Affiliate networks, for those not leveraging them, can be a powerful catalyst for traffic generation and actions on your website. This applies equally well for both advertisers and publishers.

There are really no analogies for tactics that cost nothing up-front offline but can generate powerful leads, registrations, sales or other actions.

Some key nuggets you need to know and then look for a Top 10 list of Affiliate Networks  you may want to research in a follow-up post. This advice is drawn from my past experience in custom affiliate networks in gaming and experts currently teaching a program I am taking, Jim Kukral and Chris Penn.

Key facts:

1. Networks allow users to get affiliate offers from merchants
2. Work by embedding code on your site that is tracked
3. Conversion on merchant goals generates commissions
4. Networks vary by features, offer type and vertical focus
5. Look for the best, most relevant offers
6. Consider sign-up on multiple networks to track best offers
7. Track network reporting, review and make adjustments
8. Text ads may outperform banners
9. Each network requires an application program so you must be comfortable providing corporate and personal info
10. Works best for higher margin, scalable merchants with good cash flow and flexibility in presentation (e.g. affiliates may promote more aggressively than you are use to)

Our own experience with affiliates is that it is critial to have systems in place to manage their timely payment and enquiries.  The growth can be viral and you need to be ready if you have a good product - you can really drive your traffic.

Stay tuned as we share more on a demo we are undertaking with the Google Affiliate network for premium content for riiPlay.tv.  We’ll share what we learn with our readers.

We are big fans of this new widget for Twitter news on your website, simply click link to get the widget which comes in 3 styles and different sizes on your site.  Twitter is all the rage and an important way to connect and discover connections, advice and knowledge.  Follow riiPlay.tv by clicking on the widget button or this link.

Exit Strategies for Investors & Entrepreneurs
An Investor Ready workshop Web-cast brought to you by the Angel Forum
Web-cast available for a limited time so buy your ticket today!

Replay the workshop highlights for as long as you like. Share them with your team to ensure you get the exit you deserve.

Entrepreneurs should have a clear exit strategy before they approach angel investors or venture capitalists. Many present the wrong exit strategy and scare off investors.

Watch the web-cast preview video above or click here to find out more.

Did you know that:

• The IPO market is dead but the market for early exits is still strong.
• Most technology company acquisitions are under $30 million in value.
• What the four major steps are that I should be doing now to plan for a successful exit?
• What about the timeline, valuation and legal process? case study: Parasun exit.

Learn from top exit experts: Basil Peters, Randy Garg, Brent Holliday, Mike Volker, Axel Christiansen, Steven Lukas, Thomas Hellmann and others.

Click here for more information about the speakers and topics. Exclusive web-cast sponsor: BC Innovation Council

“Seminar Design was very good. Fast Moving. Topic sequence was good. Held audience attention well. Length of presentations was nicely short. Presenters stuck to their allotted times well.” Adrian Palmer  Vancouver Investor

As an introductory offer, customers will also receive a $25 Riiplay.tv credit to apply against future webcast access!

Buy Now at www.riiplay.tv and get the exit you deserve.

Last year, fundfindr helped top start-ups that we featured on fundfindr.com or had networked with get an audience with the producers of CBC TV’s Dragon’s Den.  The producers at the time told us they appreciate our ability to filter deal flow and that the Dragon’s were getting testy - “if we see one more Web 2.0 start-up…”

That said, whether you are a tech start-up or something more traditional, fundfindr may be able to assist you in standing out from other applicants.

The fact is video is an important part of raising investment today - both to refine your pitch and to distribute it.

If you upload a free video pitch yourself at www.fundfindr.com, we will review and share top prospects with the show’s producers.

Plus you will reach an audience of Angels - not Dragon’s - and be able to easily share your pitch with prospects directly.

If you would like our Riiplay.tv service to help produce a professional video pitch for your application to the Dragon’s Den, Angel Forum, Angelsoft, VANTEC or other investor sites, we’ll make sure as Danny Robinson says “…you look good even if you aren’t”.  Thanks Danny!

Contact us for rates and more info at info@riiplay.tv.

See this post for FAQs on your prospects, tips and what you need to know.  Well, Season 4 is rolling around and auditions are scheduled in BC including:

• Victoria - Monday, March 30th
• Prince George - Tuesday, March 31st
• Nanaimo - Wednesday, April 1st
• Campbell River - Friday, April 3rd
• Vancouver - Friday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 4th
• Nelson - Tuesday, April 7th
• Kelowna - Thursday, April 9th

More details on the Dragons’ Den auditions and online application here.

More tips from Mike Volker and VANTEC including exclusive fundfindr.tv interviews by clicking on thumbnail below and here. 

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

Basil Peters presents an entertaining speech on ensuring your Exit Strategy is well in hand and that you “don’t blow the biggest deal of your life.”  Join Basil, accomplished entrepreneur, Angel Investment Fund manager, mentor and frequent keynote presenter as he shares war stories and tips on the ultimate goal for any investor oriented (as opposed to lifestyle) entrepreneur.

For more on Basil Peters on fundfindr.tv, click here.  For Basil’s blog on best practices on Angel investing click here.

Look for much more from Basil and other hot events coming soon on fundfindr Media’s new service, Riiplay.tv.