Start of September Affiliate Checklist!
Posted under: Can you believe that it’s September already? Before you know it they’ll be emails from networks and merchants asking about your Christmas campaigns. However, before all those fun and games kick off again there’s probably a few things that need looking at, especially if you’ve been taking things easy over the last few months.
By doing them now, you might save yourself a bit of time when things get busier!
1. Check Your Links
Aside from the odd network closing it’s doors a number of merchants have either sadly gone into administration or closed their programs. What is notable is that those that are closing aren’t reopening elsewhere, at least not yet! Then there are also merchants like Prezzybox who have gone “exclusive”!
This may mean you have a lot of out of date links and they’re not going to be earning you anything. A few hours tidying up links, even on sites you’ve not given much attention too over recent weeks/months/years may be worth doing.
2. Check Your Scripts & Scripting!
When you use automation it’s sometimes very easy just to sit back and let things plod along. However, feeds change and that might be causing a few issues with your sites. Make sure that everything is running as it should be, there’s nowt worse than discovering things aren’t right on the afternoon of the “end of the busy Christmas period”.
For example today we found a site pointing to a domain holding page – oops!
3. Check Your Feeds!
This ties in with the two above, but make sure your feeds are up to date and are being picked up from the right network. Make sure any old feeds from defunct merchants aren’t hanging around and appearing in your price comparison results. They’re not good for conversions.
Automation should mean your feeds are usually ok, but sometimes old merchants/links get in when they shouldn’t.
4. Keep Focused!
Earlier this year we cut back on the number of sites we were trying to run – and guess what? We’re doing less work and our income hasn’t been effected. It’s tempting, especially as things usually pick up after the summer to start doing more and more. Don’t let it happen!
5. Find Your Affiliate Mojo
All jobs can become a bit tedious or frustrating and the grass may appear greener elsewhere, but then that may involve working for someone else – not good. If your enthusiasm for AM is waning then try and go back to doing what you enjoyed.
Look at working on the things you enjoy rather than slaving away on stuff that perhaps isn’t interesting or struggling to gain traction.
6. Have a Holiday!
You need one!
Now you might be wondering why I’ve blogged this list!?
Well they all apply to me and after quite a nice month or two doing slightly less work (hooray), there are a few jobs that now need doing. Ideally most will be done asap (the affiliate mojo may take longer) so come those Christmas promotion emails I’ll be ready and enthused to take them on.
Maybe ;o)