Coupon Site Affiliate Marketing

I have managed several large affiliate programs and have a love/hate relationship with most affiliates.  I love the concept of a robust affiliate program.  Having niche sites generate brand awareness, traffic and revenue while I encourage them with a fair compensation package.  These niche sites provide content or other value to the visitors of their sites and expose them to my brands - an audience which I may have trouble reaching.

In reality, very few affiliates are content based.  The most successful affiliates are coupon sites.  Coupon sites often optimize pages for merchant brand names and drive traffic from brand searches on search engines such as Google.  Let's perform a Google search on Bath and Body Works at this time the number 3 result for natural search is for the coupon site Retail Me Not.  The copy for this result promotes an "average discount of $12.55 with these Bath and Body Works coupon codes and promo codes" delivers a strong message to shoppers.  A searcher interested in joining discussions about aromatherapy or skin treatments find value in a visit to Retail Me Not, no.  Retail Me Not only has appeal for shoppers already aware of a brand.  The structure of coupon sites does not lend themselves to new customer with navigation which often lists brands alphabetically, not even by category.  

Do not count on Retail Me Not or any other Coupon Site to deliver incremental business to your web site.  That does not mean they do not have value in customer retention.  Customer retention is a valuable contibution that coupon sites can make to an affiliate program.  There are shoppers who are committed users of coupon sites and their orders would be at risk if you removed coupon sites from your affiliate program (something I have actually done in the past).  I recommend keeping coupon sites in your program and holding them to the same standards you would other retention efforts.

I recommend segregating coupon sites from other types of affiliates (such as content sites or loyalty sites) and setting a commission rate which is appropriate for the value they add to your program.

Social Media and Advertising

Good, brief read about advertising with Social Media.

http://blog.ogilvypr.com/2010/12/the-future-of-advertising-is-here-and-its-140-characters-long/

 

Proud Packers Fans!

Analytics basics...

I thought this was a very good summary of choosing an analytics platform for your sites...

http://searchenginewatch.com/3641761

ROI - It's Up to You!

I thought the article below had great points as to why ROI (return on investment) needs to be measured by your standards based on your business. Check it out!

http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/1937353/ignore-industry-standards-gauge-success

 

Sometimes it's fun to have fun!

A Good Read to Address Utilizing Social Media

I agree with many points in this article. It's essential that we are using this very powerful medium correctly. Give it a read!

http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/1937068/2011-social-media-ftw

Google already knows its search sucks (and they’re working on it) | VentureBeat

Google already knows its search sucks (and they’re working on it) | VentureBeat

As a user of search engines I agree with what the author writes. The SERP have become clouded with results for link farms and other farms generating poor results and a unsatisfactory user experience. It is apparent that those who manage websites cannot be counted on to contribute to the optimal search experience. Results generated by the Like on Facebook will eventually become contaminated, as will other sources for user recommended results such as Delicious, Digg and Reddit.

Have you read about the Priority Mailbox which Google has been developing? The Google Priority Mailbox delivers personalized results, delivering the most relevant emails to the top of your inbox. Is the future of search your past searches, not what websites say what should be displayed? Something that puts more weight on what you read or view and how long you view it. Possibly incorporating recommendations from those you know or who are similar to you.

If you are the type to click on a link which may take you off the beaten path, taking a "link" risk. A search engine would be better to show less traveled sites. If you click on the Internet 500 and other more trusted sites, then you may be missing those gems which are off the beaten path.

Accountability is Key!

Recently, I have been working with my 18 year-old  stepdaughter on accountability. It seems she wants the freedoms that being an "adult" provides, but when it comes time to be responsible for some of those freedoms, she wants to be a teenager again.

That got me to thinking about marketing, and how some marketers out there want to be IN marketing, but are they really being held accountable for how and what they do? I've seen and worked with several agencies over the years - some have a proven process and a defined methodology behind how they help their clients. Otherssay they have a process and enjoy having fun marketing clients, but when things go bad, these types of marketers usually hide behind the idea that the client or vendor "wasn't the right fit."

I have said this before, but when choosing someone to help you market either your company, product or service, make sure you hold them accountable. Find out what they're really about. Are their processes in which they work proven, or just stolen from others or modified to look like they are their own? Like a teenager, accountability will show the true maturity of the company you're considering.

Be Genuine!

I changed employers over the past few months, and have learned so very much from just being the real me. It earned me the position I hold now, specifically because I held nothing back and was true to who I am - I was genuinely me.

What triggered me to write this today was some recent events in both my new position and also my consulting business. I am incredibly passionate about the use of online media, such as websites and social media. use all of these elements wisely, and the chances for marketing and sales success is great!

I recently contacted a past client of mine who needed help with their web site and a social media plan. It turned out they were starving for help and couldn't find someone willing to help without charging thousands of dollars. Of course I am in the consulting business to make money. But, I also realize that being genuine and fair will facilitate business and relationships for the long term, allowing small businesses to work with people like me.

So I encourage everyone to be the true you and let your passions shine through. While it may not always produce huge sums of money right away, being genuine will pay off in the long run.

Accountability is key!

Recently, I have been working with my 18 year-old  stepdaughter on accountability. It seems she wants the freedoms that being an "adult" provides, but when it comes time to be responsible for some of those freedoms, she wants to be a teenager again.

That got me to thinking about marketing, and how some marketers out there want to be IN marketing, but are they really being held accountable for how and what they do? I've seen and worked with several agencies over the years - some have a proven process and a defined methodology behind how they help their clients. Others say they have a process and enjoy having fun marketing clients, but when things go bad, these types of marketers usually hide behind the idea that the client or vendor "wasn't the right fit."

I have said this before, but when choosing someone to help you market either your company, product or service, make sure you hold them accountable. Find out what they're really about. Are their processes in which they work proven, or just stolen from others or modified to look like they are their own? Like a teenager, accountability will show the true maturity of the company you're considering.