I've noticed that some vendors offer their affiliate materials only after affiliates sign up, and after a few days, receive email acceptance. Most vendors don't do this, so I want to specify that there are only a small group of vendors that I'm criticizing. I can see why vendors may want to build a list, but save that junk for your customers because as affiliates, we're trying to help you. Don't make it any harder than it has to be for us to start promoting your product. So, word to the wise: Having to 'sign up' to your mailing list just to get the affiliate materials is turning some of us away....
I couldn't agree more. I personally won't deal with any vendor who does this - no matter how big they are. There are plenty of others I can promote.
I'm with you guys too, it's most annoying and to be honest I don't even bother with these kind of products. If the vendor is a jerk he won't help me in the future neither so why waste my time? There are plenty more good products out there.
I agree - and if you sign up as one of my affiliates I'll tell you why... lol jk As a vendor, the affiliates' tools should be one of the easiest and most accessible parts of your website. Why make it hard for people to make you money? Now I do offer an affiliate opt in, but I don't make it mandatory to view the affiliate page or tools. I've never understood that. That being said - If there is a product I want to promote that is doing this, I can usually get past it by just typing in a bogus email address. Because most of them have it set to automatically forward to the affiliate tools right after you hit submit on the opt in form.
I have an opt in list, and below I have a link for affiliates that don't want to opt in, so that they can visit the resources right away. Opting in is always recommended because: - You'd be able to notify affiliates of important announcements (additions, changes, site going down, etc.) They need to be informed about everything. IMO, if anyone is serious about promoting he needs to opt in, because communication is crucial, the vendor and the affiliate need to communicate. However -I never send the affiliates an e-mail unless it's very important, this means I send them usually one e-mail per month, even less than that, I don't want to be boring -I never try to sell something to the affiliates, meaning I only use their emails for important announcements. What I'm trying to say is, when the affiliates opt-in you need to respect than and not be pushy.
Agree.. I just put the affiliate material on a separate page for my affiliates, along with an email so they can contact me if they need help with anything. No point in just spamming mailer lists with useless junk in order to get tools to promote something.
I competely agree with you! and BOO! to all the vendors that put free report sign ups on there landing pages!
I agree too. I have an opt in like many vendors, but there's always a link underneath for affiliates that don't want to opt-in. It frustrates the heck out of me when I can't promote a product without signing up. Still, at least I know that if they're using AWeber or GetResponse I really can unsubscribe from the first email. People who want to sign up will, and people who don't, won't. Given the choice between opting in then opting out immediately or clicking a link, I think the link will bring me the most affiliates.
I hate this too. The worst one I've found so far is a new back pain product that looks really good and has a great climbing gravity. It doesn't just ask for name and email, it asks for address, phone number etc! And there isn't even contact details!!!
Yes, I think it is a bad idea. I also offer an opt in on my affiliate tool pages but do not hide the affiliate tools. In other words it is up to the affiliate whether or not they join the email list. I think it is better this way, I mean I am sure you will get a bigger list if you hide your tools until they sign up, but you may also be missing out on a lot of affiliates too. Chris
I do not like it also. I sometimes go through the backdoor to get access to the affiliate resource page, and most affiliates are usually /affilites.htm,php, html and most are also indexed in google too. The ones I sign up to are when they are having some contest so you have to sign up to get updates or whatever, but the minute they start bombarding me with sales pitches, I unsubscribe in a jiffy... it's not right.