Comments on: Content Heroes

By: Big Up The Content Affiliate Massive Aiii! | One Little Duck - Affiliate Blog

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 08:21:19 +0000

[...] winning affiliate manager Chris Clarkson has suggested on his Pfft that perhaps it’s time for praise to be lavished on the content sites of affiliate land, [...]

By: Jason Dale

Jason Dale — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:38:10 +0000

Thanks for the mention as well Chris.

I doubt you’ll ever see a content site, along the lines you mention, win anything. As Joe says we made the vertical shortlist, but in all honesty I can’t see how our entry can be judged in the same way an entry from a merchant is… it’s different considerations.

1 out 16 awards for affiliates is shocking actually and really not putting the spotlight on those who often work bloody hard.

But it is imo a brand new world out there, one where some ex-bedroom affiliates perhaps believe we should be suited and booted and corporate – and not play at business stuff….

However, the thing to remember is many of us who have worked, developed and been successful over the last 10 years have done it – in part because it can be a nice little earner – but because we wanted to do something good online, provide a service and develop things for our users… and that’s a lot more important!

By: Joe Connor

Joe Connor — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:04:16 +0000

Hi Chris, thanks for the mention. I’d like to see more awards aimed at affiliate sites at the a4u awards. Currently there’s only 1 out of 16 awards “Publisher of the Year” to compete for.
I suppose the vertical awards could go to an affiliate site – Jason was at least shortlisted – but realistically it’s going to be difficult for affiliates to compete in these verticals unless they’re split into merchant and affiliate. I would make the event more balanced and give the event wider appeal – there certainly weren’t many affiliates at the awards this year.

By: DougS

DougS — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:46:31 +0000

Fully agree Chris, but if I was a large corporate looking to buy into the space I would not look at buying PPC affiliates as the business model to me has limited legs. As bid prices go higher, merchants get smarter, PPC affiliates will be adding limited value. Mind the networks do love them as they make a lovely 30%.

Our future is most definitely seo and content sites. Some sites are user content generated like:

http://www.self-catering-breaks.com
http://www.easyfindadate.com

Others sites we are writing our massively writing our own content like:

http://www.mns.co.uk

Within 12 months I can see us having a large portfolio of content sites that add real value to the user, with adsense and affiliate links embedded where suitable.

We are looking at your lead with Holiday WatchDog and Duncan’s Travel -Libarry and copying the concept. Hopefully making it better.

Doug

By: Chris Clarkson

Chris Clarkson — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:39:54 +0000

I’m totally in agreement, I’d just like to see the King get his crown back!

By: Stephen Pratley

Stephen Pratley — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:23:05 +0000

One thing I’ve noticed is that content affiliates tend to keep very quiet about their sites in comparison to the cashback & vouchers sites in particular, maybe through fear that someone else will just copy their methods.

The really niche sites that work with our merchants get amazing results, so no, the King is not dead!