Do you have advice on how best to approach sites with one’s affiliate program? Is it best to call first, then follow up with an e-mail reiterating what you spoke about? Or do people generally prefer to be contacted via snail mail or e-mail first?
I’ve found that it’s most effective to use a multi-pronged approach. Email on it’s own is pretty ineffective these days. Everybody gets too much spam and random, untargeted solicitations by email.
I advocate sending direct mail to targeted lists of affiliates. Personally, I prefer Express Copy for mailing postcards.
You can design a layout (or use their template) and then upload a target list of names and addresses. They will print, address and mail your postcards ($40 for 100). While this is certainly more expensive than email, it’s money well spent – you can count on a very high open rate (who doesn’t open their mailbox?), and you stand out, because few affiliate programs are doing it.
After a mailing, I think it’s a good idea to follow up with a call or email.
I’ve found that a call out of the blue is not always welcomed by some affiliates, but if it’s set up first by a postcard (message on there that you will call next week), then there’s no shock and awe.