Best way to attract SEO affiliates?

company looking for affiliate traffic

[mikko123]

Hello All,
I'm fairly new here and this is my first post so play nice:) I've been following SEO for a long time, but I don't pretend to be very knowledgeable in the subject. I run a successful web store that manufactures and sells unique PC gaming products and we've built up quite a significant brand and affiliate base over the last 5 years. However, we have virutally no SEO or traffic masters promoting our site, probably because it is unknown to them. Our conversions on current traffic are very good and our product are unique and high-quality, so this isn't some scam or a bunch of junk products sold at flea markets. So my question is, how do I attract some good webmasters to give our program a shot? Is there somewhere I can post? How do I get the message out? Instead of us just optimizing our own traffic, I figure let lots of other webmasters take advantage of the many available niches related to our product line and run with it. I'd rather have a few dozen people working for us than trying to do it all ourselves.

Any advice is appreciated.

[bhartzer]

If you're a merchant and really want to play with the big boys (i.e., you want the real SEOs to promote your products) then you need to seek them out.
Find out who the affiliates of your competitors are and contact them directly and try to convince them to promote your products. Phone calls work well, but be prepared to "make a deal", as the real good guys want more than just the typical percentage that you give a normal affiliate.

[Gil0713]

Hi Mikko,

I read your post and understand your dilemma. You need to identify who the 'players' are in your market. Start by entering the name of your competitor(s) in Google as an example, and see who is linking to them - you will learn what affiliates are participating in your competitors' program. Be aware however, that at the end of the day it will be to your benefit to optimize your site, referrals from natural searches are free.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Gil

[rocknbil]

Find out who the affiliates of your competitors are and contact them directly and try to convince them to promote your products.

Not to 'jack his/her post, but a question I've always wondered is how to pull this off without coming off as a spammer, telemarketer, or (deity forbid) a solicitor? Is it just finesse, charisma, or is there a good method to use that doesn't offend in this way?

[submitx]

The biggest SEO affiliate marketers are involved with adult, casino and pharmacy stuff. Seek out those type of sites in the SERPS and figure out which ones in the Top 20 results are affiliates, contact them and ask to join your program.

[Gil0713]

Hi rocknbil,

I understand what you mean. Usually, when I approach a webmaster I explain that I manage the affiliate program for X merchant and that I believe he/she would do very well with our program. I then go into general details on the merchandise we sell and specifics on commissions, creative, etc. This has worked very for me and I have had quite a few sites join the program.

In the subject line of the email I always enter "Invitation to join "X" Merchant affiliate program. This usually gets their attention.

Gil