Network Approval Tips From Market Leverage

Considering affiliate marketing, but having trouble getting started? Here are a few tips from the team at Market Leverage.

Have a Plan

When you’re first starting out as an affiliate, it can be difficult to figure out your goals and business plan. Many publishers hear about affiliate marketing from their friends or on a blog, and decide to sign up without doing much research. Know what you’re getting into! Anyone in the industry can tell you, you can make a lot of money, but it’s a lot of work! Performance advertising isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme; it’s a legitimate business opportunity and should be treated as such.

Be Prepared

You’ve shopped around, done your homework, and have selected a niche of interest. It helps to be proactive. Are you going to work as an individual, or operate as a corporation? If you’re planning on starting a company, have you filed the appropriate licenses? Are you going to work with a shared or dedicated server? The more you build up your business with the important basics, the better. There are significant expenses associated with the success of an online marketing business. Take the steps necessary to set yourself up for success.

Honesty is the Best Policy

It’s ok if you’re new to the industry. There are hundreds, if not thousands of new affiliates applying to networks on a daily basis. False information on your application, or in phone interview, will only hurt you. If you say you’re making $100k a month, but don’t know what search marketing is or have never heard of an email list, networks are going to know. If you’re upfront and honest, our publisher managers can make the best recommendations for you. We can only help you succeed when we get to know you and your business.

The Application

At the bare minimum, fill out required fields. The information on the application is necessary for us to help you, and to pay you. Please fill out all fields, even the optional ones. Remember, the more we know about you, the less of your valuable time we waste, and the more time you have to work on your campaigns.

The Phone Call

We understand that many affiliates hate talking on the phone. In an online world, there are many ways to communicate. In fact, our publisher managers are available on IM, email, snail mail, social networks, and even in person if you live in the Orlando area. All that being said- the phone is like the key to the city. Networks that use phone screening are not going to accept your application without speaking to you…over the phone. This is to protect you, your business, and other advertisers and publishers. Once you have the key, you can keep the lines of communication open however you want. The ability of our network, and others, to offer great customer service, higher payouts, and incentive programs is dependent on the quality of our team- and you’re our MVP! So please, be available for our call.

Rejected?!

Sometimes, despite best intentions, we deny legitimate affiliates. If you haven’t already spoken to someone, feel free to reach out to us. While we can’t approve everyone with a simple phone call, it helps to open up the relationship and ask questions.

Reading is Fundamental.

I can’t tell you how important it is to have a clear understanding of the network’s terms and conditions. I know the fine print can be pretty dry, but it is essential to understand to ensure you get paid. If you don’t follow the rules, you don’t win the game.

Ask Your Way To Success.

There are great resources available out there- forums like ABestWeb and WarriorForum, blogs, and membership sites that teach you affiliate marketing from A-Z; we even offer GreenLinks affiliate video tutorials to help explain key concepts. You can also ask your publisher manager for help. Remember- your success is our success.

Tell Me What You Want

The best way to get what you want? Ask. While we can’t guarantee raised payouts, free swag, or comped conference passes, you don’t know unless you ask.

Final Exams

The performance marketing industry is always evolving. New technology develops, offers change, and new methods of driving traffic evolve. How do you keep up? Any affiliate marketer will tell you- there are no guarantees! Split test, test creative, test landing pages, test your subject lines, test anything and everything.

Dina Riccobono is the Marketing Manager at Market Leverage and host of MLTV. Follow Dina on Twitter @MLDina.

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