Everyone knows the saying "don't put all your eggs in one basket". That's good advice generally. It also applies to affiliate marketing, as a recent experience confirms.
See, I've been promoting various affiliate programs on a few different websites. They come from different networks like Commission Monster and Check My Stats. A couple of them have been working consistently, and I've come to count on getting a small but regular flow of commissions from them.
On one of them I'd racked up forty bucks for the month so far. But then all of a sudden this just disappeared. As far as I can tell this was because the merchant had just cancelled its relationship with that particular affiliate network. So all earnings that had not been paid out just dried up.
It's not much money, of course. However it's a bit annoying. And as well as that saying I cited at the top of the post, there's another one worth remembering: "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."
I'm glad I've signed up to several different programs, so it's not such a big problem. However if I'd put all my work into promoting just one affiliate program and was earning substantial monthly payments and that went belly up all of a sudden -- well, it really would be back to square one and be very disheartening.
I've been surprised at how often affiliate offers change. I recently had one affiliate network cancel an offer I was doing well with. I found there were several other affiliate networks that carried this same offer so I shopped around and found one that had a better payout. So it was a blessing in disguise. And a lesson learned, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input on this. Yes, I have noticed that some merchants are using several different networks, with different payouts.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why this might be. Maybe it's because some tend to give better quality signups. Or perhaps it just reveals a lack of organization on the merchant's part.
Whatever the reason, it's certainly worth remembering.
Interesting points, Matt.
ReplyDeleteI am not all that familiar with Affiliate programs, though, it seems there are quite a few products being offered. Your advice on multiple programs to offer a better chance of snaring greater success, and at the same time to not risk a total loss should the affiliate(Product) tank, makes a lot of sense. Come to think of it, this is the same advice often given by Financial advisers(Diversify).
It is also how super(Superannuation) portfolios are usually set up with a balance of high, moderate and low risk options(Including onshore offshore----)
If the balance is set up properly, it works.
Hi! Thanks for the information. I'd like to know if it's possible to use affiliate programs on the same blog where I use google adsense or would it be breaking some rules?
ReplyDeleteAlso could I use google adsense as well as 2 or 3 different affiliate programs on one blog?
Thanx!
Don't quote me but I don't think it's a big problem using different affiliate programs with Adsense. Restrictions seem to apply if you are publishing ads from other networks like Adbrite, Clicksor. At least that's what I recall from a while ago.
ReplyDeleteBut things may be different now. I'd certainly do some Googling around this question and also look at the Adsense terms and conditions closely.