affiliates that want want want
 

Now our program prides itself on going the extra mile for the affiliate. But today I get an email from a guy asking for 2 hosting accounts, 3 partner accounts at some top MGPs (this alone will cost us a lot), and a $150 copy of Chameleon Submitter. Am I wrong for turning this guy down? It just seems like way too much. We'd end up spending $500+ on him before he even sent a drop of traffic. It was someone established I'd have no problem. But I just HATE affiliates that expect us to run their operation for them. I run enough affiliates operations for them as it is. We even get guys that want us to register domains for them. I mean come on. if you can't afford a domain, are you really gonna bring us traffic?

When do you draw the line?

Please always say no to people who want you to get them partner accounts.

TGPs/MGPs want the submitter to pay for them to show the submitter is serious. That the sponsor he's promoting is serious is already know.

sounds reasonable.

When you find that you are asking yourself, "ok, and what does this person do for a living? Cuz I'm doing all the webmastering..." Then it could be asking for too much, hehe

hosting is one hting. i know galleries take up huge bandwidth if they're doing submitting. we'll cover that. but bying the partner accounts too? gimmie a break,

Yea, that's over the top... :pimp

It all depends on what they are asking for.

I look at how much traffic he has sent us. If he is new I will either ask him for screen shots of his stats with other affiliate programs or talk to the affiliate program directly.

Again this depends on what they are asking for.

Most times I find the person that asks for a lot will send no traffic. The affiliates you never hear from are usually the ones that are sending solid traffic.

:2 cents:

I would wonder what he was doing now that he needed you to buy the submitter for him.

My guess is he couldn't afford it. Or wanted to make money without spending a dime.

The problem with buying the submitter is you know he isn't going to use it to just promote your program.

I know that hosting is a common thing, and we even give hosting to affiliates too. But I've never heard of a affiliate asking us or any other sponsor to buy them partner accounts. That seems to be going over the top.

But if he has some solid references, the first thing you should ask for. I wouldn't ask for screenshots because he could just find some on here or ask somebody to take screenshots for him. Just ask him for references and if they show that he has solid converting traffic and it might be a plus, do it.

But if he can't back up what he says, I wouldn't do it. Hosting at the most, but not partner accounts & the submitter too.

That's what I was thinking. Sounds like a broke noob.

vvq, perhaps you can compromise by offering to pay cash to cover his startup costs once he starts making sales? (ie, he buys what is needed, then you pay him later)

There's nothing he's asking for that specifically ties him to your program, so it's not like he is the one taking the risk.

My first thought is anybody that will be able to turn those tools into money for you both wouldn't need you to buy those tools. The hosting, maybe, a lot of people offer free hosting now. But asking you to BUY tools for him without seeing a drop of traffic is pushing it.

Set limits on what you'll do. Say if he sends X amount of sales you'll pay for X.

Very true, and as the saying goes, "It takes money to make money." But some people don't realize that.

As for the partner accounts, he could do the same damn thing, use them to promote other programs. Of course you can "check-up" on those accounts, but for sure they will be using the submitter for other programs, no if and's or but's.

Sorry man, I had to try, only took me a minute to write the e-mail. :)

that's what i do.. depends on everything. Usually if they ask for stuff like this, they know it'll be worth it to us

R

I think that's over the top to, if he's long term PROVEN affiliate then I would hook him up proper. This guy sounds more like a weekend warrior type to me looking for you to invest in him and that's a crap shoot - You would get him all the tools and then the next request would be "Yo hire me a submitter" lol

sounds like someone who wants a free ride to me. used to have a bunch of them when we skinned gfy with ragecash.

can i have freehosting? sure.
can i have some content for galls? sure.
can you give me some design templates? sure.
can you submit the galleries for me?. errr, what are you gonna do then?


:1orglaugh

well shit, why don't you submit his galleries and go cash his check for him too

The retards who can't afford to get into this biz should stay out and keep their dayjob at McDee's. Enough idiots on the web calling themselves webmasters already.

whats funny is these are the types of people who come to the boards and try to start shit for sponsors. the guys that make no sales, that are pissed at the world, that have no traffic unless they buy it, they make a little name on the boards and all of the sudden everyone thinks they're legit because they can almost talk the talk.

This has been my experience as well.

Beware those fearsome creatures who storm around with an overblown sense of entitlement. They are no fun at parties. :upsidedow

I remember the days we got link codes from a sponsor and that was it. You were lucky if the stats updated in real time. You bought your own content, hosting, and did your own work.

Nowadays affiliates want it all. We will give as much as we can if believe its going to be a mutually beneficial relationship.

From what you were describing you would be better off doing all that and sending to a house account. What would that affiliate do other then cash the check? Wait they wouldn't even have to do that. It would go directly to epass. They don't have to lift a finger to make money. :)

I've had affiliates hit me up like that before. :1orglaugh It's funny, because they want you to do everything including the submitting. Getting them freehosting, no biggie. Content for the galleries, no biggie. Custom templates, sure. Submitting? No.

I feel you gotta do something to earn that cash you'll make. You give a affiliate free hosting, that's SAVING them money right there, especially if they submit the galleries to the right place that brings in LOTS of nice traffic.

They have free bandwidth to use and don't have to worry about overages. But submitting and asking for partner accounts & submitting software. That's way over the top.

Today's affiliate just wants to signup for a program and receive a daily check.

Damn maybe I'm asking for too little... All I ask for is tours that convert and either good FHG's or quality promo content..

Are there any that do that? Maybe I'm doing this adult webmaster thing all wrong.

bingo :upsidedow

let me make it clear. will do anything for an affiliate. give them a designer, host them, anything. but do you think that type of shit happens in mainstream? fuck no. WE WANT WHALES WITH TRAFFIC! PLAIN AND SIMPLE! but you little guys are more than welcome in the pond, just don't get so fucking pushy.

mental note: Start asking for a whole lot when I join a program.

I shall no longer be satisfied with just content zips. Be ready to whip out the wallet and bribe me with signing gifts.

ypu guys are super nice... buyig partner accounts is way over the top

I just made around 20 something sales in one pay period (15 days) for an "X" sponsor ..... and just asked for a submitter (NO templates, NO headers, NO free hosting......since I do-got my own)

I'm wondering if I fall in this category :winkwink: ..... BTW I think a sponsor can spare a submission tool if the person has been sending some traffic/occasional sale........BUT PARTNER ACCOUNTS + SPONSORS doing the submission for the affiliate........ that's, ahh......I need to find a word for that .......I'll check my dictionary/have a cup of coffee.. and be right back! :pimp

Sheesh, you act like it's the first time I ever asked for a bj. I'm offering a reach-around. I promise. Trust me! :1orglaugh

It's incredible what these people want, at times. I'm shocked at how difficult affiliates can be. I just love when people want to haggle with me over pricing when wanting some incredibly custom or difficult job. No, really, we all love to work for free.

Whats the point of buying traffic to affiliate and split the revenue, if you can buy and get 100% yourself. LOL!

I find that true, myself.

I'm all for doing whatever I can for my affiliates, as well, but I certainly think that paying for the submitter's over the top. You gotta ask, what's the next step? Him sending you a purchase order for the new laptop he bought?