We’re all in business to make money. Some methods are more effective than others. One that can reign king above all others is affiliate marketing. However, there are do’s and don’ts of doing things the right way. Discover how to avoid one of the greatest blunders of affiliate marketing.
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Number 1 rule of affiliate marketing and sales
1. Description: We’re all in business to make money. Some methods are more effective than
others. One that can reign king above all others is affiliate marketing. However, there are do’s
and don’ts of doing things the right way. Discover how to avoid one of the greatest blunders of
affiliate marketing.
Title: #1 Rule of Affiliate Marketing and Sales
Recently someone asked me what I think the #1 rule of affiliate marketing is. Actually, there’s
more than one top rule, but here’s top of the list.
#1 RULE: Pay your affiliates what you owe them when you owe them. Nothing can sour an
affiliate relationship faster than you owing someone money or not paying them when you
agreed to.
Another rule: Pay them what they really earned.
The best thing to do to avoid any confusion is to assure ahead of time the affiliate knows when
you pay, how you pay and if you hold back any money in case of refunds.
In the years I’ve been involved in online marketing I’ve made lots and lots of money as an
affiliate. I’ve been an affiliate for some amazing people. Most (99%) do pay on time and they
do pay what was earned.
But then there are always the exceptions to the rule.
One person has owed me a couple hundred dollars for several months. I’ve given plenty of time
for the person to pay me.
I even asked (twice) when I would get paid. Both times I was assured it would be that day. Well,
both those days came and went and no money was sent to me.
(Your affiliates should never have to hunt you down for the money they’ve earned.)
What this means is I will never promote for this person ever again. Ever!
Another time I knew a customer had purchased through my affiliate link but I never got paid on
that sale. How did I know they bought through my link? Because the person who purchased
said they had bought through my link.
I’ve been known to let people know I have an affiliate link. Often, I give a bonus or two when
someone buys through my link. This adds value to the buyer and it lets me know exactly who
buys.
2. It may sound like I’m being petty or bitter. Nope! I’m not bitter, but I figure if this is how
someone treats their affiliates how will they treat the business we send them?
If you’re going to play in the game of affiliate marketing and sales you need to have a squeaky
clean reputation.
Here are some common sense rules:
1. Be clear on what the commission rate is
2. Pay on time
3. Pay what the affiliate earned
4. Appreciate your affiliate
5. Take really good care of the customers they sent you
6. Say thank you to the affiliate
The best experience I had was when one expert I promoted for sent me a check for over
$11,000 for one campaign I did for her. Not only did she send me a personal note with the
check, she sent me a gift.
She has been known to send bottles of wine to her affiliates. Well, she knows I don’t drink (at
all) and sent me a wonderful box of pears.
Wow! Did that ever make me feel special. Will I promote for her again? Beyond a shadow of a
doubt.
To the person who still owes me a few hundred dollars… I hope you are reading this and realize
you’ve messed up… big time.
This article was initially posted in my ezine. I was shocked at how many people wrote to tell me
something similar happened to them. And! They told me who did it.
Wake up folks. The Internet and social media has made the world very small and people do share the
good, the bad and the ugly.
Kathleen Gage is the author of: Power Up for Profits - The Smart Woman's Guide to Online
Marketing. Get a sneak peek of the book with two FREE chapters at <a target="_new"
href="http://www.kathleengagetrains.com/freechapter/">http://www.kathleengagetrains.co
m/freechapter</a>
Kathleen works with consciously focused speakers, authors, coaches and consultants
helping them to build six figure businesses by packaging their knowledge so they can reach
more of their market, impact positive change and create multiple streams of revenue.