The Low Cost Retail thread made me think of asking if anyone has had much experience with affiliate sales programs.

Just this week, I started an affiliate sales program for The Journal (http://www.davidrm.com/thejournal/). Since The Journal uses RegSoft almost exclusively now, I just used RegSoft's SellShareware affiliate program (http://www.sellshareware.com).

Have any of you had much luck with this kind of setup, whether for games or whatever?

If so, what kind of affiliate commission do you use? I went with 40% on The Journal. First, if it was a retail sale, I'd lose about 40%-50%, so why not treat affiliates the same way? Second, I wanted to attract people who were serious and give them a decent incentive.

Any hints, tips, hazards?

-David

Hmm...I guess not... ;)

Well, when I have real data to report, I'll post it. Probably won't be for 3-6 months, though, at least.

Thanks, anyway!

-David

If you just set the program up and let people roll with it you won't make much money. You're really going to have to search out good affiliates for you and work with them to make it worthwhile. At least... that's been my experience.

Originally posted by svero
If you just set the program up and let people roll with it you won't make much money. You're really going to have to search out good affiliates for you and work with them to make it worthwhile. At least... that's been my experience.

Yah, that's what I've been seeing, as well.

I set up the affiliate program to support a specific partnership. Then, since it existed now, I opened it up to others.

I'm on the lookout for new partners for The Journal, especially content partners. Plus, I've sent out a few "feeler" emails to people who run journaling and writing Web pages. I plan to step up this effort in the next weeks.

Thanks for the feedback.

-David

You really have to find affiliates that know what they are doing. However, when you get connected with those kinds of people, your sales can skyrocket.

I don't like sellshareware.com that much because of the page they make affiliates send visitors to (the ugly green border order page). Also, software developers often don't let affiliates send visitors to their sites via cookie for later credit if the visitor buys later.

All that combined and RegNow has attracted a lot more affiliates (including myself). I only use RegSoft (sellshareware.com) if the software developer insists and we have a good setup going.

Originally posted by DFG
I don't like sellshareware.com that much because of the page they make affiliates send visitors to (the ugly green border order page). Also, software developers often don't let affiliates send visitors to their sites via cookie for later credit if the visitor buys later.

Not sure what you're referring to here. I only just started using them, though, so it's possible that SellShareware has upgraded their system so that the ugly page you refer to is no longer a problem.

As for the other, it's not a problem if the software's normal payment handler is RegSoft (which it is in The Journal). The RegSoft payment page detects the cookie and credits them properly.

I'm still building up the affiliate program. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks for the feedback.

-David

I don't like sellshareware.com that much because of the page they make affiliates send visitors to (the ugly green border order page). Also, software developers often don't let affiliates send visitors to their sites via cookie for later credit if the visitor buys later.
I am RegSoft's vendor since June, 2003. I am not sure how long before this, but they really had no support for cookies based tracking. But from that time and till now they have it. There's a little nuance here though. Your product should have "Try-before-buy" option selected in its settings on SellShareware.com. Otherwise, visitors will get to the ugly page mentioned. If the "Try-before-buy" option is on, then SellShareware.com simply stores a cookie on visitor's PC and redirects him to your product's page.

I wish I could add more to this thread. Unfortunately, I have just started my own affiliate program the previous week. So I have not much to share yet. One thing is clear to me: simply adding your links to affiliate program directories won't do it :(