Free Affiliate Marketing Course - Lesson 4

February 14, 2008 Filed Under: Affiliate Marketing Course

Affiliate Networks

There are hundreds if not thousands of affiliate marketing networks to choose from.

My suggestion is to join at least 5 separate networks. Which actually means you need to apply to 10 of them. As a beginner affiliate marketer it is harder for us to be accepted into these networks. They want to know that you are going to perform and since we don’t have any experience, some networks won’t accept us.

Here’s my list of the bread and butter networks (apply to them all):

I was actually turned down by MOST of the networks listed above when I sent in my initial application. The key to getting accepted is to pick up the phone! They will include a phone number in your rejection email, and when the shock of being slapped in the face wears off just give them a call. Here’s exactly how my conversation went with with a nice lady over at Azoogle:

Hello, this is Jane with Azoogle. How can I help you today?

Mike: Hi Jane, I was just calling because I applied to the network and received a rejection notice today. I was just wondering what I needed to do so that when I re-apply I will get accepted.

Jane: Hold on one second while I pull up your application. What was your full name again?

(she searches her records to find my account)

Jane: Okay Mike, it says here that your site only recieves 600 unique page views a month. We generally look for at least 2,000.

Mike: I understand, that makes sense. Well right now I am just getting started, I’ve actually been studying affiliate marketing for about 6 months now and I’m ready to take the plunge. I’ve been through (and I list a few courses I paid for: Affiliate classroom, quit your day job and super affiliate handbook) so I’m anxious to get started. Is there anything we can do?

(don’t be afraid to name drop if you have a relationship with a guru. Just don’t drop my name because that is bound to get you REJECTED!)

Jane: Well Mike, let me talk to one of my affiliate managers.

(pause)

Jane: Mike, I just spoke with Josh who said he’d love to work with you. He will send you an email to confirm your enrollment and here is his number if you have any questions.

Mike: Jane you are awesome, will you have my kids?

The answer is always No if you don’t ask. So don’t just sit there whining about your rejection email, get on the phone and TALK to someone. They understand that you have to start somewhere and if you let them know that you are willing to work hard they’ll work with you.

When I applied to Filinet I didn’t have my own domain. I used my blog as the website on my application and it was hosted at Blogspot. So I went out and bought a domain and CALLED them back and said, “look I got a domain like you requested.” Jackpot, I’m in.

The number one question I hear about applying to affiliate networks is, “Do you need to have a website?” The answer is simple, Yes and No. For some networks you must have a website hosted on your own domain. Other networks don’t mind letting you in without a website. For Click Bank, if you can fog a mirror then you can be an affiliate.

Here is a pretty good list of all of the networks available. Remember there are hundreds of networks and new ones every day! So get out there and start applying and looking at some offers.

Affiliate Network List

Another List without the hyped up copy

The alternative way to finding a network to join is to determine what you want to promote first, then find out if they have an affiliate program.

This is actually how I found my first affiliate program. I picked my niche market first, built a website to provide my market with valuable content, then searched for a way to monetize that traffic. I knew the solution my visitors were looking for, I just had to find out if I could sell that solution to them and make a profit.

I found three options, 1 on Click Bank, 1 on Linkshare and 1 on Share-a-Sale. Then it was a matter of picking the highest quality product (not highest commission). Generally highest commission and EPC is a good way to choose between a couple of option (all else being equal) but in this case, my visitors were desperate for a solution and I wanted to make sure they were happy even if it meant I would make a little less money. The other two solutions were of such poor quality that I didn’t feel comfortable promoting them.

Summary
I was going to make a video showing you how to fill out the application but then I realize that was DUMB. You can spell your own name so you don’t need me to show you how to fill out blanks on a form. However, there will be some video entries in this course because some things are easier explained visually.

Get out there right now and start applying to some networks. Follow-up on all your rejection emails and don’t take no for an answer. Commission Junction is one of the most popular because they have great affiliate managers, great offers and great tools for tracking your campaigns. If you do nothing else today, apply to cj.com (click on the publisher link).

Think Critically,

Mike

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Comments

2 Responses to “Free Affiliate Marketing Course - Lesson 4”

  1. Bert on February 14th, 2008 6:56 pm

    Mike,

    This is great. Just read your first 4 lessons and am excited to learn from you. I too was a 30DCer and a short term Edger. I found your blog while going through my bloglines feeds set up during the 30DC. Glad you are back. Looking forward to your training!

    Thanks agin,

    Bert

  2. Michael Mosby on February 15th, 2008 12:45 am

    Bert,

    Welcome back! I’m glad you found me again.

    I hope you learned a little bit from lessons 1-4. The best has yet to come!

    Did you hear about the new 30 Day challenge? Are you in? I’m going to follow it to see if there is anything worthwhile to learn. I’m always on the look out for good tips and tricks.

    Anyway, glad you are back and definitely stay in touch!

    Mike

    Michael Mosby’s last blog post..Free Affiliate Marketing Course - Lesson 4

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