I pass this fancy cupcake place, “Hey, Cupcake,” near my house all the time, and I’ve always been a little curious. But I had stayed away on principle. $2.75 per cupcake?!
However, I stopped by today and picked up three cupcakes to share with the family: Vanilla Dream (vanilla buttercream top, vanilla cake), Red Velvet (cream cheese top, velvet cake), and Michael Jackson (cream cheese top, chocolate cake).
And I didn’t think I’d be saying this, but they were worth it.
Sure, for the price of one of these cupcakes, I could get a half dozen in the grocery store. But there is a difference, and sometimes it’s worth it to pay the price.
The whole cupcake experience reminded me (don’t try to figure out how my mind works) of something I wanted to promote as an affiliate earlier this week.
I went to apply, and wondered which of the many affiliate networks the program was on. As it turned out, it was one of those programs that uses a software I’ve never seen before. I didn’t apply.
Any new affiliate program I join and promote is a fancy cupcake to me and my time and effort is the currency.
In this case, the ingredients of the cupcake, er, affiliate program, were not exciting enough to me to go through the extra trouble to create a new account. So I kept my money in my pocket. You get it, right?
Just my roundabout way of saying I prefer affiliate programs on established networks to limit the risks (flawed tracking, non-payment, etc.) to me, as well as not having the hassle of a new login somewhere. And I love Vanilla Dream cupcakes.
Read my review of Hey, Cupcake on Yelp.
{ 12 comments }
great point. after all these years and testing tons of different vendors Amazon still seems to convert the best for things i promote (movies, football helmets, LEGO, jerseys, etc..) than the specialty shops. It’s astounding. Even with no cookie duration.
I agree wholeheartedly! Though I did see on Google Maps that an Alamo Draft House is up the street from PubCon so I’m totally going!
Thanks Shawn. That is def a good analogy of why quality always reaps the long-term.
(Of course everything cupcake has its place)
I totally understand – I ran affiliate programs large and small for a decade. It’s just not attractive to me to be in an affiliate program that’s not sure about little things like tracking.
It’s not so much not knowing if they want to go full force. Sometimes they’re not exactly sure how to go full force. Running their own program SOMETIMES gives them the experience that they need to go bigger or they start to tank and can’t get affiliates. Then the network becomes the solution without getting rid of the faithful few.
Sometimes they just want to get around network fees with as many affiliates as possible, and other times they could have added the network program after having an indy one, as Marie mentioned.
But if a company is getting a feel for the industry and not fully invested in the affiliate program, it lowers my comfort level – I don’t want to put time, money and energy into an affiliate program when the people running it aren’t sure if they want to go full force with it.
Well Dave,
Sometimes people create these affiliate programs to build a base and feel the industry. Once they build a base of affiliates and the money rolls in, they join networks. All of their old affiliates they may have made them money in the past but may not necessarily get accepted to a particular network. Why get rid of your old program if those guys were bringing in money as well? They are just diversifying, not being sneaky or anything.
Being that the place is on wheels, you should talk the owner in to parking near Pubcon… Hmmmm
Good Point Shawn,
I like to keep things simple by keeping with affiliate networks I already now, however, I have noticed lately companies like hostpapa have a separate program from the one they have with CJ. Hostgator appear also to have their own and a CJ program. Not sure why they are doing this, any ideas?
I like to keep it simple but recently to share what I value I have had to add serveral new affiliate programs just so I have an option to share and earn some extra money for the family.
Your thoughts are appreciated.
All the best,
David
Not close enough, unless you’re renting a car. But there are a few others in the area.
I’m still laughing at the Michael Jackson cupcake, despite totally getting your point and agreeing!
Speaking of this cupcake place, is it close enough to Norris Center for me to get some when down there for PubCon? :p
Comments on this entry are closed.