First, thanks to all of the affiliates that have join and helped get the Debt.com and DebtSettlement.com affiliate program off the ground so quickly! The quick takeoff has even exceeded what we had anticipated and we couldn’t be more excited, so thank you!
While we are happy to see things getting off to such a quick start, we have seen a few things that we feel will help you make higher quality referrals, thus reducing the number of leads that get returned. There are only a few things that a lead can be returned for: debt amount under $10K, invalid phone and/or email address, and obviously if it is a duplicate lead. So, to keep from having these types of submissions come through, just to get reversed (and your commissions along with it!) there are a few steps that you can take to pre-qualify your leads to ensure that you get all of the commissions you deserve.
1. Content: On your website, in email blasts, and even in paid search adds put some qualifying language. Let people who are clicking through know that these services are for those in debt excess of $10,000. Granted, this won’t stop some from still submitting forms that do not qualify, but it should go a long way in reducing your returnable leads.
2. Encourage/Build Confidence: Let those who might click through your links know that they need to fill in BOTH email and phone number with valid information or else they will not be contacted. The reason this is required is to validate the leads and ensures the quality of the lead. If they really want debt help, they need to put in both pieces of contact info. They will only be contacted for debt help services and their number and email address will not be traded or sold to any other solicitors.
3. Send them to us: Point your links directly to the Debt.com or DebtSettlement.com affiliate landing pages. We have designed these pages for optimal conversions and are continuing to tweak it to best suit affiliate generated traffic. If you have recommendations on how to improve these pages, be sure to email me and let me know. We rely heavily on affiliate feedback to improve this aspect of the program. Sending referrals directly to this page allows us to be sure that the lead is only coming to one of our sites. This protects the consumer filling out the lead from having the information spread about to multiple agencies, thus opening them up for SPAM and harassing sales calls.
These three things will go a long way to ensure that you are able to make more high quality referrals and be able to keep the commissions they generate. As I said before, we rely heavily on affiliate feedback, so I do encourage all affiliates to contact me regarding tools that you feel will best help you promote this program, and any suggested changes to creatives, text links, and landing pages. You have already worked to make this program a success from the start and your comments and suggestions will make it even better!
If you’re not an affiliate, sign up to be one today!