Affiliates for New Product Creators

14 replies
Hey all,

Having been through a couple of WSO launches with JV partners, I have learned that a large part of success comes from recruiting affiliates both before, during, and after the launch.

I was wondering whether some successful affiliate Warriors would be willing to post in this thread detailing their thoughts and opinions on what new product creators, who perhaps aren't running JVs, would be able to do to get more affiliates on board.

Which sort of things tempt you to promote a WSO? Are there contact efforts a product creator should, or shouldn't, make, to get you onboard?
Are there percentage levels, types of commission (recurring or non), product types, etc which would make you more inclined to promote? And others which would put you off?

Are there particular pitfalls people should avoid, to keep you happy and make sure you stay on board?

Any other input you may feel the inclination to share would be gratefully received, at least by me, but, in all probability, by a large number of people who are itching to get started as product creators, but are looking for advice on this aspect of their marketing plans.

Thanks in advance, I know you're pretty busy with your own promotions (successful affiliates, from what I've learned, are VERY busy people), so any time taken to post in this thread is appreciated

Alex
#affiliates #creators #newbies #product #wso
  • Profile picture of the author meltingwaves
    Hola,

    Haven't promoted any WSOs yet but basically, it's all about promoting what you KNOW will help your audience, not just something that has high conversion numbers behind it. Over time if you recommend products to people that just click with them more and more, your audience will become loyal and learn to love to buy from you.
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesPenn
    I've promoted a fair few WSOs over the past few months.

    The main things I look for are:

    - Products that don't offer a "push button" solution.
    - Products that don't overhype what they offer.
    - Products that pay 100% commission on the front end
    - If they have a OTO that's normally a bonus and I'd like to earn at least 50% on the OTO.

    James
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    • Profile picture of the author SEOAdvice
      Originally Posted by JamesPenn View Post

      I've promoted a fair few WSOs over the past few months.

      The main things I look for are:

      - Products that don't offer a "push button" solution.
      - Products that don't overhype what they offer.
      - Products that pay 100% commission on the front end
      - If they have a OTO that's normally a bonus and I'd like to earn at least 50% on the OTO.

      James
      James,

      Thanks for the input.

      Does less than 100% on the front-end put you off completely? Or, for the right products, will you still promote it anyway?


      Some more questions, for you and to all:

      1. Is there an amount of oto's, upsells, cross-sells, in the sales funnel, which would put you off?
      2. Do things like opt-ins either before, during, or after the sales, affect the decision to promote, or are they irrelevant?
      3. Would you be willing to assign, on a scale of 1 to 10, the importance of the actual product content/functionality, versus the importance of the $$ rewards you will make for your sales?

      Thanks again!
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      • Profile picture of the author JamesPenn
        Originally Posted by SEOAdvice View Post

        James,



        Does less than 100% on the front-end put you off completely? Or, for the right products, will you still promote it anyway?
        Not for products over $20/25.

        If it's a $10 product then I wouldn't normally promote for less than 100% but for more expensive products 50/75% I do consider.


        Some more questions, for you and to all:

        1. Is there an amount of oto's, upsells, cross-sells, in the sales funnel, which would put you off?
        Two OTOs would be the max, I'd say. While lots of OTOs doesn't put me off as a customer I know it annoys some people.

        Also, if the OTO is NECESSARY in order to make the product work, I wouldn't promote it.

        2. Do things like opt-ins either before, during, or after the sales, affect the decision to promote, or are they irrelevant?
        Opt-in before I'm not too keen on unless I have a relationship with the marketer and know that they will focus on selling products that pay me a commission.

        3. Would you be willing to assign, on a scale of 1 to 10, the importance of the actual product content/functionality, versus the importance of the $$ rewards you will make for your sales?
        There's probably a 50/50 balance.

        I'd never promote a crap product with a high payout, but similarly I probably wouldn't promote a great product with a low payout.

        Having said that I did buy one product that I really liked and that actually worked (it was a technique to get more subscribers really cheap) so I did promote that to my list despite it being a $10 product with a 50% payout.

        So I guess product quality trumps payout.

        James

        Thanks again![/QUOTE]
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        • Profile picture of the author SEOAdvice
          Originally Posted by JamesPenn View Post

          Not for products over $20/25.

          If it's a $10 product then I wouldn't normally promote for less than 100% but for more expensive products 50/75% I do consider.




          Two OTOs would be the max, I'd say. While lots of OTOs doesn't put me off as a customer I know it annoys some people.

          Also, if the OTO is NECESSARY in order to make the product work, I wouldn't promote it.



          Opt-in before I'm not too keen on unless I have a relationship with the marketer and know that they will focus on selling products that pay me a commission.



          There's probably a 50/50 balance.

          I'd never promote a crap product with a high payout, but similarly I probably wouldn't promote a great product with a low payout.

          Having said that I did buy one product that I really liked and that actually worked (it was a technique to get more subscribers really cheap) so I did promote that to my list despite it being a $10 product with a 50% payout.

          So I guess product quality trumps payout.

          James
          James,

          Lots of insight there, and plenty of food for thought.

          As a product creator, I'd personally prefer to have affiliates who are more concerned about the quality of the products I produce (and the support I offer) than the payouts to them. It demonstrates that they care more about their subscribers or target market than about their own bottom-line, and I think that translates into them having a subscriber base who will be much more willing to purchase based on their recommendations.
          Otoh, I'd want to be sure I'm keeping my affiliates happy (as well as my customers, who will always be my first priority), and if implementing higher front-end percentages on a product will make affs happier, it's definitely going to be something worth doing.

          Thank you for your contributions
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  • Profile picture of the author cpadualcore
    Are you already a member of jvnotifypro?
    Signature
    COMING SOON


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    • Profile picture of the author SEOAdvice
      Originally Posted by cpadualcore View Post

      Are you already a member of jvnotifypro?
      Personally, yes, but I perhaps haven't made as much use of it as I should.

      For others, can you outline why you asked the question?

      a) Are there particular features which, when signed up to JVNotifyPro, will help your affiliate recruitment?
      b)Are you recommending the service? Or do you have issues with it?
      c) Are there similar services which new product creators should look at joining which will also help improve their affiliate recruitment efforts?
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  • Profile picture of the author WarriorD14
    Alex and James:

    Than you very much for this thread I found it to be very informative lots of good information here. If I may jump in with another question I would really appreciate both of your feedback on it. I agree with you that having a high end product with great customer service is very important. I am at the "research" stage of product development, and was wondering if I could get some advise.

    Having the basics down of how to attract affiliates as you outlined what about the types of products you like to promote? Software tools? word press plugins? Courses? a combination of both?

    Than you for your insights.

    Aksel
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    • Profile picture of the author IAmPaulJames
      Very great thread and perfect timing. I am preparing a new product and learning what affiliates look for when picking a product to promote is very beneficial for me. Thanks again.
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  • Profile picture of the author john b
    wanna say thanks to seoadvice for this very informative post.

    i'm working on my first wso and reading this thread is very helpful and especially seeing what jamespenn wrote above. thats helping me structure mine so it fits in that criteria that james pointed out that he likes to promote

    quick question to jamespenn....whats your thoughts on finding jv partners to do wso launches with?

    do you recommend using jv partners or just running your own wso yourself?

    thanks,
    john b
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    • Profile picture of the author mezloh
      One thing I stay away from is warriors that think you owe them something by only promoting products that give them 100% commission. It shows their greed and not remembering where they came from.

      They all started where the beginners are at one time and should look at affiliate opportunities as a way to give back to fellow warriors and helping them achieve similar results.

      However, You will find trustworthy warriors that do want to give back to the community by not trying to take advantage of all of your hard work and sacrifice to create the product.

      So my advice is to stay away from those Warriors that think they are on a whole different level now that they have a huge list and make money. And they are doing you a favor by offering them 100% commission. You are only giving them free money while they laugh all the way to the bank.

      Do your due diligence and you will find warriors that do not forget what made them successful and they are willing to help you get the word out about your new WSO without taking advantage of you.
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      • Profile picture of the author JamesPenn
        Originally Posted by mezloh View Post

        One thing I stay away from is warriors that think you owe them something by only promoting products that give them 100% commission. It shows their greed and not remembering where they came from.

        They all started where the beginners are at one time and should look at affiliate opportunities as a way to give back to fellow warriors and helping them achieve similar results.

        However, You will find trustworthy warriors that do want to give back to the community by not trying to take advantage of all of your hard work and sacrifice to create the product.

        So my advice is to stay away from those Warriors that think they are on a whole different level now that they have a huge list and make money. And they are doing you a favor by offering them 100% commission. You are only giving them free money while they laugh all the way to the bank.

        Do your due diligence and you will find warriors that do not forget what made them successful and they are willing to help you get the word out about your new WSO without taking advantage of you.
        Offering 100% commissions is not giving away free money.

        I had a WSO 9 months ago and paid 100% commissions. I did over 1,000 sales.

        Would I have done that if I'd paid 50% commissions? No way. Not even if I'd paid 75% commissions.

        That list of WSO buyers has probably generated over $10k so offering 100% commissions is definitely not giving away free money.

        James
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        • Profile picture of the author mezloh
          @JamesPenn I am talking about beginners trying to make money right away. Of course anyone can give away their first couple of WSOs for free to affiliates with 100% commission and build up a buyers list.

          I knew someone was going to jump in with the exact response you just posted with everything you just said it was just a matter of how long.

          And another point most of the beginners launching WSOs have no income coming in and then they put their hard work into a product and then someone comes by and makes all the money off of their hard work just to make a buck. Telling them that this is the only way.

          Essentially the newbie does all the work and the affiliate makes all the money.

          Now if you can afford to put out a couple of WSOs to start without making much money on them while building up that buyers list well then by all means it is the way to go. Then you are 100% right.

          But for you to act like your situation happens for every newbie giving 100% commission is not true either.
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      • Profile picture of the author SEOAdvice
        Originally Posted by mezloh View Post

        One thing I stay away from is warriors that think you owe them something by only promoting products that give them 100% commission. It shows their greed and not remembering where they came from.

        They all started where the beginners are at one time and should look at affiliate opportunities as a way to give back to fellow warriors and helping them achieve similar results.

        However, You will find trustworthy warriors that do want to give back to the community by not trying to take advantage of all of your hard work and sacrifice to create the product.

        So my advice is to stay away from those Warriors that think they are on a whole different level now that they have a huge list and make money. And they are doing you a favor by offering them 100% commission. You are only giving them free money while they laugh all the way to the bank.

        Do your due diligence and you will find warriors that do not forget what made them successful and they are willing to help you get the word out about your new WSO without taking advantage of you.
        Interesting take on the situation.
        I agree with what you are saying, but also understand James' position. Sadly, although on many occasions a LOT of work goes into product creation, it's also true that most products, great or not, will get nowhere without effective marketing efforts.
        This is something which most new product creators don't really feel they can pull off, alone, without the help of affiliates or others with lists to promote to.

        The fact that many of the best affiliates expect you to give them 100% of the front-end takings, and then more again from the back-end, makes it hard to get started at all, and nigh impossible to make anything from your first couple of launches.

        Otoh, if you get a few brilliant affiliates on board, and THEY make money, you'll be well set for future launches, so, if you can survive until then, you'd start to make money on your second or third launch.

        Of course it would be my preference to find super affiliates beating over each other to promote my WSO's for only 50%, but the reality is that they won't. Not only that, but, more often than not, they won't seek me out (especially not if it's my first product), and some even get annoyed if we seek them out

        That was the main reason for posting this thread. You state:
        Originally Posted by mezloh View Post

        Do your due diligence and you will find warriors that do not forget what made them successful and they are willing to help you get the word out about your new WSO without taking advantage of you.
        but the question is, how do we do this "due diligence", how do we find these warriors (I KNOW they're out there ), and how do we convince them that OUR new product is worth promoting?

        Thanks for your input, it's great to read the diverse opinions, and even greater to be given the opportunity to learn how to interact with the more experienced warriors on this forum
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