Affiliate Marketing Blog

Fraser posted an interesting article about a subject that has been long talked about but nothing has ever been done about either because what is currently in place is ok by most people, or no interest in the subject from the people that are effected most or simply lack of understanding why a reasonable, simple to follow code of practice could be a good way to keep check that your not falling foul of any rules. At any rate I have always believed that you should act responsibly and the people you work with or promote should also act responsibly in return but sadly that dosn’t always happen.

So instead of commenting on Fasers site directly as I have a fair bit to say I decided to write what I think about the points he covers here in my own blog, you can view the original article here.

My Affiliate Code of Conduct
As an affiliate I will use a number of different methods to generate sales for the merchants that I choose to work with. At all times I will endeavour not to act in a way that reflects badly on the merchant.

Fair enough, I think that is what anyone would responsibly expect but good to have it in writing.

Contact Information
I will ensure that I provide an up to date email address and phone number to all networks and believe that this should be available to the merchants I work with. However this information must be confidential and not shared beyond the parties involved.

I personally don’t want merchants to have my email address or phone number to harass me any more than they currently do, most don’t give me a way to contact them. I will however be happy to provided these details to people I am working well with and are not about to abuse it by phoning me every couple of days. So for me I prefer that I give valid and correct details to the Network but that Merchants use the channels provided by the Network to communicate with me and I would like options with Networks to say what I don’t think is ok, as I have seen many a Merchant harvest my details from other Networks and send me piles of spam as I didn’t request information about them. One for the Merchants Code, give us an easy way to contact you should we wish and actually reply to my emails even if it’s a no.

Creative
If requested to change creative I will do so within 7 days.

This should only apply if you take the creative off the Networks system and copy it on to your own site i.e. your are not using the Networks system to server the creative. Otherwise sorry but I don’t want to change out of date creative for Merchants if the Network is still providing it they should update it themselves, many of the good Networks do, only the poor ones have to email you and call you to change a banner they provide.

Paid Search
I will comply with all reasonable restrictions as long as they are clearly communicated in a single point of reference that I can find when I log in to the network and cover all areas. I expect to be notified of any change to these terms. I do not believe that I should be forced to add negative keywords to my campaigns.

If I am found to be accidentally in breach of any restrictions I will modify my campaign within 7 days of being notified. If the issue is time sensitive then a telephone call is the best way to get my attention.

I think this one is fair enough however there is times when negative keywords will be asked and asked reasonably such as for an example a dating site may request that you add the term “teen”, teenager” etc to your negative keywords in your campaign as they do not want teens on a predominantly adult based services for a number of very good reasons and sometimes certain companies don’t want to be associated with certain keywords that unfortunately are typed in at the same time as their main keyword. If done on that basis then fair play but they need to be concise and sensible and not a spreadsheet with 10 thousand generic words and misspellings and yes I have seen that happen. Also Merchants that want to protect brand names on Google for example should be writing and complaining to Google after they got the registered trademark, as doing anything else is wasting everyone’s time and is a real turn off for people working with you.

SEO
I reserve the right to use whatever content or text I feel appropriate in the title, body text and META tags of my pages. If you as a merchant expect to restrict me in this way from using any of your terms then it’s probably best that we don’t work together.

Fully agree, however merchants will reserve the right to terminate the relationship if your saying something negative about them as they are not going to want to pay for that kind of promotion. However Networks should have no right to tell you to remove stuff on your own site just because the Merchant your talking about is on their books (as long as your not linking to the Merchant your slating via an Affiliate link that is).

Forced Clicks
I will not use frames, iframes, cookie stuffing or any other method of forced click to set cookies that the user may not be aware of. Visitors will only use my affiliate links when they actually click a link.

Frames are not the problem, it’s how they are used as highlighted in Jasons blog post recently.

Software
I will not use any form of desktop based software application to deliver advertising to my users.

Perfectly respectable and legal uses of software. I think you should add using software to set cookies or force clicks as a software program such as say a Kids Web Browser has a legitimate right to have banner adverts or text links if they want. I have changed my view point on what is deemed a respectable use of software from what I thought a few years ago after having a chance to see different things in use, for example there is sites setting cookies because their users said that is ok but do they really know what they have agreed to, half the time they don’t.

Content
None of my sites will have any adult or illegal content and there will be no offensive language.

Think you should just stick to no illegal content and porn sites and let the merchant decided if the affiliate is right for them or not. Lads Mag sites for example will have adult content (without being hardcore porn) and plenty of offensive language but will sell a ton of gadgets, joke products and underwear. Everyone has different standards and beliefs and so do Merchants, some will find shopping sites that promote bingo offence for example.

Domains
I will not register merchant names, misspells or confusingly similar names without permission from the merchant.

Far enough but only if not generic words and they have to register some kind of trademark also if they are serious about enforcing it as for example I have great names that I bought in the 90’s that merchants have since bought poor versions that are like mine but are generic and your rule could stop me using mine when I had it first. If they have the trademark then misspellings with regards to domain names should also be included but do have to ask yourself why so many Merchants never buy the other versions or misspellings.

Discount Codes
I will not use codes which are provided through other channels or offline promotions.

Merchants really need to offer all channels codes to use but if they don’t want to for whatever reason then Affiliates need to respect (as long as they been told in program restrictions) they can’t nick them from magazines, however Merchants need to know people are not daft and will click on Affiliate links and still use offers if they find elsewhere, so build that in to your costing for the promotion. As Affiliate can’t be punished for someone using a code just because you as the Merchant didn’t want it to happen like that.

Confidentiality
I will keep commercially sensitive information about my merchants confidential and I expect the same from them. Information about my traffic levels, methods etc should not be shared with other affiliates.

2nd part of this is really for Merchants Code and not Affiliates code, however I do agree if your given a nod and a wink about an up coming promotion that Merchants want you in place to work on but don’t want everyone finding out about then you really should keep tight lipped until it’s live.

I do think you need something in the code that asks Affiliates to contact Networks about issues instead of being lazy and just posting issues or problems on forums or blogs, got to say from Networks point of view it’s something I find very poor that Affiliates would rather stick the boot in first without giving people a chance to resolve it for them, of course if the Network/Merchant doesn’t do anything after giving a reasonable time, then by all means get stuck in and give the Network what for, just be sure you checked your emails for replies before you do as I seen a few times where people didn’t notice the reply and got all upset as if they had been ignored.

Given more time I could probably think of a couple of good add-ons but lets not run away and try and cover everything as it’s not going to work as no one will remember every single thing they should and should not be doing and more so if different sources all have different rules, like just now every Network treats many issues differently.

So in summary, a simple set of basics rules is needed for everyone to aim for, but if in doubt try to be reasonable about it, don’t be a nit picker and if you have any problems drop the Merchant/Affiliate/Network and go work with someone else who won’t give you grief, you have loads and loads of choice these days, talk is always cheap if you won’t back your belifs up with some kind of action. Sorry I have not added much more to this as the orgional was pretty much fine accept for the things I have pointed out, but to be clear some things said in the code are for more than just Affiliates so needs everyone to be onboard with it or it will not work.

Looking forward to the Merchant, Network and Agency Codes of Practice from Fraser, sure I will have loads to say on them. And always remember if you don’t like something ultimately don’t work with them after you explored the possibility of a policy being changed if you don’t agree with it.

Just a quick note to say I have uploaded my photos from the A4U Affiliate Event in Bristol at then end of last month to my Facebook profile. Have a read over the comments and leave some of your own If you have not already found and added me to your Facebook we are either not friends or you not been using it, if that is the case become a friend and add me, search for “Clarke Duncan” should not be to many of them around.

I am lead to believe that every UK Network is reading my blog, so I thought maybe I should let each of the ones I deal with as an Affiliate know a positive and a negative thing about them from my point of view. The negative will hopefully be seen as constructive as I really don’t go for the whole “your crap, because I said your crap” thing that a few people get involved in. The best way forward is to say why you think something can be done better, the company you’re talking about might not agree with you but at least they shouldn’t be upset at your comments.

So here we go, in A to Z order.

Affiliate Future

Positive: I like the choice of Merchants, loads to pick from. I like that Affiliate Future think about the Affiliate incentives they offer, the Barbados trip is a good idea (2nd year running this year I believe), not won it yet myself but still something to aim for.

Negative: Flow of the Interface and Information provided could be better, Affiliate Future are taking steps in the right direction but due to the shear size of Affiliate Futures merchant base it can be a bit frustrating when you’re trying to find something.

Affiliate Window

Positive: Affiliate Window is not just copying other Networks when it comes to adding new features, and they seem to be listening and making changes without taking years to do it, also had call to use support a few weeks back and I was impressed by the speed that I got a reply, wasn’t what I wanted to hear but was a swift response none the less.

Negative: You need to have words with a few of your Merchants, either they are in the Affiliate Marketing space or they are not. I am talking about Toy’s ‘R’ Us here, they have now been in the area long enough for them to understand it. The brand they have is not worth your reputation if they keep up this at arms length approach stuff, sort them out or drop them as your alienating a lot of good Affiliates.

Affilinet

Positive: Staff has been very responsive and very helpful, even though I have not found the programs for me to produce any great results. I do appreciate the time and effort they have given me even if it is probably not justified based on what I have earned to date.

Negative: Confused about how the pending, approved and rejected sales are viewed and how it all works, however due to the fact I am not doing big volumes I never pursued asking for it to be explained, but then again if it was maybe a little more clear having to ask could be avoided.

Buy.at

Positive: Majority of staff have always been friendly towards me, thought both my ups in making money with Buy.at and my downs. Always felt welcome at events that I have been invited to and like that on many subjects you let me say my bit and value you my feedback. Plus Buy.at have some good brand names onboard that convert well.

Negative: Need to complete a few things you have had in beta what seems like forever, I know Buy.at want it done right but surely it shouldn’t be out in beta if it wasn’t close to being complete in the first place, I am of course talking about version 3 of the interface looks good but I am still using version 2 so that’s got to tell you something.

Commission Junction

Positive: Have to say this is one of my hardest to find a positive on, and this is weird as a sister company owned by Value Click called Search123 I could give you loads on as the staff are first class. However I promised a positive for everyone and I shall deliver. You have some Merchants that no one else has and some of these are pretty good, decent converters.

Negative: I am stuck in USD account limbo land, no one from the UK has the power to make USA CJ convert my 3 accounts to UK pounds and no one from the UK is willing to help me setup an account in UK pounds with all my current Merchants pre-approved. Also still don’t get proper VAT invoices from you, you have to get this sorted as it’s a real put off for me and others, to the point it effects new Merchants as I tell them all the time because of these 2 main things I don’t want to promote them, business is being lost and I think it’s because CJ in the USA are to ignorant of the UK demission to do anything about it.

DGM

Positive: You have got some good staff members, people I am happy to talk with as they not full of BS when I deal with them. I also think you have a very good sales team as you do pull the odd gem of a Merchant in to Affiliate Marketing who has not previously worked in the arena.

Negative: ok so I have not gotten fully over interface upgrade that went so wrong, but I know from speaking to others this is pretty much history, so I will be coming back to use much larger range of Merchants very soon. My main thing is actually invoicing and billing, I am really confused as to why numbers are not matching up, i.e. what invoices and date ranges are saying verses what is in my bank account in any given month, I hate paper work and this has got me puzzled, but to be far to you I not come with examples and asked for it to be explained. I do know however that once sorted and I am fully happy with it, that I be set to re-start promotions of old and maybe make it back in to your top affiliates list once again.

OMG

Positive: Every time I have contacted an account manager they have worked over my request and keep in touch and more importantly actually done what they said they would do. Great range of finance merchants, and while I am not a finance affiliate I can still find ones to make money from all be it very much in a up and down fashion.

Negative: Don’t really have one for you, now that in it’s self might be your negative because if I don’t have one then I am not on your system enough to find something I would like done better I guess then my negative is not enough diverse range of different Merchants but this is also a positive for others.

Paid On Results

Positive: Good staff that work hard, even working outside normal 9 to 5 hours. Very good understanding of issues that effect Affiliates and Merchants and the Control Interface for both Affiliates and Merchants is first class.

Negative: More choice of Merchants is needed. Would like to see some brand name Merchants using some of the innovative tools that Paid On Results have developed for Affiliates.

Tradedoubler

Positive: My what a change Tradedoubler have gone through, always been pretty much the biggest Network in the UK and still are but yet you find time to make sure staff are involved in the Affiliate Community. You are not shy of responding to negative posts without acting like maybe you shouldn’t have to as some of the other Networks do. Support is very good from my point of view, can’t fault the Affiliate team as they reply swiftly, now this could be down to them having the most money of all the Networks but important point is people at the top don’t seem afraid to invest some of that in key services. Biggest range of brands to pick from in the UK.

Negative: I have had a few issues where Tradedoubler have taken the Merchants word for something, accuse me of it and later have to apologise for the mistake. So I would say learn the green cross code, Stop, Look and Listen because if you check what been said you will not need to apologise for making a mistake as it will be clear if you know what to look for. Also I think some of your Merchants are getting away from not paying invoice on time too easy, but that situation has improved a lot over the years.

Webgains

Positive: Innovative use of tracking technologies, vocal and helpful staff that don’t mind getting involved in Affiliate community for both when the going is good and bad, can’t stand folk that only want to respond to things that show them in a good light so for getting stuck in to both sides I give you a salute. Decent range of Merchants that you won’t find on other networks.

Negative: Interface is far too confusing, sure you are at the higher end of number features you offer Affiliates so that always makes it a little harder than people that give Affiliates next to no features but, layout, sort orders and general navigations needs work so stuff is easier to find and access.

End of the UK Network positive and constructive negative points.

So there you have it, if you have not been listed it probably because “I don’t yet work with you” or “you’re actually nobody in the UK Market space right now” or “you’re using off the shelf software so couldn’t do anything to fix something if it was software based so pointless telling you”. For the Networks that are reading my blog, you’re welcome to comment on what I have said and I will not edit what you have to say, but then again you might not want to say anything and that’s cool also.

If your from a Network reading this, remember read and balance your positive and your negative, don’t just focus on the one, we all need some kind of balance and I hope I have given you a feel good and something to think about all at the same time, not often these days I hand out free advice

I have been feeling rather good of late about many of the developments in Affiliate Marketing and I would like to pass on the vibe that basically Affiliate Marketing is great and while there is always little things that get you upset, just keep in mind they are the little things, if it was the majority of things that upset you, then it’s time to leave the arena for pastures new.

I can keep quiet no longer, I and a number of other people know the true reason why Fraser from AffiliateBlog.co.uk is so knowledgeable about Affiliate Marketing. It is because he is cutting the skulls and taking all the Affiliate powers from the finest people in our industry.

Here is the proof, Fraser is Sylar from Heroes.

Note: this is a “for fun post” and hopefully Fraser will not kill me for keeping the Fraser is Sylar thing going, I would like to point out that it was started by big Chris Will let you know if Fraser is still talking to me after this post LOL

Today I handed down my first ever 5 day ban on the Affiliates4U Forum that quickly turned in to a life time ban. A member who is now busy claiming on several other forums that he is being harassed by the moderators at A4U and even comically claimed that he never got personal. So I thought I would share with you the last PM I received just before the Moderator Team gave him, his life time ban. I hate to censor anyone, I believe in free speech but I don’t believe in giving a stage for complete idiots who treat others with contempt, judge for yourself.

**** you cu*ts, three admin just piled on me with infractions, you started this with your ****ing pathetic rep system, admin then deletes a post, then you all back her, and now three of you have sent me warnings, well I’m just sending one, all four of you can go **** yourselves, you harrassed me first with the rep system, then deleted my posts now you abuse and harrass me all four of you at the same time, **** you, all four of you, **** you, ban me iIm off, you cu*ts. All four, with warnings, you stupid ****ing *****s.

Lee

So if you want a ban, do a Lee. A4U is a forum full of Affiliate, Merchant and Network professionals and this is the very thing we are trying to nip in the bud with the new systems.

Note: the quote above was a Private Message to myself Supercod from Lee, the stars have been added by the forum system to blank out the swear words.

Well I have added my back me button from Affiliates4u, and now that I have seen it in action I have a few things for Tom to do to for it to work even better ;). Now that I have added it, please feel free to back any of my posts to get them a higher profile over at Affiliates4u, it’s always great to see backs and bumps from articles that people like.

This might be pretty much old hat to long time Affiliate Marketing Pros, but worth saying for new people that the News is a great way to cash in on what people are currently thinking about. I know as I have taken advantage of the news when doing my promotions for some time now, here is an example that repeats it’s self every year.

Utility Bills on the Rise

Utility Bills are normally going up each year and every time a story breaks about them on the rise, it’s time to email your mailing list or post to the front of your site the ways that consumers can easily switch providers online and save big money. However as a twist to this news story that never goes away, is the number of companies announcing for the first time in ages, price cuts! But fear not as an Affiliate with a large user base I was at hand to take advantage of this twist of fate by, you guessed it, letting my user base know where they can get cheaper bills should they wish to swap to one of the providers that had reduced prices, the joke here is that many customers who swapped a year or two before all of a sudden found themselves switching back to save from the people they originally left in the first place. A triumph for the consumer, a victory for Affiliate Marketers in getting the message out to as many customers as possible with a little (make that big help) from the news.

It is important that you act within days (ideally hours) of the news story breaking so it’s fresh in users minds.

However there is a very important thing to remember, you can not cash in on all news stories, well at least not ethically. For example you won’t find me selling life insurance off the back of a major terrorist attack.

However there is tactful ways to promote items or service people may be interested in after reading or seeing a current news event without actually linking your promotion directly to the event in question. I am sure many a parent has considered tracking devices for there children in light of the coverage the Madeleine McCann* case in Portugal, and as an Affiliate you would have every right to promote such devices and highlight the issues that would make you consider buying such a device however you would be a complete scumbag if you sent out an email or posted a website and associated the product directly with this case as it would be considered tasteless and most merchants would remove you from there program as they wouldn’t want to be associated with that type of coverage.

Basically what I am saying is the news offers many ways to help you promote goods or services but you have to be thoughtful of the story and your promotion and how it will be seen.

* Note: if you been living in a cave, or from a far flung place around the world, Madeleine McCann is a little British girl would was kidnapped whilst on holiday with her family in the Algarve in Portugal, please click here and visit the UK Missing Kids website, take a good look at her face as you can not mistake her right eye and please remember that face, it could be you that helps find her, you never know.