Affiliate Leaks

[Lead Machine]

Bobbie-

Thanks for the nice words... I figured it was time that I write more than just a greeting for new members (although I have gotten good at those )

Ironically I run a CPA program, and as I am refining my offers and trying to entice people to run our campaigns I realize more and more just how important it is to make sure that I understand the perspective of the Affiliate Marketers.

The way I see it, Affiliates are talented internet limo drivers. They mangage to pull over and pick people up - and quickly take them exactly where they were looking to go. It would be a shame to drive somebody all the way across town and not be rewarded for the effort, by way of leaks or tracking circumvention. Whether intentional or unintentional.

As an Affiliate it is always good to be proactive when you have concerns... If the program isn't right for you, it isnt right for you. But if the campaign is good and the person running the campaign is simply unaware of the leaks or issues. You may be able to help guide a well intentioned person/company into creating a better more effective program (and if you do that - ask to be properly rewarded maybe as a Super"Duper" Affiliate ) At a basic level though, if the affiliate manager simply doesn't "understand" how it is an issue- I would move on... if they cant see your side it will be a permanent up-hill battle.

Best,

[purplebear]

Ian and Bobbie
Ok, quickest response will be to Bobbie so you first.
Thank you for your reply Agree with you..that was a great reply and love the analogy. I wish I woulda known before but since I'm in the learning process now....I'm not associating with sites using the ads now. But..unfortunately haven't been able to find a good replacement for either one of them. But hadn't had any sales from either of em either....just really thought the products were good and had good potential.

Now Lead Machine....cpa.....don't know what that means and don't wanna confuse myself just yet either. lol tough enough time learning bout the parasites, cookies, cookie stuffing and leaks. lol Not ready to add any new words to the list just now. lol Umm to be honest though...umm think I've seen some unkind things said about those letters.

ooooh do love analogies this is fun hmmm been doin what you mentioned quite frequently lately. I type up my little emails when I see posts about the bad things these sites may being accused of doing and send em on over to the affiliate managers to give them the benefit of the doubt and let them at least attempt to explain to me before I form an opinion. Twice they have changed how they were doing things but have others I've never heard back from. While I'm in my forming opinion stage I banish their sites to the bottom of my pages til I can sort out if they're a bad guy or not. If they are....off they go, if not they'll remain. Ummm haven't asked to be rewarded, though. and am not in the super duper affiliate category. I have learned my lesson about the am's or merchants not agreeing or seeing things the way they should, tho and agree it's an uphill battle and don't wanna be fighting anymore of those. May take me a little while weeding out the good and the bad, but I think it's worth the effort.

So thanks both of you for your replies. Very helpful

[Linda Buquet]

On the topic of affiliate leaks...
Just posted about a new BIG one!

Warning Google Checkout - Affiliate Sales Don't Track
http://affiliate-marketing-forums.5s...0501#post10501

[King Conga]

I REALLY hate to be behind the curve with this class, and I am reading the free stuff when I can (i'm busy doing a lot of Xmas stuff with my church), and I'm trying to launch my website from Freeweb.com (Great Place), but I am just TOTALLY clueless as to what this thread is talking about, and how to manage such things! I know it's very important to my success, and these are the kind of obstacles that I'm holding off my site launch because I don't want to waste anymore of my time than I have to. You guys have been so patient with me, especially Linda, and do appreciate it.

Thanks,
KC

[purplebear]

King Conga
Awwwh don't get discouraged. From somebody who's been there. When you first start out to try to understand things....it really does seem overwhelming, but it'll get better. When I first started and by the way it was with Freewebs. Agree....love that place for the price and what you get for it. I got to the point where I guess I kinda outgrew it and needed things they didn't have but for somebody looking for a free site or starting out....I agree and think it's great. They've really made a lot of improvements from when I first started with them and seem to really be trying hard.

My advice to you...take it or leave it. lol I knew absolutely zero about "this stuff" but now really wish I would have. Take your time to try to learn as much as you can and it'll save you a lot of time in the long run. Sorry to say but the only way you are gonna accomplish this is...read, read and read more. I have waaaaay more reading to do and guess second thing to do is ask, ask, ask as many questions to these very nice people who will answer your questions. Linda, and lots of people will from other forums, even some of your affiliate managers. I don't wanna go naming people cos not sure that's even allowed. But....become members of forums and just read and read and you'll get the idea of who really knows their stuff and pay attention to what they say. Could be wrong but don't really think there are any books out there that are gonna tell ya what you need to know....only way is just by learning along the way and ask questions. If people tolerate all my questions...you don't have to worry Some may just think I'm a dummy....but you'll only remain a dummy if ya don't ask questions. Nobody told me that in the beginning sooooo you're way ahead

[Larwee]

purplebear, you made a very good point.

We want members to realize that there is no such thing as a dumb question. A member isn't going to be looked at as being a dummy for asking questions.

People learn by asking questions. They also can learn by reading. The important thing is to try to learn by the use of reliable sources and 5 Star is a reliable source.

Human nature is such that people want things to happen as quickly as possible. But it takes time. Too often some people give up because things aren't moving along as fast as they wish they would.

Learn from your mistakes, because we all make mistakes. But when trying to learn something new, those mistakes can be reduced by asking questions.

Above all, remain patient and try not to give up.

[Linda Buquet]

Oh and on this forum you won't get FLAMED for asking n00b questions or even talking about info that's not correct. We don't allow it. So you can ask any question - there are no dumb ones. It's only dumb to suffer in confused silence and not ask for help when it's offered to you.

KC said: "but I am just TOTALLY clueless as to what this thread is talking about."

In a nutshell there are things that can cause you to lose commission by letting your sales "leak" without giving you commission. The most obvious one is big 800 phone numbers on the merchant site. If they don't track phone sales then some of the traffic you send, you won't get paid for if they order by phone. So that's a simple example of a leak. Another is merchants that have affiliate links to other merchants on their site or Adsense. Part of the traffic you send could create income for the merhcant that you would never make a penny from.

Don't let things like that worry you too much right now. Read and be aware of them and if you have a merchant that has leaks you may want to look for another program that does not. BUT the most important thing right now is not to worry about potential GOTCHAs but to just get started.

Learn what you can, pick a niche, build a site and GO!
If you don't take action and get started
then all this is a moot point anyway.

[King Conga]

Tanx Gang. OK! So, I'm planning to sell some of my original Christian tunes on my blog site and blog about them and other stuff. So, if I want to be an affiliate of one of Windows Media or Real Audio so they can license my tunes for $1.50/ea how should I go about that (provided I already have them copywritten and published)?

Tanx,
KC