by NotePage, Inc.

The Rise and Fall of Affiliate Programs Affiliate programs were once a great source of online revenue, a savvy webmaster with an eye for marketing could easily parley a site into a money making machine with a little luck and effort. However, evolution and growth of Internet has hampered growth of fortune making affiliate programs. Constant search engine algorithm changes, along with search engine's clear distaste for sites participating in affiliate programs; have made it a little more difficult to earn a healthy affiliate revenue. An influx in use of software programs that terminate cookie tracking and privacy programs that prevent webmasters from tracking referrers, have also hindered affiliate sales channel. While it is still possible to make money through affiliate marketing, other alternatives ought to be considered.

A Healthy Alternative or Supplement Google's Adsense program allows approved websites to dynamically serve Google's pay-per-click Adword results. This has become a popular alternative and an effective revenue sharing program for webmasters. Google's spider parses adserving website and serves ads that relate to website's content. While Google's Adsense program still has some issues, they are making efforts to improve it.

The website maintenance related to Adsense is very easy and requires very little effort. Webmasters need only to insert javascript into webpage or website template. The javascript calls ad from Google and will ensure that ads are served each time a visitor goes to webpage. If visitor clicks one of Adsense ads served to website, website owner is credited for referral.

The implementation, while simple, has its drawbacks. Google dictates format of ads. Webmasters can select from a handful of preformatted text boxes that lack creativity. A recent improvement allows webmasters to modify ad boxes to resemble website's color scheme. Still, a far cry from some of creative ads webmasters are accustom to.

Simply Easier Marketing - Part 1. -----------------------------------------------------------------

(c) 2004 Charles Kangethe -------------------------

Most of truly successful marketers have three competitive advantages :

=> They run successful Affiliate Programs (Part 1)

=> They own large Opt-In Lists and have large traffic (Part 2)

=> They create their own products (Part 3)

Step #1 - Three Affiliate Program Opportunities ---------------------------------------------

=> Opportunity 1 - Using Own Products and Services

Combining your own products with a successful Affiliate Program is almost a license to write your own checks.

=> Opportunity 2 - Using Resell and Master Rights Products

Surprisingly, as you will see in step 4, you can create and run an Affiliate Program even if you don't have your own products and services.

=> Opportunity 3 - Substitute Joint Ventures

All successful Affiliate Programs are joint ventures in miniature. Your affiliate partners require as much of your support and commitment as would any JV partners.

Step #2 - The Top Ten Features Of A Good Affiliate Program ----------------------------------------------------------

1) It delivers consistent sales for Affiliates, by marketing products with high consumer benefits.

2) It operates on a Leveraged I'ncome Pay structure, which extends a number of levels deep.

3) It operates on a Residual I'ncome Pay structure giving Affiliates repeat I'ncome.

4) A good program has high quality marketing tools and incentives for Affiliates.

5) It pays out big percentages of sale to Affiliates and it pays promptly

6) The administration function tracks and corrects affiliate issues quickly, and effectively.

7) A good program trains and supports Affiliates enthusiastically.

8) It offers Affiliates complimentary, high value, front and back end products for promotion.

9) It handles all end customer care issues.

10) A good program constantly tests new ideas to support and strengthen ties with affiliates and end customers alike.

#Step 3 - "Own Product Affiliate Program" ----------------------------------------

Most people join an Affiliate Program on strength and reliability of its compensation plan.

* Compensation Structure Planning : -----------------------------------

=> Who can join program

Is it open to anyone or just selected, approved partners ?

=> Downline matrix structure for Leveraged I'ncome

How deep is matrix of downline earnings for Leveraged I'ncome ?

=> Residual I'ncome Payments

Does program pay Residual I'ncome, on repeat subscriptions for as long as end customer renews ?

=> Minimum Payment amounts, and deadlines.

Policy on payments, returns and deductions from Affiliate payments must be clear from beginning.

=> Affiliate monitoring of program

Affiliates must be able to easily monitor referrals and earnings. Clear and accurate reports to Affiliates should be available online or sent by e-mail.

* Marketing Plans -----------------

Develop high quality graphical links that Affiliates can use on their own websites to point to your program. These include

=> Web Templates and copy

=> Banner Links

=> Button Links

=> Text Links

Write e-courses coaching your Affiliates on what works best in promoting your products and services.

Do not make mistake of thinking that when they sign up whole thing will run on autopilot.

* Legal Issues --------------

Consult professional, qualified lawyers to help you draw up your program terms and conditions before you go to market. The upfront cost involved may save you greater expense in future.

Step #4 - Resell and Master Rights Product Affiliate Programs -----------------------------------------------------------

An Affiliate Program without your own products is possible, but use caution - it is less likely to be a huge earner, than one promoting your own stable of products.

Why would anyone join an Affiliate Program to promote a resell or master rights product, that they could buy and sell earning 100% of profits ?

The answer is reduced effort, time and money.