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Applying and getting accepted by affiliate networks. (7)

06-15-2016 01:06 AM #1 damnbandit (Member)
Applying and getting accepted by affiliate networks.

Greetings ladies and gents!


Following up from my introduction post I have arrived to ask my first questions!

My first incredibly basic question which has been answered probably a billion times.(In my estimates from querying the forum's search function.)


However a billion times was not quite enough to give me the warm and fuzzies.


I am somewhere between three to five clicks away from . . .

1. registering an LLC in my state,

2. acquiring an EIN number from the IRS,

3. and submitting a request for a business checking account.


This all seems like a good idea to me and something that a reasonably serious person (such as myself) would do.

In my introductory post I set my first deadline for applying to "several" affiliate networks as Sunday.

In order to present myself in the most professional manner possible I concluded that operating from a business entity would, at the very least, not hurt my chances of being accepted to a network. True/False?


My second cause for concern is whether creating a website is necessary before applying to a network.

I assume the answer will be - no - a website is not "necessary".

But given the fact that I want to pursue this as a full time career, it would seem optimal.


At my current level of ignorance, I would assume that the first offer I really have to sell is myself - to the affiliate networks - and coming from a place of ZERO experience my only tools to do that would be a website and a full frontal follow up assault on the advertising networks that receive my applications. Yes/No/Maybe?




Maybe I'm just overthinking shit.

06-15-2016 05:06 PM #2 Mobidea (Veteran Member)

Hi Damnbandit,

First of all, I’d like to tell you that you don’t necessarily have to create a company in order to be accepted by affiliate networks. You can also present yourself as a private person, so don’t worry about this small detail (unless you want to open a company for other purposes, of course).

Now I need to know something about you: do you wanna work as a Media Buyer, Webmaster or Social Marketer? By answering this question you’ll also be able to answer your own question about whether or not it’s necessary to have your own website. For instance, if you find you wanna become a Media Buyer or an advertiser on social networks you don’t need a website.

You only need a website in case you wanna be a Webmaster. Why? Because you’ll need to have your own websites, since webmasters monetize traffic they get on their own sites. Simple.

That being said, you should also know that every affiliate network has a different approval process. Some of them have a quick signup form and don’t really require a lot of info from your side. Others, though, will ask for a bit more info.

In any case, my suggestion is to simply try a few different good affiliate networks (by searching on the forum) and check their approval process. You should sign up for the one that suits you better.

Then it’s money time!

I wish you good luck!


Cheers!

06-15-2016 07:07 PM #3 bobliu (Member)

I would suggest a business entity for yourself, rather than for affiliate network approval. It helps you take things more seriously. Regardless of having the legal side setup you can still sign-up under your would-be company name and it will all be the same to the network, regardless of backend legal setup.

Website is 100% necessary. You can get one setup within the hour and it makes you look much more professional, get a logo created on a freelancer site or fire up Photoshop.

06-15-2016 10:35 PM #4 damnbandit (Member)

Quote Originally Posted by Mobidea View Post
Hi Damnbandit,

First of all, I’d like to tell you that you don’t necessarily have to create a company in order to be accepted by affiliate networks. You can also present yourself as a private person, so don’t worry about this small detail (unless you want to open a company for other purposes, of course).

Now I need to know something about you: do you wanna work as a Media Buyer, Webmaster or Social Marketer? By answering this question you’ll also be able to answer your own question about whether or not it’s necessary to have your own website. For instance, if you find you wanna become a Media Buyer or an advertiser on social networks you don’t need a website.

You only need a website in case you wanna be a Webmaster. Why? Because you’ll need to have your own websites, since webmasters monetize traffic they get on their own sites. Simple.

That being said, you should also know that every affiliate network has a different approval process. Some of them have a quick signup form and don’t really require a lot of info from your side. Others, though, will ask for a bit more info.

In any case, my suggestion is to simply try a few different good affiliate networks (by searching on the forum) and check their approval process. You should sign up for the one that suits you better.

Then it’s money time!

I wish you good luck!


Cheers!
Mobidea,

Currently my main focus will be paid advertising. I do have a side blog/project that I'm going to be running, but I don't plan on attempting to monetize it on any substantial level until I have a larger following. Thank you for clarifying the website - I just assumed affiliate networks ask for a website as some kind of glorified Linkedin profile more than anything. I think I'll still make one in that sense because the experience itself can't hurt. I've narrowed down the networks I'll be applying to and intend on submitting my applications today.

Thanks for the advice!

06-15-2016 10:40 PM #5 damnbandit (Member)

Quote Originally Posted by bobliu View Post
I would suggest a business entity for yourself, rather than for affiliate network approval. It helps you take things more seriously. Regardless of having the legal side setup you can still sign-up under your would-be company name and it will all be the same to the network, regardless of backend legal setup.

Website is 100% necessary. You can get one setup within the hour and it makes you look much more professional, get a logo created on a freelancer site or fire up Photoshop.
Bobliu,

Absolutely. I figured it would only be prudent to have my personal/business expenses separated from the onset. I just wasn't sure how much that impacted network approval. Thanks for clarifying that for me.

Roger that. I'm about get knee deep into the website right now.

Thank you!

06-17-2016 07:24 AM #6 johnaff (AMC Alumnus)

I run an affiliate network and let me say that i dont really care about an llc, but i DO care about experience, track record, and loyalty.

The affiliates who dont know anything just hassle my AMs for knowledge or inside info on how to run camps.

Im more interested in affiliates who can come in, work with us longterm, and can run solid traffic.

The way to get in is to basically run big traffic, and if you dont have it, fake it till you make it.

06-17-2016 03:31 PM #7 matuloo (Legendary Moderator)

Quote Originally Posted by johnaff View Post
I run an affiliate network and let me say that i dont really care about an llc, but i DO care about experience, track record, and loyalty.

The affiliates who dont know anything just hassle my AMs for knowledge or inside info on how to run camps.

Im more interested in affiliates who can come in, work with us longterm, and can run solid traffic.

The way to get in is to basically run big traffic, and if you dont have it, fake it till you make it.
Here you have it straight from the horses mouth, unfortunately, as a new affiliate you have to fool the networks a bit and make yourself look more experienced than you are A company can help, an agency website can help too. The knowledge of the AM terminology will definitely help. Mentioning a large budget, mentioning that you are looking for more networks to test offers with etc ... stuff like this will definitely help. You need to learn how to sound like an experienced affiliate.

Read these this too, it's about traffic sources but the basic idea is the same : http://stmforum.com/forum/showthread...y-registration

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