Creating an Affiliate Program -- Please help my learning Curve...

[apollo88]

Hi everyone. First off, thanks for reading this thread and apologies in advance for the long post.... In the next two weeks, I will be creating an Affiliate Program for a client (I do interactive & strategy marketing consulting).

I am new to the area of Affiliate Programs, but needed to take the project for a few reasons... First, I need the money Next, this company has great potential, so I'm anxious to be a part of it.

I know you folks are experts in many of these areas so any assistance or recommendations are highly appreciated.


Specific Questions:
- Does anyone have a comprehensive list of Affiliate Directories? I found some online, but they were limited

- What do you all recommend as best practices for finding top-performing affiliate partners

- What are the basic marketing materials that you recommend I provide to affiliate partners? (standard banners, rich media banners, only IAB sizes or more than standars sizes, video, etc)

- Any tips for building the affiliate base?

- How much contact from the affiliate manager do top affiliates desire?

As I develop this out, I will be sharing the specifics for your collective feedbacks... Would you prefer I share the details (payouts, product, etc) in this thread or when the time is right should I make another thread?


Thanks in advance for any assistance and insights you can provide!

Apollo

 

[blackskimask]

I'm trying to gather info on starting an affiliate program for a sportsbook website. if you find information, please let me know, and Iwill do the same. Thanks.

 

[apollo88]

I'm trying to gather info on starting an affiliate program for a sportsbook website. if you find information, please let me know, and Iwill do the same. Thanks.

Well, I bought the below two books today from amazon & they are highly regarded (according to their 20+ reviews). They focus on the Merchant side, which is what you and I are doing.

Books purchased:
"Successful Affiliate Marketing for Merchants"-- This book is dated because it came out in 2001/2, but it was still recommended as one to buy. I got it used for about $6.

"A Practical Guide to Affiliate Marketing: Quick Reference for Affiliate Managers & Merchants"-- This one is much newer (2007 i think) and was very highly rated by affiliate managers. One knock is that is has no pictures to accompany the text, but it was very well reviewed as a "must buy". It bought it new for about $20.


Hope this helps. As you learn stuff, please share it with me as well.

Thanks,
Apollo

 

[apollo88]

Anyone?

 

[CasinoJack]

not easy my friend, I think you need to read more...is an art more then add a listing here or there.

 

[apollo88]

^^^ I'm reading like a maniac. For sure.


I've uncovered a handful of key learnings from a variety of sources... from emarketer to random affiliate sites pushing management software to other affiliate mangers that have set up & run affiliate programs in the past.


I'll post some of my learnings to this thread later, should any other Affiliate Manager noobs hit this tread.

 

[apollo88]

blackskimask-- I found a great & FREE online ebook from the year 2000. It's pdf form & over 100 pages.

While some of the links are outdated, the principles for planning and running an affiliate program are there & they it VERY thorough.

Not sure if I can post a URL or not, so just google "Practical Guide to Managing a Profitable Affiliate Program"--- the first link should be to a pdf of the guide.

Hope this helps you and any others out!