Archive for the ‘Affiliate Marketing Resource’ Category

Do you operate an affiliate program? If so, your program will soon start to takeoff, if it hasn’t already. When your current affiliates are paid and pleased with the results, they will talk about the program online. Word will spread that money is to be made with your affiliate program. Getting new affiliates is nice, but it is a lot of work. Not all of these affiliates are familiar with affiliate programs, ad placement, web design, and internet marketing. You will likely hear a lot questions. Of course, you should answer these questions, but take them and create a frequently asked questions section on your website or message board.

One of the many reasons why you should create a frequently asked questions section about your affiliate program is because it reduces the questions asked. As an affiliate manager, you have many tasks. You cannot spend all day answering simple questions, like how do I know which banner performs the best and so forth. By creating a frequently asked questions section and by displaying it on your program website or message board, you eliminate some of these questions. Your new affiliates can head straight to your section and get the answers to their questions. If, by chance, the question wasn’t answered then they can email you.

Another reason why a frequently asked question section is a good idea for your affiliate program website is because of the information it provides. New affiliates are likely to have questions, but those questions won’t come at the same time. You direct new affiliates to the frequently asked question section and they read it. They get a lot of information on common concerns. They are now educated. The more information you provide, the better.

Speaking of information, what should you include in a frequently asked questions section? It is important to cover all aspects of using and making money from your affiliate program.

To get started, clarify the rules and restrictions. Common questions in this area are about using affiliate links to make personal purchases and having the company or product name in the web address. If you do not want your company name used in any http address, state so. If you don’t want your affiliates to click on their links for personal purchases and get paid commission, state so.

Next, focus on getting started with links and banners. Depending on your program, you may have text links, banners, and picture links for individual products. One of the questions you will be asked is “how do I find them?” Provide detailed instructions. Take any other questions you have been asked about using your embedded links or pictures and insert them here.

Then, focus on how affiliates make money. Of course, it is each time a sale is generated through an affiliate link, but restate this again. Then, state the importance of internet marketing. One common question you will get asked is “how do I market my website or the affiliate product?” This is where you can provide a detailed list of direction or tips.

Finally, focus on payment. Your new affiliates not only want to know how they make money, but how much, when they get paid, how often, and through what method. Take these questions and answer them in this section. State your minimum payout requirement, how payment is processed, and when your affiliates can expect to receive it.

The above mentioned examples are just a few of your ideas. You want to take the most common questions you have been asked by new affiliates in the past and compile those questions and their answers into an easy to read list.

If you run an affiliate program, you need to ensure your affiliates are doing their part. They must use your coded links and banners. If not, they are doing nothing to generate sales for you. In fact, they are wasting your time. With that said, don’t write off each of these individuals as lazy. There are many cases in which those new to affiliate programs need a little help and support, be sure to give it to your members.

As previously stated, you need to provide all of your affiliates, especially those new to the program, with support. Why? Better yet, focus on the dangers of not. If you setup an affiliate program, give a few coded links, make payments when needed, but then just disappear what could happen? Continue reading on to find out.

You may lose quality affiliates. Do not make the mistake of assuming all good affiliates can do the job without asking questions. Some may be unable to access your website, may have trouble uploading your graphics, and others may have payment related questions. Anyone can have a question at anytime, including your best performing affiliates. Don’t let them get angry and jump ship because it takes you one week or never to answer a question.

You may create a bad name for your affiliate program. Affiliate programs do work. They are successful. The business person using an affiliate program, which would be you, sees an increase in sales. Better yet, the affiliates who help generate those sales are paid. This information will spread like wildfire online. People are always taking about how they make money online. Don’t be surprised to see an influx of applications after your payments are sent out. This is because your affiliates are talking about the opportunity online. Unfortunately, people don’t just talk about good things. They share problems and complaints online. If an affiliate of yours cannot get a response from you, they may turn to the internet and broadcast their complaint. Anyone who reads it may later think twice about joining your affiliate program.

You may cause unintentional rule breaking. Many affiliate programs prohibit affiliates from using their own links to buy. The goal of affiliate programs is to generate unique sales, not planned or staged sales. If your rule on this practice is not outlined in your terms and conditions, you are likely to get an email asking about the rule. However, if you don’t respond, the affiliate may go ahead and use their affiliate links to make a purchase. Not only do they get the items they ordered, but they get money from the commission too. If you catch the person, they can claim they didn’t technically break the rules because they weren’t highlight and because you didn’t respond to their original message.

You can lose money. As previously stated, you need to cater to all of your affiliates. Whether they have a question, suggestion, or complaint, it needs to be address. If you just ignore your affiliates, you will anger some. These angry individuals are likely to jump ship. When that happens, you lose money. Don’t just think about the money lost immediately, but the long-term. You had an affiliate who was having problems getting your embedded banners to display on their website. You ignored their question and they left. This is bad if they had a well designed, easy to navigate, and marketed website. You may have cost yourself thousand of dollars in sales, just in the first year!

As you can see, there are many consequences to avoiding your affiliates. Never do it. If you don’t already provide your affiliates with helpful support, start now before you staring seeing the consequences.