Associate Programs Newsletter #31
CONTENTS:
1. Under A Cyber Moon – rocking along nicely
2. BellWether talks of $420 commissions
3. Aim at job seekers or employers?
4. Commission Junction – no complaints so far
5. A logo to boost your image
6. Amazon.com competitor pays 8% to 15%
7. CGI script needed to do donkey work
8. Read the fine print at BabyCenter
9. OakNet Publishing makes it easy for me
10. How to maximize Amazon.com commissions
11. “Only one URL I would consider”
12. READ the book first
13. Interested in numerology?
14. 33% commission plus bonus
15. Best of the Best Internet Marketing Award
16. Are you ashamed of who you are?
17. Articles at AssociatePrograms.com
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1. Under A Cyber Moon – rocking along nicely
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Mark Bredius, a 27-year-old computer programmer in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is doing well as an associate of CDnow. Mark operates Under A Cyber Moon – the official site for the rock group Dream Theater – https://www.dreamtheater.net .
“I earn a nice amount of money from CDnow with the website. The current record was set in October 1998, when people could pre-order a new Dream Theater live album and video three weeks in advance,” Mark said.
“I also run a weekly newsletter for the web site, which now has about 3000 subscribers. The site itself gets 2200+ visitors a day (the record is over 3400 on one day).”
Marks says only those who visit the site through the main URL get counted, “so it probably gets more traffic than I think it does”.
Would you mind telling me a little more about it, how long
it's being going, how you promote it, how you became the
official site for the group…?
I've been running Under A Cyber Moon for about two years now. Dream Theater already had an official website, which (fortunately for me) hardly ever got updated. I felt that both the band and their fans deserved better, and tried to create a more current and comprehensive alternative. I knew that the best way to get people to come (back) to a site was to make it the authority on its subject.
I also used every opportunity to mention the site on relevant mailing lists and tried to exchange links with other music web sites.
Plus I got a lot of support from Dream Theater fans who spread the word about the site and linked to it from their sites. I even went as far as to do web searches for sites that linked to the old official site, and asked them to add a link to my web site too. This resulted in about 800 visitors a day.
Then one day I found an interview with Dream Theater's keyboardist on the Internet. Underneath the article was his email address and a note that he would love to hear from fans. I decided to email him about my web site, and the rest is history. On June 30, 1998, Dream Theater's drummer announced Under A Cyber Moon as their new official website, and its new location at https://www.dreamtheater.net (.com was taken).
This nearly tripled the web site's traffic.
How much time do you spend on the site?
This varies from 30 minutes to hours a day. It all depends on what is going on with the band, how much email I get from fans, the amount of web site maintenance that needs to be done, etc. The weekly newsletter takes up a few hours every weekend. But it's all worth it!
Did you do something special to get 3400 visitors
in one day?
No, the band did! They simultaneously released a double live CD and a new video on October 27th, 1998. The site's address was printed in the liner notes of the album, which probably caused all the traffic.
What has been most successful for you in earning
commissions from CDNow?
I think the mistake many people make is to just put a banner on their site and leave it at that. I try to fully integrate CDnow into all the relevant pages (discography, reviews) . . . When a new Dream Theater (related) release becomes available for pre-ordering at CDnow it gets a mention on the news page. There is also an “album suggestions” page which is based on the CDnow orders through the site.
I've recently added a “Tell A Friend” feature to all the discography pages, so fans can recommend an album, single or video to a friend from the site. The friend will then receive a standard message with direct links for the item on the site (so he/she can read reviews) and at CDnow (so he/she can buy the item). Instead of cluttering the site with banners I try to use direct links to enhance the site and make it easy for people to buy the items they're interested in.
Do you put reviews in your site and newsletter or just
brief descriptions?
Reviews are available in the site's articles section. These are linked to the appropriate discography pages. The newsletters usually contain brief descriptions and direct links to CDnow.
The cool thing about CDnow's affiliate program is that they let you provide them with a banner for your site. When someone goes to CDnow through one of your affiliate links, this banner is displayed at the top of their page. Take a look: cdnow.com/from=sr-223652/
[UPDATE: CDNow links now redirect to Amazon.com.]I recently joined a new program you might want to mention . . . Music sites can sign up for SonicNet's program and earn $0.05 per click-through. You can use one of their banners or put a search box on your site. Here's my own URL: sonicnet.com/feature/clickcash/clickcash-snguide.cgi?id=849
You can sign up at:
sonicnet.com/feature/clickcash/ [UPDATE: Program closed.]
Let me know if you have any ideas how I could earn more money with this web site. Are there any other affiliate programs you would recommend?
Take care,
Mark Bredius
Under A Cyber Moon – The Official Dream Theater Website
https://www.dreamtheater.net E-mail: itchy AT dreamt.org
*** Join the FREE weekly Dream Theater newsletter ! ***
Send email to uacm-subscribe AT egroups.com to subscribe
[UPDATE: Subscribe at the website.]
Mark, you could also try Reel.com and PulseTV.com, especially PulseTV because you can earn commissions for life if you're lucky. Book reviews of rock group books and music books would add a useful resource to your site.
If you can figure out the demographics of Dream Theater fans, that's your market. Perhaps you could run a survey of your newsletter readers asking for a little info about them? Why not try asking CDnow for a few gift vouchers as prizes to encourage people to do the survey?
Are they poor people who need loans? Try LendingTree.com. Are they rich young parents? Try eToys.com. Are they just about anyone? Try vitamins from MotherNature.com.
I've had best results with programs that suit my site's theme, but some webmasters report good results with products which are totally unrelated. So be adventurous. Experiment. It's the only way you'll know for sure what will work best.
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2. BellWether talks of $420 commissions
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Webmasters who like chasing high commissions will be attracted to the BellWether Group, which Michael Reader describes as a “meeting planning and incentive travel planning” firm featuring “no-cost hotel site selection and hotel contract negotiation services”.
If people who plan meetings or incentive trips visit your site, this program is for you, Michael says.
Bellwether will pay you $US5 for every visitor who fills out a meeting specifications form as well as 15% of the net revenue received at the conclusion of the meeting.
“Given that our average group size is 75 people with 225 total sleeping rooms, most of our meetings net $2800 in commissions. Each meeting should result in a commission to you of around $420.”
If the visitor has a look and returns within 90 days, you can still earn a commission.
The BellWether program is tracked by Commission Junction, and has an URL that's really too impossibly long for posting in a newsletter. (It might be easier to send readers to a page on your site for more information.)
…or simply go to Commission Junction to sign up:
https://www.associateprograms.com/cj
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3. Aim at job seekers or employers?
===================================
Talking about high commissions, in the last newsletter I mentioned Adguide's College Recruiter Employment Site, which offers a generous 33% commission. I suggested it could be worth while creating a new page, new section or even a new site to try to get a few of those average $US125 commissions.
But who do you aim the site at? Students or employers? Both? The ads are aimed at students but you'll want to attract employers because they're the ones with the money to spend at Adguide. Perhaps if you attract job seekers you'll also lure people offering jobs.
Anyway, I'm trying one of the attractive little ads on the main page at AssociatePrograms.com. It's far too early to tell if doing things the lazy way and simply plonking down an ad will work, but I was surprised to see that in only a few days I achieved my first sale – with a $143.55 payout! Perhaps it was a fluke, but it certainly caught my attention.
The program is tracked by Commission Junction and has an URL that's far too long for use in a newsletter.
Go to Commission Junction – https://www.associateprograms.com/cj – to sign up.
[UPDATE: In April 2001, College Recruiter changed its payout to $100, and extended the life of its cookie to one year.]=============================================
4. Commission Junction – no complaints so far
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Commission Junction is a fairly new network of revenue sharing programs. After a quiet start in November it now appears to be gathering momentum.
Commission Junction President Lex Sisney said in its January 4 newsletter that the network had 18 merchant programs “live” with another 17 signed up and “coming online immediately”. Commission Junction charges merchants 15%. It has also signed up 3,000 affiliates.
One advantage of the system is that affiliates can easily sign up for several programs and receive one check instead of several. I've signed up for a few of the programs and haven't noticed any problems. In fact, I haven't received a single complaint about Commission Junction – quite remarkable in a new network.
The only complaint I've received was aimed at me, after I expressed concern about new “bankers” popping up to handle associates' earnings.
David Fox, CEO of https://astrology.net/affiliate , said: “The accuracy or otherwise of such systems is easy to validate – at least for merchants. Simply sign up as an affiliate (for the extra paranoid do it with a free home page account) and buy a few of your own products. A centralized service such as Commission Junction offers both merchants and affiliates tremendous benefits, and with real-time reporting to review I think the chance being scammed is rather remote.”
Yes, Commission Junction does have its own program. You can earn $2 per new affiliate and 20% ($99 to $189) for each new merchant you refer to the site.
For its own program, Commission Junction has a short URL perfect for use in e-mail or newsletters:
commission-junction.com/go.asp?2051
https://www.associateprograms.com/cj ]
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5. A logo to boost your image
=============================
Jeff Davidson of the new Better Internet Bureau says he wants to help make the Internet a safe place, and expects to certify thousands of web sites.
You can join the two-tier associate program free and a new web site will be created for you. “In about 2 minutes you will become an authorized associate of the Better Internet Bureau and you will earn $10 every time a home page or web site is certified from your new associate site.” Every time a new associate site is created from your associate site, you will receive $4.
You are allowed to promote that site in all the usual ways EXCEPT by linking to it from your own site. If you want to do that, you must first have your site checked for nasties by the bureau – and pay the $US35 annual fee.
A Better Internet Bureau logo could help your site's image. Perhaps it could also earn you a few dollars.
better-internet-bureau.org/welcome/bib49int/index.html
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6. Amazon.com competitor pays 8% to 15%
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It must be a challenging life being Jeff Bezos. Amazon.com still isn't making money but new competitors keep popping up. The latest – BookBuyers Outlet – promises commissions on all its books in stock – more than 500,000. The MINIMUM commission is 8%, compared with Amazon's minimum of 5%. If you have an amazingly successful site you could earn 15%.
bookbuyer.com/affiliates
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7. CGI script needed to do donkey work
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Deb Brown writes:
Hi Allan
…For those of us attempting to manage multiple associate programs and who are serious about promoting individual products for each, I have yet to find a suitable CGI script/ database program online which will allow us the opportunity to be able to enter such products in an organized database, by category, with full image, linking and other capabilities. Believe me, I've been looking for weeks.
We associates need to be able to display products we would like to promote on our sites in an organized fashion rather than simply slapping a bunch of banners or images randomly on a page(s). What I seek is a searchable database of products, with a nicely customizable display, a customizable front end and templates which can be modified to the appearance of my site, with the ability to customize the database fields and perform a product search . . .
If such a resource exists, in freeware/shareware/buckware or for a nominal fee, that would be wonderful! The resources I've found so far are either too complex to set up (some database CGI programs), provide a secure ordering system which associates don't need (shopping carts), or are simply too expensive to consider . . .
Deb Brown
loveresources.com
One thing bothers me. There already seem to be an endless number of people using commission programs as the basis of malls. The script Deb wants would make it easy for thousands more such malls to be created.
Deb's reply:
Well, I suppose that would be a consequence of creating such a script but I guess I was more or less envisioning a script or database where one could include a small product line – just products – which is related to their site and of interest to their site's visitors.
You're correct, though, some people would abuse this and use it to open up malls – but we already have too many who are just cluttering up their pages with banners and links now anyway. ;-) I envision a cleaner system – sort of like what banner rotation programs do for banners. The same idea or concept could be applied to individual products. I am speaking specifically of affiliate companies who provide the necessary associate links to products like Spree, Amazon, and Music Blvd.
(If you want to help Deb with this, contact her at webdiva AT loveresources.com . Deb, there are better programs than Spree.com – just about all of them are. After I signed up 200 people, Spree.com owes me $1.12.)
[UPDATE: Many affiliate merchants now offer affiliate datafeeds.]====================================
8. Read the fine print at BabyCenter
====================================
Todd Crawford writes:
Allan,
This is in reference to the new BabyCenter affiliate program. While a 20% commission sounds generous – read the fine print. Affiliates receive commissions only if the traffic they send purchases during the initial session. If they bookmark the site or remember the URL and return later – no commissions are earned. Plus, if an affiliate ever reaches the $50 minimum payout they must wait 135 days (quarterly payments cut 45 days later) to get their check – that's 4 1/2 months! . . . No thanks,
Todd Crawford
You're quite right, the program needs improving – but so do a whole lot of them. I've passed your comments on to Be Free, which does the tracking and suggested they have a chat with the BabyCenter people. I've seen several programs improved amazingly quickly after helpful suggestions were made by associates. I wouldn't be surprised if that happens here. The Baby Center looks a good site with a wide range of products and is offering 20% commission on sales if you join before January 31, 1999. If it suits your site, why not sign up and suggest improvements?
https://www.babycenter.com/affiliates/
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8. OakNet Publishing makes it easy for me
=========================================
Scott Owen writes:
Allan,
Your recent review of BestEzines.com really drove traffic to my site! Thank you for the great recommendation… I understand that you use OakNetPub for your list management. Are you happy with them?
Scott Owen
https://www.BestEzines.com
I sure am. I like the OakNet Publishing service, and Phil Tanny is helpful and friendly. Here's an excellent feature: My advertisers can check if I'm telling the truth about my subscriber numbers. All they have to do is send an e-mail to a special e-mail address with SEND SUB COUNT in the body.
It's a worry-free system. To send my newsletter out to 5700 people this week, I'll just send it to one e-mail address. Most of the time I don't have to worry about subscribes/ unsubscribes but I get the odd person who doesn't read the instructions, and emails me.
[UPDATE: OakNet Publishing was bought by Advertising.com, wrecked, and then closed. I now use another web-based service to distribute this newsletter, Dundee.net. It's OK. For two other newsletters, we now use Aweber which provides a very reliable service at a good price, and superb support.]==========================================
10. How to maximize Amazon.com commissions
==========================================
Want to earn more 15% commissions instead of only 5% from Amazon.com?
Kevin Patch reckons he knows how:
Hi Allan
…I do not run a traditional affiliate program. We are selling a product that leverages the Amazon.com affiliate program and helps affiliates maximize their returns…
Read about and test drive Anaconda at
qwallet.com/anaconda
Anaconda is a Perl script that proxies search requests between your site, and Amazon.com.
It gives you TWO main benefits:
1) Users are not taken to Amazon's site until they select a book from the search results (or if a single item is found). This allows you to retain your users longer, and serve more ads! Without Anaconda, users are taken to Amazon.com to view the search results.
2) All URLS in the search results are changed into “hardlinked” items (using your site's Amazon associate code. This means you get the full 15% commission on that item instead of a 5% referral fee. Anaconda will pay for itself in no time!
Kevin Patch
kevin AT qwallet.com
Anaconda costs $US20.
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11. “Only one URL I would consider”
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Harvey Segal writes:
Dear Allan,
I'd like to thank you for the impartial and honest reviews you always provide in your newsletter. As a result when I kept coming across ads all over the Net for the AIS programs there was only one URL I would consider for enrolment.
Best wishes for the New Year
Harvey Segal
SuperTips Marketing Articles
https://www.supertips.com
Thank you! I'll be able to buy groceries this week. :-)
Much appreciated. As you've probably read, I'm doing best with the AIS Ilynk and Secrets programs. For me, selling the credit card merchant facilities has been a bit of a fizzer so far. Ilynk, however, appears to be suitable for a lot of different sites. I haven't done a calculation, but a good proportion of my last check for $830 came from second-tier sales.
Ilynk pays $15 – and I'll receive $10 from each sale YOU make. However, rely on your OWN skills. Judging by my stats, about 80 to 90 percent of people signing up for two-tier programs don't appear to be making money from them.
The following paragraph about Ilynk has worked well for me:
Never pay full retail price again (that's the heading I used) It's like DOUBLING your standard of living without earning a dime more. Right now, you can take advantage of thousands of overstocked, over-manufactured, refurbished, distressed merchandise at amazing SAVINGS of up to 70% to 90% OFF retail! TVs, VCRs, designer watches, jeans, computers, software, CDs, stereo equipment, sporting goods, and more. Drop-shipping available worldwide. Dealers wanted.
ilynk.com/id.cfm?AG45x0031
[UPDATE: This program has closed.]
(The AIS ad-tracking system is fantastic. I can change the last four digits/letters and know immediately if any sales are achieved from a promotion.)
I hope 1999 is your best year yet.
=======================
12. READ the book first
=======================
Morgana writes:
Greetings Allan and Fellow Associates,
In answer to the response to Newsletter #30 (#2) – dealing with how to link to Amazon.com reviews:
As an affiliate of Amazon.com and a few other kind sponsors, I've found that the best way to promote such items as books is to have read them – and to offer ONLY those that you find have helped or enlightened you.
If you really wish to include a book review on your website, READ the book and write your own review. If you haven't read it, how can you recommend it to your visitors?
Just wondering,
Morgana
Morgana's Observatory
https://www.dreamscape.com/morgana
Multicultural Prophecies/Universal Myths
Excellent advice. Thank you. I'm reading a fascinating book about how men and women think differently – and that could affect your marketing results. I'll tell you all about it next week.
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13. Interested in numerology?
=============================
Anne222, who takes her name from her birth date, has a novel site – https://www.NumberPower.com – which “has the most updated numerological reports for personality analysis, compatibility, lucky days and lucky numbers, Powerball, and sports”, she says. Anne wants advice on whether such a site would be suitable for an associate program and how she could improve it.
It's a well designed, attractive site, for amusement only, I reckon. If you're interested, please contact Anne222:
Anne222 AT numberpower.com
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14. 33% commission plus bonus
=============================
One & Only Network will pay you $1 for every webmaster you refer through their Opportunity Plus Program during January. This is as well as your normal 33% commission.
Be quick for this bonus.
[UPDATE: This program has closed.]=============================================
15. Best of the Best Internet Marketing Award
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Jeff Hinds of https://www.NetAgency.com has awarded the Best of the Best in 1998, Internet Marketing Award to AssociatePrograms.com. Aw shucks. Thank you!
“To see your success and internet marketing dreams become reality has been an inspiration to many,” Jeff says.
“This salute to you is our way of saying thank you for your leadership in the internet marketing industry.”
(Jeff awarded the Best of the Best award to 14 sites, and put AssociatePrograms.com at number two, so I suppose that's almost best. It's a fascinating list. While you're at the site, have a look at NetAgency.com's useful list of links to marketing sites.)
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16. Are you ashamed of who you are?
===================================
As a result of last week's newsletter I received obscene e-mail and one nasty bloke even contacted two ISPs to try to get my sites shut down.
Since I started this newsletter, my first message board has been hacked into, obscenities have been sent out over my name, the main page of AssociatePrograms.com has mysteriously vanished from the server a couple of times, and I've been falsely accused of being a spammer.
Apparently some companies don't like some of the things I say. In case you missed last week's newsletter, here it is:
https://www.associateprograms.com/articles/299/1/Where-to-find-best-newsletters
Here's part of my warning repeated: Some people don't put a name or proper address on their site. Ask yourself: What are they trying to hide? What are they ashamed of? It's a jungle out there and animals are in disguise.
If you're one of the good guys and you've forgotten to put your name and address on your site, I suggest you do so as soon as possible. We might get the wrong impression.
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[UPDATE: This newsletter has closed.]
*************************************************************
DO YOU MAKE THESE ADVERTISING MISTAKES?
1. Fail to lead with an interest-grabbing headline?
2. Fail to push benefits instead of features?
3. Fail to visit Sales Promoters Paradise at
wynco.net/tip013.htm and check out the
free advertising, free promotion software, unique
promotion ideas and killer sales techniques?
Better come visit right now!
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All the best
Allan Gardyne
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