Affiliates: managing and recruiting

Before you can start managing and recruiting affiliates you need to be sure you have a good affiliate and a great Affiliate Tool software program in place. Automated affiliate tracking of sales and commissions is a must.
Bring on the affiliates!

• The content of your affiliate pages is very important. These pages give the search engines the fuel to bring potential affiliates who are “program shopping” to your website.
• Be sure to load up on keywords like, affiliate program and earn commissions. Include your product name in there too.
• Make your terms clear and your stance on SPAM known.
• Make sure you have plenty of sign up links with calls to action.
• Think of your affiliate program as another “product” you are selling. Go beyond your website and let the world know it open. Forums, affiliate directories, articles, blogs, etc.
• Branch into affiliate networks, you can pay to join and they’ll expose you to the thousands of affiliates they have on board. Watch out though, You could pay by the dollar or by the percent. Make sure it’s worth your while.
• Look for “Super Affiliates.” People who are marketing in your niche. Approach them and offer them a higher commission to promote your product. Many are willing to promote for you and this can lead to additional affiliates from their “lists.”
• Post-screen your affiliates. Check them out and make sure they are advertising your product in ways that won’t tarnish your good image. If they aren’t, drop them FAST.
• Watch out for fraud. High return rates from one affiliate’s sales could indicate foul play.
• Delay your commission payouts by about 30 to 45 days to allow for returns, refunds and charge backs.
• Communicate with your affiliates regularly. Affiliates can get busy and forget about you and your program. Regular contact will increase an affiliate’s promotion rate for your product.

Finally, go above and beyond for your best affiliates. Offer them special promotions, send them a thank you gift, and bump up their commission rates now and again. Make them feel important, they are!
Birds of a feather flock together. Super Affiliates will usually share a good product with their peers. The beneficiary will ultimately be you!

Zachary