I was just reading up on a really interesting panel discussion from Shop.org discussing whether it makes sense to launch affiliate initiatives across multiple affiliate and Cost Per Action network platforms. The panel featured many friends of GTO including Jonathan Miller, Carolyn Tang, Jamie Birch, Chris Sanderson and Jeff Molander (who moderated) discussing the pluses and minuses of the multi-network approach.
What is the GTO Management position on the issue?
We’re for leveraging all of the platforms that make sense for your brand. Being in multiple networks just to say that you are makes little or no sense, but launching your program in a variety of platforms that you know can add value to your bottom line makes a lot of sense. Think of it this way – what does each network party add to the “stew” of your affiliate program.
Maybe you like working with a major network like Commission Junction to get access to a huge affiliate base to grow your program initially, but you notice your competitors are all firing up programs in AvantLink. Why – maybe your vertical market has a concentration of affiliates there who really like their advanced feed marketing tools. In this case, a dual network program probably makes a lot of sense.
On the flip side, if you just decide to make your imprint on the industry wide by launching with every low cost network you can find, your results will probably reflect the quality of the partners you choose.
A couple of other considerations to ponder: Do you have bandwidth to manage additional platforms and do it well? What will you do in the event of duplicate transaction reporting? The more networks you operate in, the greater the chance that this may be an issue for you. What if a transaction triggers 4 pixels and you are on the hook for paying 4x your commission? Who gets credit for the order?
The best answer here I think is to really think carefully about the benefits of multi-network launches as well as the risks. If you are just getting started and are not sure what all this entails, you could also sign on with an experienced management company like GTO that can steer you in the right direction.
Happy Selling!
Wade Tonkin
GTO Management
C28 Christian Apparel joins the GTO Management Family
GTO Management is pleased to announce that we have signed on to consult with and manage the affiliate effort for C28.com
C28 is a Christian retail store chain and online retailer, offering an alternative to the mainstream mall stores. The Christian clothing, music, jewelry and accessories reflect a clean and positive Christian lifestyle. The name of the company comes from Colossians 2:8 that encourages to be “Not Of This World” but all about Jesus Christ. C28’s flagship clothing line takes it’s name “NOTW” from this.
C28.com is a real leader in the Christian apparel market and we’re excited to have them on board.
We’ll be launching the affiliate program for C28 in about 10 days on the AvantLink affiliate network.
Stay tuned!
Cappex Affiliate Question – Expiring offers and extended offers
I was just emailing with one of our affiliates and he asked us about the fact that our offers were listed as expiring an the end of April. Is Cappex extending the period for giving away the proposals as well?
The answer is that our current Scholarship Contests are ending as of 4/30/2008 and Cappex will be announcing the winners. The next contest period runs through the end of November 2008 – and all offers have been extended to fuel that contest. There is no need to take down any links unless you are refreshing creative.
There are new offers coming as well with higher payouts, so keep your eyes peeled on Cappex.
Good Luck!
Wade
Team Affiliate Marketers Worldwide Wants to Wear Your Logo on our Team Shirt
As I mentioned a week or so ago, I’m participating in the 3Day Breast Cancer walk in Seattle this coming September.
As part of our group fundraising efforts, I’d like to let you know about a great way to get your program some easy exposure.
For a $1,000 donation, Team Affiliate Marketing will wear your logo on our Team Shirts during the entire 60 mile walk. Your logo will also be featured on the AffiliateMarketersGiveBack.com website. We’ve already received our first three $1,000 donations from the wonderful Haiko de Poel (founder of ABestWeb.com), Affiliate Summit, and ShareASale. Thanks so much folks!
We’ll be taking lots of pictures and video during the walk and blogging them like mad, so you’re certain to get lots of coverage.
To register for this sponsorship, simply go to www.60-milewalk.com to make the donation. Once you receive your email confirmation, simply send it over to our lovely team captain Missy Ward at missyward at affiliatesummit dot com, along with your high-res logo.
If you are unable to take us up on the T-shirt Sponsorship, please think about making a contribution in any amount. Every dollar counts.
Thanks so much for your support!
~Karen
Affiliate question about Cappex – some single school applications pay higher?
I have had the question posed to me by some potential affiliates asking me why they should promote our client Cappex.com’s offer – they noted that the per lead payout seemed low at $2.50 per completed lead.
I wanted to point out a big difference between some of the high payout college offers and what Cappex is doing. Most of the offers with high payouts are for single schools… and they tend to pay on completed applications, which can be really long – sometimes up to 8 or 9 pages.
Cappex offers payout on the completion of a niche-oriented scholarship application form for say – Business Careers. The form is a single page – we’re not trying to handle the entire application process before you get paid, we’re gathering qualifying information which will then let colleges in your chosen career field qualify you, then compete for you. The conversion is much higher, which is why, despite a big difference in payout, the Cappex EPC is comparable, or higher than almost all of the other educational lead offers we’ve looked at that publish their EPC.
The bottom line is that the affiliate game is all about conversion and EPC and Cappex does that really well.
To join the Cappex.com affiliate program, please visit http://affiliates.cappex.com
