Hello ~

First post here... yeah, I know - I need to do the intro and will a bit later tonight. I wanted to comment here real quick though...

I have recently created a product and was looking for new affiliates. My goal was to get the attention of some of those with larger lists (most of my affiliates have lists that are under 6000). In fact, the top dog on my list has a list over 90,000. I was lucky enough (yes, lucky - since I am on such a learning curve) to get this guy to promote the product... With over 90.000 how come less than 100 sales were generated? That is the question I have been trying to answer and as I have been studying what went right and wrong here is where I desperately need to improve:

1) Have reliable affiliate tracking software. I used payloadz and it failed me miserably! It has been pointed out in this thread the importance of making everything very simple to use for your affiliates. I provided sales copy, images and a free copy of the ebook - and it was enough, apparently, to have this guy notice an "unknown"... but, the affiliate link wasn't set up properly. After he sent out his promo, sales were generated... but, without any affiliate ID associated with them. Now, this particular affiliate is forced to trust me to pay him without access to tracking information for himself. I fear I have lost this affiliate for future products because of this. I have since had paydotcom.com recommended to me - but, I'm curious what the "professionals" use... How do you manage your affiliates?

2) 100% agreed - if you can hire a copywriter... do it! The only thing standing between me and more sales was/is my sales page. I have had many critique it and have modified based on their suggestions; however, apparently, it still isn't performing as it should (if anyone wants to take a look, I'd love feedback - look at my signature).

3) Give your visitors a reason to leave their email address! Again, I blew it here... I should have given something away for free to get the email address of those visiting the site. In fact, I wonder if a free offering is actually a better way to market then having a bonus if they buy it within x days. What do you think?

Well, the product is time sensitive because it is related to holiday selling on ebay and I still have a couple of weeks left to promote it and hopefully make up for my mistakes. I'm sure that in a few weeks, I will have learned from even more mistakes - mistakes, you can bet, I won't make next time!

Thanks! Glad to be here... and I promise - my intro goes up tonight

Jenni