Are you looking to better expose your affiliate programs?  In today’s blog (the first of a two part series), we’ll be offering some often overlooked, yet highly effective methods that can better publicize your programs.  First up, we’ll be covering emailing and banner techniques.

Endorsed Mailing

Were you aware that customers rarely make a purchase on a website after their first visit to any particular site?  In fact, on average, the more a customer returns to a site, the less of a chance there is of him or her making a purchase (Blue Acorn).  Knowing online buying habits is crucial in publicizing your affiliate programs because these habits indicate that return webpage visits are highly sought after.

So, how you can create repeat visits, and business?  Through email.  Despite its reputation as an aged technique, emailing is still one of the strongest ways of getting clients to return to your site on a regular basis.  This is primarily due to the volume that emailing can deliver to a campaign.  That being said, there are ways to boost its efficiency and effectiveness; this is done through endorsed mailing.

Endorsed mailing is all about credibility.  For instance, an author of a website, blog, etc creates a trust with his/her readership, building a dedicated audience in the process.  If said author was then to write about and approve your website, mobilizing his/her audience, this endorsement would lead to significant traffic, and conversions.  This type of endorsement offers you many advantages; instead of a cold, hollow, and unknown email pitch, your target audience is receiving a warm, friendly piece of advice from somebody they already know.  Response rates from trusted sources can increase your sales considerably.

Endorsed mailing is an untapped, powerful resource for merchants that can up your brand power by fostering relationships on a personal level.

Combining Banner Links with Text

Banner ads have been around for as long as the internet itself, and their ability to catch users’ attention has dwindled with time; an opinion I share with Mashable.  According to Todd Wasserman (author of the linked post), however, the current decline is nothing more than a fad; it is predicted that by 2015 banners will surpass their expectations and will once again become a leading online marketing tool.  Fear not, in the interim there are still ways to make your banners pop on websites.

First, it is preferable to use smaller banner ads; remember overexposure equals overrated.  Simple text that explains the benefits to clicking your ad should accompany this banner.  The text should have its own link – separate from the banner’s image – to create two links that can either be combined of distinctive.  Distinguishing the banner image from the text allows you to sell multiple products/services at the same time, without overwhelming your audience.  Combining banners with text is a persuasive tool that allows your affiliate programs greater reach.

And there you go.  By incorporating these simple, yet effective email and banner strategies, you can successfully publicize your affiliate programs with greater results.  But bettering your exposure doesn’t end here; be sure to check back next week for Part II in this series.  You can also tell us about the methods you use to publicize your affiliate programs by letting us know in the comments!

1. How Merchants Can Better Publicize Affiliate Programs (Part II)
2. The Globe in a Nutshell Launches Affiliate Program on Share Results Network
3. What Retail Merchants Can do to Plan for Q4
4. Christmas Affiliate Programs
5. Ways Merchants can Measure Affiliate Program Performance

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