, I wouldn't give out a review copy without proof of skills.
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    • Profile picture of the author bretski
      Originally Posted by mendyk21 View Post

      clickbank takes forever to reply
      is your clickbank ID the same as here? if so, I've seen you around and you send some serious traffic.
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  • Profile picture of the author Will Edwards
    There is nothing wrong (imho) with asking for a review copy. Whether you are given one or not is a different matter. But if you approach a potential business partner in a professional manner, I personally believe you deserve a reply - first mail.

    Will
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  • Profile picture of the author TiffanyLambert
    Canyon when I was first starting out, I made the same mistakes you're making. Now that I'm in the position where I get a lot of "review copy" requests, I see both sides of the coin.

    As an affiliate:

    I don't ask for review copies anymore. This actually works out better. In fact, I often have marketers send me a freebie wanting me to review their product and in most cases, I'll go pay for it so I can review it with an "I paid money for that" mindset (it's different for me).

    The only time I don't go pay is if I KNOW it's a good buddy of mine online and we're cool sharing our stuff - they know I'll still be blunt (borderline offensive sometimes) about their product, but those good friends who know me well don't send me halfass products - because they know I'll be honest.

    So step 1 - instead of emailing dozens of CB sellers for review copies, find one you really believe will be great - according to the sales letter appeal, pricing, etc. Buy it! Worst that can happen is it truly DOES suck and then you refund. But if not, share your purchase results w/your list/readers - tell them what you paid, what upsells or discounts you encountered, etc. My readers appreciate seeing it ALL unfold.

    As a seller:

    I have to agree with Dee up there. I used to send out freebies galore but there are too many now, so I only send to people I consider "my kind of affiliates." That means much of what he said - serious affiliates who do more than just say, "I'd like to review and promote your product."

    I want to know (like he said), WHY is my product specifically a good fit for YOUR audience? Whenever I approach someone about promoting (like for tools, or just as a courtesy that I'm about to do a review), I always let them know why their product matches my peoples' needs perfectly - because I know my subscribers so well.

    I don't like the spammy promo stuff personally - I don't need bragging about previous conversions, etc. Not my gig. I would rather you have 15 people on your list but have a SUPERB relationship with them than be one of those marketers w/100,000 people on your list, but you're so spammy they don't even read your emails anymore.

    Just my thoughts and good luck finding someone worthy to promote! It can be hard but when you find a perfect fit it feels good.

    tiff
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    • Profile picture of the author Kurt
      Originally Posted by TiffanyDow View Post

      Canyon when I was first starting out, I made the same mistakes you're making. Now that I'm in the position where I get a lot of "review copy" requests, I see both sides of the coin.

      As an affiliate:

      I don't ask for review copies anymore. This actually works out better. In fact, I often have marketers send me a freebie wanting me to review their product and in most cases, I'll go pay for it so I can review it with an "I paid money for that" mindset (it's different for me).
      When possible, I believe this is the best way to do things. If you really care about the customer, put yourself through the exact same process they go through, including paying full price.

      This is the same approach that Consumer Reports magazine uses and I think it's for good reason. To take it a step further, Consumer Reports pays for different makes and models of a product and compares them, with the end consumer in mind.

      Most online CB affiliates consider their own profitability first and are only looking for things to sell, not what's best for their readers. For example, rarely will you see a CB affiliate "recommend" a low-commission Amazon book when they can make more from a CB sale, even if the Amazon book is a better "value".
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  • Profile picture of the author winsenken
    Perhaps you can buy the product and use it. If the product is good, you can write a genuine review and continue to use it. If the product is rubbish, why do you promote it?
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    I think people get hung up on the whole "review copy" thing. Sometimes you just have to let the vendor be the salesman and forget about the review copy. Do you think the people selling books over at the local Barnes&Noble read every book they sell?

    I know it's nice to know before you start promoting, but it's not always necessary when you're the affiliate. A little bit of testing will tell you whether or not people like the product being sold. If it receives too many refunds, or not enough sales, then just move on.

    There are some days when I'm just way too busy to answer any emails from affiliates. And from years of experience I happen to know that well over half of them are form emails anyway. But that doesn't mean that an affiliate wouldn't still make money selling my products.
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  • Profile picture of the author David Keith
    i dont work in any niches that have such a high "noise" rate, so i usually just buy the products i promote. but i can surely see that if i was in the IM niche or weight loss niche, it might not be feasible to buy all the products that "look good from a far, but are far from good"
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  • Profile picture of the author Ti
    Originally Posted by canyon View Post

    I've sent 11 emails 4-5 days ago and nobody replied at all! I'm getting real fed up by their behavior.

    I wrote them saying that I want to promote their product, explaining them in detail how I will do it and so on, and at the end I kindly asked for a review copy.

    I get it, they don't want to send me a review copy, but is that hard to hit the reply button and say "Sorry, we do not send review copies" ?

    Now I'm in the situation that I don't have what to promote, because the other products in those niches are either low priced either have leaks like opt-ins etc.

    Has this happened to you?

    If you want a review copy, be prepared to demonstrate how you are a successful affiliate. Include links to other websites you run, products you affiliate, and proof that you own them.

    I am a vendor for almost a dozen products on Clickbank. If an affiliate asks for a review copy without the above information, I ignore it.
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  • Profile picture of the author EricBaglio
    I remember one time I got an email from someone asking for a review copy so he could be a good affiliate but he did it differently than all the other requests i had. Here's what he did:

    "Hi, I would like to be an affiliate for your product. I think you have a great sales page and I believe your product is one of the best in the field. The only thing is I'd like to include a terrific review of your product on my site. I think will generate more sales for myself and you as well! Here is a link to the site I've already made for your product. The whole site is dedicated to your product. As you can see, this is my affiliate id, I've already made 8 sales in the last 2 days. I know I can make more if I can see your product and use what I've read to enhance my site.

    What that meant to me:
    1. You are already sending me quality traffic.
    2. You've already invested time in developing a site for my product
    3. You are clearly experienced.
    4. You explained to me how I benefit as well. (WIIFM factor: What's In It For Me)

    He got his review copy, he made more sales, I made more money, the end.
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    • Profile picture of the author TiffanyLambert
      Originally Posted by EricBaglio View Post

      I think you have a great sales page and I believe your product is one of the best in the field.
      That would make me think, "Why do you think it's the best product in its field if you've never seen it? lol But I'm glad he wound up stellar for you - that's a good think!
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      • Profile picture of the author EricBaglio
        Originally Posted by TiffanyDow View Post

        That would make me think, "Why do you think it's the best product in its field if you've never seen it? lol But I'm glad he wound up stellar for you - that's a good think!
        I paraphrased the email. He had mentioned that he went through a lot of product reviews in various forums and had read positive reviews on facebook as well since it was focused around a facebook gaming app.

        That would be a good point though!
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by ryanjm View Post

          Meh, I disagree with this. If he's showing you his site, you can make that quality determination yourself in a 10 second glance of his site. The sales per day for another product has nothing to do with how well a different product will sell. I've had a dozen different products promoted on a weight loss site, and there was a clear winner simply because the product's sales page converted way better than the others. The affiliate sends targeted traffic to your sales page, if you can't make the sale, hit the bricks pal cuz I got no use for you (glengarry reference ). As a vendor I want my product in front of as much targeted traffic as possible, and seeing as how 1,000 uniques a day is nothing to sneeze at, I can make a snap decision that sending a review product to an affiliate which costs me almost nothing is a profitable decision.

          Furthermore, the affiliate could pull those sales/conversion numbers out of his arse. Rankings don't lie, and they show at least a basic competence (if not advanced) in understanding how to generate traffic. Traffic is 90% of the sale in my experience since even terrible sales copy will still get clickthroughs if the site has enough visitors, but if you don't get traffic it doesn't matter how great your sales copy is.
          You raise some fair points...

          As product creator, especially in a field you have multiple products in, you would have a feel for whether or not any given site would likely send the kind of traffic that converts for you. Especially for an established product line.

          My point wasn't about projecting the numbers presented onto your product, although going back it might read that way. My point was that I'm more likely to be impressed when the potential affiliate demonstrates that they understand what goes into success as an affiliate.

          The numbers thmselves aren't that important, for the reasons you give. The fact that the potential affiliate knows that they are important does tell me something.

          Simply assuming that a ranking and some traffic automatically means easy sales just seems a bit presumptious.
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  • Profile picture of the author chrislangley
    It could simply be that the vendors are too busy to reply, or not paying particular attention to their Clickbank emails (could be in the junk folder)
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  • Profile picture of the author mano83
    Does anyone know Why I can not see my sales in clickbank?


    hello everyone I need some help out here!

    I've been trying to master an affiliate business on and off for almost two years. It started really working for me only recently, to be precise a few weeks ago. I had around eight conversions a day for 5 days, which I was quite happy about. However, to my disappointment, my conversions showed up only in Google Adwords. I could not see any of my sales in Clickbank. I know that Clickbank has lags, so I waited for a couple days to see if the sales would eventually show up, after couple of day I had only 4 sales out of 40 that I have in adwords. I have had the same Google and Clickbank accounts for almost two years and I never had this problem before. I got very excited that my website was finally getting conversions, but now the described issue came up and I am totally not sure where to look for solutions. I checked everything I could think of but nothing helped. I thought that I might be having two conversion codes installed on my thank you page, but I made sure that this was the case. Any ideas on this would be appreciated. Thank you.
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