I'm a bit confused on how to start working with affiliate programs. Do most programs require you to have established sites with a certain amount of unique traffic? I have a few ideas on the type of markets I would like to get into, and I've read several posts that say its a good idea to start out by marketing products for others. For example, if I wanted to become an affiliate marketer for health and wellness companies, before advertisers will accept my application, do I need to have an established site in that market that generates a good amount of traffic? Is this a common prerequisite for most programs? Thanks for any help.
well, obviously a stupid question. Does anyone have any recommendations for sites that contain instructions, tips, best practices that start you off from ground zero- if you have a business idea and a little web skills, here is where you start? I'm not asking for step-by-step, just something that helps the newbie get started? I think CJ and Linkshare and the others are programs for people who already have establsihed sites and traffic, and that's not me yet. Thanks.
Hi there, you are not alone so don't feel bad. www.affiliateclassroom.com is a great place to start learning form the ground up. They have a free trial so you can see if it's what you are looking for. Hope this helps and best of luck!
I believe you do need a site up and running, but I know it doesn't have to be genrating hits. CJ was the first affiliate management site I join and my site still was very very basic with no real hits. Now as far as joining different affiliate programs within CJ it all depends on the advertiser. From experience most advertisers programs are pretty easy to join. They have no information on stats (you don't supply anything) so they just have the look of your site to go on. Some sites when you ask to join accept you automatically. A quick summary of steps you could take: 1. Figure out what you want to market (where your knowlege may lie) and does your idea suit the internet. 2. Research your potential competitions web sites for ideas and read lots of forums like this one. 3. Get a domain and some hosting and start putting together your website. 4. Join CJ or another program that has advertise programs you want to join. 5. Search different advertising programs and find the best ones to join (usually depends for me on the popularity of the advertisers product and how much the commision is) PS I don't know this as a fact but from reading these forums it sounds like peoples cj accounts get deactivated if you haven't got a sale in 6 months.
Thanks very much for the help! I know its not going to be an easy road, but this forum is very encouraging. I appreciate the links and advice