Bringing Widgets and Video into an Affiliate Program

Kyle Johnston, Affiliate Marketing Manager, Sierra Trading Post

Intro/Outline

1. Sierra’s Initial Attempts at Video

3. Bringing Video and Widgets into Sierra’s Affiliate Program

5. Do Video and Widgets make sense for CPA Marketing?

Sierra’s Initial Attempts

Initially Product Focused Used Buyers as Hosts Looked Terrible Released on YouTube and Sierra’s blog

Sierra’s Initial Attempts

Although Poor Quality, Good Response

Provided Impetus to Make More Developed Need to Produce Higher

Quality Videos With Richer Content

Improved Quality and Content

Build Set and Merchandise It Hire Professionals for Shooting and Editing Focus not Only on Products, but on Information and Instruction Received Much Better Responses Make Move to Branch Video to Other Parts of the Site and the

Affiliate Program

Bringing Video and Widgets into the Affiliate Program

Sierra Launches a Deal of the Day Site Called “Barn Burners”

Multiple Items Featured Daily at Very Low Prices

Video Accompanies Each Product

Great Platform for the Creation of Affiliate Video and Widgets

Bringing Video and Widgets into the Affiliate Program

Challenges

• Publisher Landscape Dominated by Small Logo Banners

• Wider Use of Text Links

• Create Widgets That Don’t Take Up Valuable Publisher Site Space, but That Are Noticeable

Bringing Video and Widgets into an Affiliate Program

Current Issues

120x90 Widget

125x125 Widget

DRM Text Link

• The Size of the Widget

• Keeping it Small for Wider Publisher Use

• Formatting and CSS problems

• Branding Issues

Bringing Video and Widgets into an Affiliate Program

Video Now Available For Publishers

• Tracking Embedded with LinkShare’s Flex Link Tool

• Currently Adding More Videos for Publishers

• Will Possibly Be Used with Separate Pop-up Windows

Future Projects

Product Reviews Videos Excellent UGC/Interactive/Video Combination High Potential

• Product Review Videos

• Great combo of UGC and Interactive Video

• High Potential

Conclusion – Does This Make Sense For CPA Marketing?

Everyone is Creating Video, but Why? Earn Revenue? Go Viral? Provide Consumers Info?

Set Goals for the Long Term There Are a Ton of Kinks and It’s Going to Take Time

Monetizing Video is Still in Its Infancy Even Google is Trying to Figure Out What to do w/ YouTube

Numerous Restraints in Regard to Usability Great Opportunity for Publishers

Affiliates Can Do Things Quickly Without Having to Jump Through Hoops

There is a Proven History of Innovation in the CPA Marketing World

Merchants are Very Eager to Provide Content and Support

Thanks for Lis tening

P re s e nte d by Kyle J ohns ton

Affilia te Ma rke ting Ma na g e r

S ie rra Tra ding P os t

kjohns ton@s ie rra tra ding pos t.com

www.sierratradingpost.com