Affiliate BlackBook reveals industry secrets for $500

[Linda Buquet]

The Industry has been buzzing about the new Affiliate 'Black Book' that's filled with insider affiliate network stats and promises to reveal other controversial and private industry info. The book was released at AdTech and has created a buzz, although not all the buzz is good buzz since many of the stats seem to be wrong. CJ has 66,930 advertisers? Come-on, anyone in the biz knows that can't be right.

However, the little Black Book is still an interesting read and there is a free peek right now. After that the price goes to $350, then $500 for a one year subscription. And no Dorothy, this affiliate marketing expose, does not have an affiliate program because they don't even have online ordering capability yet, you have to snail mail a check. ;-)

1st Jeff Molander emailed me about the blog he wrote at ThoughtShapers.com: Affiliate Network Stats Revealed: Project Black Book. Later I saw that Shawn blogged about it: Behind the Affiliate Network Curtain. Then I read what Todd Crawford, one of the newest bloggers over at Revenews had to say about it - Project Black Book - soft launches - publishes interesting data. Last but not least Jeff Doak from Kowabunga, really tears into the data, also over at Revenews. Project Black Book Has a Black Eye.

Since I've been getting settled in my new digs this week I was a little late pulling the trigger on this story, but above you have a comprehensive roundup - including lots of comments from affiliates - about this little Black Book and what it reveals.

[Linda Buquet]

What do you guys think???

[sarahk]

I'm away for the weekend (it's tipping down, hope this is worth it!!!) and wish my palm was newer and could handle pdfs - don't want to print out 65 pages.

Looks like a good read.

[Teli]

My initial thoughts were 'how will this information benefit me?' (being the selfish bugger that I am).

If I'm going to shell out $350/$500 per year for information, it's gotta be pretty good information - proven information.

From the ReveNews article that you linked to, fuchsia flags are raised. Especially when I read the following:

Originally Posted by Jeff Doak

there was certainly an attempt to print some interesting (and potentially sensitive) information about the larger affiliate networks that is usually difficult to discover via traditional sources. Unfortunately, the methodology and thus resulting data is, at best, incorrect, and at worst is a complete misrepresentation of the value of these networks.

Of the six networks analyzed in the first issue, two of the resulting sets of data are quite obviously incorrect on first viewing by anyone familiar with the industry. This is perhaps what is most troubling; that a publication that plans to charge for information and thus claims to be an expert in the field would not have at least one person on staff who could have take a look at the resulting data and said, "That can't be right."

Brandon came along to clear up some points, make a few notes, and offer his point of view in response to the article.

Unfortunately, reading through it all made me dizzy - seriously.

As it stands now, the information provided is still questionable, especially for the cost.

I'd prefer to stick with sources I trust for this type of information unless something Earth shattering comes along to say the information provided is 100% correct (i.e. a rep from CJ corroborating the information).

In their defense, however, they acknowledge that some changes need to be made and some information needs to be presented more clearly/accurately in forthcoming issues.

As I see more reviews for it, my opinion may change, but as it stands, I don't see myself shelling out the dollars for it anytime in the near future.

And on an almost irrelevant note, as soon as I saw Ad:Tech, I was reminded of the bluetooth spam at PubCon and I suddenly had a bitter taste in my mouth. (I actually needed to disable bluetooth on my phone to get it to stop.)

* I have not downloaded the preview copy, but plan to and read it over the weekend. If my opinion changes, then I'll update it here.

[Teli]

So, what's your take on it Linda? Of course, you don't have to answer until you're finished getting settled in

~ Teli