Why are so many affiliates inactive?

<ClubMom_Shawn>	Ken Evoy - Author of ""Make Your Site Sell,” will be moderating ""Why are so many affiliates inactive?"" - feel free to ask questions. Welcome, Ken!
<ac20_jck>	yeah, Ken. Fill us in!
<EMT_Andrea>	no, not received here =(
<misty_momshelpmoms>	I was invisible in the networking room - glad my name works in here
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Ken...please shed some light! :)
<affiliatepromoter_ct>	Hi Ken.
<Renetia_TMi>	Ken, what is the biggest reason you have came cross for inactive affiliates
<Harith>	Ok, Ken. Tell us why so many affiliates inactive. thanks.
<WebDecal_Linda>	So, Ken, why ARE so many affiliates inactive?
<ac20_jck>	Andrea, can you request the personal chat on your end?
<Ken_Evoy>	Hello all.
<JollyGoodDeals_Myke>	How do we attract people to our sites Ken?
<Ken_Evoy>	*****WHY DO MOST AFFILIATES FAIL?***** What percentage of affiliates do you think earns checks of over $100 from any given merchant? 80-20? 90-10? Try 99-1. Yes, under 1%! If you earn over $100 per month from any program, I can almost guarantee that you're in the Top 1%. One large company went so far as to tell me that less than 50 out of 43,000 affiliates were active! Why? Why do affiliates fail? After all, people don't complete those long affiliate regi
<ac20_jck>	Howdy Ken!
<FPM>	Any comments on BE Free ir Linkshare?
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Hello Ken!
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Myke - the next chat will be about search engine strategies
<Renetia_TMi>	FPM - If you want to own your affiliates data go BeFree
<Ken_Evoy>	Whoops. I had a few paragraphs prepared. Is there a max that can be pasted?
<Renetia_TMi>	If not, go Linkshare
<Kasha>	heeehaaa i'm an no 1
<Renetia_TMi>	Your running this Ken, there is no limit
<degenholtz>	but if they don't complete that affiliate registration, then they are not active affiliates?
<ClubMom_Shawn>	not sure Ken - go for it
<emazing_glenn>	Emazing earns thousands per month (really) Who wants to play ball?
<AroundTheHouse_Bonni>	Many affiliates are inactive because they placed their links too early, before their site was ready, in order to plan a nice appearing page, with content relative to their merchant partners, patience.....
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Shorter sentences are better...scrolling goes quick!
<Renetia_TMi>	Agreed
<ac20_jck>	yes... shorter!
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	Ten lines at a time would be good Ken
<jp_nano>	around the house is on the ball
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	YIKES ... less than 10 please!
<Renetia_TMi>	Anything at this point would be goed
<Renetia_TMi>	Good
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	Or five
<ac20_jck>	yeah like 5 or 6 PRETTY P{LEASE
<Ken_Evoy>	OK, I'll paste iin small blocks. Please refrain from posting until I'm done.
<degenholtz>	what;s up ken?
<Ken_Evoy>	*****WHY DO MOST AFFILIATES FAIL?***** What percentage of affiliates do you think earns checks of over $100 from any given merchant? 80-20? 90-10? Try 99-1. Yes, under 1%! If you earn over $100 per month from any program, I can almost guarantee that you're in the Top 1%. One large company went so far as to tell me that less than 50 out of 43,000 affiliates were active!
<degenholtz>	ok we got that
<Ken_Evoy>	Why? Why do affiliates fail? After all, people don't complete those long affiliate registration forms to become FAILING affiliates. They were excited and sincere when signing up. So what happens? Why is the magnificent promise of the affiliate model not realized by most? Many reasons, but they all boil down to one common denominator. Things are just too darn complicated...
<Ken_Evoy>	1) The average person simply does not know HTML, and never will. FTP? Nope. 2) Search Engine mastery is beyond most people. 3) Poor support/education/tools from some merchants. 4) Not willing to put in the work, once it's clear that the affiliate model is not a ""get-rick-quick"" deal. 5) They make fundamental mistakes, such as SELLING instead of PRE-selling. Our top affiliates all PREsell with great content, rather than SELL-SELL-SELL SiteSell products. Aft
<Ken_Evoy>	-- This 99-1 rule got me thinking that this problem needs a BIG solution. And so, one year later, we are on the verge of launching our most ambitious project yet, Site Build It!... http://buildit.sitesell.com/ And hopefully, our free course, the Affiliate Masters Course, will go a long way to helping people overcome all the common barriers. Subscribe to it by sending a blank e-mail to tams@sitesell.net But that's not what I'd like to talk about today. I'd
<KoolStores_Steve>	KoolStores.com is very active 24 hours a day
<Ken_Evoy>	o why YOU think you're not making as much money as you could as an affiliate o why you've stopped working as an affiliate for some merchants o why you never even started perhaps (after signing up). And what do you think can be done to improve the affiliate success rate? Standing by, waiting to hear from you. :-) Ken Evoy President, SiteSell.com
<MegaMags_John>	slowdown
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	TOO FAST...
<ac20_jck>	thank god for the transcripts
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	DITTO jck!
<Ken_Evoy>	OK, all done. So, why don't you make as much money as you'd like???
<KoolStores_Steve>	we are making money from over 500 merchants
<A123_BatBoy>	are you cutting and pasting?
<emazing_glenn>	Linking is too complex.
<ac20_jck>	this is going faster thatn Bill Clinton at a Hooters lunch buffet!
<Ken_Evoy>	Yup, done.
<degenholtz>	how do I get a transcript?
<A123_BatBoy>	i thought this was for dialogue?
<emazing_glenn>	Why isn't everyone's system as easy as Amazon's
<EMT_Andrea>	lol
<ac20_jck>	Andrea!
<Renetia_TMi>	What do you mean Glenn
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes, I was told to prepare a short presentation on the topic. The rest is dialog.
<Harith>	Ken, why don't you start telling us what do you think the reason for that 1%
<Arlana>	hard to get in the Top Spots if you haven't been around long....Older Sites have those taken up
<ac20_jck>	Ken, what a good way to convince your affialtie to ""try"" your program
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	As I merchant, I'm very interested in learning how to activate and help Affiliates earn $$$
<KoolStores_Steve>	does anyone know about html from the merchants
<emazing_glenn>	Generating the HTML for a product is a pain!
<Partnerprogrammecom>	Incentives work
<nano_ryann>	why does everyone get their panties in a wad about ""inactive"" affiliates?
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Thanks Ken - the format was supposed to be that Ken gives a brief background to generate conversation
<jp_nano>	aroundthehouse is on the ball - inactive affiliates are trying to set up ads that are relevant to the content on the page - patience is a virtue
<Partnerprogrammecom>	Education works too
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	I like that Shawn...it just went to fast to read...but lets go from here! :)
<ac20_jck>	not ""in a bunch"", just curious...
<Renetia_TMi>	How long do you pursure inactive affiliates?
<scamfree_neil>	selling online is difficult. Merchants must explain that to affiliates. If affiliates had realistic expectations, they wouldn't drop out.
<Ken_Evoy>	Every affiliate manager has a 99% inactive database. It's a huge issue.
<degenholtz>	Linkshare is the best. Its easy for both sides
<Harith>	Ok Guyes, lets listen to Ken.
<Renetia_TMi>	Linkshare is suffient at best
<HerSports_Elizabeth>	I have a large exposure # with few click thrus in comparison and fewer sales
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Ken....what is your EXACT definition of active vs inactive?
<A123_BatBoy>	Ken I have tried to market your books, but i cant sem to get a sale?
<degenholtz>	does it help to call affiliates on the phone?
<Marla_ClubMom>	Definitely degenholtz!
<QuinStreet_JulieR>	Thanks Ken for your free programs
<Ken_Evoy>	Definition varies from making minimum check, to making a single sale, to sending a single visitor.
<QuinStreet_JulieR>	Marla called me now I feel guilty if I don't do well on ClubMom
<Partnerprogrammecom>	degenholtz, personal relation (phone) helps, but make sure they allowed you to call
<lucrativedreams_Ron>	the program has to be beneficial in that it must promise the affiliate something and be true to that promise
<Ken_Evoy>	Wow, this is hard to make work if people don't wait for replies.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	.......so just having a link on their site doesn't consitute active?
<KoolStores_Steve>	Let me know when the subject of HTML comes up, because I think it is important to know about the codes, and making sure they work
<Marla_ClubMom>	I never intended to make you feel guilty Julie! I only wanted to help...
<ac20_jck>	Ken, after a series of personal emails and phone calls, I got my base from %95 inactive to %60 But what bout the other 2/3?
<CashSteph>	For me, it comes down to traffic.
<affiliatepromoter_ct>	everyone needs to stop posting garbage.
<ac20_jck>	is it a lost cause?
<Neil_Durrant>	it would be interesting to hear from affiliates in the room as to why they join programs but are not active?
<WebDecal_Linda>	Ken, when people don't use html or never ftp, how can a merchant get a banner on their site. Is there an easier way?
<QuinStreet_JulieR>	You did help Marla-Moms always feel guilty
<A123_BatBoy>	garbage is subjective
<jp_nano>	the other 2/3rds aren't ready to post, or are developing a page that will work with their own content and your links
<degenholtz>	sweet ac20!!!
<ac20_jck>	Neil Durrant is here? Wowzers!
<QuinStreet_JulieR>	When I was new I signed up for programs with no real experience of which ones to use
<Ken_Evoy>	Why do people fail, that's the topic.
<CashSteph>	I get people to click through to the sites, but most people seem to want FREE stuff.
<Arlana>	Sometimes you can't see links available to you before signing up....I won't run awful banners and so on
<bestbizfit_michael>	some people that sign up for affiliate programs don't even have a website yet
<Paul>	Let's filter out the inappropriate posts
<Harith>	Please ..STOP..STOP Posting. Lets hear what Ken has to say.
<Partnerprogrammecom>	I think they lack motivation
<A123_BatBoy>	they dont try hard enough.
<ac20_jck>	is it because they are lazy? or are affilaite program s too hard to implemnent for the average user?
<Andrew_allplaza>	AllPlaza has tons of free stuff
<Marla_ClubMom>	People don't really understand what it takes to make money
<navto_wll138>	what sites offer desigh examples and marketing for affiliates
<FFT_Michelle>	I agree with CashSteph.....if you can offer something free in return for the sale they are way more likely to bite
<RKER321>	Because a lot of Affiliates join programs without thinking if the program is good for them or not.
<ClubMom_Shawn>	As far as ClubMom, the biggest reason is that affiliates sign up but their sites have no connection to moms - we've got an affiliate that is a fan site of the Minnesota Timberwolves
<Designer>	you always have to give to get
<CashSteph>	That leaves me with affiliate programs that pay per click. It takes a lot of clicks to make any money.
<WebDecal_Linda>	How can an affiliate put a banner on their page if they don't ftp?
<Ken_Evoy>	OK, so inappropriate signups is one great reaons.
<CashSteph>	So we're back to traffic!
<KoolStores_Steve>	they get in not knowing all the details about what you really need to do, Not Internet Training, and not much money in their hands to follow-up are the biggest reason why they fail
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	Ken--- Looks like you'll ne a 24/7 chatroom
<DomainDirect_Bessy>	THE QUESTION IS: How do we make inactive affiliates active?????
<A123_BatBoy>	Rker i join and i try real hard, but i dont make money.
<bestbizfit_michael>	connect them to copywriters
<ac20_jck>	I think its a matter of better pre-screening
<A123_BatBoy>	i even hand out flyers to try to get people
<KoolStores_Steve>	but they don't have a dream, big enough to handle the job, that to is reason why they fail
<bestbizfit_michael>	offer them services to improve thier sight
<KoolStores_Steve>	also, not enough merchant support
<TipzTime_Wendy>	Educate them as to how your affiliate program works best and how it has worked well on other affiliate sites.
<AffiliateHints_Gary>	Possibly they sign up for so many programs right off the bat, that they get lost and don't know where to begin, so they start nowhere, and then loose interest.
<SheilaRuth>	Yes, merchant support ios a big issue
<Contesthound_Bob>	Ken - the links themselves are not producing
<Marla_ClubMom>	it also makes a difference when affiliates have their own domain names
<CashSteph>	i think merchant support is a big issue.
<A123_BatBoy>	so does anyone make money here as an affiliate not just as merchent?
<Ken_Evoy>	Your average afiliate, like your average human, have average intelligence. The Net is already too tough to do it alone. I think people need a clear system. That's what we try to offer in our course. But are there other reasons for failure, and what can be done about it?
<CompetitionBuster_TB>	In answer to Neil Durant's question about why affiliates are inactive, I can say thatonce the site is set up, it takes a while to get the affiliate agreements made and the links added, and then a while to get the site on the search engine. I believed all the ype about how many people are out there surfing the net, but I'm disappointed in how slowly traffic is building up on our other sites, even though we are pretty well positioned on several search en
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Good point Wendy - we've seen an increase in earnings and activity through education
<KoolStores_Steve>	merchant newsletters should also have some type of training material inside there larger newsletters
<RKER321>	Welcome to the real world of affiliates, probably 90% of affiliates don't make money
<ac20_jck>	its a shame
<bryansise>	eHow.com is a large company that serves as an affiliate for many large retailers. Does anyone know how eHow.com is doing financially?
<Ken_Evoy>	But it's reality. Is there a solution.
<A123_BatBoy>	but i really try. i dont know whre i go wrong
<Renetia_TMi>	What about the affiliates that opt-out of mail?
<Renetia_TMi>	Do you call them?
<Designer>	its like mailorder, expect a 10% return
<ScholarStuff_John>	A123_BatBoy, yes
<SheilaRuth>	I am inactive in several programs because after I signed up I discovered that they didn't offer the tools or support I needed
<CashSteph>	i don't have time to visit every merchant's site to see what they are promoting.
<SheilaRuth>	Or the program wasn't what I expected
<emazing_glenn>	Do these inactives become active pnly during the Christmas season?
<ClubMom_Shawn>	The real solution isn't attractive to a lot of people - it takes research and hard work to turn a buck.
<Harith>	Yes, Ken. Educate affiliate and they will do better job.
<scamfree_neil>	so, merchant support is #2, #1 was inappropriate signups
<Paul>	moderator: Eliminate the cross talk and let Ken talk
<Designer>	no handouts, work for it
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Way to organize Neil!!!
<Ken_Evoy>	How can so many people post off-topic to this discussion? Maybe this in itself is an indication of why people fail.
<TipzTime_Wendy>	sometimes it is just the banners are yucky looking
<A123_BatBoy>	ok my bat site gets alot of hits
<Designer>	sshhhh....
<MrInkMan>	I agree with the inappropriate signups being a problem
<bestbizfit_michael>	in oder to do research effectively, you need to know what questions to ask
<ac20_jck>	what do you mean Ken?
<Designer>	yucky????
<Ken_Evoy>	Bad banners. Good. #3 is poor merchant tools and eductaion.
<RKER321>	The real solution Shawn is that affiliate programs are more or less like any other business.
<A123_BatBoy>	i dont think im off topic ken. how much do you make from affiliate progrrams?
<emazing_glenn>	Banners PERIOD are bad, right Ken?
<FFT_Michelle>	Poor targeting?
<misty_momshelpmoms>	exactly rker321 - you have to work the business the same as owning your own store
<TipzTime_Wendy>	yes, yucky, sometimes the merchant banners look really amature, and visitors think that it is a shaky place to visit
<AtYourBusiness_Diane>	i agree misty
<ScholarStuff_John>	some affiliate programs I sign up for & later become inactive in are those which require banners only
<Designer>	banners don't work really anymore
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes, banners in general are counter-productive. But we offer them for those who ignore our advice.
<RKER321>	You need to have a good sales force in order to succeed. and how many affiliates are good sales people
<Harith>	Banners are killing affiliate programs, I think.
<allplaza_David_Fish>	the real question is, if we had the affiliates phone number we would call them and help with puting the links up and other educataion stuff
<degenholtz>	do any of these ""links"" sites actually make money??
<Renetia_TMi>	Explain the Banner issue
<otips>	programs have dumb names that dont go with products !!
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	What do you recommend offering affiiates Ken - to get them active?
<Brian_Clark>	So you don't think branding is as important as other techniques, Ken?
<Designer>	mainly because bad designers make them really annoying
<emazing_glenn>	In a word: clutter
<AtYourBusiness_Diane>	good question lisa
<allplaza_David_Fish>	then they would get something out of us and it would be a win win
<QuinStreet_JulieR>	Get phone numbers at http://namesecure.com
<LoveWebHosting_Kathy>	Affiliate marketing training usually assumes you already have a large email subscriber list.
<Red_Hot_Sweeps_CDitty>	We don't mind banners for affiliate programs. I just won't put any banners up that look like a 3 year old did them. To me, that is unprofessional
<Adgrafix_Maureen>	Yes RKER I agree 100 %
<emt_shareda>	We would like a better subaffiliate program and then that would help us
<chadwicks_nealpatric>	What do you use in place of banners?
<Ken_Evoy>	Branding is useful for the merchant. But they don't pay the bills for the affiliate. Pay-per-sale and pay-per-lead are what pays.
<affiliatepromoter_ct>	poorly planned affiliate business models, are partly to blame for lack of participation.
<A123_BatBoy>	isnt that a privacy thing quinstreet?
<Designer>	agree. 3 yr olds should not be designing banners
<ScholarStuff_John>	degenholtz, it depends on the type of traffic & the type of links presented to them
<LoveWebHosting_Kathy>	Affiliates fail because they need more marketing information about how to market from ground zero.
<misty_momshelpmoms>	actual content - for clothes you could have fashion articles with links to the products, etc
<QuinStreet_JulieR>	nope
<MainshipSystems_DS>	Speaking as an affiliate, not all affiliates run their programs the same way. One of mine is geared to an organization membership. The focus is different than is geared to large numbers of unique visitors.
<Brian_Clark>	*nod*
<allplaza_David_Fish>	what do you think Ken?
<Contesthound_Bob>	Getting people to click
<bestbizfit_michael>	focused content and building trust in your traffic
<Red_Hot_Sweeps_CDitty>	If the mercant wants us to use their banners, at least make them look professional. Then more clicks will prob follow.
<EMT_Andrea>	you must admit that some merchants are more seasonal than others - Hickory Farms sells better now than in the summer in this area but we must remain signed up all year round
<MrInkMan>	What may seem like a yucky banner - may in fact be the one that produces - see my banner ""Printers Are Like Noses"" at http://www.mrinkman.com/affiliatetwo.htm
<Designer>	agree... focus and relaying your pitch clearly and simply
<ac20_jck>	Ken, it still doesn;t explain why so many affilaites are inactive.
<TipzTime_Wendy>	that line is catchy though
<bestbizfit_michael>	educate your traffic
<Renetia_TMi>	What does that have to do with inactives?
<Renetia_TMi>	There are always text links available
<Harith>	Ken! don't you think that Pre-selling pages, are much better than banners.
<Renetia_TMi>	It has to be deeper than creative
<EMT_Andrea>	we have a lot of merchants for rotational purposes
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	I am inactive with many merchants because I do not have the time to be a test bed for there creative
<Designer>	where'd Ken go?
<Ken_Evoy>	Our top affiliates all PREsell, they don't sell.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	what do you mean Ken?
<Renetia_TMi>	Its the ownership issue
<Contesthound_Bob>	Explaon the difference please
<LoveWebHosting_Kathy>	Disenchantment, lack of time. Internet marketing is very time consuming.
<Harith>	Great! can you elaborate more on that. Thanks.
<ClubMom_Shawn>	IMO, many affiliate managers could learn a lot from being Ken's affiliates
<Ken_Evoy>	PREselling is all about warming up your visitor through good content.
<Red_Hot_Sweeps_CDitty>	For us, If the merchant doesn't have any decent banners or allow text links, then they are useless to us. ie.....inactive.
<Designer>	success take hard work and thats time consuming
<LoveWebHosting_Kathy>	And the rewards sometimes are nonexistent or small.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	How do you do that Ken?
<emt_shareda>	I think it is very easy to develop a website and the affiliate program is somewhat easy to get started, but many people don't have the staying power to market the program. That is my story about the inactiave affiliates
<TipzTime_Wendy>	I think that many merchants can learn alot by being an affiliate themselves, like Shawn.
<ac20_jck>	Ken, can you give us an example of goo dpre-selling?
<Contesthound_Bob>	Example please
<Red_Hot_Sweeps_CDitty>	I agree with Wendy. Let them see how we are being treated sometimes.
<Harith>	But unfortuantely, no many affiliate merchants offer help to affiliate regarding PRESell
<Ken_Evoy>	Phew! The problem with a great question like that Lisa, is by the time I finish this, your questoin was lost. SEe our Affiliate Masters Course for details.
<bestbizfit_michael>	what is your definition of presell ken
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	LOL Ken...I can appreciate that!
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	:) :)
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Where do I find your course?
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	you bio?
<Ken_Evoy>	Provind great content, related to the products, that warm the visitor up for a visit tothe merchant's site that sells.
<emazing_glenn>	Like Emazing? :-)
<Paul>	Ken's time is worth more than this Free for all - people need to respect his expertise
<ac20_jck>	how much is ""too much"" content.
<Ken_Evoy>	Sorry for the typos. I'm in a big integration meeting, working on a new keyboard.
<A123_BatBoy>	so ken how many affiliates make money from make ur site sell?
<ac20_jck>	When does it beocme counterproductive?
<emt_shareda>	This subject has us stuck imagine all those affiliates, maybe more information is needed, how to manuals
<CashPile_SusanD>	Lisa you can link to the speaker's bios at: http://www.affiliatewebinar.com/active/schedule.cfm
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	Preselling is promoting creditcards on a How to budget site...
<emazing_glenn>	Yes, Drop.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Thanks Susan (and hello!) ... I'm looking for Ken's course that he mentioned...
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Please keep your questions and comments on topic
<bestbizfit_michael>	what is the difference between preselling and selling
<emazing_glenn>	Ken, isn't inactivity seaonal to some degree?
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	SiteSell.com .....an excellent training tool
<Ken_Evoy>	Selling is trying to sell right on your site. It's redundant and hurts, because the merchant does that.
<Ken_Evoy>	We notice some seasonality and weekend patterns.
<Designer>	summer is the worst for every business
<Contesthound_Bob>	Ken - can you elaborate a little more about pre-sellinig maybe with an example
<misty_momshelpmoms>	since everyone seems to find it hard to find time to presell - companies that offer presell type articles in their programs do beter I think
<Ken_Evoy>	Not summer for us. Christmas, major events, weekends are slower.
<bestbizfit_michael>	Ken, is this where people need to consider themselves information brokers instead of sellers
<chadwicks_nealpatric>	Ken, so you are saying that the affiliate should ""presell"" using great content with links to the site, and let the site do the selling?
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes, well said
<emazing_glenn>	Christmas? Really?
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes, Christmas day is slow.
<Designer>	it depends on your business but typically July/August are slow all around
<emazing_glenn>	Oh - THAT day.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Ken...where can I get access to info/registration for your Affiliate Masters course?
<A123_BatBoy>	when can we buy make your site build?
<ClubMom_Shawn>	FYI - if you refresh your browser, you should no longer see the alerts re: people entering and leaving the chat
<HBWPNetwork_Cathryn>	Ken, thanks for taking time to share with us! I am an affiliate of yours and love your products! I think a key is making sure the merchants you are an affiliate for is QUALITY content and not just money for us! And Absolutely Pre-Sell with self-testimonials.
<Focalex_DarrenDeLuca>	yes the summer months are very slow
<Ken_Evoy>	Why YOU think you're not making as much money as you could as an affiliate
<chadwicks_nealpatric>	Ken-okay, so how do I get my 4,000 affilate sites to ""presell"" for me?
<ac20_jck>	give them good content that creates interest
<Affiliates4Cash_Nanc>	Re: inactive. Many times I signup after reading a brief synopsis (i.e. BeFree, CJ, LS) and then find that it's not what I thought. I also agree that if the text or banners offered aren't what we need, poof ! I'n looking at other programs...
<Harith>	Mostly poor payments and poor affiliate agreements, Ken.
<Ken_Evoy>	First, take the Affiliate Masters Course. It's free.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	......Ken ... where do we get info on the course?
<Kasha>	sounds good, i'm dutch
<otips>	fast loadin banners help --stop bandwidth HOGS!
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	DUTCH here too Kasha!
<Ken_Evoy>	Cash_Nanc brings up the poor merchant tool lesson... a good lesson for managers.
<eGoodz_Chuck>	my CR went up to 20% after taking the Affiliate Masters course
<MainshipSystems_DS>	How do we find the affiliate masters course you keep refering to?
<Kasha>	de kat die krabt de krullen van de trap
<Ken_Evoy>	For the course, go to www.sitesell.com and see the University in left margin.
<A123_BatBoy>	ken you keep not ansewring my questinos
<Designer>	what was that??
<chadwicks_nealpatric>	Ken-where do I find the Affiliate Masters course?
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	THank you Ken! :)
<Switchouse_AdrienneR>	I think it's important for an affiliate to find out about program details before they sign up for your program so they are not contributing to the inactive pool.
<Ken_Evoy>	Sorry about missing some questions. This is tough.
<emazing_glenn>	Banners are NOT the way to go. Yes, they are flashy and ""cool"" but when is the last time you clicked on one?
<A123_BatBoy>	ok ill try agin
<Designer>	banners are dead
<A123_BatBoy>	i want to know a few things. how many people make money from sitesell?
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	You are doing GREAT Ken...this is amazing isn't it!
<otips>	when you vist 110 sites a day & they all have the same stuff how boring!
<Brian_Clark>	*sigh* why should affiliates worry about inactive affiliates? I suspect many are inactive by choice, not ignorance.
<A123_BatBoy>	and i wanted to know how much your company makes from other afiliate programs
<eGoodz_Chuck>	editorial content works best, I have removed banners completely
<Kasha>	some experts say there is abou 0,1 % or less who clicks on banners
<A123_BatBoy>	liek cj, and befree stuff
<Switchouse_AdrienneR>	Merchants worry about unactive affiliates
<ac20_jck>	Brian, are you serious?
<Brian_Clark>	Yeah, I am serious.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	hhhm.. really Brian? How can we know that though?
<A123_BatBoy>	brian i am active but i still dont make much money.
<MrInkMan>	kasha is correct - from our experience we agree
<ac20_jck>	Its easier to sell to someone in your store than to someone on the street....
<scamfree_neil>	so...#1 was inappropriate signups, #2 was lack of merchant support, #3 was poor affiliate tools and resources, #4 was lack of preselling, #5 was seasonality, #6 was poor payments and poor affiliate agreements,
<A123_BatBoy>	my sites gets over 10,000 page views a day and still little money
<Brian_Clark>	I'm just judging from personal experience ... the number of times I have to ""sign up"" before I can even evaluate a program is awful.
<Ken_Evoy>	We write checks to 1-1.5% of our affiliates every month, which is above average from talking to managers on a private basis. But I would certainly like to see that number go much higher. That's why we developed Site Build It!
<APmanager_Jeff>	What merchants need to do is concentrate on the affiliates that are active
<ac20_jck>	BatBoy: email me.. I'll get you some cash.. jck@ac20.com
<A123_BatBoy>	that is the thing you sold right?
<Brian_Clark>	Not to pick on you, Ken, but I had go through a whole eBook of yours before I could evaluate your affiliate program, a daunting task to say the least.
<APmanager_Jeff>	Provide incentives that encourages their involvement
<A123_BatBoy>	okk ac20.
<emt_shareda>	Brian I think you are on to something. Affilates stay inactiaave by choice
<Brian_Clark>	Afterwards, I decided it wasn't the best match for me ... bingo: I'm an inactive affiliate.
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Jeff - exactly - a lot o faffiliate managers are focused on gross numbers of affiliates, rather than educating those who are already there
<Switchouse_AdrienneR>	We always try to concentrate on active affiliates but the real key is to continually increase your active base. Convert the inactive to active
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes, we weed out people who don't want to put in some work. NO point in getting inappropriate signups. By reviewing our e-book, you have all the info needed and you realize that it's work.
<ac20_jck>	Good Point SHAWN!
<Brian_Clark>	Not all of them, but I think quite a few. The idea that you can reduce that pool to 0% seems ludicrious.
<Neil_Durrant>	but what about the affiliates that are inactive not out of choice but lack of knowledge
<otips>	I click! STILL
<misty_momshelpmoms>	yes - but what is a good number to get just so you have enough active affiliate?
<A123_BatBoy>	my site is on animals and making money raising animals. mostly bats
<ac20_jck>	Brian, bot %0, but %95? isn't that EXTREMELY high?
<Designer>	bats???
<Brian_Clark>	Not picking on you, Ken ... just using it as an example of why some people signup for the program ... so that they can actually see the marketing materials, the linking selections, etc.
<chadwicks_nealpatric>	Ken-what do you think about focusing on your top 5 -10 affiliates, build a great relationship, then move down the list?
<Red_Hot_Sweeps_CDitty>	Instead of trying to get many inactives to active, how about increasing the payouts? Make those that are active happier.
<APmanager_Jeff>	Neil...it is a responsibility for merchants to educate...but not hand hold
<otips>	oh yeah bats that a hot topic???
<Red_Hot_Sweeps_CDitty>	payouts for the activbes that it.
<bestbizfit_michael>	after the determination of inactive by the affiliate, there is no removal process
<nano_ryann>	my 2cents worth- this is great! Shawn & Susan & the others who organized it should be very proud of the success!
<A123_BatBoy>	Yes I am a professional bat raiser.
<Affiliates4Cash_Nanc>	Perhaps merchants should worry more about their current affiliates! or the low-earning affiliates... then if they have time - they can worry about inactives!
<Brian_Clark>	JCK: Ken was talking about ""people who get a check"".
<APmanager_Jeff>	Thats where the work on the affliate come into play
<Switchouse_AdrienneR>	We feel that it is equally important to provide our affiliate base with tools and information to help them optimize the potential of our program
<WebDecal_Linda>	Ken, was you affiliate program software designed in-house?
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes Brian, I know you disagree with our qualifying process. But no one has to download the book... only those who are interested.
<Focalex_John_Lee>	i thik most people hold to the 90 / 10 rule: 90% of your business comes from 10% of your affiliates.
<guytraub>	hi
<Ken_Evoy>	Our software totally in-house.
<Brian_Clark>	Ken's more selective before signups, so ergo a lower inactive affiliate population (but lower number of signups overall.)
<bestbizfit_michael>	80/20 rule, focus on the 20
<A123_BatBoy>	ken i dont have time to read all that. i need help fast
<Brian_Clark>	Don't disagree at all, Ken ...
<HBWPNetwork_Cathryn>	I am one who has had to work on building some sites before I found the one that I feel passionate for, so for many of the affiliate programs I had signed up for did remain inactive during that time.... although I had good intention! :)
<APmanager_Jeff>	He/she needs to educate him/her self with education materials provided by the merchant
<Brian_Clark>	If anyything, I'm arguing that merchant's style of recruitment maximizes their inactive populations, because they want big numbers of affiliates.
<MrInkMan>	I think that 90% of your business comes from 1-1.5% of your affiliates
<Brian_Clark>	Ken's approach is more about results.
<otips>	iwork my biz 8hours day so its not lack of work
<ac20_jck>	Brian, you just hit the nail on the heasd!
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	Perhaps if you read Batboy you wouldn't need the help so desperatly
<misty_momshelpmoms>	batboy makes a point - people want to make money now - well it isn't going to happen, so they drop out
<eGoodz_Chuck>	BatBoy: It's an easy read and it will change everything ...
<chadwicks_nealpatric>	4cash, that's what I was eluding to when I asked Ken about focusing on your top 5-10 affiliates, then moving down the line.
<APmanager_Jeff>	And there are a lot of websites/books out there that provide this kind of education
<Focalex_John_Lee>	Yeah, some people like to call it the 97/3 rule. ;)
<EMT_Andrea>	yes Brian - true - we get over 40 invites a day to plug a site
<A123_BatBoy>	i do read cigarette man
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes, it's people who work but don't make money that bothers me the most. They deserve better. PLease take the course and let me k nhjow if it helps.
<A123_BatBoy>	but i dont have time to read hundrdds of pages. i have many clients
<bestbizfit_michael>	is the ebook a prescreening device?
<Switchouse_AdrienneR>	Regardless of how many active vs inactive affiliates you have the thing is, they joined your program for a reason. They entered into that initial relationship. Obviously we're going to do our best to convert to active
<Designer>	work smarter, not harder
<navto_wll138>	Ken can you give site names of good producing sites
<Ken_Evoy>	The ebook for signing up is not a requirement. You can register without it. B ut we try to guide theprocess towards the e-book.
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Ken's products are a good example of someting where you should use it before you try to sell it - they are great products that help your selling (rather preselling) ability if you have used them yourself.
<Brian_Clark>	Yes, Adrienne ... but don't beat yourself if you're unsuccessful at accomplishing what you've already essentially sabotaged in marketing ;)
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	It takes alot of work to make money... a large percentage of people wnat someone else to do ti for them
<Focalex_John_Lee>	Adrienne: of course! If you have them in the door, they're better candidates.
<CatalogCity_Gretchen>	How do you recognize which non-performin affiliates will be good performers if you give them a little boost?
<scamfree_neil>	I think #7 should be competition for affiliates...too many free-to-join programs
<otips>	ithink folks would click on banners if they werent the same ones ALL YEAR!
<Brian_Clark>	Gretchen's question is the REAL issue, IMHO.
<eGoodz_Chuck>	knowledge is everything is this biz, you have to stay up to date, that means lots of reading
<A123_BatBoy>	but ken it seems to me your stuff only has a lmited appeal say to only business sites?
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes, that's our niche.
<misty_momshelpmoms>	so why do you have it on a bat site? There's the problem
<A123_BatBoy>	so do you allow others to signup?
<HBWPNetwork_Cathryn>	Absolutely right Brian, to get your teeth really into the product and learn first-hand the value of what you are promoting! And with sitesell you are empowereing yourself! You can never know who is going to be a GOOD affiliate. Just like with network marketing, you never know who is going to ""get it!""
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Gretchen - I've found that if you give a little boost to all of the non-performing affiliates every once in a while, some of them always emerge
<Ken_Evoy>	The key is not to FORCE our site into your passion. Develop your passion, then find the programs that fit.
<Paul>	I echo Shawn's comment I own several of Ken's products and they have helped me market my site with much more results than the worn out ""experts""
<A123_BatBoy>	but why let the wrong sites signup and waste time?
<HBWPNetwork_Cathryn>	Ken, awesome!
<Ken_Evoy>	Thanks very much for those kind words.
<emt_shareda>	Can we have a cliffnotes version of the book?
<A123_BatBoy>	should not the merchant also screen
<Ken_Evoy>	He heh
<CatalogCity_Gretchen>	What kind of boosts do you think work best? Shawn-Do you like increased commissions or little bonuses or do you have other ideas?
<HerSports_Elizabeth>	if you charge affiliates to sign up for your program, you're making a big mistake
<A123_BatBoy>	and not take on sites that are not rite?
<Ken_Evoy>	Can we add to our list of why affiliates fail? We're up to what, 6 or 7?
<scamfree_neil>	7
<scamfree_neil>	:-)
<degenholtz>	how much does this book cost?
<A123_BatBoy>	its is free
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Neil ... the eternal orgainizer! =)
<CouponSnippers_Carol>	When I sign up and I get an email from the affiliatemanager that says ""thanks for signing up"" and that's it....I lose interest right away. Merchants that send affiliate mail once a week with ideas to promote are difinately somebody I WORK for and push push push.
<Stentwood_Cindy>	Whats the rule of thumb - how many banners per page is good
<chadwicks_nealpatric>	Ken-what do you think is the average pay for clickthrough rate right now?
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	btw...I think you are great Neil!
<Harith>	Did I say #8 unfair affiliate agreement!
<A123_BatBoy>	I dont use baners, i use javascript to pull in offers
<scamfree_neil>	cheers
<Ken_Evoy>	I totally ignore pay-per-click. Not sure it's viable.
<scamfree_neil>	so...#1 was inappropriate signups, #2 was lack of merchant support, #3 was poor affiliate tools and resources, #4 was lack of preselling, #5 was seasonality, #6 was poor payments and poor affiliate agreements, #7 is competition for affiliates
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	You have to test Cindy
<Brian_Clark>	it's like Family Fued. Good answer, Harith, Good answer!
<RKER321>	Yes, Please, I would like to know why affiliate fail
<chadwicks_nealpatric>	Ken-why isn't it viable?
<Alakazam_Jay>	Affiliates fail (in some cases) because they want something for nothing. (Or was that already covered?)
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Gretchen - I've mailed the inactives with code for current promotions and created some affiliates-only promotions (free domain every week, $100 each month to the best answer to affiliate-related questions, etc.)
<APmanager_Jeff>	Pay per-click is good for some sites....ISP?
<Brian_Clark>	Shawn, do you think those techniques are working?
<Ken_Evoy>	Too open to fraud. Fraud that can't be beat. They always end up getting converted into other pay models.
<navto_wll138>	Yes ken, the need for content and marketing ideas
<A123_BatBoy>	what programs work for you ken? besides books
<A123_BatBoy>	that would help me
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Brian - they've been responsible for an increase in active affiliates and more affiliates earning checks
<Ken_Evoy>	How many people here have worked hard and not made $200 per month?
<Affiliates4Cash_Nanc>	Yes, I agree with Coupon_Carol!
<Brian_Clark>	intereting ...
<ac20_jck>	not me
<IGenealogy_NSween>	Shawn did a good job to inspire me to become more active. It may work yet....
<Contesthound_Bob>	I am closing in on $200/month
<FFT_Michelle>	most months
<FFT_Michelle>	LOL
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	SHAWN ... is your overhead for doing all these programs tremendous?
<AffiliateHints_Gary>	I'm not there yet.
<chadwicks_nealpatric>	Ken-why isn't pay for click viable? You send me clicks, I pay you.????
<otips>	shawn inspired me too!
<Stentwood_Cindy>	I haven't made that yet
<Kasha>	i'm doing nothing and get 100$ a month
<Paul>	I've used Ken's content specific ideas on my site at www.dreamsalive.com/dreamtips.htm and they ahve worked very well
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Lisa - all these programs?
<A123_BatBoy>	i made good money from CPM
<A123_BatBoy>	but it keeps dropping
<QuinStreet_JulieR>	Shawn increased my pay also, and we LOVE him
<eGoodz_Chuck>	i'm up to $1000/month since Oct 1
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	the promotions you do, contacting aff's, etc
<FFT_Michelle>	I would love 1000 a month!
<IMC_Ibrahim>	Paul: I've used Ken's tactics too, excellent ideas really, but I have the problem of not having the most savvy affiliates.
<amy_freeformom>	I get about 400 a month, with not much work (but I'm a freebie site)
<Ken_Evoy>	There are people who succeed. What we have to do is model on them, so that the less naturally talented can duplicate that success.
<Guest1057>	Re: inspiring our inactives to become active - We (One and Only Network) feel that our most successful associates will be better at training other associates and passing along what works than we ever could. So,we're about to implement a free ""Mentor Program"" that offers free templates, subdomain hosting, site evaluation, search engine advice, etc. directly from our top producers. We obviously incent the producers to do this. :-)
<CouponSnippers_Carol>	Question for the affiliate managers of etailing concerns...do you think sales are falling this year? My stats are definately off from last year.
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Lisa - the free domain each week is donated to us for the exposure - we try to be creative and keep overhead very low
<otips>	go shawn go shawn
<eGoodz_Chuck>	if you work at it, it grows every month (freebies are doing it right now)
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes, mentoring is a great idea.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Thanks Shawn!
<Contesthound_Bob>	Who would mentor who?
<Ken_Evoy>	Affiliate manager and top affiliates.
<HBWPNetwork_Cathryn>	Don't we realize that the Internet is ALL about Information and service. Books and knowledge are key to our success! Mentoring is a wonderful tool! I would like more info on that approach.
<AroundTheHouse_Bonni>	Shawn, I know I will work hard to try and earn that free domain on my site!
<IGenealogy_NSween>	Shawn is even advertising in cases of PEPSI, I think.
<eGoodz_Chuck>	my mentor is a good friend of mine making $15K monthly
<Paul>	Ken, I focus on the people who WANT to be successful, and I follow up with them with content, as you've re-minded me many times.
<Guest1057>	Our top producers at One and Only would Mentor active or inactive associates that want help.
<Ken_Evoy>	In a way, actually, the mentoring concept is also what we try to achieve with the Affiliate Masters Course and Site Bjuild It!
<AffiliatePeople_Adam>	BatBoy - CPM is declining rapidly - yesterday, on Yahoo News there was a story on DoubleClick layoffs
<Affiliates4Cash_Nanc>	It took a while (& alot of work), but I finally crossed the $200/month two months ago. Goota keep working hard though - $200 should only be the beginning ((Dec is pacing at $400)
<CatalogCity_Gretchen>	Carol, Actually, our sales have more than doubled this year. We just hit the 1,000,000 registered user mark. Affiliates have helped alot with that. But we want to work to make them even more successful.
<Contesthound_Bob>	Like Shawn and Marla do at ClubMom
<TipzTime_Wendy>	Is Shawn's pic on the box of cereal yet? LOL> Shawn is great!
<degenholtz>	can I plug my program? I don't want to get blasted...
<QuinStreet_JulieR>	Just got a message Zoomerang quit their aff program
<ClubMom_Shawn>	degenholtz - keep your comments on topic
<otips>	so what does 200 a month turn out hourly?
<TipzTime_Wendy>	Marla too. Didn't forget you Marla! =)
<Ken_Evoy>	This was getting good. Please stick to on-topic posts.
<Marla_ClubMom>	Thanks Wendy!
<IMC_Ibrahim>	Ken: How many people still have trouble? Do you get many emails? (I've been to your site and read pretty much all there is to read but while I put a lot of info on my program, I still get emails asking basic questions)
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes, people miss stuff. That's why I repeat things so often when I communicate.
<Rick_Bier>	Mentoring is what two-tier programs were supposed to encourage.
<Switchouse_AdrienneR>	Constant
<Affiliates4Cash_Nanc>	Chuck, could we share your mentor ;-) ?
<Harith>	Neil! can you post the list of failur again. Thanks
<Ken_Evoy>	Good point, Rick. We provide e-mail tools for TEam Leaders to reach their team.
<allplaza_David_Fish>	How many times is it to much to email affiliates?
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Ever since we created a community around our program (discussion list, chats, webring, etc.) active numbers have increased
<scamfree_neil>	so...#1 was inappropriate signups, #2 was lack of merchant support, #3 was poor affiliate tools and resources, #4 was lack of preselling, #5 was seasonality, #6 was poor payments and poor affiliate agreements, #7 is competition for affiliates
<scamfree_neil>	:)
<Ken_Evoy>	Anybody got #8?
<scamfree_neil>	heh
<Arlana>	quick question, anyone know a good search engine submission program?
<AroundTheHouse_Bonni>	#8, site not finished
<TipzTime_Wendy>	Shawn and Marla at ClubMom are essentially known as ""FRIENDS"" with their affiliates.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	somebody suggested 8, but don't remember
<Ken_Evoy>	Please stay on-topic.
<ClubMom_Shawn>	HI Arlana - next chat will be al about search engines
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	8 Inability of merchant to convert?
<Kasha>	rlana you get better results by hand submission
<A123_BatBoy>	lack of skills?
<Harith>	Neil, How about Lack of affiliates education?
<eGoodz_Chuck>	absolutley, if fact we want to work with other affiliates email me @ chuck@talk.ca
<Ken_Evoy>	If you think about your sites, how many of your are promoting programs that really have nothing to do with the theme ofyour site? This could be a useful point.
<scamfree_neil>	Bonni merchant site you mean?
<Rick_Bier>	#8 No affiliate training
<bestbizfit_michael>	leadership and connecting
<EMT_Andrea>	mismatching?
<Ken_Evoy>	Lack of training is a good point.
<AroundTheHouse_Bonni>	Neil, no, the affiliate site may not be finished yet
<A123_BatBoy>	are there places to get training online
<IGenealogy_NSween>	Ken, I try out theories to see if readers like off the subject topics.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	wan't training in their earliers?
<Contesthound_Bob>	I was doing that, stil am, I need to focus my site on fewer things
<ClubMom_Shawn>	conversion is definitely an issue - I sued to do well with PlanetRx - after they closed I moved to CVS and haven't made a red cent
<Adgrafix_Maureen>	Education.. What form.. person 2 person ? email ? online handbook? Knowledge base? classroom ?
<MusicSpace_Michele>	Our affiliate program has been live for 3 months with a 1-tier commission program - Does anyone have a recommendation on whether we should begin a 2 tier program right away or wait until our program has been established longer. So far, the 1 tier structure does not seem to be that motivating.
<Ken_Evoy>	Belisve it or not, if you PREsell with good content, your Conversion Rate goes way up.
<emazing_glenn>	Ken, honestly, Emazing is perfect (we have content that can push sales) but it's also very labor intensive. Solutions?
<dp>	Ken, would you discuss the themes more? I'm very interested in that subject.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Shawn ... CVS?
<Adgrafix_Maureen>	What would affiliates be willing to participate in? I've tried them all
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Lisa - it's a drugstore site
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	ah, thanks! still learning here...:)
<Ken_Evoy>	Regarding themes, it's the central Site Concept around which you wrap all your content. See the course for details.
<Adgrafix_Maureen>	We tried 1 year 5 years ago.. didn't work.. Go for the 2 tier
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	Right Ken... But still many merchants couln't sell water to a thirsty man
<Contesthound_Bob>	I agree Ken. I did a test content page about ClubMom and used info from wordssell
<Switchouse_AdrienneR>	Don't forget. There is a wealth of info on affiliate marketing readily available on the internet. Merchants and affiliates alike are responsible to be informed
<IMC_Ibrahim>	Michele: I've held out on my launching of a 2nd tier because of the complications. And in the market we're aiming for, the people are rarely computer savvy. Works against us, but we're trying to keep it as simple as possible for people
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Only 8 minutes left - take advantage of Ken's expertise with some great questions!
<Contesthound_Bob>	conversion is up 400%
<dp>	Thanks, I'll check it out.
<Ken_Evoy>	Phew. I get to stop sweating in 8 minutes!
<Harith>	Ken! how about theme and search engines indexing?
<MusicSpace_Michele>	OK - thanks!
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	LOL Ken...you'll be dreaming about this tonight (or nightmaring! :) :)
<Citystuff_Corey>	Ken, as a merhcant with not a ton of time to manage our program, what do you think is the single most important thing I can do for my affiliates?
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes, engines will be using a new kind of evaluation that compresses spammy gateways out and that detects true content.
<Alakazam_Jay>	Where's the best place to find affiliate programs that match the content of your site?
<TheBigBook_Linette>	Is the added complication to affiliate understanding worth going 2-tier
<iknowthat_lisa>	Did we come up with the definitive number 8?
<Ken_Evoy>	Wrap that content around a good theme and you'll be at 100
<scamfree_neil>	so...#1 was inappropriate signups, #2 was lack of merchant support, #3 was poor affiliate tools and resources, #4 was lack of preselling, #5 was seasonality, #6 was poor payments and poor affiliate agreements, #7 is competition for affiliates, #8 inability of merchant to convert sales, #9 affiliate site not ready,
<Ken_Evoy>	Sorry, you'll be at 100% efficiency with the engines.
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	GO NEIL!
<ac20_jck>	affiliatepromoter.com has some wide-range demo programs
<IMC_Ibrahim>	Ken: How effective is giving affiliates self-duplicating pages for programs with multiple products?
<iknowthat_lisa>	thanks!
<scamfree_neil>	good ideas...#1, mentoring, #2 promotions, #3 pre-qualifying?, #4 preselling,
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Jay - check out the various categories on cashpile.com to find programs that fit the context of your site
<IMC_Ibrahim>	(well, not self-duplicating)
<Ken_Evoy>	Neil, you're doing a great job to pull conclusions out of semi-chaos! :-)
<RKER321_>	#8 Good affiliate programs. or affiliate friendly programs.
<scamfree_neil>	thx Ken
<IMC_Ibrahim>	Yes, Neil is a help! :)
<Affiliates4Cash_Nanc>	Arlana, go to the resource center http://www.affiliatewebinar.com/active/resources.html and check out CAsHPile's link ...
<Eurovacations_Errera>	what about # 5 ?
<Ken_Evoy>	Can we reach 10 reasons for failure before I get to stop sweating?
<bestbizfit_michael>	affiliates need to work from their strengths, not their weakness. Great job neil
<MusicSpace_Michele>	Do you Ken - or anyone for that matter - have any ideas on where to find ""super-affiliates""?
<Kasha>	ACTION wipes kens forehead
<ac20_jck>	I'd say marketing programs for the bounty, not for the demograhic appeal
<Harith>	Neil can you add Ricks #8
<DomainDirect_Bessy>	thanks NEIL and KEN!
<Contesthound_Bob>	Merchants are not updating the links or pages
<scamfree_neil>	ricks #8 was covered already...no?
<EMT_Andrea>	May I offer mercha nt integrity? We have found that many merchants sell names and that's NOT the product and image we care to be associated with
<HerSports_Elizabeth>	affiliates are wearing many hats. We don't get paid a full time salary to run an affiliate program. We have to make money many different ways and keep up with a lot of aspects of our sites. We are the whole company
<Ken_Evoy>	Ahh... the source of super-affiliates is top secret! ;-)
<AroundTheHouse_Bonni>	yes, neil
<CatalogCity_Gretchen>	How do you pick which merhchants to promote the most?
<bestbizfit_michael>	let us in on the secrtet, please
<Partnerprogrammecom>	yes please
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	Look in the searchengines under you key words.....Ther are you superaffiliates
<scamfree_neil>	so...#1 was inappropriate signups, #2 was lack of merchant support, #3 was poor affiliate tools and resources, #4 was lack of preselling, #5 was seasonality, #6 was poor payments and poor affiliate agreements, #7 is competition for affiliates, #8 inability of merchant to convert sales, #9 affiliate site not ready, #10 merchant integrity...there you go Ken!
<ac20_jck>	yeah, what's the big secret?
<CreditForYou2000_Tim_11>	I would say the ones that pay the most is a good place to start
<Ken_Evoy>	Is Elizabeth saying that it's overwhleming for a single person to ""do it all""?
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	Superaffiliates also have newsletters
<HerSports_Elizabeth>	pretty much
<Partnerprogrammecom>	Mark that true
<ac20_jck>	I think I'll send all of my affiliates a fruit cake for Christmas!
<WebDecal_Linda>	no one can ""do it all"" How many on your staff, Ken?
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	How many Merchants are running a one-man show?
<HerSports_Elizabeth>	No thanks
<ClubMom_Shawn>	right on Mark - all of our top performers make it happen (at least in part) with newsletters
<ac20_jck>	that'll learn em'!
<Ken_Evoy>	Yes, super-affiliates can be found or built. It's pretty obvious how to find them, but the skill is how to build them -- and it's fun to watch them grow.
<bestbizfit_michael>	is there a good newsletter generating program out there we can use?
<ac20_jck>	personal contact
<HBWPNetwork_Cathryn>	I, too, am a one ""woman"" show, Help!
<Red_Hot_Sweeps_CDitty>	We are running a 2 man show on our affilliate program. Kinda tough sometimes.
<Partnerprogrammecom>	so how do you grow them
<TipzTime_Wendy>	How to help them build themselves
<Ken_Evoy>	15 on our staff.
<DropCigarettes_Mark>	I am a one man show.....I hire programmers on a per project basis
<Partnerprogrammecom>	give them water :-)
<HerSports_Elizabeth>	we work hard for 10% of a sale and a sale takes thousands of hits, hundreds of click thrus to get a sale
<KEUNKJJBRadio_Steve>	you can send me a fruitcake !
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	One-woman show here too! YIKES,,, but fun!
<otips>	me one woman show too
<iknowthat_lisa>	me too
<ac20_jck>	sure Steve!
<CreditForYou2000_Tim_11>	dido
<amy_freeformom>	another one here... and with kids at home too1
<Ken_Evoy>	I think ""overwhelming for one person"" qualifies as a reason for failure.
<ac20_jck>	I;m serious, what do our inactives need. Cna you summarize?
<otips>	i;m carpal tunnel annie
<ClubMom_Shawn>	As Kan mentioned, you CAN build super affiliates - think of your affiliate program as a baseball club - you've got the team in the majors and you've got the farms where you groom the future major leaguers!
<eGoodz_Chuck>	we hold ourselves to writing 5 new pages a day, it doesn't seem so big a job that way
<HomeWorkingMom>	4 people here but still not enough hours in the dat
<bestbizfit_michael>	one person with little backing equates to inactivity
<Ken_Evoy>	Let's get Neil to update our list, and we'll see what needs to be done to overcome those.
<HomeWorkingMom>	day
<AffiliatePeople_Adam>	excellent analogy Shawn!
<ClubMom_Shawn>	2 minute warning
<ac20_jck>	summary, Ken!
<HomeWorkingMom>	Chuck I like that idea
<scamfree_neil>	so...#1 was inappropriate signups, #2 was lack of merchant support, #3 was poor affiliate tools and resources, #4 was lack of preselling, #5 was seasonality, #6 was poor payments and poor affiliate agreements, #7 is competition for affiliates, #8 inability of merchant to convert sales, #9 affiliate site not ready, #10 merchant integrity, #11 affiliate's lack of ""reach"", #12 overwhelming for one person
<Contesthound_Bob>	Well done Neil
<HBWPNetwork_Cathryn>	Great to see I'm not alone! Us ""on our on"" should unite to support each other and Ken you're right, many of us will fail if we don't have a BIG enough why! Check out my new site @ www.hbwpnetwork.com and
<eGoodz_Chuck>	there's only 2 of us, but we end up with 10 new pages every day
<TipzTime_Wendy>	misjudging your visitors with the merchant you use.
<scamfree_neil>	this has been crazy..thanks Ken!
<CatalogCity_Gretchen>	How does a merchant impress their integrety on affiliates. We have a great site, but not a well know brand.
<Ken_Evoy>	Individuals need to work from their passion, their knowledge base. Marry that content to well-chosen merchants. Keep building -- see the course for details. I'm very proud of that course.
<ac20_jck>	I do what Chuck does, and I'm doing really well.
<Harith>	Neil, would you be kind to save this list to your HD. I'm gonna need a copy ;)
<scamfree_neil>	sure, I'll email you.
<HBWPNetwork_Cathryn>	Neil, GREAT JOB!
<ac20_jck>	numbersw is the key
<Harith>	Thanks.
<WebDecal_Linda>	email me too, Neil :-)
<Genealogy_LisaDeJong>	Neils list will also be in the transcripts!!!! We will never forget him! :)
<HBWPNetwork_Cathryn>	I'm so pleased that they are archiving these chats!
<scamfree_neil>
<ClubMom_Shawn>	Thank you to Ken Evoy for presenting ""Why are so many affiliates inactive?"" We will be taking a brief intermission at this time to set up for the next speaker. Now is a perfect opportunity to visit the exhibitors.
<HomeWorkingMom>	Cathryn, me too.
<ac20_jck>	three cheers for Neil!
<IMC_Ibrahim>	Thanks Ken!
<EMT_Andrea>	there's your 15 minutes Neil
<ac20_jck>	hip hip
<Paul>	Thank you Ken for your time - see you soon : - )
<TipzTime_Wendy>	Thanks Ken!
<Contesthound_Bob>	Thanks Ken
<RightQuote_Cyndi>	Thanks, Ken
<IMC_Ibrahim>	Thanks Neil, too!
<Ken_Evoy>	Thanks to all for your participation.