Affiliates, why sign up but not promote?

[MattSweet]

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The problem I have is that if I ask for anything like discount codes (whether exclusive or not), I tend to get told I'm expected to generate a sales history first. (Those who publicly supply codes tend not to need to phone in the first place)

I'm with you on this, although I do think it depends on the individual account manager rather than the agency itself. I've been fobbed off by a few AMs owing to no history with a programme but others from the same agency/network have been happy to help.

For example, Susan from Big Mouth has gone out of her way to help with our new travel site despite us never having done anything with the programme or Big Mouth before.

Back to the original post, the reason I sign up and not promote is a mixture of

1) Thinking I can create the worlds biggest and best affiliate site, covering everything you can imagine - then realising after 2 days I should stick to smaller sites.

2) Signing up to programmes I know would fit on a future site I've got planned in the back of my mind.

[Mogga]

Often I'll look at a site after siging up and decide that they leak too much traffic to alternate sales routes and that is not something I want to be encouraging. I spose if I spot it I could email the network/merchant but it's something that should be sorted out before the merchant goes live imo.

[MattSweet]

One thing I can say for definite, is that an initial email from an affiliate outlining their plans for promoting Thomas Cook or any of our brands will almost always result in acceptance to the programme that day.

That's providing you have a programme open for affiliates to apply to...

I can understand this approach, and am mostly happy to do it if needed but it could become a pain if you're applying to 10-20 programmes in a day for a new site.

Out of interest, do you read the site outline on whatever network the programmes are on? Would it help if we all ensured each site we have has an accurate description on the network?

One frustrating thing is to have a good description on the network already but have to repeat it via email to AMs or netowrks who don't bother looking at it... (not aimed at you Simon btw).

[Shimrit]

One thing that does wind me up though is the short notice some networks give you about a merchants site downtime or tracking issues.

As annoying as that is, I can see why something that happens suddenly (like tracking issues or downtime) might get reported short notice. I'm more annoyed when merchants run promotions that end but bury the end notice in a general newsletter or otherwise not big bold and obvious messages. Those are planned, so should have clear start/end dates marked or at the very least be very clearly announced.

[DanielAustin]

I don't see the issue with inactive affiliates on a program. What difference does it make? In my experience of managing a program, you find some affiliates lie dormant for a while before they start to kick their activity off. Some never do kick their activity off, but there is no harm in having them on the program is there?

I agree Tom there is no harm in it but I would like to see all affiliates promoting the programme, this will lead to more sales for my merchants. What the post was intended to find out was why affiliates do this and what would make them become active, if you want to sign up and do nothing then fine, but why?

[DanielAustin]

Really interesting thread.

One thing I can say for definite, is that an initial email from an affiliate outlining their plans for promoting Thomas Cook or any of our brands will almost always result in acceptance to the programme that day. These emails don't need to be an essay, but taking 5 mins to just let me know the model of your site, your url and your name will make you stick in my mind, get my attention and make me want to help you succeed.

It's actually a requirement for affiliates applying to the programme, but less than 10% bother. Its that minority however, who hear about offers relevant to them, get asked for feedback when I have an idea, and to whom unique opportunities go to.

Just my thoughts.

I completely agree with this, it is a two way street and as you say even a quick email to introduce themselves will make that affiliate stick in your mind. Then when the offers and unique codes become available you remember the most pro active.

[DanielAustin]

I'm with you on this, although I do think it depends on the individual account manager rather than the agency itself. I've been fobbed off by a few AMs owing to no history with a programme but others from the same agency/network have been happy to help.

The problem I have is that if I ask for anything like discount codes (whether exclusive or not), I tend to get told I'm expected to generate a sales history first. (Those who publicly supply codes tend not to need to phone in the first place)
!

A very very difficult one guys you both obviously don't agree with the no history no code rule, it is a difficult one this.

As I said when I first posted both myself and a merchant put in a lot of time and effort (and money) to get a bespoke deal for an affiliate, this resulted in no sales and I had to go back to the merchant with my tail between my legs and explain why this was.

Sometimes you try something and its doesn't work, everybody understands that but it then makes it harder to go to that merchant again and ask for a bespoke deal for someone else.

We have also given bespoke deals to top performing affiliates and watched sales revenue grow even further, now take that back to the merchant and what do you think they will say.

Don't get me wrong guys I am not disagreeing with you and if I had my way each affiliate would have there own code and exclusive deal but as you said we can sometimes be stuck between a rock and a hard plate.

[babrees]

One thing I can say for definite, is that an initial email from an affiliate outlining their plans for promoting Thomas Cook or any of our brands will almost always result in acceptance to the programme that day. These emails don't need to be an essay, but taking 5 mins to just let me know the model of your site, your url and your name will make you stick in my mind, get my attention and make me want to help you succeed.

It's actually a requirement for affiliates applying to the programme, but less than 10% bother. Its that minority however, who hear about offers relevant to them, get asked for feedback when I have an idea, and to whom unique opportunities go to.

But there is no provision to do this. All I have ever seen is a button on the network that you click to join. If it is automatic you join immediately, if not you wait and see. I see nowhere anything else to further your application

[DanielAustin]

But there is no provision to do this. All I have ever seen is a button on the network that you click to join. If it is automatic you join immediately, if not you wait and see. I see nowhere anything else to further your application

Via a lot of networks you can view a brief description of the programme, normally you will find an email address or phone number there, especially the ones I help look after but to avoid any confusion.....

Daniel Austin
daniel@ro-eye.co.uk
0161 228 1228
07890463008

My door is always open.

[Frostie]

To me it depends on the network and merchant signup times. TD is a prime example... I sign up and I get put into pending where I usually sit for 3+ months. By the time I get accepted, I have already given up on life, and moved to another programme usually with a different network.

There are times when, if I am 100% honest, its because I want to buy something from the merchant myself and am simply after a quick kick back.

Other times, its one of those flash of genius ideas (usually after a pop or two) then the next morning realisation kicks in and I wonder whether HelpWomenWithHairyBacks.com really is a good Niche to be in or not.

Then there are those merchants that allow you on board, then months down the line, introduce some silly rules and regulations when I think to myself - sod ya! And promote someone else who is less pernickety. Other times the merchant accuses me of something which isnt true, and after a while, again I think stuff ya!

This happened only yesterday! After thinking it was all sorted I received a "Your kicked off" email anyway! It turns out I liaised with 1 person, yet today another person told the network to kick me off. Does the left hand know what the right hand is doing? I think not... anyway lets leave MerchantX out of this and get back on track...

Finally banners! Some merchant dont have up to date, basic sized banners. There are others who change the banners and ask we update all of our settings, when it could and should be dynamic.

So many things...

1 more thing - I will join a merchant thinking "They will stock x-product" when it comes to Christmas, thinking it will be in the Top Ten wanted list. Sometimes its not in the top ten list, or they dont source the product so I dont push them. I signup because I want to be prepared "ever been in scouts?", and I dont want to be sat waiting for a merchant to approve me while I am missing out on traffic.

[DanielAustin]

To me it depends on the network and merchant signup times. TD is a prime example... I sign up and I get put into pending where I usually sit for 3+ months. By the time I get accepted, I have already given up on life, and moved to another programme usually with a different network.

There are times when, if I am 100% honest, its because I want to buy something from the merchant myself and am simply after a quick kick back.

Other times, its one of those flash of genius ideas (usually after a pop or two) then the next morning realisation kicks in and I wonder whether HelpWomenWithHairyBacks.com really is a good Niche to be in or not.

Then there are those merchants that allow you on board, then months down the line, introduce some silly rules and regulations when I think to myself - sod ya! And promote someone else who is less pernickety.

Finally banners! Some merchant dont have up to date, basic sized banners. There are others who change the banners and ask we update all of our settings, when it could and should be dynamic.

So many things...

1 more thing - I will join a merchant thinking "They will stock x-product" when it comes to Christmas, thinking it will be in the Top Ten wanted list. Sometimes its not in the top ten list, or they dont source the product so I dont push them. I signup because I want to be prepared "ever been in scouts?", and I dont want to be sat waiting for a merchant to approve me while I am missing out on traffic.

All fair points Frostie but I do think HelpWomenWithHairyBacks.com is a winner, how much do you want for it

[thegiftexperience]

<meta http-equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 2.4 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { size: 21cm 29.7cm; margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } --> </style> Very interesting post and thread. It starts to raise the question of who works for who.
Seems like a lot of affiliates think merchants work for them and we should do whatever they want. Where as many merchants think that affiliates work for them and have to promote their programs how ever they see fit.
Personally, I like to think it is somewhere in between the two, and there has to be give and take from both sides.
I think a it makes sense to sign up to programs for future use, and i think it is unrealistic for merchants to expect every affiliate to be generating sales as soon as they sign up to programs.
In brief, I think every affiliate and merchant is totally different and the only way to work best together is through communication (phone/e-mail/msn/letter/in person).

[Frostie]

Personally, I like to think it is somewhere in between the two, and there has to be give and take from both sides.

Exactly! I think the bigger the company, the less they see it as being both sides. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule such as Dixons, Wickes, etc. IMO some of the biggest merchants out there, yet I have what I consider to be a good relationship with them which is beneficial both ways.

I do tend to find, on average, I have better face-to-face dealings with smaller merchants as communication is 2way, rather than the usual 1way email notification.

By getting a good working relationship in place, instantly makes me want to try to work with the merchant, and I am sure it in turn makes them want to work with me, as an affiliate. As you say, communication is KEY, and there are numerous different methods of communication available, none of which should be dismissed.

[DanielAustin]

Exactly! I think the bigger the company, the less they see it as being both sides. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule such as Dixons, Wickes, etc. IMO some of the biggest merchants out there, yet I have what I consider to be a good relationship with them which is beneficial both ways.

I do tend to find, on average, I have better face-to-face dealings with smaller merchants as communication is 2way, rather than the usual 1way email notification.

By getting a good working relationship in place, instantly makes me want to try to work with the merchant, and I am sure it in turn makes them want to work with me, as an affiliate. As you say, communication is KEY, and there are numerous different methods of communication available, none of which should be dismissed.

Pretty much hit the nail on the head its a two way street and a better working relationship between affiliate/agency or affiliate/merchant benefits us all.

No communication tool should be dismissed, even if that be phone, email or smoke signals. I understand each affiliate has different needs and works in a different way, as does each merchant and agency. The trick is finding the common ground.

[confuscius]

I know a lot of affiliates are busy and time is an issue, I am also aware that people are carrying out research for whatever reason and that not having voucher codes available will immediately stop affiliates promoting.

You have this the wrong way around - having voucher codes will also stop some affiliates promoting.

My irks are simple - merchant info so full of wrong and misleading information, a large feed with no content, network ignoring requests, not knowing whom to contact, lack of easy communication, out of stock stuff, page leakage, etc, etc - make me wonder if there is actually a single Merchant that has actually got its act together such that they can be promoted by the various affiliate type strategies.