Just the facts ma’am…
Observation - Analysis - Testing - Reporting
February 16th, 2009 Posted in AT Site News & Info
 In the midst of an ailing economy, the Internet marketing industry is abuzz with activity. Much of that activity revolves around tuning affiliate programs and trying new methods to glean every possible sale from that vast cloud of potential Internet shoppers. Many merchants and affiliates alike are beginning to exploit affiliate marketing methods that have existed for years, but have been continually railed against by some in the affiliate community.With a recent proliferation of new toolbars that pop, drop, flash, beep, and change color to entice shoppers to pick a coupon, get a deal, receive cash back, donate to their school, or any number of other reasons to click, affiliates involved in conventional search engine marketing are feeling the squeeze. Many are expressing their distaste of such methods in belligerent dialog through their favorite forum venue. This distaste manifests itself in the form of insult, name calling, and threats toward a many times hapless affiliate manager who turns out to be clueless of the negative impact certain affiliate marketing methods may have on his program. And there are times that the vigilantes, after beating up on an affiliate manager and her program, will learn that steps WERE taken to protect the marketing efforts of the merchant’s other partners, which results in egg on their faces. I suppose intimidation is one way to skin the cat, but there must be a more effective way than this seat of the pants approach of discovery, accusation, intimidation, and hope. |
|
Affiliate Trust is taking a more systematic approach than your typical intimidation vigilante forum… Observation When suspicious activity is reported or observed, rather than calling in the dogs for a free for all, Affiliate Trust is nearing completion of a merchant alert mechanism that will notify merchants of potentially detrimental methods reported by their marketing partners. They will be invited to join the discussion. Analysis Information learned from the merchant will serve as input to analyze their technique and determine it’s process. Testing AT will then test the method to ascertain the validity of the analysis. Reporting The recording and documenting of tests will serve as input for accurate reporting of findings. Reports will be published and posted. A favorable outcome would be that the merchant would decide to forgo using the methods of concern. In that case, the merchant will be added to the AT Trusted Merchant List. Otherwise it will be added to a list disclosing the detrimental methods in use. Simple as that. Affiliates may just happen to refer to that list and decide not to join with merchants utilizing certain marketing methods. So if you prefer the emotionally charged approach, AT is probably not for you. If you’d like to take a more objective, Joe Friday “just the facts ma’am” systematic approach, visit AffiliateTrust.org, have a look, and join right in… |
2 Responses to “Just the facts ma’am…
Observation - Analysis - Testing - Reporting”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
February 16th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Excellent approach. Accusing merchants and affiliate managers without facts and factual reports is simply pushing against a wall. We all can be more productive while we talk about solutions, rather than just focusing on problems and creating graffiti thats based on emotions. Positive discussions with affiliate managers and merchants about their affiliate programs is the best way to help the affiliate marketing industry.
Cheers!
Andy.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
[...] or the un-trusted merchants warning list. There is no brow beating, threats, or insults, but “just the facts ma’am“. The consequences are good press, or bad press. And Internet press lasts [...]