AFFILIATE PROGRAM MANAGERS NEWSLETTER
22 August 2001
CONTENTS
1. Affiliate Fraud Problems
2. Wireless Affiliate Tracking
3. Farewell ClickTrade
4. New Network Focuses on Offline Tracking and Charitable
Causes
5. My Second Anniversary
6. Calls for updates to 2-tier.com
7. Ezula sucks and more affiliate news
8. Need Any Help With Your Affiliate Program?
9. Pass it on
1. Affiliate Fraud Problems
This month one of my programs suffered from affiliate fraud.
Although the attempt created no real financial loss it did
waste plenty of my time investigating the matter.
These problems centered around my site offering my
'Practical Guide' book. Over the weeks I noticed an unusual number of orders
placed by customers in the Ukraine.
All the orders where referred by a new affiliate who had
also provided an Ukrainian postal address.
The quantity of orders going out to such a 'suspicious'
location was immediately obvious.
The affiliate quickly racked up their minimum payment
threshold for commissions. I tried to contact them by email to ask to 'feature
their success story'.
The email bounced.
A few weeks later I received several chargeback requests
from these 'customers'.
While I understand that its not uncommon for a credit card
thief to purchase products in the hope that they will receive appropriate
affiliate commissions, I must admit that I was a little surprised that such a
niche program as mine would be targeted like this!
The affiliate didn't get his commission check and as my book
is delivered electronically I didn't lose anything from these 'non-sales'.
However, it serves as a timely reminder to ensure that you review any affiliate
commissions against product refunds and chargebacks.
2. Wireless Affiliate Tracking
Recently two new networks have opened their doors in the UK
and both have distinctly unique models.
The first is Mobile Affiliates - offering the first wireless
affiliate network.
An array of different protocols means that tracking sales
via wireless sites is rather more complex than typical affiliate solutions.
Amanda Austin of Mobile Affiliates has provided an article
looking at the principles behind revenue share for wireless sites and takes a
look at the technology involved.
http://www.affiliatemarketing.co.uk/wirelessaffiliates.htm
3. Farewell ClickTrade
This month we say a final farewell to ClickTrade.
Microsoft's bCentral recently notified all their merchants
that the network is to close and recommended they move their programs to
Commission Junction.
The service is due to close September 6th.
In the meantime I spoke with Kowabunga, producers of 'My Affiliate
Program' who agreed to extend a special sympathy discount to the orphaned
Revenue Avenue Merchants. This provides a very generous discount to those who
wish to continue operating a program and maintain their affiliate relationships
in-house.
http://www.myaffiliateprogram.com/ct.asp?id=2377
4. New Network Focuses on Offline Tracking and Charitable
Causes
The second of this months new UK network contenders is
buy.at/.
Buy.at/ has taken the unique approach of creating a network
that provides easy to remember affiliate links to enable charitable causes to
promote a merchants offering offline.
Buy.at/ claim to reach customers who are members of good
causes - schools, charities, clubs and other common-interest groups. Every
purchase benefits their cause providing an incentive for their supporters to
buy.
The technology means it can run alongside any other network
you may already be using.
The network is still establishing merchants ready for their
imminent public launch.
I've met some of the people at buy.at/. I think their unique
idea could work well to motivate customers 'loyal to a cause'. And as their
network joining fee is just £100, I'd suggest that UK merchants might want to
take a closer look.
You can find out more at http://joinperfiliate.at/afft
5. My Second Anniversary
This week is the second anniversary of the launch of
Affiliate Announce.
My 'little idea' has exceeded all my expectations.
Over the last two years I have met so many great friends all
willing to take a moment to help, give me a little publicity or offer friendly
advice.
To all my friends and especially my affiliate partners
without whom Affiliate Announce wouldn't exist - Thank You :)
http://www.Affiliate-Announce.com
6. Calls for updates to 2-tier.com
Rick Bier of 2-Tier.com has been very busy introducing a new
version of his affiliate directory.
The new directory includes lots of new features and has
brought together a number of 'affiliate guides' responsible for editing
categories of the directory.
In order to include your details in the new version of the
directory you will need to resubmit your programs data.
(Tip: 2-tier.com will actually also list your single tier
program too!).
You can list your program in the new database at:
http://www.2-tier.com
Alternatively, if you haven't yet found time to submit to
all the affiliate directories use my affiliate announce service and I'll
personally submit your program to all the key directories.
7. Ezula sucks and more affiliate news
It's been a very busy month.
The big US networks have made real efforts to start
improving affiliate relations and communications.
Unless you have been on vacation I'm sure you won't have
missed the furore over Ezula and TopText. If you have been away, there's a lot
of important catch up reading to do at:
and perhaps you ought to lend a little support to:
8. Need Help With Your Affiliate Program?
Need help to create, launch or manage your Affiliate
Program? Perhaps you have a specific problem or affiliate related project you
need to outsource?
I have a growing portfolio of tools and services to help
you.
Click below for a brief overview of my products and
services-
http://www.affiliatemarketing.co.uk/consulting.htm
9. Pass it on
Found the newsletter helpful? Great...let me know and pass
it on.
Tell your colleagues they can get their own copy of the
Affiliate
Program Managers Newsletter by sending a blank email to -
AffiliateMarketing-on@mail-list.com
---
If you have any news, articles or features you want to share
with your
fellow affiliate managers drop me a line.
All the best
Neil Durrant
neil@affiliatemarketing.co.uk
http://www.AffiliateMarketing.co.uk
http://www.AffiliateToolkit.com
PS. Looking to recruit those elusive 'super affiliates'?
Discover a shortcut to locating your ideal prospects: