What do affiliates want?

Have I covered the top concerns in my affiliate newsletter?

[mysterynme]

Hi everyone,

I am publishing our first monthly affliate newsletter and want to make sure the content will be relevant and interesting for our affilates. Am I missing anything important or obvious? Do you have any suggestions that would benefit our affiliates?

The sections I intent to include are:

1. Program updates (upgrades, new features, products, etc...)
2. Ideas and Tips (marketing ideas and insights that have helped us sell our widgets for years)
3. Top Performers / Affiliate of the Month (a way to recognize all that hard work)
4. Did You Know (fun and interesting little blurbs about...)
5. Thank You (big thanks for participation)
6. Creative Corner (hot links and new creative)
7. Tell Us What you Think (short poll to collect feedback)

We will also give away prizes quarterly - I'm thinking something random and fun... best pet picture, etc...

What do you guys think?
Thanks!

[jeremy goodrich]

>3. Top Performers / Affiliate of the Month (a way to recognize all that hard work)

Some people might be worried that their 'secrets' are now out there, for other affiliates (competitors) to pick up on. Imho, that is the only one you might reconsider from your list. :)

[Mike_Mackin]

Top Performers wish to stay under the radar.
They don't want recognition they want the money.

[mysterynme]

Ahhhh... the old "under the radar" tactic...

Thanks for the feedback. Have I missed anything? I really want to be of service to them...

[firstmark]

If your affiliate program site has a search feature tell affiliates exactly how many times each and every phrase is searched for.

Give a list of top saleing products by dollar amount

Give a list of top saleing products by conversion rate from clicks

I also would suggest a content every month for affiliates that send in some interesting story or fact you use in the next update. This would promote affiliate program loyalty.

[DroffatsX3]

I agree with what the others have said about "Top Performer." However, what you could do is provide some statistics without naming names. Things like clickthroughs/sales ratios, clickthroughs/impressions ratios, etc. List what the averages are, what the best performers do. Let owners see how they match up against others, that way they could work on improving their own ratios. Never name names though!

[eWhisper]

I agree completely with DroffatsX3. Affiliates like to know where they stack up against others. Letting people see their conversion rate, total clicks, visitors, etc and then the averages of everyone, the top and bottom 20% lets them know what's possible and gives them an idea of how their own program is working. I would never name names as the people who are the top percentage got there by hard work and all you'll do is have people below them start copying their techniques instead of finding their own niche.

eWhisper

[mysterynme]

This is great feedback - thank you all. What about setting up a message board for our publishers - is that a good idea? Will they use it? And what do affiliates/publshers prefer to be called? Affiliates or Publishers?

[eWhisper]

Affiliates is fine with me, if the termonology were changed, might start to get confused as to who is what.

eWhisper

[BeFer]

The points here are right on about top performers not wanting to be named...some of them.

Different things motivate different people and I know that while many don't like the spotlight and their hand tipped, others DO like the recognition.

Ask them. Even if they don't want to be named, you've acknowledged them.

And Firstmark's advice is also great. Give them some inside info on top sellers, most searched for, highest demand products. Or some promotional info, coupons, sales, etc., before they start, whatever you can without divulging your business secrets.

If you're worried about your competition being in your program and getting info, start to build a trusted list and give them priveleged info.

[markusf]

traffic stats would be nice to.. This top affiliate sent x number of people which yielded him x $

[firstmark]

Traffic stats from top publishers without identifying them and payouts to top affiliates would be helpful.
Total payouts to affiliates monthly would also be interesting to know.

I suggest using the term affiliate and not publisher.
Those who use terms like publisher tend to not fully understand that your sales force online are affiliates.
Only demeaning affiliate programs call their affiliates associates; think Amazon.com
The word associates emplies an employment arrangement on some level or something besides just someone being an independent sales person in my opinion.

[pixel_juice]

Giving affiliates a comparison between themselves and the top performers enables people to gauge their own effectiveness, which is crucial. In my experience (from a 'be my affiliate' point of view) the best affiliates love as many stats as possible. They eat them up and spit out higher sales ;)

[teeceo]

Above al else, amke sure you have a affiliate phone number(that works and a "real live PERSON" is there to answer the phone. Also, who ever does answer the phone msut know what the hell there talking about(and what your tring to tell them) this is very importent. Also, have a affiliate derector on hand "5" real days a week(no less then 8 hours a day, 10-12 would be best) so that the affiliate feels that everything is in order. If they feel thing are not in order, then there out(along with there 30 or so website). Sending email is good but, picking up a phone and talking to someone is best. Out.

teeceo.