In addition to the activity over at Awesome Amps, I've started relationships with a few Affiliate Networks. Right now I can't tell you how they're performing since it's very early days. The good thing is that I've been accepted for every network that I've applied for. I'm still waiting for acceptance on a few of the affiliate programs.  

Affiliate Networks

This isn't news, but one thing I didn't figure out until I started applying was that there's a difference between Affiliate Networks and Affiliate Programs. A few posts use the terms interchangeably which made it more awkward to figure out.

The way I think about is that the Affiliate Program is on behalf of a retailer or service provider that you've got some chance of having heard about, e.g. Bestbuy or MusiciansFriend. They will work through Affiliate Networks to promote their program. The program relates to their products and will include promotions and incentives as appropriate. So each Affiliate Network is your gateway to many Affiliate Programs.

Step 1 - Research the Affiliate Networks

The networks all have different rules. Read the FAQ, specifically the Publishers FAQ on each site. Do you sites qualify? For instance, I didn't apply to a couple because my traffic doesn't meet their threshold. With enough other networks out there, I didn't feel the need to argue my case. So I started with those that matched my profile.

Step 2 - Prepare your site

You're going to have to submit applications using at least one website. So now that you've read each network's FAQs, you can prepare your site. General advice is to make sure it's live and usable. You may want to consider removing Adsense if you've got it running or even removing competing network adverts.

Step 3 - Apply to the Affiliate Networks

Apply to the Affiliate Network with your main website. This should ideally be the site with the most traffic or most appeal to a potential advertiser. You may have to go through a few steps, such as talking over the phone in order to answer the questions. Most of the networks provide you with an Affiliate Manager who is responsible for keeping you informed of relevant programs. My guess is that the manager will become more useful as you bring in more conversions.

Even though my sites don't have masses of inbound traffic, I found no reason to lie. So answering honestly, I still passed all the requirements of each network. The best thing I can say is to know in advance why you're applying to that particular network, e.g. what you can provide to them. The answer to that is really a question of how you'll bring visitors in and convert them to leads or sales.

Step 4 - Enter details about your sites

Each of the Affiliate Networks will need to know more about your sites, e.g. subject matter, whether you offer incentives, etc. Do this for every site you want to use with each Network.

Step 5 - Apply to Affiliate Programs

This is the most time-consuming for me. I don't want a scattergun approach of applying to each and every program. So I research the programs and look for those that suit my sites. I have a few niches so there aren't always many retailers and consequently, not may programs. Most networks allow you to apply to a program per site.

Step 6 - Apply the codes to your sites

Once you're accepted (and even before, with a few networks), you can generate advert/banner code and publish on your sites.

What next?

Well, that's where I am now. I said it was early days and I meant it. Right now, I've only been running adverts and banners for a few days so it's too early to tell how it's working. My instinct says that I'll figure out a better way of working; one that works better for me. I'll also figure out which sites work better with CPA, CPM or CPC programs.

Overall

I don't intend for this site to be purely about affiliate marketing or even marketing in general. I want to make more use of my online presence (ok, read that as monetize, but I hate that word) and I'm carefully choosing how I want that to work. I'm learning as I go and that plus the £10k aim are primarily what this site is about.

Image by kimberlyfaye used under Creative Commons