Just Loaded up My First Clickbank Product...

Yes. It is better for you so folk are aware you have an affiliate program and you gain affiliates

Although, when I promote products as an affiliate I like the affiliate page to be hidden, which some CB merchants do.

Along with the description, add the affiliate page URL.
Make sure to include your main keywords in the description so that it will appear when affiliates are searching for it.
A very crude example:
"Get a job in Nigeria! New product - no competition - affiliates go to http:// www. blahblah .com / affiliates.htm - converts 1 in 20"

Edit: Do not include affiliate link on your pitch page - this will make affiliates happy. Those who want to become affiliates - the good ones - will search CB and find out.

Don't just "let the affiliates find you".

You find affiliates in the same way you find customers.

Find where the affiliates are.

Find how to place your offer in front of them.

Show them exactly what the benefits are for them. Give them incentives, perks, bonuses! Throw a contest!

Make an affiliate page. Make a very small link to the affiliate page somewhere on your main site.

INCLUDE A FREAKIN EMAIL THAT YOU WILL CHECK! I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MOST CLICKBANK PRODUCTS DO NOT DO THIS!

I frequently request JVs or additional materials from products that look like solid winners for my list. I can do upwards of 200 sales for a product with one email, yet countless requests to product owners turns up little, and many dont even have a contact form somewhere!

I have frequently landed solid affiliates from the email addresses I use on my products, and the time it takes to check one side gmail account in the morning is worth the potential!

Word of mouth is golden in this world. If one affiliate has good results, other affiliates will often find out about it and hop on board as well.

Bottom line, if you want affiliates, you need to get them, they won't come to you at first!

The email/contact form and banners can be placed on the affiliates page. (No need to use all caps for that). Yes, it is important, and it is nice of you to mention that. And I am sure sometimes, we get exasperated by people who don't do things the right way.

Personally, I have noticed that a contact form reduces spam, whereas an email id on the web is a recipe for hundreds of spam emails. That reduces your productivity.

Also, the good affiliates are always looking to promote good products - they will find you. Of course, you need to make it as easy as possible for them.

Providing the email id as part of the description in CB is a nice idea. The same purpose will be served by including your affiliate page URL.

I disagree.

No market that I have been working in, have I ever experienced a solid stream of good affiliates finding me on their own accord.

I get most of my best affiliates from contacting them personally, and advertising.

Putting in face time at seminars or conventions is a great way to attract potential affiliates.

You can advertise directly on clickbank with banner ads. What you'll need to remember though is that you are advertising for affiliates, not customers. It's a common mistake that many people make.

Basically, I ask myself this:

If I were the affiliate, how would I most likely notice, and want to promote this product, and it goes something like this:

1. Be told about it from a friend.

2. Be approached directly, with proof of conversions. (show those numbers!)

3. Be notified by something such as CBengine, or see it on clickbanks main page.

With so many offers and products out there, you have to work extra to get noticed.

"Of course, you need to make it as easy as possible for them."

That includes promoting through every channel where a good affiliate is present.

If you think I am discarding the notion that you should promote, I am not.