Best strategy to start an Affiliate Program?

[jeremyxxx]

HI,

I was wondering if you guys have any tips on how to start an Affiliate Program on a gay porn site? I've just switched my billing processor to CCBILL and now it seems there's gazillions of possibilities.

I'm doing almost everything on the site by myself (from editing, to marketing to design etc) and I really think I would need some help promoting the site. I'm actually working on re-doing the design of the whole site to make it more "actual".

I know banners are a plus but it seems to be an "old way" to promote a site. I'm going to eventually create some Hosted Galleries (I know it's now almost a pre-requisite to be successfull).

So that's where I'm asking your tips. Where should I focus to bring the most webmasters wanting to promote my site?

Thanks for your help guys!

Jeremy Roddick

[alwaysgayalways]

Thanks for e-mailing me about the link I'd incorrectly placed. I think I was a little overzealous with the cut and paste function.

[Lee]

Make sure that YOU can convert your traffic in to sales on your site before opening up to affiliates $0.02

Getting loads of affiliates is great, as long as they make sales

Regards,

Lee

[basschick]

get to know people on a number of boards, and be sure you supply what they need to market the site. blog content, banners in various sizes - and don't forget that if you contact all the review sites, you can get a big boost of traffic there without generally offering anything.

the main thing is to have your program in your sig, get to know people on the boards so that you're a person to them. share knowledge and become part of communities. that way, you will have people you have a relationship with who can tell you their needs. and anyone can learn a lot by reading business threads on boards.

in fact, when your site is ready for review, please contact me and most likely i can review you for gaydemon.

[jeremyxxx]

Hey thanks Lee,

About the conversion that is not a problem. The biggest problem was to market the content all by myself. It's a lot to do and that slows me down with creating new content. So that's why I was hoping that with an affiliate program, that I can focus on other things than promoting it.

Jeremy

Make sure that YOU can convert your traffic in to sales on your site before opening up to affiliates $0.02

Getting loads of affiliates is great, as long as they make sales

Regards,

Lee

[Chilihost]

First thing I would recommend is setting up a long-term billing solution. Do this now, before affiliates start signing up and thus avoiding any affiliate code changes later.

The best thing you can do is switch to NATS, get a good secondary biller and a good phone biller. This gives you the best control over your billing allowing you to swap at any time. If you feel you can't afford $150/mo plus cheque writing fees, then at least switch to epoch and use their built-in mpa system so at least you can cascade to ccbill.

Then follow Patti's advice, start advertising your program in your signature and in the spam sections of as many forums as you can. And make sure you participate in forums (esp the ones specific to your niche) so people get to know you and see your sig more often. And finally, try to hit a few of the shows, xbiz is on now so you missed that one. I believe the next big one is internext.

Good luck!

cheers,
Luke

[BritishTwinks]

*takes notes*

I'm in a similar position to you Jeremy - so not much advice I can offer at this stage. All I will say is good luck!

[jeremyxxx]

Hey Thanks Luke. I think I've already looked for NATS. Is it me or it cost around 10,000$ to get that? Maybe eventually but for now I will put my effort in creating content with that kind of money. But thats for the tip it's really appreciated.

The best thing you can do is switch to NATS, get a good secondary biller and a good phone biller. This gives you the best control over your billing allowing you to swap at any time. If you feel you can't afford $150/mo plus cheque writing fees, then at least switch to epoch and use their built-in mpa system so at least you can cascade to ccbill.

[jeremyxxx]

Hey good luck BritishTwinks. Wish you'll have big success with your site! It doesn't seems to be always easy!

Jeremy

*takes notes*

I'm in a similar position to you Jeremy - so not much advice I can offer at this stage. All I will say is good luck!