re: affiliate programs (to network or not to network)

From: Linda Woods <AffiliateGoddess_at_aol.com>
Date: Fri 31 Aug 2001 10:41:34 -0500

BOB CORTEZ <bobak_at_eagle.ptialaska.net> WROTE:

> 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. They are an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy
> that stand between real relationships between marketing
> partners. They promote an adversarial relationship
> rather than one of cooperation.

> Seek out compatible sites that run their own quality
> programs in house. Strike up a dialogue with the
> affiliate manager to work out a deal that is mutually
> beneficial. 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'm new to the list and wanted to jump right in on the
thread regarding affiliate programs and networks. Bob
Cortez's comment I agree with. The affiliate networks have
distorted what the affiliate marketing model really
is....it's a way of having "outside salespeople" to
promote and sell for you and in exchange they are paid
a commission. The best way for this model to work is
for merchants to look for quality sites that share their
market, and for content oriented sites (affiliates) to
look for credible merchants who have respect for their
"outside sales team" and will compensate you fairly for
your efforts. Not the "Join our Network" hoopla and
thousands of people will join your program and make
you tons of money. That isn't working.

There are many good merchants who are finding out that
they don't need to belong to a network where they are
deluged with worthless affiliates. They can purchase an
outstanding "in house" solution from
http://www.myaffiliateprogram.com at fees that start as
low as $99 and then work directly with their own
recruited affiliates.

I recently wrote an article about the 5 Myths of the
Affiliate Marketing Networks - it's located on my site
at http://www.affiliategoddess.com/whatsnew.html. You
can read about why I think there has been a shift from
only joining networks to building your own programs.

And as for this comment:

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.

This is completely false. By not joining a good program,
you are missing an opportunity to make significant
revenue. There are thousands, maybe hundreds of
thousands, of people who are making considerable money
from belonging to affiliate programs. Some supplement
their incomes with this "extra" money (like me - I earn
about $500 month from just the few programs that I
promote) and some work full time to make money ONLY
this way. I knw individuals making $4-9K a month
working them! That doesn't even count companies whose
main revenue channel is income earned from being a
partner to other companies' affiliate programs. (Like
schoolpop.com for example).

Sounds like the writer of that post just had a bad
experience and is tarnisning the whole industry. It's
not free money though! Takes hard work, dedication,
skills and good business sense.

Linda Woods
http://www.affiliategoddess.com
"Start your own Affiliate Program
with My Affiliate Program Software!"
http://www.myaffiliateprogram.com/u/a/t.asp?id=10558



Received on Fri Aug 31 2001 - 10:41:34 CDT