Great feedback, Sam ..

In reference to offering bonuses that others promoting the same products are not ...

I'm often surprised that the average affiliate marketer fails to realize that establishing a USP ... unique selling proposition, is as important when promoting an affiliate program as one's own product.

Your USP might include your own unique contact capture page, sales copy, bonuses, rebates ... or just unique free content that others don't provide.

I also believe it's important to offer affiliates something to give their prospects that can either be downloaded or saved in some way ... preferably something valuable enough for them to go back to it multiple times ... capturing as much data as possible via form to email list is a given, of course.

You want to lock as many prospects into your promotional stream as possible ... getting them to visit your page in droves, and losing them if they're on the fence ... or don't have time that very second to go through the order process ... is not a productive way to Market.

In regards to how a merchant should work with their affiliates ... just a few points.

Make sure their account login info and affiliate member panel link is included in every promotional update ... you've simply GOT to make it as easy for them to stay focused on your promotion as possible.

Give them as much to work with in the way of tested ad copy ... headlines, ezine ad blurbs and solo ad copy.

Keep in touch with your affiliates ... without over doing it.

Take care of those that take care of you ... offer successful affiliates higher commissions as sales hurdles are met, and exceeded.

Consider co promotions ... if you have the traffic and/or email list to make it worthwhile.

I've known many top JV partners that would otherwise not promote a product or service without reciprocation ... Jim Daniels and Mark Hendricks are two I know of that come to mind ... it's not a rule, but I know for a fact that it's a preference.

That's a few random ideas ... I'm not very organized, today.

Anybody else?

Much success,

Mike