Newbie question..please help! :)

[AugustF]

Hello everyone!,

I tried to sign up with CJ and several other affiliate brokers, but they require a website in the sign up process.
I wanted to sign up with them to get material for my niche website, how can I go sign up and get links to create my site?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ready to go...
August

[StephenR.]

You need to have a Web site up and running before applying to CJ or any other of the larger rev sharing networks in most cases. First create your Web site with unique content for your marketing niche. Then transparently add your affiliate promotions to your Web site. Text link affiliate promotions work best when they are embedded into your sites content. Try to stay away from loading a lot of banners on your web page. Become an expert in your marketing niche and focus your efforts soley on promoting affiliate programs that fullfill that specific niche demand. Too many affiliate links confusues your prospect and decreases your profits.

[Linda Buquet]

Yes you should get a site up 1st. Some managers personally review sites to be sure they are good and also relevant to the merchants content. You can put up a site and just say under construction but some good programs may turn you down.

[jackson992]

Find a specific niche and start with places that will auto accept you. Then once you have some products up apply at CJ.

[AugustF]

Thank you for all your responses, still a bit confused.
I want to create a site with some content but with many links to relevant items.
How do I get the text links to use in my website if CJ wont let me join?
Can I just go to the store directly and sign up?
I feel that if I do it that way I may miss out on some great stores with relevant products for my site.

Thank you for your patience in helping me.

August

[mlevenhagen]

Hi August,

1st Set Up Your Website with Some Content.

Then once it's up and running, the you can apply to CJ and seek out programs that are related to your content.

You can't put the cart before the horse:)

You don't have to have a lot at first to get set up, but once your site's up then you'll be able to hunt for programs to comliment your content.

You can't use an arrow without a bow:)

Don't worry about finding affiliate programs for your niche. Find your niche first, then build content, then get traffic, then worry about getting affiliate programs...

There are thousands upon thousands of affiliate programs out there to match your content... they are not going anywhere. You won't miss out.

Besides, I wouldn't worry about affiliate programs until you have a site anyway. Your first priority is traffic. You can have a 1000 affiliate programs, but with no traffic you won't make any of this:

---> $$$$

This will take some time. Content, website, traffic, affiliate programs... in that order.

Have Fun!

[StephenR.]

Good post Matt. Think that pretty much puts it all into perspective.

[Narnia]

I think August's original problem is that his intended content consists of affiliate links. He can't create a site without content; he can't get content without CJ affiliate links; and he can't get CJ affiliate links without already having created a site.

I am facing the same problem here as I am creating a new site targeting a niche market. My answer? I can do some research and compile a basic guide to purchasing the market products, though that might be pushing it. I can also insert links to products on other sites even though they wouldn't be affiliate links and I wouldn't be making any money through them. It would only be temporary, though, and it ought to give my site enough of a finished look to get the ok from CJ.