Affiliate Webmasters - What Makes YOU Promote A Program?

I know we have a lot of program owners on the GWW Community so was wanting to get some information in a thread for them from the viewpoint of an affiliate.

That being said, when it comes to promoting a program, either an older one or, one that just launched, what are the things that YOU specifically look for before deciding whether to promote the programs sites or not?

I know we all have a list of things a program should have as standard to give them a better chance of attracting affiliate webmasters but, if it was just you, what would make you decide to promote a programs offerings, other than $1000PPS payouts ;)

Regards,

Lee

I look for a good reputation, a solid and honest company that does not screw its webmasters nor its members, good selling websites, no trickery (like hidden or huge cross sales) and a good selection of webmaster tools (rss feeds are a must!)

I promote a lot of affiliate programs. So many that I can't give them all the attention they deserve. The end result is that while I list sites from a ton of programs, I prioritize which ones get the most attention from me.

What gives an affiliate program a high level of priority is:

• Well-designed websites with regular updates of fresh content.
• A company with a good reputation.
• A website theme with a subject-matter that I believe will convert traffic well. Really hot college boys, for example. But also themes such as watersports, black men, bareback sex, SM/bondage.
• Websites that give detailed previews that update dynamically of new content.
• Websites that give free access to partner websites.
• Websites that do NOT offer unusually high pay-per-sales. (I find these are cluttered with ads on the inside and often break their own promises of regular updates.)
• Programs that send regular e-mailings. Not necessarily with listings of new promo content (although that's fine), but with company news that affects affiliates like me. (Site redesigns, for example. New content feed additions or new company websites.)
• Companies with staff or affiliate reps that log into ICQ regularly.
• Companies whose staff returns e-mails in a reasonable amount of time. (I often e-mail affiliate programs and never hear back from them.)

There's more, but that's what I'm thinking of off the top of my head.

I agree with HunkMoneyLuke and GayGeek. Our sites are primarily social network type sites so we (hopefully) have long relationships with our user base. When they feel they got ripped off, they may request a chargeback, but they're going to give us an earful about it anyway. As far as a lot of our users are concerned, if we promote it, they expect us to stand behind it. So if we start getting complaints, we drop programs very quickly rather than risk tarnishing ourselves. (Understanding that some people won't ever be happy, but sometimes it's pretty clear that they were misled.)

It's also important that people be updating their content regularly. There are quite a few programs that have had the same tired content up for almost two years. (I've really noticed this with a lot of our bisexual programs.)

Good, fresh promo content is great and RSS feeds help us be able to keep it fresh on some of our sites more easily. It may seem like a little thing, but refreshing banners from time to time is a tiny but important thing. There are some programs that haven't changed their banners for two or three years. We sometimes hold and park them inconspicuously now, as a just in case, but they never convert anymore.

Usually things run smooth, but when there is a problem, responsiveness is key. I seldom need anything from the reps or techs, but once a year when something goes wrong, it's nice to get a reasonably quick response.

speaking as a affiliate :

fair payouts
getting paid on time and every time
good converting sites and promo tools
good affiliate support ( a email should never be unanswered! )

I guess GayGeek has listed all the most important things.

Since I'm focussing mainly on offering my visitors daily updates and information about paysites, I put most work in sites that offer regular updates on content and site changes.

While I still list sites with just tour pages and no further information for potential customers and affiliates, I don't put much work in promoting them. My time is better spent on sites that work with affiliates and offer a reasonable amount of promo material and update information.

After all, if a site doesn't offer update info, you never never know if you are already riding a dead horse for over six months or so, wasting your time and traffic. Seen that happen more than once.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Corleone

speaking as a affiliate :

fair payouts
getting paid on time and every time
good converting sites and promo tools
good affiliate support ( a email should never be unanswered! )

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When I was still an affiliate...these are the things I am looking for

Quote:

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Originally Posted by whiskeylover

Good, fresh promo content is great and RSS feeds help us be able to keep it fresh on some of our sites more easily. It may seem like a little thing, but refreshing banners from time to time is a tiny but important thing. There are some programs that haven't changed their banners for two or three years. We sometimes hold and park them inconspicuously now, as a just in case, but they never convert anymore.

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Oh you are so right on the old banners! I've had programs email me about such and such site or pornstar getting an award or voted best of whatever, and when I go to grab a banner ... they are tiny, and obviously 4-5 years old or older. Ugh. And I never did get a response when I wrote the program about it...

and btw ~~ Welcome to GWW !!

I think the things I look for are a little different than others so I'll list them:

1. CCBill or Epoch processing: it's really convenient being able to just enter my CCBill/Epoch info and have my account stats loaded so I can join a program fast and easy. Programs that have their own custom signup page/bill processor make me nervous... who exactly am I giving all my personal info to? Unless its a huge well known sponsor like AEBN, Badpuppy, Kink, Video Secrets, etc. I probably won't take the time to enroll on custom sign-up pages... at least until I get time to research the sponsor in question (like I actually have free time LOL!).

2. Communication: I usually send an email to the sponsor first to introduce myself and tell them I'm thinking about joining their program. I invite them to check out my sites and also ask about their promo material and email updates and also about their policy on review/comp passes and test joins. I look to see how fast they respond and also the tone of their response in deciding if this is someone I want to work with. I'm not saying they have to kiss up to me... just be professional and courteous. My big pet peeve is sponsors that don't respond to emails or who don't treat affiliates as marketing partners.

3. And finally, after the above two items I look at the site and decide if I would join it myself as a paying customer. Guess what? I still jerk off to naked men on the net (GASP!!!) so if a site doesn't arouse me I know I won't be able to put in the time and energy to promote it.

Hope this helps any sponsors out there!

I've found that even if people aren't getting the BEST conversions (but they can't be horrible). As long as support is helpful and there for them, they'll continue to promote. Consistency is key.

Obviously, killer conversions help :)

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Originally Posted by sc32803

I think the things I look for are a little different than others so I'll list them:

1. CCBill or Epoch processing: it's really convenient being able to just enter my CCBill/Epoch info and have my account stats loaded so I can join a program fast and easy. Programs that have their own custom signup page/bill processor make me nervous... who exactly am I giving all my personal info to? Unless its a huge well known sponsor like AEBN, Badpuppy, Kink, Video Secrets, etc. I probably won't take the time to enroll on custom sign-up pages... at least until I get time to research the sponsor in question (like I actually have free time LOL!).

2. Communication: I usually send an email to the sponsor first to introduce myself and tell them I'm thinking about joining their program. I invite them to check out my sites and also ask about their promo material and email updates and also about their policy on review/comp passes and test joins. I look to see how fast they respond and also the tone of their response in deciding if this is someone I want to work with. I'm not saying they have to kiss up to me... just be professional and courteous. My big pet peeve is sponsors that don't respond to emails or who don't treat affiliates as marketing partners.

3. And finally, after the above two items I look at the site and decide if I would join it myself as a paying customer. Guess what? I still jerk off to naked men on the net (GASP!!!) so if a site doesn't arouse me I know I won't be able to put in the time and energy to promote it.

Hope this helps any sponsors out there!

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I think your points are very valuable. :)

A up to date site that doesn't look outdated from the 1950's.
Good promo content like downloadable content with hi-res images, good banners, updated TGP's, and those that offer embedded FLV Videos. Without any of those, I move on.