Definition: An affiliate program is an arrangement between a product provider and a distribution channel consisting of other individuals who represent that product for an agreed upon consideration.

It’s nice to get a good definition - if anyone else has a punchy definition please share, because I made this one up based upon my understanding of the process.

Affiliate programs are behind some of the most successful business models on the net, such as Amazon and now even Google Adsense.

In online education I have read many things about how to treat one’s affiliates but since joining several programs I have found that this is not being put into practice, and since I do not consider myself particularly unusual in business dealings I would like to mention the following stable points that must be in to create a flourishing and happy affiliate force.

That is not to say you can’t have an affiliate program that stagnates but who would want that - RIGHT?

Some background info:

1) Promoting someones product is not done without time and effort
2) It is a continuous process
3) An affiliate program provider generates income not only from the backlinks they receive but the sale of product to sections of the market they would not reach within the lifespan of the product.

Let’s start with the positive statements first: These are minimum actions that should be taken.

1) Publish the payment schedule so affiliates know when they should expect their money
2) Pay them on time everytime
3) Answer all communications rapidly - almost instantly if possible
4) Send them an email once in a while saying that you appreciate them. Roses would be nice but just an simple email is good enough.

The return flow in terms of money to the affiliate and communication to the affiliate is the golden oil that motivates your happy affiliate force to promote your program above any other.

One thing I have learnt powerfully recently is that you can tweak your systems, upgrade your computer and generally improve your hardware, but if you are not communicating to people in a real way then nothing is going to happen. As soon as you start communicating again - life and money returns.

Well, I’m sure someone will find this useful.

Now this is cool.