Starting an affiliate program

We want to pay for referrals; how do we get the word out?

[uhwebs]

So we've just started a new site where we well widgets and want to offer $25 per customer that someone refers....

How do we get the word out about our referral program? When you search for "affiliate program" and otehr such terms many questionable sites come up.

So what's the best way to get the word out? Are there any sites we can get listed on (you can pm me if you have ideas, since you can't post urls).

[eljefe3]

There are a ton of affiliate directories out there, although these really won't bring in too much traffic, nor affiliates. You could join a few networks, advertise on some high volume affiliate sites, and also directly recruit sites that would benefit from a relationship. This is no magic button or pill, it just takes a lot of time and effort.

In the end it will come down to is your offer worth it to affiliates to promote your widget and not other widgets.

[Yoshimi]

We're in the same process at the moment, we have been searching for the keywords that our customers look for, and making a note of the affiliates that are listed, and using hitwise to see which affiliate sites are referring traffic to our competitors. You can also look at affiliate networks, who will find the affiliates for you for a % of your total commission payment. This final way may be best if you don't have the man power to have someone dedicate a significal portion of their time to sourcing and managing affiliates, they will also track all of the sales for you.

[farmboy]

So we've just started a new site where we well widgets and want to offer $25 per customer that someone refers....

Are you selling a real product that is shipped to the customer or a digital product that is downloaded, emailed, etc.?

By the way, attracting the attention of affiliates is only half the equation. You have to have an offer that will make them willing to give you a try.

FarmBoy

[rajatgarg]

If you know of a good affiliate network especially for travel industry, let me know.

I will really appreciate your help.

[edited by: eljefe3 at 10:53 am (utc) on Nov. 11, 2008]

[BriGuy20]

You can sponsor some affiliate websites/forums, this is where you'll probably find the affiliates most likely to move a sizable quantity of your product. I'd especially look at forums related to whatever sector/niche you're in.

Also make sure you're site is well optimized to convert, the higher your conversions the happier your affiliates will be.

[uhwebs]

To answer Farmboy's question, it is a real product, not a download.