I have been, or can be if you click on a link and make a purchase, compensated via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value for writing this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
While other affiliate program management books may cover the big topics, Geno goes into detail on launching and running a successful program.
This book takes you month by month, week by week and even day by day through starting or improving your affiliate program. From what research you should perform before starting, to getting the program set-up and launched, “Affiliate Program Management: An Hour a Day” covers it all.
Somehow while reading through the book I missed the companion site, AffiliateProgramBook.com. Granted, this isn’t the type of book you cozy up to with a warm cup of coffee on a misty Sunday morning, so I probably missed a few things, but when Geno provides a sample OPM agreement (which, he does, on page 85), this would have been the perfect opportunity to direct readers to the website.
While I keep saying this is a textbook, Geno writes with a personal touch, that makes it read more like a blog. It’s like he’s talking to the reader, as he addresses “you” in the text and refers to himself and personal experiences.
The amount of information Geno has compiled is staggering, giving definitions, examples, comparisons and citing reports to back his claims. I sometimes found myself in what seemed like a side conversation, but I think with the vast amount that Geno has included, it may have been difficult to determine where certain topics properly fit in.
The bonus at the end of the book is a list of 40 mistakes to avoid, and a list of affiliate program promotion ideas.
If you’re simply considering an affiliate program and need some basic info, this book isn’t for you (sorry, Geno). However, once you’ve decided that performance marketing can be a means to drive more sales to your online business, this is the perfect book to walk you through the process.
Comments
Joe Sousa
Great review Eric. Totally agree that this “textbook” contains a ton if information but is also personal enough to be engaging. Hopefully I will have a review of it up soon as well.
LGR
I can think of a few companies that could use this book. Maybe I should order it and send it to them as a gift. They probably would not read it anyways.
Eric Nagel
They’re too busy making up numbers & stories for their inaccurate reporting (gee, I wonder who you’re thinking of).
Geno Prussakov
@Eric: I appreciate you taking the time to put this together. I’ve already picked up a few ideas on how to make the second edition better. As for the suggestion about referencing the companion website (which was started months after the book went to print), we’ll have it on the back cover of newer prints of this edition as soon as Wiley sells out whatever has already been printed in the first batch.
@Joe: Glad you’re finding it “personal” and “engaging”. What better compliment could I think of?!
@LGR: You’re right. Many won’t even open it. But wait! It’s forwarded by Bryan Eisenberg. It’s got stellar backcover reviews (and several pages of “praise” from industry veterans and leaders). It’s ranking well on Amazon now (being the #1 “hot new release” in the Web Marketing section at the time of this post)… Maybe they WILL read it, after all. Lemme know if you could use a bulk discount. 😉