Multiple Networks

[taramoar]

I'm representing a client who is very anxious about signing up as many affiliates as they can. We are already on one network and signing onto another, however they are looking at signing on at least 2 more.

I have advised them not to as I think we would be spreading ourselves thin but as I'm still pretty green to all this would anyone have any positives or negatives about signing on multiple networks?

Thanks - any feedback would be really appreciated!

[Mogga]

If they have a good program the affiliates will find them.

One network surely means more concentrated effort.


I don't know many people who don't use all the main networks - although at the moment the spyware issue means more favourable response maybe on some networks and not others.


If they want more affiliates then this is affiliate manager type work which is not neccessaily part of a network's job?

[getvisible]

The first thing to make sure is that if they're on a parasiteware supporting network (TD, CJ) to get them onto an "affiliate friendly" network such as affiliatefuture, paidonresults, buy.at, ad.com, omguk.com, etc. Then consider moving off them completely. The majority of affiliates that do any decent volume of sales would have no problem with this (I think I'm safe to say).

I would see that there is a point of reducing marginal returns for being on another network - my own view is that more than two would increase your workload more than the benefit obtained of having a wider "pool" off affiliates to choose from.

I would say that most affilaites are signed up with the majority of networks and its just down to their own preferences from that.

So make sure you are on one or two off the friendly ones (checking to see if they have expertise in that market segment)and then check your clients respect for their brand and ethics as to whether you should be on the "parasite supporting networks".

[renegade]

Despite what the networks will try to tell you there is a hard-core of affiliates (probably only a few hundred) that will make most of your sales however many networks you sign up for.
If the program is in any way attractive affiliates will find you.
And please choose a spyware free network.

[Helen]

Hi Tara

I am writing with my affiliate hat on at the moment as opposed to an agency marketing bod.

Is this relating to carwatch program that Wheel manage? If it is good for working with buy.at as they don't encourage spyware companies. I would be shouting that you are working with them more!

Heres some feedback from me:

AA - strong brand, trusted customer service etc offer me the service for £34.99 for AA members and £36.99 for non-members, and as an affiliate i get 15% commission which would be around £5.00. Convert well around 4% for targeted searches. although its more costly i have trust in the brand

Carwatch - although carwatch offer £4 which is competitive on pricing i would like to understand more about conversions, the trust in the brand etc....also perhaps supplying keyterms which people are likely to search on. i nknow for a fact this market is very big so how about providing some stats like over 500,00 searchse a year are made car data check terms, this allows affilaites to make decisions on whether they think its worth building pages for!

Therefore your appraoch should be about educating your affiliate partners as to the value of working with your company, giving them estiamtes on conversion and other info mentioned above. Another network does mean more cost which could be better spend incentivising your affiliates. You should spend the time pitching the program more to affiliates and most of premium partners are either active or pop by the forums from time to time.

Hope it helps, say hi to fraser for me

Helen

[taramoar]

Thanks all for your help and advice!