 | Accentuate The Positive - Eliminate The Negative |
I’ve not blogged for a while as a comment on I Shot The Sheriff But I Haven’t Done Any PPC (officially best blog title 2008 as decided by me) did make me stop and think for a moment. The comment was from Kevin Edwards who suggested that there was a lot of negativity in the industry. I’m inclined to agree and a quick look around some recent affiliate blogs and forum posts doesn’t make uplifting reading.
But is it really a surprise?
On one hand no! Affiliates want fair payment structures, ease of communication, all competitors to be playing within the rules and to be treated as a “partner” in the affiliate/merchant/network relationship. They don’t want to be messed about with choppy changey commissions and links.
They don’t want to wait weeks and months for emails and resolutions to problems and they want, in the case when other affiliates break rules, for the network and/or merchant to show some gumption (just for you Frostie) and take action.
Sadly, in some cases that does not happen… and that results in the negativity (and frustrations) that accumulate around the industry. Affiliates are looking for resolutions to issues that at times just don’t seem to be forthcoming!
However, it’s not all doom and gloom - but sadly the good stuff seems to be overlooked or taken for granted by affiliates!
For example Webgains announce that they’ve paid outstanding commissions owed by CDWow - spot the number of affiliates who have backed this (myself and IWOOT at time of writing)! There’s a better response on A4UForum but not great.
Raising issues is an important part of blogging and forum participation, but it’s important to be equally vociferous about the good stuff - isn’t it? And don’t forget that even poor merchant performance can be given a positive spin (£313,000 Worth of Next Traffic Up For Grabs).
So come on affiliate guys and girls - let’s try and put a positive slant on affiliate marketing for a while. It might just regenerate that post A4UExpo feel good factor that seems to have been thrown out with the last of the Christmas Turkey!
Popularity: 2% [?]
on January 28, 2008 at 12:00 pm Lee McCoy wrote:
I completely agree - I’ve trying to stay away from negatives and go to the merchant/network/agency direct with any issues.
I’ve actually found these parties a lot more helpful this year than last.
So congrats go to Webgains / Buy.at for creating some exclusive discount codes for me so quickly.
Thanks to Julia @ AWin for helping with some issues with another affiliate.
Thanks to Naomi @ Firebox for giving me a head’s up on some products.
Thanks to Pete @ AF for removing that photo!
Thanks to Darren@ Search Logic for trying to get some niche merchants on.
Are is there anyone you’d like to say thanks to?
on January 30, 2008 at 10:28 am The Flip Side - It Ain’t All Bad In Affiliate Marketing wrote:
[…] There has been a lot of negativity of late surrounding UK Affiliate Marketing so taking inspiration from Jason Dale’s article I’m going to Accentuate The Positive - Eliminate The Negative. […]
on January 30, 2008 at 1:57 pm Shane wrote:
It does seem this year has started with a negative vibe for sure, seems to be a lot more stressed affiliates about only seeing the bad side of things.. but then again there does seem to be a 90/10 ratio of bad to good lately
Maybe we should have a “good news” section of the a4u forum where only positive things can be posted .. bit like a swipe file of joyfulness ? or a “pat on the back” section for saying nice one/job well done, so it’s not lost in the sea of negatitivy that is the normal forum sections
lol
on February 18, 2008 at 10:23 am Steve M Nash wrote:
Hi Jason
Even though I am only a (MODEST) UK affiliate marketer I actually found this
post whilst searching for the words “accentuate the positive, eliminate
the negative” - it’s a mantra I’m trying harder to live by these days,
and I was wondering who wrote the song.
But back to the point of your post… the fact is, ask any newspaper editor
and they’ll tell you that BAD NEWS SELLS. It’s just human nature.
And I guess that’s the same with bad news in affiliate marketing - nobody
is interested when it goes right, they just want to know when the
big bad boogeyman (merchants, networks, or “your word goes here”)
does something wrong - again!
It’s a shame, and you’re right to highlight it, but it’s our fault
really - all of our faults - human beings are weird like that,
especially British human beings: they love to moan! Lol
Anyway, just thought I’d have my sort-of related say
Steve
PS Yes, I think that you’re right when you say that “I shot the Sheriff…”
was the best title of a blog post