question about affiliate program directories

[gillisani]

hey guys

my question is basically referred to the merchants

lately I've been busting my *** trying to find places to submit my affiliate program at free affiliate program directories,

is that really effective? is that really the best way to attract affiliates to my program

[Linda Buquet]

I'd put my energy into affiliate forums before directories.

Affiliate directories won't pull many affiliates and there are only about 10 worth submitting to. I'll give you those in a sec. But directories used to be OK for recruiting and now so many are filled with junky programs or aren't kept up to date, so few affiliates go to regular directories looking for programs.

Here are the only one's I would bother submitting to and I'd only do these if I had extra time on my hands, because I don't really know if they would do much good.

Not that PR is everything, but here are the top affiliate directories based on Google PR. I'd do the top 10 or so.

However skip 5 Star which is listed as #4 and we do have a directory, but it's exclusive and we don't take regular submissions. One of the others on the list is for casino affiliate programs so you can skip it.

Google Directory > Affiliate Programs > Resources > Directories

Hope this helps and best of luck!

[gillisani]

10x alot Linda,
it was really helpful

[gowithabc]

I agree with Linda 100%: Online Forums, Messageboards and even just direct marketing/recruiting for new affiliates has been far more effective in my campaign than the affiliate directories..

You get a trickle of traffic from them in most cases, and it really is not worth the time.

Great list though! I wouldn't avoid it all together, as Linda said just stick to the top 10 or so to create your foundation.

[AMFM]

Like they said it's not really efficient or effective. I would try article directories over affiliate directories. If you have any good articles or might be able to write a good one this is more for link development, but if you write some good content may gain you good affiliates as well.

[PPCguySCOTT]

I am a superaffiliate in multiple verticals and I don't think I've ever been recruited any other way than in person or by personal referral. Show and conferences are where most of the recruiting is done. Forums like this one are great as well.