Affiliate marketing for mobile content?

[Tephus]

I've seen some mobile wallpaper download site ads on the webs lately.

Questions is: Do you think mobile phone content providers can build a thriving affiliate program?

Part of the problem lies with the completion of the action on the user's mobile phone, which you can't track. The only way to track it is to save the user's phone number and then pair it with incoming subscription requests.

But you see, it's very complicated. Any ideas to tie affiliate marketing to traditional offline marketing?

[David Tan]

complicated but not impossible. Complicated is not a problem. There are already plenty of ringtones/mobile video/wallpaper/etc affiliate programs out there.

A simple method used, is to get affiliates to general subscribers. By getting the referral visitor to submit their number online (which will be trackable), they can get free ringtones. The submission also puts them into a subscription, which they have a number of days to cancel or they'll be charge every renewal period.

[ZachW]

I think it is a problem, because you can't subscribe without texting a message to a number. You can't subscribe by submitting a form online. You do submit your number online, but that'll only send a text message to the user prompting them to subscribe by texting the keyword to the service provider.

Also, the continuous charge for random content periodically is kinda scammy. I may have subscribed for a Coldplay ringtone, but I don't want any other content coming in, or worst get charged for it.

[GreedIsGood]

Not a fan of these fancy mobile add ons. And can't you get these free? So why download?

[David Tan]

Originally Posted by GreedIsGood

Not a fan of these fancy mobile add ons. And can't you get these free? So why download?

Cuz it targets children that aren't internet pirating savvy?