Effective Strategies for Using LinkShare DRM Links
The choice to begin using LinkShare DRM links along with the methods you apply can have a great impact on your conversion to sales. One merchant this past summer (Jun - Aug) had a conversion rate (click to order) 3.5x greater for LinkShare DRM links than all other links. Another merchant experienced conversion rates just over 2x greater than all other links combined from Jan 1 - Oct 9, 2003. While not every affiliate will achieve the same level of success, you can increase the odds because LinkShare DRM links help you be more timely, accurate, and relevant.
A key component of a complete promotion strategy
Depending on the LinkShare DRM link you use, you might choose to complement or replace existing links for a particular merchant. For example, Hotwire has made its promotions featured in traditional links (banner, text) also available as LinkShare DRM links. You could replace your traditional links with these, sit back, let Hotwire update the promotions, and not worry about expiration dates.
Hotwire also created the reservation search tool below that lets users select from Air, Hotel, and Cars. The tool will display the appropriate fields based on the consumer's selection. He can then fill out the information while remaining on your site. Since this type of interactive tool is not available through Hotwire's traditional links, it would serve as a terrific complementary link on your site.
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For a merchant like REI, you might write a blog entry about a specific item, like a Garmin GPS unit, and wish to use a product link in your blog. In this scenario, you should not use a LinkShare DRM link that happens to feature the GPS unit today, because it might be a different item tomorrow (depending how the merchant updates the link). Instead, choose a traditional static product link.
However, because someone might read an archive of your blog later, you might wish to complement this entry with REI's three LinkShare DRM promotional text links. As of the first week of October, they are:
Buy any 3 pairs of regularly-priced pairs of socks and save 10% on each pair when you check out!
Get 20% off at checkout when you buy any 12 full-price performance bars, gels or beverages.
Get 10% off at checkout when you buy any 12 regular-price freeze-dried food items.
Of course, whenever someone goes to view these promotions, they'll be the latest promotion available at REI, since REI will update these three links, and you don't have to! Check them out in REI's "Create Links" section to see what they are today.
A little effort now goes a long way
If we haven't made it clear yet, it bears repeating once more. Merchants update LinkShare DRM links, so you can put them up once and forget about 'em. Many affiliates have used this to their advantage by creating additional pages built solely around LinkShare DRM links for clients like Overstock.com, Coldwater Creek, and other retailers. Since these pages won't require the maintenance that other pages will, a little work today can pay off handsomely over the long haul.
If you're not participating in the merchants' programs listed above, now's a great time to apply and get approved before the holidays. LinkShare DRM links will help you streamline your site updates while potentially converting more sales because merchants are updating promotions for you, which translates into your links being more accurate, timely, and relevant.
> Continue to see Examples by Overstock.com
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