Comments on: New Study: One Word Describes Affiliate Marketing via Social Networks – Craptastic!

By: JoAnn Forrester

JoAnn Forrester — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:30:28 +0000

Instant market success does not just happen. If you are using Social Media to build your busienss this needs to be one of your marketing tools…not your only one. A good marketing campaign includes as many ways possibe from electronic… to a simple hand written thank you note..to the face to face meeting and handshake. Your marketing message needs to be carefully & creatively conceived and consistenly carried through.

By: Affiliate Marketing via Social Networks – Craptastic! | Chicago web design

Affiliate Marketing via Social Networks – Craptastic! | Chicago web design — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:52:51 +0000

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Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:43:04 +0000

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By: Affiliate Marketing on Social Networks @ Tech Crunchies – Internet Statistics and Numbers

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:43:05 +0000

[...] research indicates that it is not worth the effort. Here is their [...]

By: Anand Srinivasan

Anand Srinivasan — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:21:10 +0000

Agreed that social networks is not a place where you can try to sell me affiliate products. But having said that, I disagree with your argument that it is craptastic simply because only 2% buy products from social networks. 2% is a good number. Maybe 0.005% of people buy from spam selling stuff, but that doesn't stop people from spamming a good huge bulk of the people..as long as communicating to thousands has a low cost to it, the conversion rates does not matter. .-= Anand Srinivasan´s last blog ..State of Internet in Mexico =-.

By: Jamie Birch

Jamie Birch — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:03:37 +0000

You are totally right on this one. More affiliates need to build stronger relationships with their customers before they will be able to take advantage of social media to drive sales. They need to develop their “personality” in a stronger way and make a stronger connection with their customers/friends, otherwise it does just seem spammy when they throw out affiliate links.

Now I have been told by some of our clients’ affiliate partners that they have had success on facebook and twitter, but only because their brand has a bit more personality than simply selling at the lowest price. There is someone behind the brand that the customer identifies with, an emotional connection of sorts with their users.
.-= Jamie Birch´s last blog ..CJU Wrap Up =-.

By: Andy Beal

Andy Beal — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:13:43 +0000

I tend to agree. I think the biggest problem is that marketers look as social networks as another distribution channel, and fail to realize that you need to develop a real connection, in order for your ads to be successful.

By: Sean Weigold Ferguson

Sean Weigold Ferguson — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:10:13 +0000

The reason most affiliate marketers haven’t had success with platforms like Facebook Ads is that they have a tendency treat them like AdWords campaigns. New tactics are necessary for success in the social realm. In my experience, social media campaigns require a lot more work (and skill) than search PPC. However, the rewards can be immense.

Right now, social media isn’t scalable on the level that attracts and holds super-affiliates (which is why local businesses are thriving there). Most small/medium level affiliates lack the guidance, patience, and/or skill to succeed in this new environment.

Of course, things are changing. Facebook is getting ready to release a new Ads interface that will be highly scalable. It is only a matter of time before affiliate advertisers wake up and discover the power of effective social media marketing.
.-= Sean Weigold Ferguson´s last blog ..Website Traffic – Are Competitive Intelligence Tools Accurate? (Survey) =-.

By: Riccardo Campaci

Riccardo Campaci — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:25:41 +0000

I think Forrester is right just if we talk about non-targeted affiliate marketing actions on social networks. Concerning targeted promotional action, referring to specific groups interested in specific offers, social networks could be the way. .-= Riccardo Campaci´s last blog ..Creta, il Mare e l'Europa =-.

By: Andy Beal

Andy Beal — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:15:32 +0000

Good point Ed. I know plenty of folks on Twitter that drop affiliate links now and then. I don’t care, because they’ve built trust with me. Outside of that group, I tend not to click on affiliate links.

And you’re right. That 2% (or whatever the number is) of affiliate marketers that have success with social networks, will likely have GREAT success.

By: Ed

Ed — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:09:12 +0000

I’d love to say that spraying affiliate links in social communities
will simply get you hated.
And in broadlooms of quality folks, it will.

But there are corners of the internet where the audience is just as craptastic as the “friend” spamming.
These sales won’t make it to Forrester’s numbers.
And they wouldn’t have a great impact, anyway.

But friends who already trust you, will use your link for things they need [or want] if you’re a genuine full-time part of the village.

Anyone want to check out a free trial of Trackur?