Incentives

Comments on such an affiliate model

[ggrot]

I'm not sure exactly what the name is for something like this, so I'll try to explain it. I have a site in my profile that offers a free service, popular to a younger crowd that doesn't spend much online. I could begin charging for the basic free service(I'm already offering an enhanced option), but various tests/survey's I've run indicate that I'd lose over 95% of my users, as well as open the little niche market up for competition.

Anyway, I was thinking of setting up a system whereby a user has to accumulate so many points per time unit to maintain their free accounts, and points can be obtained by signing up for various offers from advertisers(basically an affiliate setup). Something like a $0.25 profit per user per month would be great. I've seen some similar stuff called incentive programs or rewards programs, usually rewarding the user with a check instead. See netflip.com for a good example (delete the url if need be). I know that a number of affiliate sites which support this including befree and linkshare (not sure about commision junction yet) and setting up the software to do it is not tough, so it sounds good to me.

For a young audience without access to credit cards, Im thinking this might work well. I wonder if any of you have tried anything like this or have any comments on the idea.

[Tapolyai]

I think I understand - if I want to chat for free, I have to buy stuff through your affiliate links. Am I correct? You said

...without access to credit cards

So how would they be able to purchase on the affilated vendors web sites?

ggrot, no disrespect but what is the difference between your board and a Java chat applet? But that's not what you were asking about...

[ggrot]

Tapolyai, I'm trying not to make this post spammy, so I'll answer that last question in a PM. There are a number of offers available that dont require a credit card, not as many, but thats the plan at least.