By Nicole Dean
Here’s a question that I get asked regularly by frustrated infoproduct sellers.
“Why aren’t my affiliates promoting my affiliate program? And, how do I get more to sign up?”
Dear Infoproduct Seller:
I can tell you in a heartbeat whether or not your affiliate program is attracting loyal, motivated affiliates. It’s easy. Just put yourself in your affiliate’s shoes. If you’re not creating loyalty in your affiliates, they’re going to look for a better program to promote, and you’ll be left in the dust.
Now that I’ve got your attention, let’s go through some key components of making your affiliate program attractive to affiliates, so they don’t start shopping around.
1. Reputations are on the Line.
Of course, number one is quality. Do you have quality products and customer service? An affiliate’s reputation is on the line every time we consider promoting a product or service. If your products are junk or you’re making our referrals upset in any way – we’ll drop you faster than something *really* hot.
2. Lay the Money on the Table.
It’s not just about the percentage commission. That won’t motivate and make loyal affiliates, but, it is a start. Are you talking 5%? Then, unless you offer millions of products at great prices and have a solid reputation, you’re not going to be getting a whole lot of affiliates.
3. Who’s getting credit?
Show your affiliates that you value them by setting long cookies and they’ll keep sending you traffic. How long are your cookies? The longer the better.
4. Pay on Time.
Affiliates will be loyal unless they are given a reason not to be. Pay on time and don’t make them jump through any hoops to get the money they earned.
5. Like Frosting on the Cake.
Assuming all things are equal, if your program is two-tier or residual, you’ll have affiliates lined up to promote you.
6. Are you even trying?
There is nothing more frustrating than joining an affiliate program that you’re really excited about, logging in and seeing … nothing but a couple of links. No content, no ebooks, no videos. Zip. This is especially disappointing if you know the author or owner is sending out a weekly newsletter. Share your articles with your affiliates, allow them to be rebranded, and I guarantee you’ll get loyalty.
7. That’s just Rude.
Almost more insulting than not providing any content is providing “leaky” articles. Yes, I have seen affiliate programs that so “generously” provide articles for their affiliates. But, the articles had plugs for their other programs in the body of the article. Several big name marketers recruit affiliates inside their rebrandable reports. Now, I’m not naming names, but I do feel that’s pretty cheap to be stealing from your own affiliates.
Those are just a few ways to tell if your affiliate program stinks.
I hope you read and reread this advice. Treat your affiliates like partners and they’ll plaster your link all over the web. You’ll have affiliates lined up to promote every new product you offer, and they’ll sing your praises every chance they get.
Are you ready to attract affiliates who are excited to promote your products? And, would you like to have an affiliate program that doesn’t stink? Nicole Dean is on a mission to help you. Check out her program at IncomeCPR.com – where she’s helping Infoproduct sellers just like you to have more profits and more LIFE
Question: My target market is women, and I’m having a hard time getting them to promote my products. They just seem unmotivated. I don’t get it. Does my affiliate program stink or am I recruiting bad affiliates?