What is the future of affiliate marketers?

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by Toby

I think you'll find that the vast majority of the full time well established affiliate webmasters never went big for the PPS carrot, they've been mostly promoting programs that retain via revshare which actually makes more money in the long term.

I've made at least one sale with over 130 different sponsors this year, most of them independent CCBill sites like yours. For most indie sites buying traffic is a major learning curve with lots of potential mine fields. And if the site has a fairly narrow niche focus, finding sources to buy traffic can be very difficult.

What I think we'll see first, from indie sites, are more purchase options. The ability to buy individual video clips or photo sets rather than just site memberships. Many are doing this now, but through secondary sites like C4S and it isn't integrated into their affiliate system so not shown on leak free tours. CCBill, Epoch, et al need to get on the ball and get an integrated clip store billing in place.

I think you will see a lot of changes in the next few months.
I plan to be on the forefront of it and hop to enlist the help of my friends so we all make money.

[housekeeper]

Cross sales and shifty program practices, along with many programs closing or selling out have narrowed the field for many webmasters. As a result, many are reluctant to take on new programs or take chances adding links to their valuable traffic streams.

Retention is what most are looking for and a constant flow of new content...