Hi Laura,
By now I'm sure you've heard about the 90/10 rule of affiliate marketing. 90% of those that join just won't do anything. Now on the other hand there are lots of good strong busy affiliates that will join and take a long time to get active because they are busy and you are on page 10 of their to-do list.
One thing you can try is activation bonuses. Not sure how much that motivates people but you can try. Send an email to people who joined a month ago and have not put up links yet, offering them a bonus if they make a sale this month or even a bonuse for getting links up.
This time of year, don't even try to contact them, but in the new year you may want to try the
Ultimate Affiliate Activation Email from the zZounds Affiliate Manager, one of my clients. Its on my blog.
http://affiliate-blogs.5staraffiliat...ivation-email/
My blog is a wealth of info and the search button works really well when you are trying to find certain topics. You'll find some good info below.
5 Star Blog »
Top 7 Reasons Your Affiliates Could be Inactive
http://affiliate-blogs.5staraffiliat...ates-inactive/
This one has some good info too from a busy affiliate's perspective.
http://affiliate-blogs.5staraffiliat...ion-campaigns/
Hope this helps!
Anyone else have any thoughts for Laura???