I much prefer independent schemes in the areas that fit really well with my sites and where the bigger business is.
This is mainly for two reasons
- higher commissions
- better commmunication
The networks do reduce the paperwork and provide better stats (such as the clicktracking) but if the volumes are there then if you can get an increase from say 10% to 12% commission this can easily make it worth it.
So from my persepective independent programs are the best for the superaffiliate type relationships and the networks best for the smaller business.
Your challenge is to get the right affiliates to find you. As has been said before each affiliate has there own niches and are amazing for some merchants and rubbish for another. Your best approach is to
1. Publish details on this forum
2. Have a competitetive offer or other unique selling point
3. Approach specific sites that could work well for you with a heavily personalised email. Just targeting 5 great fit sites and spending an hour understanding each will do so much more good than spending 10 hours searching for email addresses to send a template email to 100 semi-relevant sites (which probably include the 5 important one)
In particular I get a lot of such emails, maybe say telling me to promote their gadget site. From my perspective I already have some good realationships in place and dont see the need to go to lots of effort to add anyone else unless there is a new range of products or more money involved.
Most of the emails say "I really think our site would work well with yours" but dont say any more other than to explain the terms of the program. An email that actually says "I see you work with Firebox, Boysstuff etc. but heres exactly why I think adding us would benefit you" would get my attention.
It may sound lazy on my part and indeed it probably is, but as like most affiliates I work on my own I have to manage my time carefully. First question I ask is how much more money will this make me. Second question is how long will it take me. If its good value for my time then its worth it.
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