Affiliate Question

[mikeh]

Would a affiliate program be beneficial for my site (see below for link). I am good at integration between different types of software to get real time information.

[Linda Buquet]

Hi Michael,

Are you asking about starting an affiliate program as a merchant or becoming an affiliate?

[mikeh]

Hi,

I am looking at possibly becoming a partner with small business accounting software firms such as quickbooks, peachtree etc. since this is my target audience is small business whether traditional or online. But do not want it to canonbolize my other services being offered. Since I have teaching experience would like to show them how to use it effectively and to integrate with other packages to optimize for real time information to make better business decisions for long run success.

Originally Posted by Catalyst

Hi Michael,

Are you asking about starting an affiliate program as a merchant or becoming an affiliate?

[SteveWebb]

Hi Michael,

Have you approached the vendors of the software applications you mentioned? Software Vendors normally have different criteria to being a partner than the requirements of normal online affiliate programs.

Products with lots of margin are great for Affiliate Programs. This allows you to attract and motivate Affiliates. Good promoters look for good programs.

[TranscendMedia]

Michael,

Many software resellers offer affiliate programs. If you are getting traffic and know a lot about a niche software type my suggestion would be to write up a set of reviews, comparisons, and tutorials for these programs and then link to reseller/manufacturer as an affiliate.

You will be able to earn some good rankings and commissions this way and in addition the articles will get you recognition for your services and show that you are knowledgeable service provider.

Good luck with your site and let us know if you have other questions so we can help you out.

Warmest Regards & Happy Holidays,
Gregory Van Horn
President & Senior Developer
Transcend Media Interactive Marketing & Development Group
Ecommerce | Website Development | Affiliate & ROI Tracking Solutions | Online Marketing

[SteveWebb]

Hi Michael,

I replied to an earlier post of yours.

In regards to your latest question and I will probably get shot down so I will be interested in any replies.

I see the primary focus of your business as a service related consultancy. Online efforts for these types of businesses are generally focussed on being sales support and customer relationship building tools.

One needs to be pragmatic when assessing online potential and I do not see (but I could be wrong)that developing an (online) affiliate program based on what you are currently doing offering alot of value to your organisation.

[thisisull]

There is a trade off between earning money as an affiliate (not much I should add) and acceptance into the big forums.
I added adverts to try and make us some dough, as well as benifit the Samaritans, but its a rough old business and some forums get quite upset at visitors leaving to check us out.
So it's a toss up.
Mind you this is a great place to find out about the Affiliate business.
Regards
thisisull.

[mikeh]

Hi Steve,

I tend to agree. I am really struggling in getting my business going and I thought I would try something to shake it up a little. From all the advertising here locally and using adwords I am suprised there is not much interest in my services being offered. Maybe it is the holidays, but willingly to stick it out a while and roll the dice.

Originally Posted by SteveWebb

Hi Michael,

I replied to an earlier post of yours.

In regards to your latest question and I will probably get shot down so I will be interested in any replies.

I see the primary focus of your business as a service related consultancy. Online efforts for these types of businesses are generally focussed on being sales support and customer relationship building tools.

One needs to be pragmatic when assessing online potential and I do not see (but I could be wrong)that developing an (online) affiliate program based on what you are currently doing offering alot of value to your organisation.

[Conficio]

Originally Posted by mikeh

I tend to agree. I am really struggling in getting my business going and I thought I would try something to shake it up a little. From all the advertising here locally and using adwords I am suprised there is not much interest in my services being offered. Maybe it is the holidays, but willingly to stick it out a while and roll the dice.

Hi there,
I think you should not look at affiliate programs to be effective for a local startup consultancy practice. Especially because you say you are struggeling. Let's assume you got a couple of hundered visitors a week (correct me if my assumptions are wrong), with a click though rate of 1% (very high), and a conversion rate of another 10% from that. You might get one commission in 5 weeks. I don't think this is getting your business going.

Ask yourself, what kind of products you could point people to, that they don't already know (QuickBooks, etc. are not new to most small businesses that surf the web).

In your position, I'd rather narrow down the services you offer. I can't see from your site, what is your expertise. Business Plan writer? Marketing Guru? Database Application Developer? "All of them", just rings my alarm clock. Let me (your customers) know what industries you have experience with. Most small business owners don't think consultants are not knowledgeable, but they think they don't listen to and understand their specific issues. A cleaner/constructor/shop keeper does not want to explain his business to a consultant, He wants him/her to know the specific issues already. A small business owner does not have the money to have you learn the basics of his/her industry.

Let me also know what projects you have successfully performed and how they helped the client to improve the business (ROI - Return on Investment in absolute and percent numbers!!!).

I'd also like to know a brief description of the clients business (business, revenue, history). That makes a potential client feel comparable.

You seem to have done some advertising (I assume not only online). What was the response to that? How many leads did you get out of each campaign? How many sales? What kind of sales (small, medium, large projects - small, medium, large customers)? Are different messages more/less effective? Are different lists more/less effective?

Did you refer prospects to other companies, because they were looking for something you could not provide? Referrals in the real world can give you return business and the prospect keeps you in positive remembrance, hence might return some day or refer other business.

Do you network with other business owners?

It takes lot of patients to get business. Did you know that it takes 3 - 4 direct mailings, before a recipient does even take your company for serious/trustworthy (let alone buy something)? Do you do PR, as in Public Relations and in Press Release? Write some press releases to the local newspaper and post in return your press coverage on your web-site (in your mailings to clients/prospects). It raises your credibility.

One more thing. Affiliation means exactly that. I'm not sure if it is beneficial to you if you affiliate with some product and thereby loose your professional independence. What advice do you value more, that of a knowledgeable consultant or that of a sales person?

Good luck and a happy season
K<o>

[griffkim]

Yesterday I launched my affiliate program. I'm offering $2 for every ebook sale generated and $1 for each paperback.

My hope is that the offering is substantial enough to get some webmasters interested in giving it a try. I want to be generous with the commission structure to keep my affiliate program running. Does the commission structure sound inviting?

About 4 webmasters inquired a month ago whether I offered such a program. Seemed to me that with the unsolicited requests, it would be a worthwhile functionality to have.

Assuming the structure sounds good, Where, other than the commercial affiliate programs, can I post the program? Your ideas are much appreciated!