Bonus scheme or Cookies? - You decide!

**Markup** · 14-01-04

Here’s one that I hope will be educational for Affiliate Managers and productive for Affiliates.

In the run up to Christmas we ran a Bonus scheme whereby those of our Affiliates who made X amount sales were rewarded with a cash bonus over and above their normal commission rate. The scheme went up in increments, so it worked out along the lines of 5 sales earns you a bonus of £15, 10 sales earns £30 and so on up to fifty sales and above.

I have been speaking to a colleague of mine who was impressed with it and has, in light of the fact that he is very soon to be taking over the management of the Affiliate programme for a major utility Company, asked my advice.

He asked. Did I think that it would be more beneficial from his standpoint to offer a bonus scheme to get his programme off to a good start, or whether he would be better to extend the length of the cookies that at the moment stand at 30 days. For example, 10 sales 60 days, 20 sales 90 days and so on – The scheme which The Digital Camera Company ran was a great success, but, because of the nature and regularity of visitors to utility sites I don’t know if I can help him very much, In order to help him out as honestly as I can, I think that you as Affiliates are much better placed to give your own opinions, as in the end you all know which you prefer.

I also think that you will want to affiliate at the earliest opportunity with this Company so it also gives you the chance to decide which you want to work with – A shorter term bonus scheme to get the ball rolling, or a longer term cookie period.

Ahem – slightly long winded but I thought you would like to have the choice, or at least offer advice.

Thanks

Mark.

**scifind** · 14-01-04

<homer mode>Hmmmm Bonus Cookies</homer mode>

I would think that a sales related bonus would be best for both sides

**jess1** · 14-01-04

sales related bonuses.
Some affiliates may not be aware of the benefits of increased cookie date. But either way your cookies should be set min 30 days if poss much longer!

**Markup** · 14-01-04

I thought sales too because of the succes of our own scheme but with the type of product that a Utility Company offer, wouldn't the longer cookies give more to the affiliate who thought long term?