Once affiliates begin to sign up, even if you
are automatically approving them, its in your best interest to audit your
network on a regular basis. Now, the FTC is making marketers responsible for the
actions of their affiliates. If your
affiliates get out of control, it could cost you a lot of money.
You'll have hundreds of affiliates sign up for
your program. Hobbyists, spammers,
webmasters and even marketers. It's very
important that you review each one on a regular basis to ensure the way they are
promoting you is acceptable to your company and above all - its legal.
Below, you'll find some tips when screening:
1. All
affiliates must have an active web site.
If not, they may be spammers.
2. The
affiliate site content must relate to your products or services.
3. The
site should have appropriate levels of content.
4.
Misuse of content. Be very clear
with your affiliates and what content they can use from your website.
Affiliate fraud
Fraud with affiliates has been increasing over
the last several years, which is another great reason to screen your affiliates
on a regular basis. With fraud, there
are two main types:
Malware - Some affiliates out there have
developed software that is installed on a machine, normally as part of a free
download. When someone clicks on the affiliate
link, the true affiliate ID is replaced with the fraud.
Fake purchase - If you have a product of high
value that returns large commissions for affiliates, you may notice some bad
parties signing up, then using stolen or fake credit card information to
purchase products via their links.
Communicating with affiliates
Good affiliates are normally busy, as they can easily
forget about your services and products. As time goes by, your offers can wind
up less in less visited areas or accidentally deleted.
It's extremely important to stay in contact
with your affiliates, even more so with the high performers. Do not wait for
them to contact you, as if you do, it normally means they are reporting a
problem. By taking the time to contact them, you are showing that you are
interested in the partnership.
You don't need a new product as an excuse to contact
your power affiliates. Even if it's just
a quick note to ask if they need anything.
You can also use the opportunity for feedback on your program as well.
Managing a successful affiliate program is not
an easy task you can fully automate, as you'll have to get involved. Happy affiliates are more productive, and the
more money they make – the more money your company makes as well.
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