Greetings, I am rather new to affiliate marketing and to CJ in particular. I do have a few questions and really hope some of you experienced users can find the time to answer - It’s hard to be a newbie in general, but it seems even harder in internet marketing... Anyway here we go: 1- In general (whatever the niche or product) How do I choose a merchant? I mean, what are the criteria’s I should be looking for when choosing a merchant to affiliate with? Is there some kind of general "5 things to look at" before choosing? 2- Once I have chosen one and applied to join their program? What are the criteria’s that will have them accept or decline my application? (I just got declined on my first attempt) - Do I need to produce a relevant web page about the given product just to show them? I currently have no web pages up to show. But I can build one anytime... I was obviously waiting to be approved before starting to work on a web page... anyway seems logical to me... 3- In the "get links" advertiser list, how do I read le "Network Earnings" green scale? What does it correspond to? And yes I really need to know how to read the different "sales, lead, click" tabs - I do understand what it means (to a certain point) But I having a hard time putting this in context... 4- Is there a Help section in CJ? Some kind of a "how to" guide somewhere on the net? Anyway, for those of you who can spare a few minutes on my confusions thanks in advance! -Sfx
(1) If you use a website to promote the product , choose one which is related to your niche! If you create a Landing Page (PPC Promotion) , choose a product which you would buy! (4) The CJ help section is great , in my opinion!
Well, thanks for the info ( i like the "product you want to buy" concept) I can't seem to find the CJ help file, im I being blind or just total noobded out ?
It may seem logical to you, but look at it from the merchant's perspective. Most merchants will either want to see where you will promote them, or at least see that you have a history of producing results on CJ. You need to take the first step, IMHO. Once your first site is producing good results, you will have a network earnings rating and then it will be easier to get approved.
Thanks a lot for replying, Of course I do understand this. It does indeed make perfect sense. However how can I even GET a first site to produce good results if every merchant is waiting for someone to have a first site with good results? A very vicious circle to say the least... Should I choose a merchant and then build a web page aimed at promoting their product and THEN ask for affiliation? Any chances they will approve the demand just looking at the web page concept - even if I can't give them any "network earnings rating" Sorry again but it is rather confusing, and even if all this looks promising and creative to a certain point, I don't really know where to start... -s
Hi there, just a couple of tips, the merchants at the top of the merchants list seem to instantly reject newbies. I had the experience. Gman has given you good suggestions, build your site before applying , choose a niche you like, build a site for it. If you choose a very high paying niche like those at the top, finance for example, you'll probably still get rejected , even with a decent website, if you have no reputation in CJ
Thanks a lot for these awnsers, Alright, i will choose something i like and start bulding... But i would still really like to buy a good book on the subject, and probably not one of those 1098098098098 different affiliate e-books that i never really seem to trust... s