What's the best system for managing affiliates?

26 replies
I'm looking for an affiliate management service/system to integrate with Kajabi/Aweber/PayPal or any other combination.
I'm preparing a major product launch and would like to open it up to affiliates.
Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. :confused:
#affiliates #managing #system
  • Profile picture of the author CyberAlien
    A lot of people use networks like ClickBank, but there's no "best" solution - it depends on what you're wanting to offer: dimesales, recurring payments, multiple upsells, etc.

    If you post your requirements though, someone may be able to point you in the right direction
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    • Profile picture of the author richwriter
      Originally Posted by Chase Watts View Post

      A lot of people use networks like ClickBank, but there's no "best" solution - it depends on what you're wanting to offer: dimesales, recurring payments, multiple upsells, etc.

      If you post your requirements though, someone may be able to point you in the right direction
      The product is an 8 week online course for aspiring novelist and screenwriters that I created for $1,497 with a downsell for 3 monthly payments. No continuity.

      It will be delivered live every week via 90 min webcast or webinar with another 30 min of live Q&A. In addition to the 8 weeks of live webcasts they get additional digital content as PDF's, including a large manual, templates, worksheets, and checklists. It's an extensive package.

      I'm offering it through a "product launch" model of 4 free high content videos with a sales pitch on the end of the last one, with a 30 day money back guarantee.

      I would like to make this available to a "few" high quality affiliates with a 50% commission.

      But I understand that I need some way to track and ensure the affiliates get paid, and any refunds get handled promptly. I understand there are programs out there that can help with this.

      I just don't know what it is.
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  • Profile picture of the author mediamarket
    Clicksure, JVzoo, Shareasale are a few good ones.
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    • Profile picture of the author richwriter
      Originally Posted by mediamarket View Post

      Clicksure, JVzoo, Shareasale are a few good ones.
      Hay,
      Thanks for the info. Clicksure seems to be not very good. I'm checking out the other two.
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      • Profile picture of the author ClickSure
        Hi,

        If you would like to send me a direct message with your email / Skype contact info, I can put you in touch with the Product Approvals Team at ClickSure.

        They can chat to you about how to go about putting an offer on the network, what is required and answer any questions you would have as a potential Seller.

        Cheers,
        Ben
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        • Profile picture of the author richwriter
          Thanks Ben,
          But I picked up a lot of bad vibe when checking out ClickSure - so I've crossed it off my list of possibles.
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          • Profile picture of the author ClickSure
            OK no worries, just DM me if you change your mind.
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            • Profile picture of the author Chris Silvey
              I haven't seen much affiliate support on clickbank, but this can be do to vendor by vendor experience.

              I do however like jvzoo as a seller and an affiliate. Affiliates need a good support site filled with marketing material to optimize conversions instead of just handed a link and wing it themselves.

              Another thing is I like to keep in communications with skype with my vendors as well as affiliates. It comes in real handy.
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              • Profile picture of the author richwriter
                Originally Posted by Chris Silvey View Post

                I haven't seen much affiliate support on clickbank, but this can be do to vendor by vendor experience.

                I do however like jvzoo as a seller and an affiliate. Affiliates need a good support site filled with marketing material to optimize conversions instead of just handed a link and wing it themselves.

                Another thing is I like to keep in communications with skype with my vendors as well as affiliates. It comes in real handy.
                I haven't used skype. I guess I should give it a look. Thanks for the report on jvzoo as that's exactly what I want to do. Provide email templates/samples they can copy and past so that the messaging is consistent with what I'm selling as well as making any promotion efforts click simple for them.

                Thanks for the info.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Have you done your research as to the type of course your market wants?

    I just heard 8 weeks and thought to myself, yuck, no thanks. Remember people are after instant gratification these days. 8 weeks is a long time for them to wait for gratification. I know a lot of other people would feel the same way.

    You may want to try a 30 day course instead. It sounds a lot more appealing to me.

    But I'm hoping you know your market better than I do and have done that research already.
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    • Profile picture of the author richwriter
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      Have you done your research as to the type of course your market wants?

      I just heard 8 weeks and thought to myself, yuck, no thanks. Remember people are after instant gratification these days. 8 weeks is a long time for them to wait for gratification. I know a lot of other people would feel the same way.

      You may want to try a 30 day course instead. It sounds a lot more appealing to me.

      But I'm hoping you know your market better than I do and have done that research already.
      My market is not looking for instant gratification. Ant that's not what I'm offering. I know this market very well. But I appreciate your thoughts.

      What I am interested in is recomendations regarding solutions for taking care of affiliates to see that they get paid correctly and quickly.

      If you have any recommendations along that line I would like to hear about it.

      Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author AliDatoo
    RichWriter, You are correct - your market is not looking for instant gratification. Infact an 8 week course demonstrates value and thus you are able to charge a higher price.

    For my own products, I struggled to find an affiliate management system. I even bought and installed Post Affiliate Pro. Then I wanted to go on vacation and I realized that I would still have to pay, process and actually manage these affiliates.

    I switched over to clickbank and have never been happier.

    Ali
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    • Profile picture of the author richwriter
      "I switched over to clickbank and have never been happier."

      Thanks, I'll definitely check them out.
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by AliDatoo View Post

      RichWriter, You are correct - your market is not looking for instant gratification. Infact an 8 week course demonstrates value and thus you are able to charge a higher price.
      Have you actually tested that?

      I know of a VERY well known marketer who tested this lately. They took a 90 day course and turned it into a 30 day course and sales shot up. Everyone is after fast results, no matter what you say.

      Remember, quality of information is what's important. NOT quantity. Too many people make the mistake of thinking long and big means value. No it doesn't. People would much rather spend 20 days to learn a language than 8 weeks. All 8 weeks says is hard work, not value.

      Anyway, that aside, I'm not really sure what you are after. An internal affiliate program that you have full control over? If so then check out:

      iDevAffiliate - Affiliate Tracking Software - Affiliate Program Software

      Best of luck.
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      • Profile picture of the author richwriter
        Originally Posted by WillR View Post

        Have you actually tested that?

        I know of a VERY well known marketer who tested this lately. They took a 90 day course and turned it into a 30 day course and sales shot up. Everyone is after fast results, no matter what you say.

        Remember, quality of information is what's important. NOT quantity. Too many people make the mistake of thinking long and big means value. No it doesn't. People would much rather spend 20 days to learn a language than 8 weeks. All 8 weeks says is hard work, not value.

        Anyway, that aside, I'm not really sure what you are after. An internal affiliate program that you have full control over? If so then check out:

        iDevAffiliate - Affiliate Tracking Software - Affiliate Program Software

        Best of luck.
        I appreciate your concern and your comments. And I imagine that it could be dificult to conceive of a course for writers that actually needs 8 weeks to teach properly. I'll be testing a number of variables to increase sales and the stick rate.

        But one thing that I will not be doing is cutting the material down to satisfy the few who want to believe they can master the subject with a handful of cheep tricks and tips. That my friend, would be a grave disservice to my customers and the industry at large. There are already far too many people selling such crap.

        I know my subject very well. My job (as a marketer) is to convince my starving prospets of the need to invest the time and energy necessary to get the results they crave. If I can't do that then I've failed as a marketer.

        But I will not fail as a teacher by teaching them less than what they need to succeed.

        For those who invest the time and energy necessary - they will be rewarded - and their life and careers will be advanced far closer to their dreams than they ever thought possible.

        People spend $50k+ and 4+ years of their lives in the HOPE of getting a crappy dead-end job. I don't think asking for 8 weeks and less than $1,500 dollars will discourage people dedicated to their dream.

        And just to put a finer point on the subject - If I could teach them what they need to know - in five minutes. I'd happy do it.

        But what I'm teaching is a "Masters Class". I'm teaching the Technology of effective storytelling. How to Conceive, Design, Compose, Edit and Publish novels and screenplays that people will actually buy, consume and tell their friends about. I'm teaching aspiring writers the lost technology of how to create stories that will impact the minds and hearts of readers.

        This is not some cheep "trick" to make a fast buck. That doesn't exist. At least not in my industry.

        So, if people come to my page and are not willing to make the requisite investment in time and money then they are my clients - and I don't want them to buy. They would just refund anyway.

        That said - I'm looking for a service rather than an in-house software program that I have to install and run from my server.

        I have a business to run and students to teach - I need someone to administer registering, managing and paying my affiliates.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisDouthit
    I would recommend one with low transaction fees, one that pays you in real time, one that does not keep your money in reserve, one that does not force you into their own policies, but instead lets you run your business they way you want to run it, and of course they would have to be feature rich.
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    • Profile picture of the author richwriter
      Originally Posted by ChrisDouthit View Post

      I would recommend one with low transaction fees, one that pays you in real time, one that does not keep your money in reserve, one that does not force you into their own policies, but instead lets you run your business they way you want to run it, and of course they would have to be feature rich.
      Yes, that sounds like what I'm looking for.

      Andy Jenkins used Deal Guardian on his last launch but their fee seems high and it seems that have a limitation on what you can charge for your product. I dont like either of those features.

      Jvzoo looks good - and they got high marksOne thing I like about their system is it's a true split-payment system.
      Where the incoming payment is split instantly between me, the affiliate and JVzoo gets their cut.


      Commission Junction also got a top rating


      Anyone have experience with either Jvzoo or Commission Junction?
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  • Profile picture of the author roblawrence
    Are you using WordPress? There are a number of affiliate plugins that work with that and any payment system. That way, you won't have to rely on an outside service and can keep it all 'in house".
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    • Profile picture of the author richwriter
      Originally Posted by roblawrence View Post

      Are you using WordPress? There are a number of affiliate plugins that work with that and any payment system. That way, you won't have to rely on an outside service and can keep it all 'in house".
      I'm not using WordPress. I have a full website but I'm running this product launch on Kajabi via their sales funnel with connections to a shopping cart and an email service.

      But I appreciate the thought.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheProgrammer
    @OP: If you're looking for your own self hosted affiliate management solution then aMember or Wishlist Member are good. Otherwise you should try Clickbank, BlueSnap (Plimus) or 2Checkout.
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    • Profile picture of the author richwriter
      Originally Posted by TheProgrammer View Post

      @OP: If you're looking for your own self hosted affiliate management solution then aMember or Wishlist Member are good. Otherwise you should try Clickbank, BlueSnap (Plimus) or 2Checkout.
      No, I'm not looking for a self-hosted solution. Too much work there. I dont want to manage my own server - been-there-done-that.

      I'll check out the other three.
      Thanks, I really appreciate the feedback and help.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sergio Zekanovic
    Originally Posted by richwriter View Post

    I'm looking for an affiliate management service/system to integrate with Kajabi/Aweber/PayPal or any other combination.
    I'm preparing a major product launch and would like to open it up to affiliates.
    Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. :confused:
    I can recommend ClickBetter for sure... they're very vendor friendly, have much lower fees than clicksure (10% vs. 15%) and accept more cards.

    Sergio
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  • Profile picture of the author julesw
    I am liking Deal guardian so far, as an aff getting paid is super easy, i just put my first product there - integration 'how to' was pretty nicely laid out and made 2 sales in a couple of hours.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Try "EasyClickMate" from Adrian Ling. It's works for Clickbank. It's awesome, and he's an awesome guy too.
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  • Profile picture of the author yakim1
    Brand new is PayGoBank. It will allow you to build your own affiliate program and display only your products to your affiliates. It does use PayPal's Adaptive Pay so yo can pay your affiliates instantly.

    I hope this has been helpful,
    Steve Yakim
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  • Profile picture of the author BethHewitt
    I prefer jvzoo to clickbank, but If you are using Kajabi I am not sure how easy it is to integrate it with jvzoo. If anyone knows a solution to that, I would be really interested as I will be launching a membership site via kajabi in January.

    Thanks,

    Beth
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