Affiliate Marketing Conference - A4UExpo

Even though the A4uExpo "Affiliate Marketing Conference" has not long been announced, but I'm sure interest is heating up for networks alike as they increasingly look for cost-effective ways to get their brand and solutions out in front of merchants.

I feel many networks are now finding it increasingly difficult to differentiate their offering from their competitors. Each network has a different strategy, some offer full support, some others just offer a technology solution, some attend every G2G to cajole affiliates to swap over (as well as merchants).

Also you've got the underhand tactics that you get to hear about with networks emailing clients of another slagging them off and demeaning their service. So how does this all fit into the Affiliate Marketing Conference? To me it offers an opportunity for all networks to lay their cards on the table, cut the bull, and show merchants exactly what they have to offer and allow comprehensive debate.

Far too often, in my mind, networks find it easy to shoe-horn merchants into joining their network and then the sales people spend the rest of their time defending their network from onslaught from their competitors.

So, why would a merchant want to attend the Affiliate Marketing Conference?

• Obtain full knowledge about each network from the people that use them every day;
• Meet network employees face to face before you sign any long term contract;
• Listen to affiliate's issues, concerns and advice so you choose the most suitable network and operate your programme in a mutually rewarding manner;
• Get a "bull shit" detector installed - there's a load of crap created by the press about affiliate marketing and most reporters know bugger all.

Why would a network want to attend the Affiliate Marketing Conference?

• The opportunity to talk to a wide range of potential clients
• Differentiate your offering from your competitors
• Learn from a wider range of affiliates

Why would an affiliate want to attend the Affiliate Marketing Conference?

• Increase your knowledge of your niche;
• Socialise with your peers;
• Communicate your fears about the industry.

Why would an agency want to attend the Affiliate Marketing Conference?

• Pick up more business;
• Convince affiliates that you add value to the process.

In general the industry is far too fractious with the main players - the affiliates being marginalised on too regular a basis (remember if there were no affiliates there would be no affiliate marketing industry). The first affiliate marketing conference should be the first step of bringing the industry together for the benefit of us all.