Archive for February 2010

Introducing a new, exclusive AvantLink merchant:

ULTIMATE BODY PRESS

Ultimate Body Press is a leading source for portable and affordable home fitness equipment, and the first merchant in our “Fitness” category. Demand for fitness equipment is constantly growing because of an increasingly active and health-conscious population. Ultimate Body Press is a consistent innovator; developing new products to meet the changing needs of customers. As a result our sales have only improved in this slow economy.

From their Affiliate program details: Join us today and be a part of the next online fitness breakthrough. Our products are appealing to all ages and skill levels because we have everything you need for high intensity workouts in the smallest of spaces. Program highlights include 10% commission, 120-day cookie and average order value of $105.

  • 10% Commission Rates
  • 120-Day Cookie Duration
  • Average Order Size: $105
  • Discount Codes Available
  • Site-wide Conversion Rate 3%
  • Premium Video Content Available
  • Premium Customer Service Experience
  • 30-Day Full Return Policy Including Shipping Charges

Let us know what we can do to help you get started promoting ULTIMATE BODY PRESS. Contact anyone at AvantLink or the program manager Frank Balentine, frank/at/ultimatebodypress.com.

RockCreek Blog & ABestWeb Forum

Just a quick post to let everyone know that the Rock/Creek Affiliate program has stepped it up for 2010 by sponsoring a dedicated presence on both our network blog and AbestWeb.com. Les and Mark will be actively posting promotions and talking shop about the Affiliate marketing industry in both branded locations. RockCreek.com is a strong Outdoor/Recreation program that has seen consistent and impressive growth in AvantLink over the past several years… So if you haven’t already, be sure and take a look at their site and Affiliate program for your 2010 planning and development!

About RockCreek:

RockCreek.com has over two decades of brick-and-mortar experience in the outdoor industry, and they are one of the fastest growing and most committed outdoor specialty stores currently online. We are committed to growing our business sustainably and look forward to the opportunity to partner with you online.

RockCreek.com on AvantShare
RockCreek.com on ABestWeb

Scheduling Ad Campaign Version Updates

We’ve added functionality to our merchant interface to allow scheduling version changes to banner/image and Flash ads.  This allows merchants to prepare updates to creative assets for existing ad campaigns, while keeping the current campaign configuration intact for affiliates.  Of key importance in the solution is that affiliates won’t have to obtain new HTML to utilize the modified ad when the changed version swaps into place.

This is a bit different from the “Staged Campaign” support that we’ve had for some time. Staged campaigns are ads that are configured with a “go-live” date; affiliates have no access to the ad until that date is reached.  Scheduled version changes, on the other hand, help you to repurpose an ad campaign that’s already live and in use by affiliates – but without having to be at your computer when you want the changes to take effect.

Just think of this as one less reason to be chained to your office during promotions.  Pair this with the ability to schedule emails to your affiliates for future delivery dates for ultimate flex-time efficiency!

-David & AvantLink

P.S. Merchants – look for this new functionality in the “Tools” -> “Add/Edit Ad Campaigns” section of your account when you edit a banner/image or Flash ad.

Introducing a new AvantLink merchant:

DepartmentOfGoods.com

“Full price is dead”

Knowing that price drives conversion, the DepartmentOfGoods.com should get your attention! This is a new web retail brand, from folks in the know. So don’t worry about quality service, order fulfillment and site usability…that’s all dialed. With DepartmentOfGoods.com you have the opportunity to promote heavily discounted outdoor gear from The North Face, Patagonia, Oakley and tons of other top brands.

This about sums it up, from their Affiliate program details: Welcome to the new way. DepartmentOfGoods.com employs industry espionage and the unwillingness to settle for second-rate gear to give you the latest, lightest, and finest surf, skate, bike, and mountain equipment.

Program highlights include:

  • Earn Up To 8%
  • 120 Day Cookie Duration
  • Best Brands In The Outdoor Industry
  • Dedicated Program Management
  • Phone Orders Tracking
  • Average Order Value $125

Let us know what we can do to help you get started promoting DepartmentOfGoods.com. Contact anyone at AvantLink or the program manager Brian Boyd, bboyd/at/backcountry.com.

Economic Impacts of the Amazon Tax

From the Colorado State Senate hearing on HB 1193. This about sums it up. Excellent clip of Sen. Greg Brophy (R) District 1 arguing against the Amazon Tax.

To help fight the Amazon Tax nationwide please complete the Performance Marketing Association’s Advocate Form. Get involved even if these new tax laws have not been introduced in your state yet!

Introducing a new, exclusive AvantLink merchant:

Fortune Cookie Soap

This is the latest addition to the AvantLink “Special Occasion” category, and they are converting at more than 3% in their first week! We invite you to check out Fortune Cookie Soap for a wide selection of unique bath gifts for any special occasion. This merchant offers a 10% payout, with a 90-day cookie life.

Their Valentine’s Day Sale is going on now: 20% Off Site-Wide & Free Shipping over $74

From their About Us page: They are a little bit hip, a little bit yupp, they are kind of genX, but they are mostly just themselves. They are family, they are friends and they are neighbors. THEY ARE REALLY into making their own soaps and running their own business. They love to make soap: unique and tailored to fit any lifestyle, event, holiday, gift or celebration.

Program highlights include:

  • 10% commission
  • 90-day cookie
  • Real time tracking
  • Dynamic Affiliate tools
  • Dedicated program manager
  • International shipping

Let us know what we can do to help you get started promoting Fortune Cookie Soap. Contact anyone at AvantLink or the program manager Justin Prokop, justin/at/fortunecookiesoap.com.

gearSlash is now live in AvantLink!

Introducing a new, exclusive AvantLink merchant:

gearSlash

gearSlash is the latest addition to our industry leading One Deal at a Time (ODAT) category, and it’s a very compelling opportunity for any Affiliate with outdoor or deal oriented sites/traffic. For starters, gearSlash will not ding you for a return. All commissions paid are final and not subject to reversal transactions! Additionally, how does a 7% baseline payout on (up to 80% off) snowboard gear deals sound? Compare that payout to the other daily deal or ODAT programs out there, and you’ll clearly see this is a killer opportunity.

From their Affiliate program details: Not only do we serve up to 80% off the choicest snowboard gear; we also provide the little things like daily shipment and world class customer service. gearSlash provides a marketing twist in that all product sales are customer driven. We give our customer the power to ‘Vote’ on what item becomes the next sale. The item with the most votes at each sale’s conclusion becomes the Spotlight Sale.

Program highlights include:

  • Sliding Commission Scales:
    • 7% baseline
    • 8% for sales in one month over $1000
    • 9% for sales in one month over $3000
  • 100% parasite free
  • Deal Of The Day Tool
  • Dynamic HTML banners
  • Detailed reporting
  • Network support from qualified professionals

Let us know what we can do to help you get started promoting gearSlash. Contact anyone at AvantLink or the program manager Steven Berrebi, steve/at/gearslash.com.