Are there too many merchants or not enough quaility ones?

[Azam.net]

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Yes, fabulous thread.

It seems that too many sales staff on some networks sell the "affiliate marketing dream" to clients. Once they're signed up, they don't care too much what happens afterwards. The vast majority of merchants on those networks then receive very few sales/leads, and it understandably annoys them.

I always tell merchants looking to get into affiliate marketing that it is (a) incredibly hard-work, (b) requires considerable investment in time and money, and (c) often takes many months before things start to take off. That might turn away potential clients, but I'd rather be honest with people than sell them a myth just to earn a few bucks commission.

If we missell affiliate marketing, it will damage the reputation of the channel.

[aaclapham]

Isn't alot of affiliates not converting down to no help from the networks, and not knowing who to ask help from?

You only start registering on the networks radar when sales start flowing in, and suddenly they are your best friends with offers and help to convert more sales.

Until you get to that point you are a nobody, with no potential.

[sgpratley]

I think a lot of new affiliates could do better for themselves if they promoted themselves to the networks a bit more readily.

If you've picked a niche you think you can really do well in, maybe because you've worked in that industry or have a passion for it, let the networks know. Even just a quick email to introduce yourself is a start.

'Hi, I have a site promoting widget polishers, do you have any high promoting merchants with current offers in this sector? I worked as a widget polisher for years and have a collection of widget brushes worth thousands myself so I think I can provide some great content for on my new site'


Otherwise, like aaclapham says, you won't get noticed until the sales start rolling in.

With very little work you CAN break the affiliate catch 22.

Can't get help until I've made sales
Can't make sales without getting some help.

[Hero]

I think a lot of new affiliates could do better for themselves if they promoted themselves to the networks a bit more readily.

If you've picked a niche you think you can really do well in, maybe because you've worked in that industry or have a passion for it, let the networks know. Even just a quick email to introduce yourself is a start.

that's one hell of good piece of advice there Stephen
There's no such thing as an unimportant affiliate - only overlooked and underhelped, by the merchant & the network (no point in shying away from our responsibilities as network staff).

I have seen many a merchant who decided to launch on more networks to "expand their good performing affiliates", in effect trebbling their admin & overheads, when they could have simply taken the time to work with each of their existing affiliates and help them produce sales and optimise their campaigns.