Preparing for launch as an affiliate

[citrus]

I get what you're saying Rob, and you're right, but I think that when an affiliate uses the term "scam", whether in the "this is a scam...NOT" sense or the "product xyz scam? read my review" sense, they're just using a tactic which falls into a grey area to get attention to their ad or website.

If a non-affiliate asks if something's a scam, then it could generate a good discussion, yeah. But if an affiliate does it, then I personally don't think it's fair to the product owner. Even if the review is glowing, which they usually are, seeing the word "scam" associated to a product will lead some people to get funky ideas.

Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather not see people using that modifier in their affiliate campaigns.

Curtis

[Greg Jacobs]

We are actually considering right now whether to allow "negative" promotions in our affiliate campaigns. All the above are valid points, meaning that the user is going to be searching for it anyways, so might as well have a "friendly" site show up for the rankings.

What we are actually thinking of doing (though this may get too complicated for some)
is allow "negative" review/domains, however no negative promotion via PPC.

Meaning if a user actually searches for "Product Name Scam"
then they can find the natural search results.. however what I DONT want to see is the user searching for
"Product Name"

and seeing a blaring PPC ad that says "Product Name Scam"
These sort of things leave impressions you know..

Do you think that will too complicated for affiliates to comprehend and adhere to?

ie.. no Negative promotion in PPC?

[Brandon M Ellis]

I haven't read the other post but this may help.

1st- Get a product targeted domain.
( Ex: GooglebuysFTC 2.0; You buy GoogleBuysFTCbonus.com or Googleftcsite.com or you get the gist).

2nd- Set up a wordpress blog and optimize for relevant keywords, lsi, etc... Or have someone set it up for you from elance or a similar site on the cheap. Drip some post to the site targeting different keywords. Also make sure to setup a newletter sign up with a free bonus of some sort so you can create some anticipation for these subscribers.

3rd- Create your copy for the site or script for your video to prepare for the launch. Create some killer bonuses that will stand out from the others relevant to the product.

You could post a few keyword rich articles on some sites lick ezinearticles.com and use forums to talk about the product and stuff you probably already know about.

It will take work so just do it!! Create you a ritual to start ( all the pros have one) Dance a jig, kick up the music, put on your beer hat, whatever works for you. Just get er done!

Good Luck
Brandon M Ellis

[Andy Havens]

Curtis,

I agree with what you're saying. It seems counterproductive to me also to use the "scam" gambit. One is likely to end up with one of two prospects:

Prospect 1 is looking for a reason not to buy - s/he wants the negative. These may be hard to persuade.

Prospect 2 is looking for a reason to buy - and yet they are coming to your site with a negative frame of mind. This tactic sometimes or maybe a lot of times works - but I do not think it is an honest approach.

At the beginning of this (slightly hijacked, sorry Ben) portion of the discussion, I was inclined to try this at some point. Now I think I'll leave it for others, no matter how profitable they find it.


Greg,

I think many of my comments apply to your situation too.

My own thought is to ban the negative ads, with a similar explanation - you don't perceive this tactic as honest marketing and you would rather lose sales resulting from a ban than profit from anything that might call your integrity into question.

In the long run, I see no downside from consistently taking the high road.

Andy