Blogging Affiliate Network Launched

what is that, get-paid-for-blogging network #78128?

Thanks for the mention Aaron.

This isn't "just like the others". BlogKits is an affiliate network with an already existing database of thousands of bloggers that I've built up since early 2005. And no, we're never going to be "pay for posting".

Think Commission Junction, but with bloggers, instead of affiliates. But also, think about why bloggers aren't successful with affiliate marketing. That's because bloggers aren't marketers. I speaking of the vast majority of bloggers of course.

Why does Adsense work for bloggers? Because they can place the code and leave it. Yet, the vast majority of bloggers earn what, a few pennies a day from Adesense? I have proven through years of working in the blogging and affiliate marketing industry that a well-placed and specific creative offer can dramatically out-perform Adsense. And look, no one is expecting bloggers to stop using Adsense. BlogKits is built to supplement Adsense as another monetization strategy.

Also, what we've done is simplify the standard network approach. When you log into Linkshare what do you see? Thousands of offers, with hundreds of banners and text links, etc... Very, very confusing for a blogger.

When a blogger logs into BlogKits, they'll see an exclusive list of merchant partners that have one or two offers that are NOT going to be banner ads. But more like a simple sponsorship type text box that they can grab the code for and put on their blog and be done with it.

This isn't the same, it's better, and our long-tail will prove it. I welcome any questions.

>exclusive list of merchant partners

Jim, what industries are these merchants involved in?

They're coming in from every industry. Of course, we have an extensive list of merchants at the OfferForge network already who are going to get "member beneifts" of initial inclusion :) Let's see. Peapod.com. Care One Credit, Peter Leeds, Winesource, Gadgetstuff and many more.

But it's important to point out that we're not simply going to add a ton of merchants just for the sake of adding them. That's not how this is going to work. Each and every merchant that requests inclusion will work directly with me to determine if their offer is A. something that will work on blogs, and B. something that bloggers actually want.

The point is, we don't just throw a bunch of offers at a blogger and say, "hey, we hope you make money". Instead, we custom create and tailor each offer BEFORE a blogger even sees it. At that point, if I've done my job right, the offer is exactly what the blogger needs, from size, placement and most importantly, what it says.

Final note on that, the beauty of the whole thing is that BlogKits is built on the backbone of the DirectTrack tracking solution, who happen to power about 200 other networks, all with thousands of offers that can be instantly cross-published into the BlogKits network (assuming they fit, see above).

No name dropping yet, but I was at the Affiliate Summit the last few days and I spoke with many big brand merchants who were more than intrigued.

Saw Aaron there, gave him the brief rundown as well.

biggest name blogger you have ??

DaveN

I'm not really concerned about having big name bloggers Dave. Look, outta how many million blogs out there, we have what, like 0.001 percent who are "big name bloggers"? Those guys already know how to make money with their blogs.

Joining BlogKits for them will be a test probably, as they're already earning huge amounts with either cpm, federated media, blogads, adsense, their own sponsorships, etc...

There is a gap here, and we're going to fill it. Think about this. 10 years ago, were webmasters marketers? No, they were dudes and chicks who knew how to make websites. So today, are bloggers marketers? No, but they will be. Education is key, and is what I've been trying to do for years now.

Read the "linkbait" pdf to get the entire picture. yes, I admit it is linkbait, but it's good linkbait. ;0

...then you show me yours?

Arrgh! Jim, you've made the number one mistake in my book. As far as I'm concerned, the most arrogant thing an affiliate sponsor can do is force a prospect to divulge all personal or corporate information in order to see what's behind curtain number one.

One, I don't want to divulge any information unless I'm interested in what you have to offer.

Two, if I happen to have a senior moment and do go through the sign-up process and don't find something I feel I can promote it turns out to be a waste of my time -- and you still have all of my information.

It's a stupid circle that I solve by simply hitting the back button.

didn't realize this had to be semantically correct, so make that "get-paid-indirectly-for-blogging network"

lots of marketspeak doesn't equate to a good system for affs. the proof will come later if & when affs start telling me to go check it out.

Our setup is exactly the same as any other major affiliate network, like Commission Junction, Kolimbo, or Linkshare. So I'm not sure what you mean by saying we "force a prospect to divulge all personal information".

Affiliate marketing is a business built on relationships. I can certainly understand you don't want to give out your information, but rest assured, that information is not given to anyone, not even the merchants.

Again, this is standard professional business relationship protocol.

Yeah, it's become standard as affiliate sponsors have consolidated and released less information upfront. Remember the days when both CJ and Be Free actively promoted their programs on the front page? As this stuff was put behind a curtain, other affiliate sponsors came to the conclusion that "this is standard professional business relationship protocol."

And yes, I do have a couple of Linkshare and CJ accounts from the old days, would never sign up today unless they pursued me for a specific program.

And yes, the affiliate business is definitely about relationships. And here you have to keep in mind who the actual "buyer" is -- and it isn't the affiliate sponsor. It's like saying "I have a car to sell you, but you can't see it until you fill out all of the loan paperwork."

Answer one question for me: I've never been able to figure it out, but exactly what purpose is served by keeping the programs behind a closed door?

Actually two questions: If relationships are that important, shouldn't they be transparent from the get go?

So far Adsense appears to be the only game in town but I see you are selling it to supplement and maybe exceed Adsense earnings? I am new to the affiliate thing but let me ask you this, isn't it true that Adsense does not like affiliates?

How is this different than Nick Wilson's Performancing network intentions? These blog networks get people a little nervous which makes perfect sense but jimkukral is selling it like a gentleman so it is worth a look.

What's under the hood?

isn't it true that Adsense does not like affiliates?

not so sure. affiliates are largely what built up Google's empire and early earnings. but then again Google is launching their own affiliate network, so if they dislike other affiliate networks it is a self serving position, obviously.

To expand on what jimbeetle is saying, why don't you show us everything that you offer before we waste our time and sign up to only find we're not interested in what you're offering. If what you have is so good, then surely you want to show the world and not hide it behind "registering".

I think what you're asking (phuket) is for us to show you the offers available before you sign up?

That's completely fair. But if you've read the press release, we're still signing up merchants. The launch today was to get bloggers signed up early. Or are you looking for some other type of information? Once we're ready to "open the doors", we'll show examples of the participating merchants "if" they choose to be part of that promotion. I'm not exactly interested in exposing my customer's business dealings unless they are ok with it.

We're not hiding anything if that's what you mean? What exactly do you want to see? I'm afraid I don't understand the conspiracy theory?

Jim,

I haven't looked at your site, but from what I read from jimbeetle, you seem to want to get information from potential bloggers/affiliates upfront, without showing everything you've got. Maybe you're trying to get early bird signups which is fine, but bear in mind most good affiliates/bloggers aren't going to be signing up to see what's under the hood.

As RC said, they'll wait for a personal thumbs up from someone they trust before passing over personal details.

I guess that's fair phuket. I realize not everybody trusts everybody in the business world. I always forget that. I would assume my credentials alone would be good enough as a trust factor, but then I make an "you know what" out of myself I guess.

I suppose I should have released my background information to help the trust factor. I run a little site called ReveNews.com and have been working directly in the affiliate marketing industry for 5 years or so. Heck, I'll just do a bio on the blog, not here.

Performancing has it right in the sense that they built a loyal group of bloggers (focusing on making money) who know who they are as individuals, then they did a little metrics and peppered on the affiliate stuff once a trust was established.

This Jim Kukral fellah just expects people to dive right in, it just doesn't work this way no matter how good you believe your product is. You need to either establish a relationship or offer clear examples of how it works.

Just an observation.

Jim, I know your rep, it's pretty good. I've even read your stuff here and there, not bad -- I sometimes even make through an entire issue of ReveNews ;-).

But that's why I'm surprised and confused. You talk about relationships and trust, but it seems you want it to start off on a one way street.

You have a product to sell, I'm a potential customer. You're asking me to make payment up front by giving you my social security number before I'm allowed to see the product?

Again, everybody does it does not mean it's good business practice.

Forgive me if I come on strong on this point. I've been around the block a few times in the affiliate business and this is my number one pet peeve. Somewhere above I used the phrase "affiliate sponsor arrogance." Reputations alone aren't enough, if you want to build trust and relationships you have to start with openness and transparency.

Just my two cents. Good luck.

I hear you jimbeetle, and thanks for the rep check :)

I tend to look at it in this manner. We're running a business, just like anyone else. A business that is built on relationships. Let me ask you, would you accept a partner into your business relationship without full disclosure about who they are? I sure wouldn't.

Merchants require assurance from the network end that we have done our due diligence in bringing the business partners that are legit. I'm not saying you're not legit, but have you any idea how many fraudulent affiliates sign up for programs on the networks today? It's insurmountable, and that's coming from me who saw it from the inside now on two large networks in this space.

I do think we'll be more transparent in the future with a merchant list, but again, this is beta signup launch, so we're not giving the full show yet. It's cool, I'm completely focused on the long tail and plan on proving out actual results as our proof down the line. Thanks for your questions, good stuff, made me think.

I would stay out of this except after jimbeetle informed me they ask for tax ID as part of sign up (wrong) and then this part made me overly anxious:

Hey Jim Kukral here's some feedback from an affiliate and business partner of many companies, who hasn't bothered to do any background research on your name (it's nothing personal; I just don't care):

- If I sign up, your statement above tells me you are trading on my credit score and business reputation (by assuring your business partners that I am legit before you have offered me any opportunity of value or any compensation). Clearly your business is built on YOUR relationship with YOUR merchants, at the expense of ME. That is the kind of affiliate network I avoid at all costs. Your value system seems biased against the affiliate. Many programs are quite happy getting such info later when it is warranted.

- Due diligence is great. It's your job (on both ends) but so it is also MY job as a business person. I can assure you that 100% of any affiliate sign ups coming from my people would be "fraudulent" by your standards, because they would always give a form like yours incorrect info. You must know this, yet in the face of such "necessary shenanigans" you put a bigger goon at the door. That's fine, but again it says your value is in your process (and process-oriented metrics like the kind you might pitch to your valued vendors). I desire an affiliate system whose values match mine: sales and profits.

Thanks TW for providing the opportunity to post. Readers here may not be aware of just how many forums out there moderate in favor of the business side of the equation, so that stuff like this never gets discussed openly.