How To Make An Affiliate Marketing Organization
Friday, Feb 1, 2008
Currently, affiliate marketing is a solo affair. The affiliate is his own boss and handles any issues dealing with commission. However, many affiliates have been discussing the benefits of forming an affiliate marketing organization. Many new affiliates may not be aware that in the early 2000s, there was an Affiliate Marketing organization that was called iAfma.
“The affiliate marketing organization will be able to handle press relations, research, provide sources of education and ultimately set the standards to be used in the industry.”
In 2003, iAfma unfortunately fell apart. Ironically, it was its forum that ultimately caused its undoing. The forum was a meeting place where merchants and affiliates could meet and discuss issues within the industry. After some problematic times, it was decided that the organization at that time was not helpful.
Why Form an Affiliate Marketing Organization?
In theory, the affiliate marketing organization would ensure that affiliates and merchants would follow a code of ethics, one in which nobody would be short-changed or cheated. Under the umbrella of an affiliate marketing organization, merchants would have to offer legitimate programs and scams would be limited. The affiliate marketing organization will be able to handle press relations, research, provide sources of education and ultimately set the standards to be used in the industry.
How To Form an Affiliate Marketing Organization
In order to form your own affiliate marketing organization, you will have to become known in the industry. You can do this by creating a valuable, content-rich blog or website where you can begin to attract regular visitors. You should take the time to really understand the industry and how it works. After all, nobody will join your organization if you don't know what you are talking about!
Next, you'll want to be a presence in many of the more popular forums dedicated to affiliate marketing. Add valuable content and make sure your comments are related to the topic.
As you begin to become well known in the industry and respected by other affiliates, you can begin to spread the word about forming an organization. Of course, the more people you have interested, the better off you'll be.
Your next step will require you to come up with a name for your organization. You want a name that will instantly tell others what the organization is for, like "The United Organization of Affiliate Marketers." You should even acquire the domain name for the organization's website.
Now that you have the name and the domain registered, you will need to set up a board of directors. For this, you can locate leaders within the industry and ask them to be part of the organization. It would be a good idea to have a diverse board that consists of both affiliates and merchants so they can each have an equal voice in the process. The board can also discuss what the membership dues would be, if any are to be considered.
Your affiliate organization should be looked to for the latest affiliate news, resources and programs pertaining to the affiliate industry, so it is vitally important to be on the forefront of what's happening in it. You may want to initially look for seasoned affiliates to provide content to the organization's website on a voluntary basis until you can afford to pay them. In addition, you will also want to find someone who can continually monitor and update the site.
Make sure you include a forum on your website for affiliates and merchants to discuss matters and generally help stabilize the affiliate industry. As your organization grows, you will have to continually work to keep it up to date and fresh. You can do this by constantly offering new resources, open-sourced tools, tips and/or contests. Keep the masses interested and provide them with new ways to make money on the Internet and there's no reason why your affiliate marketing organization shouldn't take off.
Why an Affiliate Marketing Organization May Not Work
Affiliates, by their very nature, are independent types. They strive to find ways to make money on their own, without following conventional roads. When people have been working solo and having success, it can be very difficult to follow rules set by a group of delegates they don't even know. In scanning many of the affiliate marketing forums, this is the number one reason why many affiliates do not want an affiliate marketing organization.
Noted affiliate marketer Carsten Cumbrowski tried to make an affiliate marketing organization back in 2006. Unfortunately, due to lack of affiliate support, the project never came to fruition.
Why an Affiliate Marketing Organization May Work
Even though there are many affiliates against it, there is also a strong front in support of an affiliate marketing organization. These affiliates feel the need to come together and work to make the industry stronger and more reliable. In today's affiliate landscape, there are still programs out there that are not legitimate and only serve to benefit themselves. By forming a coalition, these programs can be ousted and banned.
In the end, forming an affiliate marketing organization would greatly enhance an already strong industry. The main problem, however, is getting all of the independent minds on the right page where everyone will benefit. If you can convince a large portion of these independent-natured minds to see the benefits of a cohesive organization, then you're already past the hardest part!
