DISQUS

Hi Charles - great post and I would say the answer to the original question is another question -> "is there any ROI in having relationships?" and the answer is YES. But it can be hard to measure.

As for your statement #5 I think you are lumping all internet marketers together including you and me, and basically saying they don't know anything, which is stereotyping and uncalled for.

I'd suggest there's a range of internet marketers from very social media friendly ones to hard core "squeeze page, email blast" types. I think you're talking about the latter end of the spectrum and surely you're not talking about IM 2.0 types or some of us who are in the middle using the best of both?

BR,
Peter

Wow Rick that was a great post and I'm glad to see the real Rick I know come shining through. Stay positive.

Cheers.

Rick - I'm buying a copy. Anyone who can weave in wacky British accents, Pink Floyd, and dark sunbglasses into a pre-launch video like you did deserves my $20.

Ooh something new bright and shiny! You got an affiliate mega pre-launch signup jv info page for this Rick? Just kidding bud :)

Part of the problem is including affiliates and "jv partners" in a launch.

I often advise new online businesses NOT to launch an affiliate program when they are just starting out - for five reasons:
http://www.affiliate-software-review.com/asrblo...

But now that I read my original blog post I realize that I've assumed that IM launches are different. Yes they're different ... they're different in the sense that they're getting out of hand.

I think I'll rewrite my post to say that even in the IM world you shouldn't launch with masses of affiliates, for the same reasons you wouldn't start an affiliate program when launching in any other niche.

Give good value, get happy customers referring you more, figure out how to optimize your conversion, then start buying traffic ... and maybe then think about starting an aff. program.

I didn't get a chance to review TS2 so I'm emailing my list just that + giving them some advice on how to decide if the product is for them, as it's not for everyone.

I offered a bonus but it's personal and related to adding value to traffic and not some pile of PLR or recycled stuff.

Honesty in Whoring :)

To answer your question I'd suggest subscribing to a few but keep it down to just a few ... then rotate fresh ones in now and then and drop the ones that don't fit your style or strategy.

Checking email 1-2 times per day only really helps you spot the repeat offenders, including affiliates with the same email promo templates etc.

Gotta go sleep - darn you Rick for another great thread :)

Peter Koning (on twitter)s last blog post..peterkoning: looking for places to advertise a "make money" product - any suggestions other than the usual ppc - blogs, other?

Michael - good points.

I've been burned by long calls that go all over the place from people that are wasting my time AND their's just fishing for some golden treasure or tip before they move on never to be heard from again.

Now I charge $1 for an initial 15 min consult AND require a brief application/problem statement form to be filled out and sent to me beforehand.

This filters out a high % of the tire kickers so I can focus on the clients that are serious about their online business.

What's amazing is that some people pay the $1, and I never get the form so the application form is also an important filter.

-Peter

Looks interesting Nick. My main concern is that people will "spam" relationships just to get their friend count up. How will you determine quality of someone's network?

Hi Nick I'm glad my radar picked up your post.

This will be even bigger than f8 (opening up the facebook app API).

Where can we get more info on the cookie feature?

How would you classify this new blog traffic widget, which appears to be "going viral"? I guess level 2 since it's running elsewhere but gives some minor passive functionality to the blog visitor (signup link, different blog post titles each time).

Thanks for the post. I wasn't aware of this organization. Hope their conference goes well.

Thanks for the great tip monsieur Fortin,
Who'd think a copywriter would go beyond the words and look at the numbers :)

I'm in the same boat with my flock of merchants looking at just affiliate strategy, but not considering the bigger picture.

This will help open their eyes to conversion and metrics.

Too bad Crazy Egg has no affiliate program. Oh well I'll promote them anyway.

Regards,
Peter

Hi Jack,
Great view into the future. I feel that SEO will be a dodo and that companies will start to close up their web sites and create more sensible funnels using opt-in or other internet marketing techniques.

One segment I am looking at is the software vertical.

I feel that software companies are going to have to adapt or else get eaten by internet marketers, who will soon branch out beyond selling to each other.

If you have any stats on this segment it would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Peter