Should Affiliates be given an incentive bonus?

[Gajandra D]

More and more networks are offering incentive bonuses to the affiliates with the most sales. I always wonder if this actually would work out. Most power affiliates comprise about 1 % of the total number of affiliates.

Incentivizing should be focused on the balance of the 99% because they are the ones who actually make or break a network. If networks solely concentrate thier efforts to the power affiliates then what happens to the rest who are waiting to be schooled and educated in how to promote programs and earn more in commissions.

All networks should routinely provide an incentive and the education to the weaker affiliates towards bringing more sales and being rewarded for this by giving bonuses whenever their sales increase on a month to month basis. Give them points for the increase where if they maintain an increase over a period of three months then they get a bonus. This will only entice them to work harder in promoting and reward them based on this.

[David Tan]

It's necessary to keep a healthy relationship with power affiliates. It cost little to provide incentive bonus compared to losing a power affiliate.

If the merchant provides a clear structure and communicates to all affiliates of such bonuses if they perform better, than it is a motivating factor.

[Tephus]

Absolutely. In fact, a progressive incentive system would do very well. For example, generate $500 sales and get 1% extra, $1000 and get 5% extra.

Of course, the foundation is still the affiliates' education on how to effectively convert their visitors.

[ABOTadmin]

Of course power affiliates should enjoy a bonus, but more importantly are the rewards catered to the start-ups, the beginners. They have great potential and given the proper instruction and some experience, would do very well for you.

[David Tan]

Aaaah, I guess that there is importance in establishing a good relationship from the beginning with new affiliates. New and beginning affiliates can be very fickle especially with the mountain of programs out there to choose from. One minute they might be heavily promoting your offers, and when it doesn't perform in the short run, start changing to your competitor's programs. Helping them earn a few sales in the beginning goes a long way to getting them to stay and have 'faith' in your program.

[Gajandra D]

Before we shut the door on new affiliates just remember the power affiliates of today also started a beginners. How they became power affiliates is dedication and the will to learn all the tricks and secrets of being a successful affiliate. There is a treasure trove of information available to new and inexperienced affiliates out there on the web.

When affiliates learn to identify their traffic and break it down to its components only then will they be clear as to what they should be promoting. For example if you have a site with teenage traffic then you should do your research and find out what teens are into and where their attentions are. Only then promote what you think will deliver the desired result. Many a time an affiliate will jump ship because he thinks that the programs are unsuitable and unproductive. He should consider his strategy before placing the ads on his sites and not go hopping around for a miracle pill. This is where training and guidance will go a long way.You do not have to spoon-feed them but push them in the right direction.

[David Tan]

If merchants have one affiliate that is doing well for them, it means that the affiliate is doing something right in promoting their offers. Affiliates that don't peform but know that other's are doing the job may benefit to learn what they are doing differently and how they can do better. Every program has a learning curve with methods to do better.

[affiliatier]

Providing an incentive scheme for your power affiliates is a good thing.

Providing an incentive scheme for your power affiliates doenst mean youre neglecting your less performing affiliates.

In fact, I believe that laying out an incentive scheme, in general, also entices and encourages the less performing affiliates to perform well within the program.

[Vintage]

does affiliatebot have an incentive program?