As I discussed the onsite advertisement scope that increase the earning capabilities of your blog, this part I will discuss the non-conventional method and referral methods that can boost your blog’s earning a lot. But keep in mind no matter what method you use, all methods primary concern is traffic, so you have to think in that way. Blog unlike static website changes frequently, the visitors interact with the blog which builds a unique relation between blog and its readers. We all see thousands of referral advertising everyday on the web, but why referrals in blog differ than the static web? Since user are interacting with blog, its more likely they will interact with the blog’s referred products compare to a static web referred products. But off course some of the elements decide whether referral is good for your blog or not, which referral program is for you etc. Those elements are—

• Demography of your readers (For example- if your blog readers are mostly female, it’s more likely they will response to a referral in beauty products rather than beer). So you need to know what type of reader you have (Geo location, teast, sex, age etc.), what are the things suitable for them, or gain more response.
• Your blogs contents/type does put a bigger role on selecting referral service. For example I have seen some blogger put Amazon book list on their sidebar, but they are blogging about gadgets, economy, IT etc. So it will be very rare if an IT researcher/reader will look for those kinda books, he/she will better response to gadgets, e-book etc. stuffs.
• How old is your Blog-sounds weird but yes that’s the key element that defies all. If your blog running a long time, its very much possible that you already have some regular visitors and they trust/rely on your contents, so it will be far more easy to convince them to buy something. A new blog, which doesn’t have a large number of returned visitors, will not able to do the same for you. Here comes the word reputation. Now you know why you need reputation.

So before you choose a referral program to publish, observe these elements, and do enough research to ensure the quality of products/services you are referring. Credibility is very important when you refer something as a blogger, it will grow slowly but very useful. So now let’s get down to the list, so that we know what the options available for referral programs-are—

Amazon Referral program- Amazon calls it “Associates program”. It’s the first online referral program ever. They pay you for each sale originated through your referred links. Means if someone click your Amazon referral banner and complete the purchase, than Amazon pays you, make no mistake after the item purchase not before. The payments are maid quarterly. Your referral rate will range from 4 % (consumer electronics) to 8.5% (others, very on no. of sales), and be based on your total number of shipped items from both Amazon and third-party sellers. The same rate will apply equally to both Amazon and third-party items and will apply to all referred items shipped during the quarter. For more information check with the “Amazon referral performance rate chart”.

The Good: One of the oldest referral programs exist on the net and reliable to pay. Very suitable for blogs on review, literature, electronics, home and family.

The Bad: The rate of payment is awfully low, and takes too long to get paid. Not enough lucrative for fast rolling blogs.

The Catch: They pay late and low but they do pay. If you are easy with the rate it’s not so bad for a start. But read the operating agreement before you sign up.

Friendfinder Affiliate Network: No don’t think that’s its adult. Friendfinder network have more than 30 sites under it, including an email program, slimming site, rent etc. Their pay rate is very nice, they offer by % or per sign up or even per traffic. And hot deal is until Aug 31, 2006 the topmost referrer have chance to win a Ferrari. The payout is whenever you ask. For more details about the pay rate consult the site rate chart.

The Good: Biggest date/friendship network together with much more and proven to pay. Flexible rules, many site to choose from. So before you choose decide which will be appropriate for your blog. You sign up for one program, automatically you are approved referrer for all site in that network. Serious high rate and rewarding so far.

The Bad: You can not choose some of their high payout site, if your blog isn’t adult. Non-adult site referring has lower rate payout.

The Catch: If you choose which site to promote wisely, comparing your blogs content, it will give earning that’s a proven fact.

Overstock Affiliate Program: This one is same like Amazon’s associates program. Overstock pays you if any sales originated from your site’s referral link.Overstock.com—a top 20 online store that offers great prices, a wide selection of quality name brands, a low shipping charge, and outstanding customer service. Their pay rate is higher than both eBay & Amazon, but prices of the products are comparatively low. So it’s more likely to be attractive to your readers compare to Amazon or eBay.

The Good: The Commission per sale is 3 times more than Amazon, 2 times more than eBay. If your earning is just above $10, you can ask for check. They have affiliate education center just to educate, provide resources and information to affiliates.

The Bad: People from Romania and Afghanistan are not allowed to join the program. Over stock ships only in limited countries.

The Catch: Since it does not ship all countries, you can find that list (the countries overstock ship) in their site. If you think your reader’s are mostly from those countries certainly better option than eBay or Amazon.

Web Trade Center: These guys referral program is pay-per-sale. Each sale comes from your blog referral, you get paid, simple as that. Pay rate is 15% of the total book(s) price (without shipping & Handling).

The Good: They sell high profile books which are mostly top seller, which means more easily to convince your reader to buy. Pay out is above $10 commissions, every 15^th of the month.

The Bad: They had before 20% commission; they lowered it due to increase of sales through this program. You have to give your SSN(social security No.), means outside USA people unable to join.

The Catch: Hello! Asking SSN in an affiliate program, no way. The rate isn’t good enough to take the risk.

American Express: Yes the Amex will pay you if you refer clients to them. And they seriously pay high. With some of the best commissions and fastest payouts in the industry, affiliates can generate significant revenue from marketing American Express products. Commission rates- Consumer Cards-$40-$60, Small Business Cards-$100, Line of Credit-$110, Merchant Acquisition- $25. More details info on what products you can promote please consult with the site.

The Good: The best rate on that relative industry. Amex surely pays no question about that. Quick pay, check sent upon the approval of the new client.

The Bad: Only one, if your blog have contents related to that?

The Catch: Straight forward high pay. Two things you just need blog that have contents related to that, two convince the reader to sign up.

Lunarpages Affiliates: Lunarpages one of the top ten hosting company in the world. Known for its comparatively low price solution and free stuffs given away with the plans. This company offer a exciting affiliate program, which is free to join. If any of you reader follow the affiliate links and sign up to Lunarpages hosting (any plan), you get $65 straight away. Not only that any affiliates under you make sale you get 5%-10% of their commission too.

The Good: Fast payment, good customer service, multilevel earning. Since they offer free domain with every hosting package, and unlimited sub domain, email account and so many. it’s very easy to convince your reader to go with them.

The Bad: No payout if the client signs up for less than 6 months hosting. This is a great loss for the client too, since he/she won’t get the free domain for life too.

The Catch: Your referred client have to sign up for minimum 1 year hosting. There are many more hosting that offers similar referral program, I personally joined in few too, but since the question of getting paid on time, and referring the best I will list this one only. You can try others too.

Dark Blue Affiliate Network: An Australian company, but serves around the world. Anyone can sign up; they are known well for there well performed good advertisement delivery. All you need to do is just sign up with them, than you can see a list of advertisers on your control panel, simply just choose whose advertisement you want to show. It can be one or multiple. Last time I counted they had over 250+ advertisers in all categories.

The Good: No hassle maintaining multiple affiliate accounts, just all in one Dark blue. One network, one check( did I mention local check!). No cut out, you payment from advertiser stay the same, since advertiser pay them separate. Get Paid for EPC, Page impression, sales-variety of ways.

The Bad: some countries like Rumania, Afghanistan, Nigeria etc. applicant’s will be most likely denied. You have to provide tax info if you are Australian (not that bad).

The Catch: The Rate is good, flexible, anytime you can change the advertisers. The denial of service to certain country is to limiting the fraudster, though there were some other steps they could have take. Similar network is –www.checkmystats.co.au and www.leadhound.com both Australian, hey I am not Australian, they are god that’s why I mentioned them.

Clixgalore: Known to be the largest affiliate network until now. Have 4500+ advertisers in their box. Pays two ways- for referring the advertisers, for referring the affiliates. An advertiser pays for-PPC, page impression, sales, hits etc. Long running network which has proven it to be referred.

The Good: More option for your blog, more chances to get cash. . You may choose from the many graphic, text, Macromedia ‘flash’ or custom html advertisements available.

The Bad: The Checks aren’t in local currency, US check so if anyone outside USA must aware the time it will take him/her to cash that.

The Catch: Reported for Pop-under, and Pop-Up advertising, which you can’t block in the account section, very bad for blog with traffic.

LinkShare: Fairly medium size referral/affiliate network with few thousands advertisers. As a LinkShare affiliate, you can earn revenue for driving sales, leads and traffic to partner sites. Find hundreds of affiliate programs from Fortune 500 and other leading businesses in the LinkShare Network, Registration is free !

The Good: Good pay rate (from $5/sale to as high as $300/sale). On time pay, pays monthly or quarterly upon your decision. Companies pays for –clicks, traffics, page impression, sales .. even for surveys taken by your readers.

The Bad: If you have daily page views less than 100, it doesn’t give you a cent. Clicks coming from reader using proxy , might get you blacklisted, and you loose your whole earning.

The Catch: Apart from the blacklist thing, good. Come on you are advertising fortune 500! Got the point

There are many other referral programs. Notable and worth trying- Google’s products, Yahoo Shopping (low rate), zoomshare, paypal, moneybookers, icommissions.com etc.

I will continue to add reviews to this post.

To be continued…….