"Affiliate marketing is like investing in stocks"

Shawn Collins of Affiliate Tip has this survey/question open to the affiliate marketing community "What is the future of Affiliate Marketing?", with some prizes for authors of all published responses.

A few points from the response by Vikram Vora of a leading Indian matrimonial site caught my attention and I thought it would be useful for affiliates to bear those in mind.

a) Be patient- Revenues don't start pouring in immediately.
"The first 3-6 months do not result in much of revenue generation, but once revenues are generated, they get better with time, and compensate the affiliate for the lull period. Few affiliates persist in the program to experience the Snow Ball Effect, where revenue builds upon itself."

b) See the big picture: It is important to note the immense value of what you are getting as an afiliate, particularly when the revenues are yet to roll in. These include the opportunity to being associated with the brand of the merchant as well as the ready, sophisticated infrastructure that you get with your participation in a program. Don't discount these.
"Normally, affiliates equate the revenue with the opportunity cost of their property. Little do they realize, that they are getting an entire infrastructure, probably worth much more than millions of dollars in investments free of cost, and they can benefit directly from a share in the revenues."

c) High returns? Stay long-term: As most investment advisors will tell you, if you are looking for significant returns, be prepared for the long haul. Likewise, Vikram Vora suggests that affiliate marketers should consider this like an investment in stocks; if you stick with it for a good length of time, you could get the right kind of results.
"Affiliate marketing can be compared to a investment made in a stock. It always gets better with time."


Until next time,

Ben Flux

posted by Ben Flux @ 12/14/2005 02:45:00 AM