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AffiliateProgramAdvice.com and Bolddigitalventures.com will be merging bringing updated content, advice, and our expertise for E-commerce Brands around the world and looking into setting up an affiliate program.
Should Our Industry Take A Role In Protecting Consumers?
What should the affiliate marketing industry be doing to
protect consumers?
Policing FDA non approved products via affiliate marketing, what should our
industry be doing to better protect consumers? Or should we even concern
ourselves?
Selling online has become cheaper and easier in recent years and more so if you
add drop shipping ecommerce stores into the mix and the evolution of “the
market place”. Great news for consumers as it offers more choice and competitive
pricing. Great for the affiliate marketing industry and we all win right?
There is mounting evidence within the health/wellness and beauty sector that some
products have slipped under the radar of the FDA or loopholes have been used to
sell products that are potentially dangerous to consumers. Notable talk show
hosts like John Oliver and Samantha Bee have had dedicated spots to raise
awareness. “The consumer should do their research” I hear? Yes, they should but
we know that’s not always going to be the case, which is why we have, among
others, the FDA as consumers first line of defense. In an article by Forbes in
May, the listed a number of big brand cosmetic brands still selling lipsticks containing
lead. We have also seen a rise in counterfeit cosmetics which can contain
mercury and its not just limited to the cosmetics industry. Other harmful
products can be sold direct to consumer via Walmart Market Place, Amazon, E-bay
and other sales channels.
So who is looking out for the consumer in affiliate marketing?
Well that’s just it, I don’t know, do you?
The affiliate networks would be the first line in defense, right?
The networks we work with do have a form of quality control. Example, if an
advertiser is selling anti-wrinkle creams and does not fall under “FDA approved”,
some are still accepted, providing there is no false or misleading reference to
the FDA.
But affiliate network sales folks are not pharmacists, the decision to allow
them into the affiliate network is not going to be based on ingredients in
their products, rather accessibility will be based on site traffic,
conversions, sales and competition and general metrics.
The affiliate? Should we be looking to them to help consumers make the right
choice?
Affiliates are business folks and if they have targeted traffic, I believe
those who care about consumers purchasing dodgy merchandise would, at best, be
problematic as they are not pharmacists either.
There are a number of publishers out there who promote “organic” products, one
assumes the products are safe right? St John’s Wort and Kava 100% organic, can
cause liver damage and extreme cases death.
Is it my job to protect consumers?
Maybe but I’m not a pharmacist either, I can certainly veto any advertiser that
is obviously selling products that can cause harm, but then there are so many
products we use on a daily basis that are slowly killing us anyway.
My take away on all of this, it’s not just one person, one organization that
should be protecting consumers, I feel we all have a part to play in protecting
each other. Not be too quick in accepting advertisers onto our networks, not be
too quick to join affiliate programs without looking more closely at the
products. Who knows…. If we all pull together on this, we may even save some
lives.
Basic Terminology
Affiliate Software – Software that, at a minimum, provides tracking and reporting of commission-triggering actions (sales, registrations, or clicks) from affiliate links.
Affiliate Networks – Third party companies that provide affiliate tracking software and have their own aggregated database of affiliates.
Banner – Graphic advertisement.
Brand Bidding – PPC (see PPC) affiliates using the Merchants name as a key word
Button – Small graphic advertisement
Commission – monetary reward given to a publisher for referring a visitor based on visitor action, per sale, per lead, per impression, per click.
Cookie – Information stored on a user’s computer by a Web site so preferences are remembered on future requests.
CSV.File – A product feed is a CSV file containing the merchant’s entire product range also known as a data feed
Dynamic Linking – Usually a piece of java script that affiliates can place on their website and where by the merchant has control over what is displayed on the affiliate’s website. Less common.
Hybrid Deal – Combination of revenue share and CPC, CPM or Tenancy
Incentive Sites – Coupon sites, cash back sites, reward sites.
Linking – Term used for the link from the affiliate’s website to the merchant’s website or vice versa
Links – Can mean the above or as reference to buttons, banners, text links, product feeds or any graphical content that affiliates can use to display on their website, will have affiliate tracking behind them.
Merchant – The advertiser in an affiliate marketing relationship.
Mobile – cell phone text ads
Override commission – This is a cost, usually a percentage of the total amount of the affiliate commission that affiliates have earned in one full calendar month, affiliate networks charge the merchant.
PPC – Pay per click, example Google ad words
Publisher – Same as affiliate
Product Feed – Also known as a data feed. CSV or XML file containing merchant’s entire product range, see also CSV file
Return days – The number of days an affiliate can earn commission on a conversion (sale or lead) by a referred visitor. Also known as cookies.
Super Affiliate – An affiliate capable of generating a significant percentage of an affiliate program’s activity, old term and some what out dated now.
Text-Link – Text with a hyperlink behind it.
True content – Example bloggers Social Networks – Facebook as an example.
Bite Size Review on Nurture by Impact
I confess, we had a bit of a shaky start with Impact.com not because of the technology, just all the teething problems that comes with rolling out a new platform. I don’t want to dwell on this as it was so worth the initial pain. All is fine now and I feel confident that it will be smooth sailing from here on in.
I was privy to Impact.com technology years ago when it was first launched, and whilst impressive back in the day, the setup costs were always a barrier to entry for most of our clients and to be fair, we had very few clients that matched their initial business model. The costs for “Nurture” is a no brainer now, it’s affordable for everyone, meaning we can all get to use the most coveted technology that we had for so long been denied due to financial constraints.
This review is called “bite sized” as we are still discovering the impressive array of functionality and reporting, we are on a new learning curve and we are loving every minute. I personally feel like I am waking up to a platform that facilitates the existing and next generation folks in affiliate marketing; something that has been long overdue compared to some other networks who still rely and use technology from years ago.
“Nurture” is all about control, transparency, protection, attribution, analytics and multi linking variables for mobile, web and social at a very granular level.
Setting up future clients on Impact.com will be straightforward now, I can’t emphasize enough that all new users will have to learn how to use the platform, it’s not a set up and go platform. “Nurture” allows agencies, affiliate managers and retailers to have so much flexibility in the way they can work with their “Media Partners” (affiliates, publishers).
The reporting is also at a very granular level, if you want it to be. Ideal for any company who uses the likes of Adobe Marketing Cloud.
Acquiring media partners, once the program is active, you have the option to be displayed in the “market place” Media partners can choose to partner with you, or you can contact them. As our programs are so new, we have yet to see how communicative media partners will be.
(Side note)I have long since yearned for a messaging system within a network where you can speak directly to media partners, affiliates, publishers directly when they are logged in.
You also have the option to hide your program from the public, ideal for companies wanting to use an affiliate tracking solution and aggregate their own affiliates “in-house”
Pay per Lead Programs, I would imagine, would do well due to the anti-fraud tools available.
There has only ever been two affiliate networks I could trust with a pay per lead program, Impact.com maybe the third.
“Nurture” it’s like with anything in life, you get out of it what you put in.
DrNumb.com A Brand Worth Promoting
DR. NUMB® IS THE MOST RECOMMENDED PRODUCT IN THE MARKET
Dr. Numb® (pronounced as Doctor Numb) is a local or topical lidocaine cream that can be applied to the skin to reduce the immediate feeling of pain and produce numbness. Dr. Numb® has been in the market since 2009, and is available over the counter, which means no doctor prescription is needed to buy it or use it. Dr. Numb® is very effective in numbing the skin for temporary relief of local pain, discomfort and itching associated with minor burns, sunburn, minor cuts, abrasions, insect bites and minor skin irritations. Dr. Numb® is proven to numb the skin for least 2 – 3 hours.
Dr. Numb® displayed amazing performance and results which contributed largely to the steadily growing global presence. The Dr. Numb® brand has gained recognition in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, within South Korea and other international destinations. Dr. Numb’s® professional clientele include dermatologists, tattooists, plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, medical doctors, aestheticians, hospitals and clinics from the United States and 85 countries around the world.
We have won awards, we are the official authorized sellers and distributors.
GOOD BUSINESS EQUATES WITH ACCURATE AND TRUTHFUL PRODUCT CLAIMS
At Dr. Numb®, our products are based on what the consumers really need and are truly unique and innovative. There is an immense excitement about the results and performance of our products that distributors and consumers experience that make them spread the word to other people. The key to this successful demonstration is regulatory compliance to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Health Canada standards.
· Our site is high converting, your targeted traffic will convert.
· 18% Commission.
· 60 Day Cookie.
· Open PPC Policy.
· Incentive sites are welcome to join but will be approved on case by case basis.
· Dedicated Affiliate Management Team -The Noise Farm Affiliate Program Agency.
We work with two affiliate networks Shareasale.com and CJ.com
For Shareasale.com if you already have an account, log in and we are merchant ID 82581
If you don’t have an account with shareasale.com please click here http://www.shareasale.com/join/82581
Step 1: Register
Step 2: Get approved
Step 3: Grab a link
For Cj.com, if you already have an account, please log in and we are merchant ID 5140444
If you don’t have an account with Cj.com
Step 1: Register here https://signup.cj.com/member/signup/publisher/?cid=5140444
Step 2: Get approved.
Step 3: Grab a link
Please always check our news letters, they contain important information and consumer offers that will help convert.
Pat Pat Expanding
No doubt about it, PatPat.com has seen enormous growth in the last year, in fact, it grown so fast that we were all hyper ventilating with the run up to Christmas. Affiliates have seen conversions exceed 8% and have reaped the rewards, several brand new cars could have been bought by the more moderate of affiliates, like bloggers, social and mobile. The high flyers who did PPC, definitely could purchase a house or two.
Now that patpat.com has grown from a baby into a toddler, the demands have increased and we are now poised to take our toddler out for its first trip into far away lands like Europe, extend further into the UK, Ireland, Japan, Australia and even India.
Behind the scenes we are all getting ready to embrace new customers, new languages, customs and new horizons.
PatPat.com affiliate programs can be found on
Shareasale.com
CJ.com
Webgains.com
Launching soon AWIN
Launching in countries – Japan, India, South America, Europe, AU and more.
“Exuberant and Progressive”: Affiliate Industry Leader Nicky McShane Passes Aged 47
One of the affiliate industry’s “most exuberant and progressive” digital marketers, Nicky McShane (Iapino), has sadly passed away over the Christmas period, at home, aged just 47.
Respected for her ability to both inspire and energise talented teams of digital specialists, she was instrumental in helping to define a number of new business sectors as well as lead a series of highly successful online companies.
Digital marketing was her passion, and her enthusiasm and hunger were “infectious”, according to those who worked closely with her.
Beginning in radio and print before moving into the burgeoning digital sector, McShane’s career mirrored the evolution of the advertising and marketing industry as a whole. She was at the forefront of shaping the UK’s affiliate marketing business model, having a valuable insight into the channel through her experience of heading up networks and agencies as well as working client-side.
As a result, she was one of its biggest advocates, passionately championing its professionalism and unique deliverability, and rigorously supporting the launch of the original a4u conference series and awards.
McShane truly believed in the power of the digital space and helped so many companies harness it – from brands and agencies to networks and publishers – culminating in being presented with an a4u Award for Excellence in recognition of all her hard work in the world of performance marketing.
Within her enviable and highly accomplished career, she launched Commission Junction into the UK market and grew it to become one of our leading affiliate networks, led the very focused team at fellow affiliate network pioneer dgm and then successfully launched and embedded the affilinet network business into the UK’s performance marketing arena.
Realising the importance of strategic data analytics, she then worked with WPP Digital’s data and technology business Xaxis, More recently, she was once again sharing her insatiable appetite for seeking out new opportunities, leading a number of progressive start-ups responding to the way consumers now buy online, specifically connecting customers with products through cleverly harnessing the power of social media.
Admired and respected by many, she had an infectious passion for life. She was also fun, tenacious and so very driven. She embodied the meaning of the words, ‘work can be fun’. She is survived by her two children Naomi and Joe.
Words provided by Julie York. (source https://performancein.com/news/2018/01/11/exuberant-and-progressive-affiliate-industry-leader-nicky-mcshane-passes-aged-47/)
PatPat.com Ranks No 11
PatPat.com Ranks No 11
In shareasale.com best performing affiliate programs.
So how can we get to NO 1?
Affiliates of course… and November 2017, we may see this happen or at least get close. Top affiliate is converting at 13%
PatPat.com is a shopping deal site/app for moms and families. We connect end-manufacturers to end-consumers directly. Our Categories are for Men, Women, Teens, Babies, Toddlers and Children. We also offer Homewear, and Beauty products. All at the lowest prices and all our products are quality assured.
In addition, we have a 15% off on all first time orders too. Need more convincing? We have a category called “flash Sale” every day we will drop our prices on selected items. Seven day no quibble refund.
For our valued affiliates, nowhere on any discounted shopping site affiliate program will you find higher commissions, few restrictions and more to the point a professional Affiliate Marketing Management Agency, AffiliateProgramAdvice.com team.
You get per month. Default commission on sales up to $999.00 = 12% $1000 to $1999.00 =13% 2000 to 2999.00 = 14% and over 3k you get 15%
No PPC Restrictions. Incentive sites welcome. Data Feed Industry Sized Banners 45 day cookie. Promos? All the promos you can take and more.
What you need to know, please read and agree to the following. You may use images from the website, please do not distort these images. You may not promote PatPat.com on any adult site, or any site that promotes, race hate, religious intolerance, homophobia, sexism, ageism… your sensible enough to know this already but we do have to add this to affiliate terms and conditions.
Coupon sites, you may not promote any coupon that has not been authorized, you must display the expiry date.
We have a returns policy, all pending sales will be validate after a grace period of two weeks, in some cases sooner but no later than three weeks after the commission has appeared in your account. We will do affiliates claw backs based on returns, refunds or fraudulent transactions.
Join the program here