What are the best incentives to offer in a product launch?

Cash always works well for me, as for things that you would expect people to already have, I could always use a spare laptop or 2 lol (I've already got 2). And things people would never buy for themselves is a great idea, but should have a cash option if the person isn't interested in a particular activity (ie sky diving or something else crazy like Yanik does - race car driving on the speedway), I'm a little too nervous about skydiving so it wouldn't interest me. Plus you have to take into consideration that some things may not be available to people due to where they live as well.

Someone's giving away their car right now and if the winner doesn't live in the U.S. they've offered a cash option.

In my opinion.... Cash will definitely ring a bell...... lol.....

Hi Paul
I think that cash prizes in USD is probably easier all round...arranging to get goods to folk is probably a little time consuming. It is very likely that people have already got what they want when it comes to Laptops, Blackberry and Apple products etc etc. I like the idea of adventure type products that you would not normally buy yourself, but these are usually restricted to the country form where you purchase the event which may make it rather difficult for the winners to take up.
All in all cash is probably the preferred option
Paul

Judging by the posts it seems to appear that cash is the winner.

Does anyone have a formula? How much per number of leads or number of sales? Just wondering what has been tried and tested out there.

Also, I did hear from a dinner table conversation from a top marketer that he likes to surprise his top affiliates in a launch with a fancy plaque or laser engraved crystal trophy in addition to the cash prize he send them. This is totally unannounced and the affiliates are delighted to get behind his promotions the next time.

Seems like a nice touch to go "above and beyond" although I'm not sure how many people are actually using this affiliate motivation technique.

Hi Paul,

The trick here is to get the balance right....

You could go all out offering vacations and such like, but you dont want to be out of pocket if the launch doesnt meet your expectations. You could always impose a minimum number of sales required for each tier in order to cover yourself.

If you're creative with your prizes I think that will work a lot better - but too many people are short of time, and usuallly just offer the cash instead. Still great incentive, but depends on what buzz you want to create.

1st option is cash and it almost always works best. IMO laptops and these gadgets are too common and people already have that unless its something very very good.

Something I've seen a few times since last year and that I think works pretty well are the point based prizes because it serves 2 purposes.

First if the expected sales aren't met then the affiliates don't have enough points for the big prizes.

Second all affiliates have a chance for a cool prize, so it's not the same big guy(s) getting the first places all the time.

I do favor the "prize" model rather than cash because some times it's fun to send out that extra email and win something you think is cool but you regularly wouldn't purchase for yourself.
...and in the end the affiliate can chose for the prize or it's cash equivalent

my 2 cents

Cheers,

Richard