Which Affiliate Networks Should I Join?

You’ve probably heard plenty of horror stories about affiliate marketing programs and affiliate networks. There are so may of these out there that many are afraid to join one. They may have heard talk of pyramid schemes and other scams.

Obviously, you want to steer clear of such schemes and join a legitimate program which offers a high quality product you can feel comfortable about endorsing. The large and growing number of those who have joined with affiliate programs is ample proof that there are reputable programs out there to join.

Why participate in an affiliate program?

It lets you work on your own schedule and on your own terms while making a generous income. You are a business owner and can actually make a lot of money if you are willing and able to put in the necessary hard work.

If you are thinking about getting into an affiliate program, keep in mind that you are required to put some effort into it if you want to make a success of it.

How do you decide on a good program to promote? Before you decide on one, consider the following:

1. A program which appeals to your interests. If you would be interested in buying the product yourself, then this is likely to be a program which will work well for you. The odds are that you are not alone in having an interest in the product.

2. Look for a program which offers a high level of quality. A program which has many experts in the field involved is a good choice.

3. Join programs which offer real and viable products. How can you determine this? Do some research first. If you can, then talk to some of the affiliates and customers to get their opinions of the product and/or program.
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4. Look for a program which caters to a target market with real potential for sales. This will make sure that there is a market which will bring with it a growing demand for your product.

5. A program with a compensation plan which pays a high commission (30% and more) and offers residual income would be an excellent choice. Don’t waste time with programs which do not pay you what your time is worth.

6. Consider any minimums or quotas which must be met – if it will be very difficult to meet these quotas, you may want to keep looking. If there are any requirements, be sure that you can meet them.

7. Try to find a program which has tolls and other resources to help you build success for your business quickly. Not every affiliate program will offer you these resources – decide on a program which gives you support.

8. Find out if the program has a system in place for you to check on your statistics and your commissions – this should be online so that you can check anytime you want.

9. Seek out programs which offer incentives for members who renew and offers support and upgrades for their products and keep their affiliates around. This can help your business to grow.

10. Check into forums and other resources to see if affiliates are satisfied with a program or not. If you know someone who is an affiliate for the program, ask them for their opinion.

Be sure to develop some knowledge on the program or network you’re interested in signing on with.

Knowing about the program will help you to anticipate any problems and be well prepared for them.

31 Comments

  • Jane

    Reply Reply November 20, 2008

    I have also used Commission Junction and Cafe Press quite a bit for “hard products”. Not all vendors will accept you, and the commissions are much lower…but they do have some great products that can fit well into your niches that are outside of internet marketing.

    I usually try to go for the higher priced
    products and those seem to sell just as well
    as lower priced ones (depending on your niche
    market and audience). The higher price helps
    to make up for the lower commissions.

    They don’t pay out until you’ve reached a
    certain amount (I think it’s only $50) at
    Commission Junction but they are extremely reliable and trusted.

    It’s an especially good option if you have
    seasonal websites and do seasonal promotions for your niches.

    Jane

  • Graham Price

    Reply Reply November 20, 2008

    Thanks Reed well put as usual. I would also like to add my Two penneth and say be wary of outlandish claims. You will need to work at it, whatever Your choice. So once again I agree with Reed regarding pick a program that appeals to Your own interests. Regards Graham.

  • Alfonso Ruiz

    Reply Reply November 20, 2008

    I joined to this affiliate program because is giving to me free ppc every month. Also i got a special script to create my own affiliate program!.First time since i started working online 2 years ago i found something that really works. I believe that everybody who is struggling in any affiliate program will find here the solution. Believe me, I been scammed in some programs and is hard to continue after that, but there are people who really are making money and now I working hand by hand with one of them.

  • Paul Penafiel

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Choosing the right program is important but what is equally important is HOW you promote it.

    If you are a master of promoting products, you can promote pretty much anything you want.

    I mean you have a product that everybody is promoting and making a ton of commisions but if you have no clue on how to promote that product effectively, you won’t make a dime. You are dead on the water.

    Thanks.

  • Diandra Campbell

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Hey reed

    I loved your blog, for i have a few horror stories .but i do agree affiliate marketing
    gives you a certin freedom to be your own boss
    if you know what to do,i have not found the right company yet ,i`ve been robbed and i`ve made a few dollars ,im still searching

    great work
    best Regards
    Diandra

  • Brad Pollina

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    I second Commission Junction (http://cj.com). We just found out today, for example, that Carbonite.com is on CJ.com and pays a whopping 40% commission on a $50/year product! Place banners, and after a 15 day free trial, if they upgrade, you make $10 / year ! Not bad!

    Brad Pollinas last blog post..Cool people: @sirejames

  • Ari Lestariono

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    It’s not just the right product, in my opinion every affiliate program have standard to their product and I believe that those product are passing the QA/QC test from the manufacture, what we should always check is, their history in business, how long have they been in affiliate business, how much is the commission conversions, how much affiliate they have around the globe, one good thing as yesterday somebody sent me an affiliate program, so I checked their back links, and still new in my opinion, the features, scheme, promotions etc looks convincing, at the end since they are new I didn’t join them

    Ari Lestarionos last blog post..7 Secret Benefits of Tomato as Natural Remedies

  • I’m using Clickbank at the moment and some individual affiliate programs. I think it’s a good idea not to spread out to thin when your starting out. Once you’ve got the hang of it then you’ll know how to promote more than 1 product more effectivley

  • Profit Lance

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Hi Reed,
    I too like the Affiliate Networks that give you tools such as email messages, banners that you can use to seel the product.

    Do you have an affiliate program?

  • Timothy Millar

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Hey Reed,
    Finding the right program is of the utmost importance, It’s not bad enough that thieves are getting your commissions when you do manage to sell something, You don’t need some unscrupulous Marketer setting you up for a fall
    in the beginning. Paydotcom.com is a good service along with Clickbank and they have a wide variety of products. I am sure there are many more but be selective and research heavily before making that leap of faith. Have a Wonderful Day, Timothy Millar

    Timothy Millars last blog post..Paid to Read update #3 Jacob mails

  • Laurence Parr

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Yes , all good ‘info’ .
    Now ,where are the programs/ products
    that I and others can feel honest and
    happy to promote / sell .
    E-books ? = NO .. The information is FREE if you
    know how to search for it ..
    And many of these hyip programs ?? Dreamers..

  • lASBENOLS

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    I have made a few dollars as an afilliate but nowheres near where I think I should be so I’m all ears as far as learning the ropes in this business. Clickbank is a good program for products.Be sure to go for higher commissions and high gravity.

  • Asher

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Hi Reed,

    Again, good stuff. You gave 10 very well thought out points about choosing the right affiliate program or network.
    And all comments that were added also contributed to the idea of choosing the right affiliate program.

    Asher

    Ashers last blog post..More Money To Spend Redefined

  • normz2

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Another good blog. I am still experimenting with a broad spectrum of products and varying commissions. Some merchants give you all kinds of tools to work with and a number of them show interest in helping you out. These are the ones I put out more effort for. I do believe that I am being scammed on some of them. Some I will drop after a month or so.

  • Geoff Dodd

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Reed, I’ve tried a lot of CPA Networks like CJ.com, BeFree, Coprosper, Adreporting.com and there is one ‘ROI Rocket.’ Frankly, I prefer the smaller in-house programs of companies like Adlandpro, Sitesell, HD Publishing and Professional Cash – ooops, that’s really through Clickbank.com. Clickbank is great for quick niche-choosing and adding income(s) into one weekly/fortnightly direct Deposit. Digital products suit me better because of their commissions being 50-75% usually!

    Geoff Dodd

  • michael.f

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Hey, How’s it going? you should do some research, before you commit to a program. And it should be something you can market in your sleep, or you have common interest in.

    michael.fs last blog post..More Benefits From Stemulite

  • PV Reymond

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Hi Reed,

    You are right, choosing the right affiliate program is crucial… You pointed out some good factors to consider when joining an affiliate program.

    When you join a good affiliate program if you put effort into it and you work hard you’ll make money.

    Thanks,
    ^PV Reymond

    http://www.startup-internetbusiness.com

    PV Reymonds last blog post..Internet Marketing For Newbies… The First Step

  • Anna Kindler

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Good Morning Reed, How is the little guy doing? The article was great. As a newbie I try to read all the coments too. Every one is so helpful with their information for and against. I wish everyone wrote their messages as simple as you do. Thanks for helping us newbies to understand affiliate marketing. Happy Thanksgiving. Anna

  • Free Investment Advice

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Personally I’ve not had much luck with CJ. Clickbank works much better for me. I guess Digital Products somehow fare better in my case.

    Free Investment Advices last blog post..Home Business Saves Money

  • 3d animation studio

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Good post Reed. A great post with great tips 🙂

    3d animation studios last blog post..Bolt Movie Review

  • Mike

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Very interested in getting started in Internet Marketing. So skeptical as to who I can trust!
    Need a legitimate business to get involved with. Don’t have time for someone who just wants to separate me from my hard earned money!
    Any ideas from someone out there?

  • Wayne Bell

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Nice Post Reed. Affiliate marketing Can be very rewarding but you have to do your homework. It has allowed my wife and I to turn a hobby into a full time work at hom career.

    Regards – Wayne

    Wayne & Susan Bell
    http://bellshomeprofitnetwork.synthasite.com/

  • Jerry Goodwin

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Hi Reed,

    I love reading your posts. This one on affilaiate marketing and picking the right products as well as the right “service” is great.

    Personally I have only used CJ and Clickbank very much but I am sure that there are other good ones out there. I have heard of Cafe Press, but haven’t really done anything with them yet. Probably will at some time thoough.

    I also watch to see if places I am buying from have affiliate programs, after all if I buy from them and I am happy with them then I feel more comfortable with promoting their products and services. In fact I stareted with CJ because I bought some cycling gear and the place I bought from had an affiliate program run through CJ so I signed up.

  • Urpo Salonen

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Hey Reed, you have allways very good articles in your blog. I’m trying with CB.

    Have a nice day

    Urpo Salonens last blog post..Proven Black Hat Seo Tactics – Black Hat Is Back Seo Marketing!

  • TeasasTips

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Hi Reed, good post. I belong to a few CPA networks, because they pay better and are more reliable than non-CPA internet companies. My successes have come from Hydra and Incentaclick. Both have products that people are interested in and they pay well!

    TeasasTipss last blog post..How To Create Instant Articles For Your Blog

  • Paul Livingston

    Reply Reply November 21, 2008

    Thanks Reed.

    I really enjoy your blog because not only do you post good stuff, but so do your commentators!

    Thanks to all!

    Paul Livingstons last blog post..The Internet Marketing Success Formula…can it work?

  • Pat Gunning

    Reply Reply November 22, 2008

    Now the next step. Look for other related affiliate programs and products that you can piggyback on. Remember that not all of your traffic is going to be attracted to your primary offer so have alternative offers that could capture the fringe market.

    Great post Reed!

  • Rick Howard

    Reply Reply November 22, 2008

    Hey Reed,
    As usual you covered the basics very well.I have been asked this question and did not realy know how to answer with out giving recomendations.Please continue with the good information as it is sometimes hard to come by.
    Stay on course,
    Rick
    Web Biz Insight

    Rick Howards last blog post..Backlinking Your Way To Success !

  • Jussi Koiranen

    Reply Reply November 24, 2008

    One point I see newbies making is going after the programs and networks that promise to pay you from the start. I mean it is good to see those cents in your paypal or bank account. But since mot of us are going for the big bucks and since everyone can go for the big bucks I suggest you go for the well reputed programs. There are numerous good reasons why most programs want you to earn +20$, +50$ or +100$. Also be wary if a program has a payout demand of thousands of dollars.

  • admin

    Reply Reply November 26, 2008

    @Jane yes going after reliable and trusted places it best

    @Graham agreed if it sounds too good to be true STAT AWAY!

    @Alfonso yeah it’s hard to get back at this after you’ve been scammed but to this day I still get scammed so you must keep plugging away

    @Paul agreed

    @Diandra keep coming back for more tips

    @Brad nice

    @Ari it’s nice to see something with a track record

    @Luca that’s something that happened to me is I got involved in a bunch of different things at once. I make a lot more money when I focus on one.

    @Profit here’s one for one of my products pays 100% http://www.thetrafficsecret.com/jv.html

    @Timothy I agree you need to find the correct program to promote

    @Laurence I still prefer information marketing… yes more things can be found for free but you are saving someone time and that’s why they pay for it

    @lASBENOLS agreed. You can get there

    @Asher thanks

    @normz2 thanks

    @Geoff I love digital products too

    @Michael yes do your due diligence

    @PV thanks

    @Anna he’s doing well thanks 🙂

    @Free it can depend on your market. I’ve made more from CB but I don’t really promote many CJ things

    @3d thanks

    @Mike keep coming back to this blog for more tips

    @Wayne keep up the great work

    @Jerry thanks

    @Urpo thanks keep us posted

    @TeasesTips keep up the great work

    @Paul yeah I love that too thanks

    @Pat thanks

    @Rick will do thanks

    @Jussi good point be wary of those that require a high amount.

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