http://profitrank.com RSS feeds for Profit Rank, Inc. 60 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/769/Merchants--Why-move-your-affiliate-program-from-one-major-network-to-another.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=769 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=769&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/769/Merchants--Why-move-your-affiliate-program-from-one-major-network-to-another.aspx Should merchants move their affiliate program from one major affiliate network to another major affiliate network? We recently received an email from a major PC manufacturer announcing the closing of one major affiliate network and the relaunch of their program in another major affiliate network. In our humble opinion this is a mistake. The reasons merchants move from one major affiliate network to another are usually due to the reduction of yearly affiliate program growth, competitive reduction of fees from the new affiliate network and possible waver of launch fees. Affiliate networks all promise a smooth transition and recapture of all your major affiliate partners.While they do a good job in this transition our experience is that there will be an initial loss of revenue as the transition is made. in 2009 Profit Rank conducted a survey of the top revenue generating affiliates. Results of the survey showed that the majority of these top performing affiliates were joined to the top 3 affiliate networks; Commission Junction, Google Affiliate Network (closing in July 2013) and Linkshare.  Additional survey results indicated that most of these top affiliate producers did not work in what we call secondary networks.  Some did work with other networks but the reason was due to specific merchants that offered product or services geared toward their audience and marketing niche. At Profit Rank outsourced affiliate management we believe the best course of action to spur affiliate revenue growth is to simply add a second major affiliate network. This action should produce an increase of 10% to 20% additional revenue with no disruption of existing affiliate revenue. Another option is to work more closely with your top affiliate partner producers to gain additional exposure to new potential customers.  Establish a budget for placement testing and expand wherever profitable. We recommend that merchants who are seeing revenue stagnation contact and work with an Outsourced Affiliate Program Manager/Agency (OPM). Most OPM's are unbiased in their decisions to work with one major affiliate network or another. Sure they have preferences but it's more about their comfort level and network customer support and not the affiliates joined to these networks. Profit Rank has been working with merchants in various major affiliate networks since 2004. For more information on our services please contact Mike Gunn 847-496-7810 or email mgunn@ProfitRank.com. Mike Gunn Wed, 15 May 2013 13:23:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:769 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/768/Attention-Merchants--Maximize-your-website-conversion.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=768 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=768&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/768/Attention-Merchants--Maximize-your-website-conversion.aspx Profit Rank recently attended a Sitetuners (website conversion optimization) sponsored webinar put on by Amy Africa from Eight to Eight "34 Sure-Fire Tips to Increase Your Ecommerce Sales Today!" We highly recommend that you spend the 60 minutes to watch and listen to this webinar. You are sure to learn a a few things you can do right now to improve your site conversion. Here is the link. enjoy! http://www.slideshare.net/sitetuners/2013-04-30amyafrica34tipswebinarfinal?inf_contact_key=71fc792668cd4bd16502d6cb1d6c29bf80289fe34a610a404065b7ad29ace0cb Mike Gunn Thu, 02 May 2013 14:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:768 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/767/Attention-new-affiliates-or-those-looking-to-become-affiliate-marketers.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=767 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=767&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/767/Attention-new-affiliates-or-those-looking-to-become-affiliate-marketers.aspx Shareasale has announced a training program How To Build Your Affiliate Site. This is an eight week course that appears to be very comprehensive. Join ShareASale Affiliate Development Manager, Jason Rubacky, as he walks you through the essential steps of creating, optimizing and monetizing your very own Affiliate Website. This eight week long program will teach attendees to: >> Create a fully functional Affiliate Website. >> Implement proper SEO techniques. >> Navigate the ShareASale Interface. >> Analyze traffic, clicks and conversions. >> Correctly monetize content for Affiliate Marketing. For more information follow this link http://blog.shareasale.com/2013/04/30/shareasale-education-how-to-build-your-affiliate-site/ Mike Gunn Thu, 02 May 2013 14:36:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:767 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/766/Reach-6-Million-Women-Homeowners.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=766 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=766&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/766/Reach-6-Million-Women-Homeowners.aspx To better serve our clients Profit Rank has partnered with Prime Publishing LLC to offer website banner ads, solo emails, and email newsletter banner ads. Test costs are as low as $300. Several clients spend thousands with us monthly. There are 19 niche websites serving 6+ million unique visitors and 40+ million page views per month. New sites are being added quarterly. 4.3 million have opted in to receive email newsletters and offers. Our audience is mostly women, homeowners, with children who are interested in food. kitchen products, crafting, children's products, education, health & wellness, beauty, dieting, home and garden.  We also offer a social media marketing suite where we will mention your product, contest, or giveaway to our thousands of followers on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google Plus. So whether you are looking to sell product, acquire new customers, add social followers or generate leads we will customize a marketing package to meet and exceed your goals. For more information or schedule a test please contact Mike Gunn mgunn@ProfitRank.com or call 847-496-7810 Mike Gunn Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:41:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:766 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/765/Online-Sales-Tax-gains-momentum.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=765 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=765&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/765/Online-Sales-Tax-gains-momentum.aspx This just in from Internet Retailer  The U.S. Senate voted 75-24 in support of an online sales tax measure. What does it mean to small business? Read the article. Mike Gunn Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:765 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/764/fyecom-promoting-Grammy-Award-Nominees.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=764 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=764&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/764/fyecom-promoting-Grammy-Award-Nominees.aspx fye.com in Merchant Affiliate Program in Linkshare #24416 has just posted the Grammy Award nominees banners and text ads.  The Grammy Awards will be watched by over 27,000,000 people and sales swill be quite robust before and after the Grammy Awards. So don't wait! Start hosting Grammy Nominees today! Please feel free to contact me, Mike Gunn mGunn@ProfitRank.com 847-496-7810 with any questions or special needs. Mike Gunn Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:764 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/763/2nd-Language-Solution-Signs-with-Profit-Rank-Affiliate-Management.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=763 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=763&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/763/2nd-Language-Solution-Signs-with-Profit-Rank-Affiliate-Management.aspx We are please to announce the Outsourced Affiliate Management of 2nd Language Solution. 2nd Language Solution is a helpful online live chat service that assists immigrants from all nations with their English writing, and helps English speakers with their Spanish writing--for business or personal use. Whether it’s an email or a document, 2nd Language Solution professional writers are available to help you with your English or Spanish writing skills during business hours 10 hours a day. 2nd Language Solution is for you, if: ·         English or Spanish is your second language ·         Your English/Spanish writing is poor ·         You work with English/Spanish speakers ·         You communicate in written English ·         You need help with English/Spanish writing right now! Live Chat translation services start as low as $10.90 for a single live chat and $19.90 per month.  Prices are reduced for longer sign up periods. The average price per word goes down with bigger subscription plans—it’s only $99.90/mo for an unlimited editing plan. Click here to see pricing. We are so confident that people will love our Spanish/English services that we offer a money back free 7 day trial. If you are not satisfied we will refund your money immediately. Affiliates are paid 30% of the first purchase. Our affiliate program is hosted in Shareasale. Merchant ID #30170 We offer both Spanish and English version text ads and banners. Note. This program is under merchant Spanish Learning Factory in Shareasale. When you select links you will need to select by category “2nd Language Solution” and then text/banner Espanol or English. Please contact Mike Gunn should you need assistance selecting ads. Please note that you should also promote our book site Spanish Learning Factory in the same Shareasale account. Be sure to host both programs so you can maximize your earnings. Click Here to sign up today! Mike Gunn Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:35:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:763 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/762/Announcing-the-Spanish-Learning-Factory-Affiliate-Program.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=762 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=762&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/762/Announcing-the-Spanish-Learning-Factory-Affiliate-Program.aspx Profit Rank is please to announce the affiliate management of Spanish Learning Factory ID #30170 in the Shareasale Affiliate Network. Affiliates are paid 30% of the first purchase. Our affiliate program is hosted in Shareasale. Merchant ID #30170  Spanish Learning Factory is an incredible interactive & fun at-home Spanish program designed by experienced Spanish instructors. There are currently three separate “classes”: beginner, beginner/intermediate, and intermediate. Each set comes with one book or e-book and four accompanying CDs. There are several things that make these Spanish-at-Home books uniquely effective: - Seven engaging characters that model the vocabulary and grammar in every lesson - Common mistakes pointers that are incorporated into every lesson point out the errors frequently made by Spanish students, and get out in front of them by explaining why they're wrong and how to fix them before the student gets confused. Includes the differences in word meanings from one Spanish-speaking country to another. "Torta," for example, means cake in almost every country except Mexico, where it means sandwich. - Live recordings of tutoring sessions with some of our star students. Like sitting in on a Spanish class, the student can listen to the teacher correct mistakes and model good pronunciation. Hearing the language spoken also helps the student retain information in a way just reading doesn't. - Exercises at the end of each lesson to review.  Focus on practical Spanish, including idiomatic expressions and diverse topics of conversation. Spanish-at-Home lets people without a lot of spare time or money learn Spanish in a fun and memorable way. They can learn on their own schedule, at their own pace. And at only $59.90 for an e-book and audio files or $79.90 for a book with CDs, it’s much more affordable than private or even group Spanish classes.  Affiliates are paid 30% of the first purchase. Our affiliate program is hosted in Shareasale. Merchant ID #30170  Click Here to sign up for Spanish Learning Factory is Shareasale. Mike Gunn Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:762 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/761/How-to-become-an-Affiliate-Marketer-and-earn-money-Online.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=761 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=761&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/761/How-to-become-an-Affiliate-Marketer-and-earn-money-Online.aspx Each week we receive several email requests asking "How do I become an Affiliate Marketer and earn money Online?". Becoming an Affiliate Marketer is easy. Earning money from affiliate marketing requires a website or blog site and traffic or interested followers. There are several types of affiliate marketers and you need to determine which one or more types of Affiliate Marketer you want to be: Discount shopping site - offering product deals, discounts, or Buy One Get x Free Cash Back Site - Shoppers earn money or points for every dollar they spend on your site Charitable Contribution Site - Shoppers select a charitable organization and a portion of the affiliate commission is donated to their selected cause Content Site - Information on the site is specific to a topic area such as How To or About the topic Blog Site - A specific topic site where people can post information about a specific topic, start a discussion thread, or simply add additional information about the topic Discount sites and cash back sites are extremely plentiful and competing in this type of site will be very difficult. I'm not saying it can't be done but you'll be competing with giants that have been doing this for a long time. This can be much easier if you have a targeted source of traffic such as a large company staff or an organization of followers.  Examples: ShopatHome, Ebates, Mr Rebates, FreeShipping.com Charitable Contribution sites are also plentiful and in order to succeed here you will need an audience with specific interests; church goers, non profit organizations such as communities. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, clubs, organizations, etc. Examples: iGive, uPromise, ShopForMuseums Content Sites - to be successful here you will need information from subject experts. Think about Wikipedia or WebMD. Blog Site - again there are thousands out there however there is always room for more. This type of affiliate site requires a specific topic and generating a list of interested followers who are also willing to add information or post comments. There are also many business to business blog sites. The first step then in becoming an Affiliate Marketer is to decide which type of affiliate you want to be. Remember that building your site and becoming successful will take up front capital and dedication to growing your site. Once you've decided which type of site you would like to become you will need the following: Website address/URL and hosting services Website Software Design and training or an understanding of website HTML or other site building software Web Site Management Tools - update your site and understand how site visitors move around/click through your site Pay Per Click or Paid Search Training- this is the best way to drive traffic to your site and produces some of the highest conversion rates. You will need to set a budget and continually test Email Marketing software - sometimes email software will be included in your hosting account You will also want to join Affiliate Forums and Social Groups often very helpful when you have questions regarding your site build or generating traffic. You can find several resources by clicking here and looking at the specific topics listed on the page. Once your website is up and running it's time to start finding merchants you want to partner with to market their product or service offerings and start earning money. The best place to start is with the affiliate networks.  These are the top three and the largest affiliate networks which I call the majors are; Commission Junction Linkshare Google Affiliate Network There are many secondary networks but the well branded merchants such as Sears, Target, Walmart, DrugStore.com, Dell, to name a few are most often in one or more of the major affiliate networks listed above. Additional Affiliate Networks: Shareasale Pepperjam Avantlink Click Bank Linkconnector You may perform a search for the others but these are the main players. We hope this article assists you in becoming a successful affiliate marketer. If you need additional help Profit Rank is ready to work with you to guide you on the right path. We do however charge a consultation fee for our services. Mike Gunn Thu, 27 Dec 2012 20:04:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:761 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/760/iPowered-Internet-Powered-Solutions-Now-Partnered-with-Profit-Ranks-Managed-Affiliate-Merchants.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=760 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=760&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/760/iPowered-Internet-Powered-Solutions-Now-Partnered-with-Profit-Ranks-Managed-Affiliate-Merchants.aspx Profit Rank is pleased to announce our partnership with iPowered Internet Powered Solutons merchant affiliate program. iPowered Internet Powered Solutions has been helping small businesses grow their natural search engine results within all the major search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Bing and more. Our products are affordable and best of all they work. Affiliates are paid on recurring revenue so your commissions continue to snowball each time you sign on a new customer. iPowered affiliates earn 20% recurring commission but when you sign up using Promo Code=33715456-006 you will earn 25% recurring commission. iPowered Internet Powered Solutions best selling product is MasterLinker so be sure to promote this product. We also have other products you may want to promote. Once you join the program you will be able to select banner and text ads from resource library. Our top affiliates are earning $5k -$10k per month and commissions are continuing to grow as they sign up more customers each month. We also provide a customer discount code for 20% OFF. To learn more about the iPowered Internet Powered affiliate program please visit http://www.ipowered.biz/index.asp or To sign up using Promo Code=33715456-006 visit http://www.ipowered.biz/Affiliates/1000-Affiliates_Application.asp Questions? Contact Mike Gunn 847-496-7810 mGunn@ProfitRank.com Mike Gunn Thu, 29 Nov 2012 21:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:760 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/759/Provinity-Free-Credit-Reporting-Joins-Profit-Ranks-List-of-Managed-Merchants.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=759 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=759&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/759/Provinity-Free-Credit-Reporting-Joins-Profit-Ranks-List-of-Managed-Merchants.aspx Profit Rank is pleased to announce the affiliate management services for Provinity Free Credit Reporting. Profinity is the leading FREE Credit Reporting company in the USA. Our top affiliates earn over $10k per month generating leads. Profinity provides a landing page, banners, email subject lines and copy that converts well. Landing Page: http://www.profinity.com/free_score.asp?preview=1 Payout: $34 Lead Conversion Rate Estimates: 5.00% (Email) 3-5% (Banner) 10-15% (Thank You Page) Approved Media: Email/Display/PPV/Search Banners: https://spin.w3m.com/stoller/NewProfinity/zips/CredBanners_0907.zip Sign up is fast and simple. Send us your: -       Company Name, Address, Zip/Postal Code -       Signatory Name and Title -       Contact Name, Title, Phone, Email -       Alternate Contact Name, Title, Phone Email  -       How do you plan to promote Profinity FREE Credit Reporting. Once we receive the above information we will set up your affiliate ID and send you all the tools we have available to help you promote and earn commissions from the Profinity Affiliate program. Contact Mike Gunn, 847-496-7810 or email mGunn@ProfitRank.com Mike Gunn Thu, 29 Nov 2012 21:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:759 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/758/Specialty-Catalog-Corporation-Affiliate-Program.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=758 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=758&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/758/Specialty-Catalog-Corporation-Affiliate-Program.aspx Profit Rank is please to announce the signing and affiliate management of the Specialty Catalog Corporation affiliate program.  Specialty Catalog Corporation is the world's leading retailer of wigs, hair pieces and add-ons offering a number of brands and exclusive celebrity endorsed lines from Jaclyn Smith, Patti LaBelle Diahann Carroll, and many more. With close to 3 million customers who purchase up to 4-6 times per year, our average order size is $75. Our program pays you 2% on products purchased by your visitors within a 30 day window. We encourage our affiliates to use our keywords in their SEO. However, affiliates may not use our trademarks or our domain name. Please see our policies within the program term. Our brands include www.PaulaYoung.com,www.EspeciallyYours.com, and Wig.com. For more than 30 years, our Paula Young customers have enjoyed beautiful styles - long and short, curly and straight, in a full range of natural colors. The Paula Young brand also includes our exclusive Jaclyn Smith collection featuring glamorous full length wigs to sleek ponytails and elegant updos. Especially Yours offers a wide assortment of fashionable, versatile wigs and hairpiece styles for African American women. Our products include synthetic styles, human hair designs, falls, headband styles, fashion add-ons, hair pieces and weaves. Also, take a look at our signature celebrity collections from Patti LaBelle, Vivica Fox, Raquel Welch, and Diahann Carroll. For more information, contact our affiliate team at PCH@ProfitRank.com. Affiliate Program Details: Ø  Managed in Commission Junction Network  (#2692222) Ø  2% Commission Ø  Average order $63 Ø  Average Conversion 3% Ø  Paid Search Marketing YES – please Ø  Discount Coupons Ø  Vanity Codes – special coupon codes available to performers Ø  Seasonal Offers Ø  Free Shipping On US only orders Ø  30 Day Cookies Publisher Information Mike Gunn Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:758 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/757/Why-is-your-affiliate-program-not-meeting-your-expectations.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=757 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=757&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/757/Why-is-your-affiliate-program-not-meeting-your-expectations.aspx For every successful affiliate program there are hundreds and even thousands that do not do very well in the affiliate channel. Merchants often have trouble understanding why their affiliate program is not working. Afterall they have a great product or service, why isn't it selling. Let's look at some of the reasons. You have a great product or service yet no traffic and thereby few sales. However, you do not have a well branded name and/or product/service offer. You do not spend money on online or offline marketing. Ad serving, social media, paid search, direct mail, radio, TV, billboards, magazines. In general prospective buyers don't know about your company, your merchandise/service or your offer. You need to get your product offer in front of targetted eyeballs! Many of the top performing affiliates have millions  of monthly visitors. These affiliates have spent years building a brand and cultivating loyal shoppers. These affiliates also spend lots of money on multi channel marketing to attract new loyal shoppers. Like everyone else they need to keep attracting new customers in order to grow their business. I recently spoke with a billion dollar merchant about awareness in the affiliate channel. They told me that they had to convince upper management to test purchasing affiliate ad placement. The test proved successful and the merchant now spends over $9 million dollars a year on affiliate placements.  So if a well know well known billion dollar merchant has to spend money on affiliate ad placement to increase sales to new customers then a smaller merchant must also do the same. Bottom line: if your affiliate program is not working create a budget and start testing buying ad placement with affiliates who market to your target audience. Mike Gunn Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:757 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/756/Pennsylvania-Nexus-Tax-Law-Work-Around-For-Affiliate-Marketers.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=756 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=756&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/756/Pennsylvania-Nexus-Tax-Law-Work-Around-For-Affiliate-Marketers.aspx As you may know Pennsylvania passed a Nexus Tax law Sept 1, 2012 affecting all commissioned affiliate marketers. Many merchants have decided not to work with any of the Nexus Tax Law states. The burden of tracking these Nexus Tax States is too great. The good news is there is a work around. Affiliate Marketers and Merchants can negotiate a Pay Per Click model that excludes the Pennsylvania Nexus Tax. The pay per click model will also work with several of the other 9 Nexus Tax law states. Merchants should review each affiliate residing in a Nexus Tax law sate responsible for sales and calculate clicks to sales to come up with a profitable Cost Per Click payment.  Merchants should review each of these affiliate sales results monthly to ensure the cost per click does not exceed the previous commission sales model. Most of the affiliate networks have the ability to pay each affiliate a different pay per click amount. Merchants should check with their network before embarking on this model. It is our opinion that as each of the US states look for ways to gain more tax revenue the Nexus Tax law will continue to spread.  This could be detrimental to the Affiliate industry as a whole.  We are hopeful but doubtful that some sort of Internet flat tax rate be agreed upon by all states to simplify the merchant responsibility of tracking and reporting state tax. More information regarding the Pennsylvania Nexus Tax law workaround here: http://performancemarketingassociation.com/category/state-legislation/pennsylvania  Mike Gunn Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:57:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:756 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/755/Profit-Rank-adds-Affiliate-Trade-Mark-Key-Word-Compliance-Monitoring.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=755 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=755&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/755/Profit-Rank-adds-Affiliate-Trade-Mark-Key-Word-Compliance-Monitoring.aspx Profit Rank has added affiliate search engine Trade Mark & Key Word compliance. Using TheSearchMonitor Profit Rank will track affiliate trade mark, keyword, ad content and display URL violations. Identified affiliate violators will be contacted to remove all violations.  Further disciplinary actions up to termination from your program for Affiliates that do not comply with requests to cease using your trade mark/s and keyword restrictions. Pricing for this service depends on the number of trade marks, key words, search engines and run frequency. Competitive Intelligence The Search Monitor program can also track your competitors in both paid and natural search results. Know what your competitors are doing within the search engines so you may take appropriate action to compete. To schedule a demo contact Mike Gunn mGunn@Profitrank.com 847-496-7810. Mike Gunn Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:38:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:755 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/753/Affiliates-Earn-Double-Commission-from-LearnITanytime.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=753 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=753&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/753/Affiliates-Earn-Double-Commission-from-LearnITanytime.aspx LearnITanytime affiliate program in Commission Junction is offering double commission for a one year subscription sale from now until June 30, 2012. Affiliate marketers will earn $71.20 on each one year subscription sale.  Customers will save 34% ($121.60)  on a one year subscription with coupon code 10PERCENTOFF   Learn IT! Anytime provides over 27 self-paced online video training courses in the following subject areas: Microsoft Office, Graphic Design, Web Design, Desktop Software   Questions? Contact Mike Gunn Affiliate Manager mGunn@ProfitRank.com 847-496-7810 Mike Gunn Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:30:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:753 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/752/LearniTanytime-announces-7-new-online-training-courses.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=752 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=752&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/752/LearniTanytime-announces-7-new-online-training-courses.aspx LearniTanytime unlimited online training is pleased to announce the addition of 7 new online training courses which now brings the total to 27: - Microsoft Lync Training (Microsoft Lync is Microsoft's interoffice communicator, messaging, and collaboration software.  It's very hot, right - Office Efficiency Courses - Presenting Financials with Microsoft Office 201 - Manage your Everyday With Outlook Microsoft - Office 2010 New Features, Tips & Tricks - iPad for Beginners and Beyond   Now you can take all 27 plus LearniTanytime for one low monthly price of $15.99 or select a one year subscription for $125 and save 38% over the month to month price plus another 10% OFF with coupon code 10PERECENTOFF Offer Expires May 29, 2012.  Affiliates can join and promote LearniTanytime in Commission Junction Mike Gunn Wed, 02 May 2012 16:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:752 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/751/Illinois-Affiliate-Nexus-Tax-Declared-Unconstitutional.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=751 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=751&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/751/Illinois-Affiliate-Nexus-Tax-Declared-Unconstitutional.aspx Performance Marketing Association Wins Lawsuit; CouponCabin.com CEO Issues Statement  Read the full article here Mike Gunn Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:57:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:751 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/750/LearniTanytime-Affiliate-Program-launched-in-Commission-Junction.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=750 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=750&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/750/LearniTanytime-Affiliate-Program-launched-in-Commission-Junction.aspx Profit Rank is pleased to announce our latest managed merchant in the affiliate channel. LearnitAnytime managed in www.cj.com (Commission Junction) affiliate network. All you can learn online training for one low monthly price. 100% money back guaranteed. Commission for affiliates is 100% for a one month subscription or 20% for a one year subscription. See program details here: http://www.learnitanytime.com/support/affiliate-program/ Courses available; Microsoft Office, Graphic Design, Web Design,Desktop Software, Productivity Software, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Project, Intuit Quick Books, and Microsoft Windows. Sign up here: http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-1932485-11002969 100% satisfaction guaranteed or money back. 7 day trial. Mike Gunn Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:44:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:750 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/749/Merchants--Is-Affiliate-Marketing-right-for-you.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=749 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=749&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/749/Merchants--Is-Affiliate-Marketing-right-for-you.aspx The first question I always get asked by merchants looking to launch an affiliate program;                        How much revenue will my affiliate program generate? Unfortunately it is very difficult to determine just how successful a merchant program will be in the affiliate channel.  However conversion data from other marketing channels and current traffic volume will help determine if the affiliate channel is right for you.  For new product or service offers we would suggest you first perform some paid search advertising. This will assist in determining if the affiliate channel is right for you. Also take into consideration:        Is your brand known to buyers? A well know brand will attract affiliates and consumers        Does your site already have traffic?        How many people are using search engines to find your product or service offering?        Is your product for a niche market segment or a broader audience?        Business to business or business to consumer?        Are your competitors marketing in the affiliate channel?        Have you analyzed your competitor’s success in the affiliate channel?        Can you offer equal or more commissions than your competitors to attract affiliates?        Is your value proposition equal to or better than your competitors?        Does your site convert and at what rate?        Do you offer: discounts, coupons, free shipping, 2 for 1, buy more save more? Find out if affiliate marketing is right for you.  Contact ProfitRank mGunn@ProfitRank.com or call 847-496-7810 Mike Gunn Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:749 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/748/Federal-Tax-Stupid-Says-Performance-Insider-and-hurts-Affiliate-Marketers.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=748 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=748&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/748/Federal-Tax-Stupid-Says-Performance-Insider-and-hurts-Affiliate-Marketers.aspx Performance Insider just released an article about the affiliate tax nexus issue saying the Federal bill being proposed is stupid. You can see the article here. Performance Insider says that many small affiliate marketers are successful because customers don't pay tax. While this may be partially true I find it hard to believe that is the sole motivator for buying online.  I also find it hard to believe that affiliate marketers are attracting buyers based on the fact that they won't pay any tax. In fact I have never seen an advertisement that says "buy here no tax". The challenge for most Internet Marketers is the collection of taxes by state. Each state and often counties within the state have their own different tax rates. The complexity of collecting different tax rates and then reporting such is the main reason merchants in the affiliate channel terminate affiliate marketers registered in the Nexus Tax States. I believe consumers are not opposed to paying tax if it is required to obtain their merchandise and if every online merchant charged a nation wide flat tax rate it would simplify the process of reporting. I believe the main reason consumers buy online is because of convenience and the ability to do product and price comparison. We at Profit Rank support a national Internet flat tax rate. It simplifies the tax issue and permits Nexus Tax state affiliate marketers to continue to live and work in these Tax Nexus states. Mike Gunn Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:14:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:748 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/747/Online-Sales-Tax-gets-a-new-support.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=747 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=747&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/747/Online-Sales-Tax-gets-a-new-support.aspx From Internet Retailer. This could be very good for most affiliates but we'll have to see.  Let's hope the Nexus Tax issues for affiliate marketers gets resolved soon. The new bill, which exempts e-retailers that sell less than $500,000 a year outside their home states, is supported by Amazon but opposed by eBay. Read the full article here http://www.internetretailer.com/2011/11/09/online-sales-taxes-get-new-support Mike Gunn Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:747 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/746/Amazon-to-play-Tax-Collector.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=746 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=746&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/746/Amazon-to-play-Tax-Collector.aspx Internet Retailer just posted an article regarding Amazon collecting state tax for merchants. Click here to see the full story.  Could this be a possible solution to state tax nexus? Mike Gunn Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:746 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/745/Affiliate-Marketing-is-it-good-or-bad-for-you-business.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=745 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=745&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/745/Affiliate-Marketing-is-it-good-or-bad-for-you-business.aspx Affiliate Marketing – is it good or bad for you business?   First let’s define Affiliate Marketing. Affiliate marketing is an opportunity to hire thousands of commission only sales people who will market your product on the Internet for a guaranteed profit.    Limited Risk The beautiful thing about affiliate marketing is that there is very little risk.  Well, OK there are some small set up fees for access to a viable affiliate network and some minor creative costs for banner advertising.  After that you only pay for sales made and verified by your affiliates. You set the commission rate to determine what you are willing to pay for sales.  However, you do need to be aware that affiliates are in business to make money meaning that commissions, average order, and conversion rates need to be competitive or affiliates may ignore your program offer.   Affiliate Marketing – The last resort As merchants exhaust or maximize their paid search and organic search marketing efforts they look toward affiliate marketing as another source of customer acquisition.   Internet Consultants recommend first Natural Search, second Paid Search, and then lastly Affiliate Marketing.    Affiliate Marketers are experts at selling your product or service through Paid Search, Email, and Organic Search marketing. Affiliates are also experts at building communities of specific interests such as health, education, parental advice, shopping comparison, discount shopping, reward shopping, charitable contribution shopping, and the list continues to grow.    Email Prospect Marketing   As you probably have already found out Email Marketing for prospecting in the business to consumer world does not work very well.  Spam has almost annihilated the channel as a prospecting vehicle.  The only time email works is when the recipient has a relationship with you and knows your company.  They may have you white listed and will open your email when you send it out as long as it is pertinent and relevant to their interests and/or needs.   Affiliate Marketers have established a relationship with large audiences and can email their constituency with offers from your company permitting a merchant with yet another marketing opportunity to sell more products to people they normally wouldn’t be able to reach.     Small Businesses – Is Affiliate Marketing A Good Fit? At www.ProfitRank.com we run into small catalogers almost every day who say they can’t afford to divert marketing budget money into affiliate marketing.  We feel they are missing the boat.  Where else can you be guaranteed to get back a positive return on your marketing investments.   We also frequently encounter smaller catalogers who have tried paid search engine marketing have failed miserably.  They say paid search doesn’t work for my offer. Without a dedicated expert managing your paid search program a positive return on your investment is almost impossible.   Most all of the outsourced paid search vendors won’t guarantee success in fact most paid search experts contend that you will most likely lose money for the first 2-3 months as they optimize your paid search program.   Unlike Paid Search marketing service companies Affiliate Marketers will gladly run your paid search program for you and invest their own marketing dollars to drive traffic to your website guaranteeing a positive return.   Business to Business Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketing started primarily as a business to consumer marketing channel but recently the business to business channel has started to gain momentum.  This article will focus on the business to consumer side of affiliate marketing.   This is the only true Cost Per Acquisition marketing channel left on the Internet. Affiliate marketing is a wonderful opportunity for merchants to increase internet sales at an almost guaranteed profit as they only pay for actual sales. Merchants acquire new customers based on what they can afford to pay to acquire a new customer at a profit.     Affiliate Networks There are well over one million affiliates in the USA alone and the number is growing every day.  These affiliates join networks who provide a sort of clearing house for merchants selling products, services, or generating leads.  The networks, and there are hundreds, also provide a way to track sales, communicate with and pay the affiliates their due commissions.   The top 3 networks are Commission Junction, Linkshare, and Google Affiliate Network and claim over 1 million affiliate partners each.  Overlap of affiliates from one network to the next is estimated to be very high especially in the case of the more successful affiliates who are in constant search of the best performing and highest paid merchant offers. Most of these affiliates are in many of the major networks.   Secondary affiliate networks such as Shareasale and LinkConnector are more economic but often don’t provide the largest affiliate network or the top performing affiliate marketers.  Companies with smaller budgets could start with these secondary affiliate networks but will want to upgrade soon after seeing success.   Affiliate Management Software – Should you manage your own affiliate program? Software programs are available to manage your own internal affiliate program but most do not provide you with an affiliate network limiting your ability to contact the many affiliates at once and tell them about your program.  This means that a merchant who chooses to use an affiliate management software solution will need to seek out affiliates individually through search, contact them, sign them up, and negotiate rewards.  Unless you have dedicated, full time staff we would recommend you avoid taking this route.   Should I Outsource Affiliate Marketing Management   Expert affiliate management companies like www.ProfitRank.com will set up and manage your affiliate marketing channel, determine affiliate compensation, establish incentive bonus plans, provide needed creative and copy, communicate with the affiliates, solicit new affiliates, and report monthly activities.   Affiliate management companies make a point to establish trusted relationships with successful affiliates giving additional credibility to the merchant offer, and provide client cross sell opportunities thereby increasing the speed with which the merchant offers are accepted and spurring revenue growth.   Merchants who establish an Affiliate Marketing program and who don’t pay enough attention to it will see only limited success.  Most of the affiliate networks do offer management services for your program for a fee but there is no guarantee of success and unless you have a significant brand name you won’t get their top talent assigned to your program.   There are a very few Affiliate Management companies who will, just like the Affiliates, work on a straight commission basis.  We recommend that if you don’t have dedicated staff and your brand is not quite a national household name you seek out one of these performance based service companies.    Is Affiliate marketing a good fit for my company?   Affiliates are looking for generous commissions, high average order, good conversion rates, and unique products to sell.  Discounts or coupons are also an excellent method to sell product.  Profit Rank has identified hundreds of top perfroming affiliate marketers who have significant traffic and offer coupons to their audiences.   In Direct Marketing efforts a merchant will try to acquire new customers for break even and some cases might even lose money.  With the continuing rise in postage and paper costs direct marketers are feeling the pain of lower profitability and reduced acquisition volume from direct marketing efforts.   Profit Rank suggests that most merchants should be willing to spend between 25-30% of the gross sale amount to manage and grow the Affiliate marketing channel.  While this may seem too high to many marketers they should compare this amount to what they spend on their other marketing channels.   As most Direct Marketers have a 40-50% gross margin this means a 15-25% contribution and best of all without risk.     Can Affiliate Marketing Hurt My Brand We frequently talk with merchants who are concerned about damaging their brand with affiliate marketing. At Profit Rank we contend that there are two kinds of Internet Shoppers; 1. The Loyal Convenience Buyer They know what they want and where to go on the web (direct URL) to get it or they perform a search engine query and look for a trusted name brand. They will click on the first search result brand name they recognize and if the product is in inventory and it is easy to buy they will purchase it from someone they know. Often we find that this customer may also be a philanthropist and will first look to see if there might be a related charitable cause associated with the merchant. There are many charitable cause donation communities within the affiliate marketers.  The affiliates give a portion of their commissions to certain charitable causes thereby producing a loyal customer who are more apt to buy product from a website offering charitable give backs. 2. The Discount Shopper The discount shopper never pays retail.  They won’t buy a product unless there is a discount.  While this is not the ideal customer for a merchant there is still money to be made marketing to these people.  This is also a good place to dump excess inventory.  Discount shoppers should be flagged in your customer database and test marketed as you would any other list.  It just may be that unless you have something unique to offer these people won’t pay full price.  Are they bad?  No, they are just not as profitable.   Marketing discount offers shouldn’t hurt your brand.  Unless people are looking for discounts or coupons they won’t find them.  Besides, how many merchants have sales and discounts to generate revenue in the off peak months.   Can I control how the Affiliates Market my products? In almost all of the affiliate networks a merchant sets the affiliate marketing terms and conditions.  Controls can be put into place such as “No Brand Name Bidding in Paid Search”.  Any affiliate breaking the rule and using the branded term in their marketing efforts are denied commissions.  This puts an immediate stop to their use of the branded terms as there will be no profits from these keywords.  We recommend that a merchant or their outsourced management partner monitor the search engines on a regular basis for brand name bidding violations. Email marketing can also be managed by having affiliates apply for email marketing rights before launch.   You can also provide an “opt out” suppress file, CAN AM Spam act adherence should also be demanded.   A merchant also can set automatic approval of affiliates who wish to market their product or review every affiliate before acceptance.  Typically affiliate networks screen affiliates prior to acceptance into the network and then a second screening by the merchant can be performed.   Affiliates who are unscrupulous or violate network or merchant rules can be eliminated from the merchant program and possibly even the affiliate network.     Growth Of Affiliate Marketing In 2003 Jupiter Media claimed that almost 50% of merchants had an affiliate marketing program.  Today it is estimated that over 70% of merchants have an affiliate marketing program.  Most merchants have discovered the benefits of affiliate marketing and have dedicated staff to manage the process. Affiliates work mostly on a cost per acquisition basis meaning that they only get paid when they sell your product or service or generate a lead.  Recent studies indicate that affiliate marketing can account for over 30% of your online sales.  This number varies according to how much latitude you allow affiliates in marketing your products or services.   Affiliates are expert Internet Marketers Affiliates also known as publishers are experts in all facets of Internet marketing.  Merchants may permit affiliates to market using paid or organic search, email marketing, blogs, forums, and by any other form of marketing that works as long as the merchant brand is not damaged in any way.   Case Studies Home and Garden cataloger sold over $400k the first year at 25% profitability ($100k contribution).  Sales for second year projected to double.   Jewelry Auction Site stalled under major affiliate network management.  Sales doubled within the first 3 months under out sourced performance based affiliate marketing management.   Conclusion  Merchants if you don’t have an affiliate marketing program we suggest you start one and if you have a program but you’re not satisfied with the results then you should seek expert advice on how to make it grow.   Mike Gunn has been personally managing affiliate marketing programs for merchants since 2004. His company www.ProfitRank.com works on a hybrid minimum monthly fee and pay for performance model. Mike can be reached at 847-496-7810 or e-mail mgunn@ProfitRank.com. Mike Gunn Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:745 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/744/Avoiding-Email-Spam-Filters.aspx#Comments 0 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=146&ModuleID=464&ArticleID=744 http://profitrank.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=744&PortalID=2&TabID=146 http://profitrank.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/146/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/744/Avoiding-Email-Spam-Filters.aspx Here is an interesting article on how to avoid spam filters from MailChimp. Definitely worth the read. http://kb.mailchimp.com/article/how-spam-filters-think Mike Gunn Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:744