Re: affiliate programs

From: Adam Lasnik <alasnik_at_smilezone.com>
Date: Wed 29 Aug 2001 10:13:00 -0500

PESACH LATTIN <plattin_at_spyretech.com> WROTE:

>Don't ever sign up for an affiliate program, point
>blank. Even if you believe that sometimes that
>Cost-Per-Sale programs can sometimes work, the
>affiliate programs offered through the web, such as
>commission junction and similar sites are generally
>horrible.

Yes, those significant checks from affiliate programs I
receive monthly are simply evil! They corrupt me, cause
me to do terrible things like post sarcastic notes to
lists, eat too many Jelly Bellies(tm), and sleep in
late :)

>I'd like to amend the recommendation to read: " Don't
>ever sign up for an affiliate program through any of
>the 'networks'. Affiliate networks such as Commission
>Junction, BeFree and LinkShare are just glorified banner
>networks.

Huh?!? While I agree that there are certainly
frustrations associated with each of the companies you've
mentioned, I generally *PREFER* to have my affiliate
relationships mediated through one of those firms, rather
than direct with the company whose products or services
I am selling on my site.

Why?

 - CONVENIENCE: It's a lot easier to check my statistics
   daily on one site than many.
 - COMPREHENSION: In general, when you've seen one
   affiliate program stats page on one of the affiliate
   management company (befree et al) pages, you've seen
   'em all. I don't have to spend time deciphering hmm...
   what does this stat mean? Where do I find this info?

I've had business relationships with companies directly
and also through all three of the networks you've listed
above, and I must say... I can't think of ANY experience
I've had with the former type of relationships that have
has been better than the latter type.

>They are an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy
>that stand between real relationships between marketing
>partners.

In contrast, I think they REMOVE a layer of the bureaucracy,
freeing the affiliate managers from dealing with more
mundane tasks associated with affiliate programs.

>They promote an adversarial relationship
>rather than one of cooperation.

Whoa! How do you see this?!?

>Seek out compatible sites that run their own quality
>programs in house.

Why not offer an example or two? While I love many things
about Amazon.com's in-house program for example (decent
stats, excellent rapport with affiliates, etc.), when it
comes to the bottom line of actual payouts (percentage and
raw amount), they're quite average on my list.

>Strike up a dialogue with the
>affiliate manager to work out a deal that is mutually
>beneficial.

I do this anyway. In fact, I feel I have a lot more leverage
in getting a special 'private offer' from a merchant who
uses Linkshare, for instance, than by writing another company.
Can you imagine writing Amazon.com and asking for higher
commissions?

>It's not the affiliate model that is flawed,
>it is affiliate networks that are flawed. Don't confuse
>the model with the networks.

I wish you'd give some reasoning behind your claims here!

Regards,
Adam Lasnik
adam_at_smilezone.com
http://smilezone.com/



Received on Wed Aug 29 2001 - 10:13:00 CDT