Filling Out the Application
A top affiliate network usually requires that you have a web site or blog setup or your application may not get approved. Some will allow you to join without a web site. I recommend starting a blog because it’s free and it’s easy.
In general, this is the type of questions you can expect to fill out:
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Full name, address, phone number. Note: Some networks will want to call you before approving your application. |
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Social Security or TIN number. Just enter your social security number. |
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Legal entity type for your business. Unless you own a business, use either “individual” or “sole proprietorship. |
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Contact information which includes email address, a username and password of your choice, a security question in case you forget your password. |
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Payment information. That lets them know how you wish to get paid. |
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Web Site URL. This is your web site or blog full address, for instance http://www.mywebsitename.com |
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Web site description. Just a few words about what your web site or blog is about. |
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Web site category. This is usually composed of either boxes that you can check or a pull-down menu to identify the main top of your web site or blog. |
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Define promotional methods. Choose the one most appropriate. The choices are usually web site content, search engine marketing, email marketing, software. Note: If one of the choices is Incentive , be sure NOT to choose that method because you’ll get rejected on the spot even though some of the Network merchants do allow incentive marketing. |
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Service and Contract Agreements. Read these agreements so that you understand the rules and then check the boxes if you agree. |
Some Affiliate Networks will approve you on the spot, some may take a day or two to let you know if you were approved, some may first want to speak with you by phone, and others may reject you.
Don’t take rejection personally. Just because one top affiliate network rejects your application does not mean that they all will. Make sure that your blog or web page looks somewhat decent and be sure to add some content before applying to Affiliate Networks.
Once you get approved, an email is usually sent to ask you to click on a link to confirm your registration. Then you can login to your account and start applying to merchant programs within that network.
W-9 Tax Form
If you operate out of the US, you will be required to fill out a W-9 form before you can get paid.
The W-9 form can be found here http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf.
it will be in PDF format so you’ll need to download the Free Adobe Reader to view it if it is not already installed on your computer.
