What is an Associate?


The directory definition of "Associate" is 

 "... to join, unite or combine with other people in a professional or social relationship for common purpose as an ally or partner ..."

As you will see by reading the Affiliate Beginners section, there are some subtle differences between that of being an "affiliate" and being an "Associate Member".

This is how it works -

When you sign up as an Associate Member...

... the Company that you sign up with will invariably have some legal documentation that you need to read and abide by. Sometimes you will have to simply check a box to say you agree with it, sometimes you will have to print out the agreement, sign it and fax or post it back to them.

The Company may pay you a referral fee, or commission, for sending customers to their site and/or for any sales or sign-ups that are made by that customer.

You will sometimes be paid on a "pay-per-sale" , "pay-per-lead" or "pay-per-click" basis - it will depend on what the Company's business activity is and its structure.

Commission or referral fee structures will vary between companies so make sure you read and understand the terms and conditions of each and every company that you are an Associate Member of.

Also take note that there is sometimes a "minimum" commission level that you have to attain before your payment will be released ... so do make sure you are dealing with a reputable company!

If the "minimum" commission level is set high, - say that it's set at $100 before they'll release a payment to you - initially you'll have done an awful lot of work to reach that point - maybe several weeks or even months (unless you've got a really good opt-in list of your own - and even then that's not a guarantee that you'll make that $100 minimum quickly!)

A few companies have been known to delay payments to their Associate Members - so, take all the effort, and the time taken, to reach your $100, couple that with late payment of commissions ......hmmm....see what I mean?

I'll say it again - Make sure you're dealing with a REPUTABLE COMPANY.

How do you know they're Reputable?

Take a good look at their site before signing up as an Associate Member.

What is the overall "feel" of their site - does it look professional - (don't mistake a "flash" site for a professional site - it doesn't always follow!)

Will the site be easy for your referrals to find their way around - do you truly think their product is worth promoting - is the price right - is the packaging attractive - is the information detailed enough - does the product deliver! Take a look at their "contact" info - does it tell you who to contact for problems, returned items, queries - what support do they give their Associate Members - what is their customer care like?

When you check the site over, ask yourself, does the website instill confidence in you and do you feel they are successful. If you have any doubts at all - don't sign up.

If the site cannot turn visitors into sales, no matter how many visitors you manage to send them - you'll not earn a dime!

Once you're happy with the aesthetics - delve a little deeper and find out

	How your commission is paid - some may pay in dollars, others may pay in credits (which you can use against their services)
	The frequency it is paid - monthly, quarterly, when a "minimum" commission is met ... and so on.
	How long they've been in business
	What their legal terms are and how binding are they.
	Also check the criteria upon which they can terminate their agreement with you - and likewise, how you can terminate the agreement with them should you wish to do so. (Some agreements will allow you to pass your position on to your dependents in the event of your demise - particularly useful if you have built up a really good status with the Company.) Make sure you always read the fine print too!
	How do they track your referrals and sales
	Do they track cookies, ISP's or some other unique data so that you get credited for return visitors who fail to buy on the first visit, but make a subsequent purchase some months down the line - even if they arrive on the Company's site through someone else's link!
	If they charge you to become an Associate Member - how much - and is it a one off payment or recurring.

How does the Company that you signed up with know that a Visitor was sent by You?

You, as an Associate Member will be given a special URL that tracks the visitors you send to their site along with the activity of that visitor.

A good reputable company will have a very slick operation in place whereby they will know virtually every click a visitor is making on their site - how many times they visit the site, when they purchase product, how they paid, when they paid, what color socks they're wearing,.....NO - SORRY.....I'm joking!!

But seriously, all the tracking will be done by them and they should advise you when someone either makes an enquiry, signs-up with them, purchases product....or whatever the terms are that you agreed to upon becoming an Associate Member of theirs.



How Do You Get Your Visitors?

Obviously, your own quality opt-in list will get you off to a good start - but don't worry if you haven't got one - you can use other marketing techniques but just understand and allow for the fact that it will take a lot longer to generate a decent income!