Why Affiliate Progams Can't Work In Social Networks

Stuart Oliver

I've got a theory. I think that many people feel uncomfortable taking money from someone else where there has not been a fair value exchange.

Note, fair value exchange.

Affiliate or referral programs are most commonly used to incentivise and contribute to existing members of an organisation to bring in new, fee paying, members. Christian Social Network The additional you bring in, the additional money you make. So what's the difference in social networks? Well, let's say I introduce you to a networking website (ecademy, SoFlow and OpenBC are good examples) where for a absolute level of membership there is a fee. You ascertain to join up and pay the fee, fair enough. Now, would you appear any differently if you knew that 10% of what you've just paid is passing in my pocket. Maybe you would, maybe not. My theory is that you would and it's based on the accepted fact that you won't feel that you've got value for your 10% "simply" throughout me mentioning the name of a website to you. Social Networking Groups That's one side of the story. The other side is how work at I feel deeply about taking the 10%. Of course there will be a host of who are always happy to acquire money, from anyone, regardless of circumstance. Let's cast those aside. My personal view is that if I have mentioned a website to you I am not expecting any kind of compensation for that - whatever the method. Whilst there may be value in me introducing you to the site, it's not something I would either want or expect to make money on. Premier Teen Social Networking Destination It's analogous to helping someone in the street who wants directions. Just before you give them the final turn in the directions you interject with "That'll be a tenner please"! (I must attempt that ;) Now to throw in a final dimension. In the absence of any referral program I would introduce you to a particular site for a particular reason. One has to wonderment how one are influenced if they know there is money in it for them. Would you favour one, of two similar sites, it you were an affiliate of it?

So this is my theory, affiliate programs can't work in social networks. This said though, in the words of the actor Matt LeBlanc in his character Joey from Friends, "...a lot of theories didn't pan out. The lone gunman. Communism. Geometry..."

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My background and experience is mainly project management within diverse environments such as large corporate financial institutions, medium-sized technology consultancies and smaller begin-ups. Having held positions including Operations Director (COO) and Head of Process Management, I recently decided that the time is acceptable to take a calculated risk and leave corporate life for agreeable…the entrepreneurial side of my character is prevailing.

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