Webcomics Marketing Strategies : Affiliates

Affiliates
Part of a 13 part series: Exploring Webcomics Marketing Strategies

One of the main principles I have tried to maintain during this process of Exploring Webcomics Marketing Strategies is to be 'creatively spinful' with my approach towards marketing my webcomic. I do not want to just do what experts in the process of marketing tell me what to do and leave it at that. It limits me. This includes the old favorite, website affiliates.

Affiliates, almost all website creators have been one. It seems like an easy way to make money. It's as easy as putting a link/image on our website. Its a win/win situation and we've seen many sites' popularity explode because of these.

Now, I am sure most webcomic creators have thought of creating an affiliate program on their websites and then immediately dismissed it. Even if you could create a affiliate program through a third party application, it could cost money ... lots. This is not what a webcomic creator wants to hear. We're on a generous budget of pocket lint and mothballs.

On the other hand, this could be where we try a creative spin. Low-budget does not mean no affiliate program. Could we create an affiliate program without paying money? The reality is, all you have to do is create a win/win situation for you and the patrons you already have. Try the spin, you may surprise yourself with some really great ideas ;)

I have found that doing a little research helps me to think of creative ways to spin an old way. Here are a few articles that may help you put the spin on the old 'Affiliate Program'...

The cost of an Affiliate Program
Internet Basics: Affiliate Programs
Taming the Beast: Affiliate Strategies
Taming the Beast: Affiliate Programs