5 Comments

Should the Networks Blog?

Mar 4, 2008
by

On today’s GeekCast, Shawn Collins raised the issue of whether or not the affiliate networks should be blogging based on some of the discussions we’ve had here at ReveNews lately.

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It’s a great question that should be addressed by the networks as they get more and more involved (hopefully) in the social aspects of the web.

My response to Shawn? Yes. Affiliate networks like CJ, Linkshare, LinkConnector, etc should follow the lead of Performics, Pepperjam and ShareASale and start blogging.

Why?

Because in a free market economy, great rewards come with great risks. So networks, start blogging. It might be painful, frustrating and frequently annoying… but it will pay off.

Filed under: Affiliate Marketing
  • http://www.revenews.com Sam Harrelson

    Great points, Michael. I couldn't agree more, but when people see the dust storms that can be kicked up by getting involved and speaking up, they perceive blogging or social media as risky (unfortunately). At least that's the excuse they give me.

    Thanks for your comment though… helped to clarify a few things in my own head.

    Sam

  • http://blog.affiliatetip.com Shawn Collins

    Hey Michael -

    I totally agree – I was just playing Devil's Advocate on the network and blog conversation.

  • http://www.shopping-bargains.com Mike Allen

    I can't think of any good reasons for them not to be blogging and taking advantage of all the other social tools that Michael mentioned above. Anything that enhances the affiliate/network relationship and lifts the industry should be considered. Such interactions produce synergies that are not likely to develop otherwise.

  • http://www.amazing-bargains.com Michael Coley

    I don’t think it’s a “great risk” to blog. Quite the contrary, I think it’s a greater risk for them not to.

    The networks should be doing everything they can to participate in just about every community within our industry. They should blog (on their own site and/or on Revenews). They should (and I think most do) advertise in Revenue Magazine and develop relationships with the editors and writers. They should (and do) participate in Affiliate Summit (although they could do much more). They should be active on ABestWeb.com (and some are). They should (and do) run advisory boards to make sure they understand the needs and opinions of their affiliates and merchants. They should have Facebook groups (and some do).

    It’s all about relationships, and it’s only by participating that they’ll be able to build those relationships. If I had to put a number on it, I would say that most networks are only doing 30-50% of what they could do when it comes to being active in the affiliate community.

  • http://www.cumbrowski.com/ Carsten Cumbrowski

    yes… and as of today.. they better do (or else) :)