Affiliate program growth

[emmanuelle]

Originally Posted by LB

I think if a program isn't using nats, mpa, etc etc or their own affiliate software and is using ccbill etc then they are probably only playing 'sponsor'.

Before you insult several of the people here, you might consider that not everyone feels the need to rely on a program to support their business. There are MANY people running quality sites that manage to succeed without jumping at the newest trend. They do it on their own terms, with accountability and integrity being paramount. They answer to their members first & foremost, and if such policies discourage some affiliates, then so be it.
Every one of these webmasters has an emotional attachment to their business. They do not engage in the 'playa' game, fill their sites with tons of the cheapest purchased content available, or bill their customers in unfamilliar currencies to make a quick buck and piss off their customers in the process.
While not inherantly necessary, these same webmasters open their doors to affiliates, offer fair terms and share a quality product that both they and affiliate can succeed with. They are not 'playing sponsor', but rather they are operating under a different business model which does not require all those bells & whistles.

[LB]

Originally Posted by emmanuelle

Before you insult several of the people here, you might consider that not everyone feels the need to rely on a program to support their business. There are MANY people running quality sites that manage to succeed without jumping at the newest trend. They do it on their own terms, with accountability and integrity being paramount. They answer to their members first & foremost, and if such policies discourage some affiliates, then so be it.
Every one of these webmasters has an emotional attachment to their business. They do not engage in the 'playa' game, fill their sites with tons of the cheapest purchased content available, or bill their customers in unfamilliar currencies to make a quick buck and piss off their customers in the process.
While not inherantly necessary, these same webmasters open their doors to affiliates, offer fair terms and share a quality product that both they and affiliate can succeed with. They are not 'playing sponsor', but rather they are operating under a different business model which does not require all those bells & whistles.

Fair enough ... and not my intention to insult people It was just my opinion formed from my many years in this business and I just voiced it because it related to this thread.

Though I warn about being too emotionally attached to your business, though having pride in what you've built may have been what you meant. Overly emotional business men and women are a pain to deal with and usually find it hard to foster more than a handful of good business relationships.

[emmanuelle]

Originally Posted by LB

Though I warn about being too emotionally attached to your business, though having pride in what you've built may have been what you meant. Overly emotional business men and women are a pain to deal with and usually find it hard to foster more than a handful of good business relationships.

Thanks for the advice coach. How about you run your business the way you see fit, and I will run mine as I have since '98 as I see fit; without criticizing each other's respective business plans.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by emmanuelle

Thanks for the advice coach. How about you run your business the way you see fit, and I will run mine as I have since '98 as I see fit; without criticizing each other's respective business plans.

You were far more diplomatic than I would have been.

The reply that immediately came to my mind was, "Don't open your mouth just to change feet."

[Greenguy]

Originally Posted by LB

...Though I warn about being too emotionally attached to your business, though having pride in what you've built may have been what you meant. Overly emotional business men and women are a pain to deal with and usually find it hard to foster more than a handful of good business relationships.

LB - you're painting with a very big brush on this. I am emotionally attached in a ridiculous manner to a lot of my sites (this board included) and I have a ton of great business relationships.

I think the main points on all this is that you don't have to have NATS or MPA or whatever to run a successful business AND having one of them does not mean that your program is better than one that uses the CC processor's tools.

[Useless]

Originally Posted by Greenguy

I think the main points on all this is that you don't have to have NATS or MPA or whatever to run a successful business AND having one of them does not mean that your program is better than one that uses the CC processor's tools.

I would go as far to say that programs that don't use NATS or MPA are better. As an affiliate, I used to love the bells and whistles. I really did. But as time goes on and I anaylze my sales trends, I see consistancy in the sales/rebills I make with CCBill programs and odd behaviour amongst the programs I'm affialiated with that use other tools. That's all I'm going to say.

Disclaimer: The preceding text is opinion and is based on one man's experience. The author realizes that opinion is dangerous when it conflicts with the opinions of others and the author is thusly willing to compromise by saying, "that's too fucking bad". If you feel the preceding text is implying something that was not overtly stated, then you are probably a lot fucking smarter than you look. PS - The author is behind you, looking through the window.

[karomesis]

The author realizes that opinion is dangerous when it conflicts with the opinions of others and the author is thusly willing to compromise by saying, "that's too fucking bad". If you feel the preceding text is implying something that was not overtly stated, then you are probably a lot fucking smarter than you look. PS - The author is behind you, looking through the window

"My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved; do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking for others"- Marquis De Sade

Disclaimer: The preceding text is opinion and is based on one man's experience.

Perhaps, but what if the "experiences" of others were similarly fashioned? And If you don't mind me asking UW,What is the time frame you speak of? People can be struck by lighting or maybe win the lottery, but having those events occur twice to the same person decreases the probability exponentially, and likewise with consecutive occurences.

I completely agree with the last three posts and am currently attempting to foster some extemely high quality business relationships myself. I only have a handful right now, but I'm in it for the long haul, so I guess time will allow for more.

[LB]

Originally Posted by Greenguy

LB - you're painting with a very big brush on this. I am emotionally attached in a ridiculous manner to a lot of my sites (this board included) and I have a ton of great business relationships.

I think the main points on all this is that you don't have to have NATS or MPA or whatever to run a successful business AND having one of them does not mean that your program is better than one that uses the CC processor's tools.

I can accept that. I was just voicing my on topic opinion ... I didn't realise I would get lynchmobbed for it.

[karomesis]

I have had zero experience with running a program thus far in my 4 months in the biz, but I am deeply curious why some of the veterans here are not particularly fond of nats and other recently introduced processors.|confused|


So the question begs itself, what are the direct comparisons between the old standbyes and the new processors?

And what data is there to qualify the answers? (i.e. proof)

[Toby]

Originally Posted by karomesis

...I am deeply curious why some of the veterans here are not particularly fond of nats and other recently introduced processors.|confused|

First a little clarification. NATS, MPA3, etc are not processors, they are comprehensive sponsor program scripts, most of which are capable of utilizing multiple processors.

The biggest issue that I have with NATS and MPA3 is that the affiliate admin isn't the most user friendly in some areas. Retrieving hosted galleries and hosted free sites can be a major hassle if you want more than one or two at a time. Stats are pretty good, but could be better. I'm sure others will have a few things to add.

[hollywood376]

Originally Posted by Toby

The biggest issue that I have with NATS and MPA3 is that the affiliate admin isn't the most user friendly in some areas. Retrieving hosted galleries and hosted free sites can be a major hassle if you want more than one or two at a time. Stats are pretty good, but could be better. I'm sure others will have a few things to add.

If I'm not mistaken, you can come in and create a link dump of every gallery from within NATS. I don't know if I have this feature turned on or not, as I am still loading the program with galleries, but I am certain that you can do this. You just choose the separator,then download the dump.

[Greenguy]

Originally Posted by LB

I can accept that. I was just voicing my on topic opinion ... I didn't realise I would get lynchmobbed for it.

I think you're getting bashed a bit because you opinion seems to be that unless you use NATS or MPA or whatever, your program is not as legit/good as those that do.

I think everyone would take a program that converts/retains & uses CCBill over one that doesn't convert/retain & uses the fancy stuff

[DangerDave]

Originally Posted by LB

Though I warn about being too emotionally attached to your business, though having pride in what you've built may have been what you meant. Overly emotional business men and women are a pain to deal with and usually find it hard to foster more than a handful of good business relationships.

Add me to the chorus!

Some of us don't want to foster more than "a handful of good business relationships"... as that is about the limit of decent reliable people in this biz, and probably all we need.

DD