Ready for Candle Affiliates
Here we go, taking the leap. Yes we are finally going to do an affiliate program. Watching over the past year as multiple candle companies took a nose dive has got me nervous. Although there are several reasons I know ours will be different.
Sure it seems easy to say “This will be different” but it really is. Excuse the format as I explain why (can you tell I write articles on a regular basis?)….
1. Established Business
We didn’t just start yesterday. Prairie Soy Candles has been in business since March 2005. Well over 2 years old. The candles have been tested and reorder rate is high. We also survived a very busy Christmas season last year.
2. Starting Slow
I haven’t decided on a specific number yet, but it’s going to be small. Very small. We’ve got to make sure we can keep up with the orders of our new affiliates before we go off letting hundreds of reps in. The fastest way to sink is to get too big too fast.
3. Affiliate, Not Consultant
I don’t know what it is about the term “consultant” that gets people excited. They are really just affiliates when you are talking about doing business online. Not to say it’s bad to be a consultant. Absolutely not. That’s just something we are ready to get in to. Home parties and the like are welcome though. I just can’t get tied down printing catalogs on a regular basis.
4. Planning
Before jumping in, I’m actually doing some planning first. This would include figuring out the limit, how the sites will be set up, a list of FAQs, and a whole lot more. I’ll also be crunching numbers and making plans when it is time to allow more affiliates in. This girl isn’t going to jump ship because I’m not making enough money due to poor planning. Right now it’s just the two of us in this business (my mother and I ), but there will come a day we’ll be hiring employees. I need to plan for that without a doubt.
That’s about it for now. This week I’ll be working on setting things up before I make the big announcement. At this point I have little planned out, although I will say this - the commission is going to be between 10-15%. This is going to allow us to keep our prices low and still stay in business, but still give above industry standard to affiliates. 
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Comments
Can I say it?
It’s about danged time! LOL! Just kidding of course! I totally understand WHY you’ve waited and all the planning that goes behind it. I too have seen too many candle companies go under in a hurry and it really comes down to getting too big - too quickly.
But still, it’s about time! I’ve been hounding her for I don’t know how long now! LOL!
Posted by: Anita | May 30th, 2007 05:27