Listing fees - Yes or No?

[SLA-Juan]

Hey Affiliates,

As an Affiliate Manager, I've been noticing a growing trend – the request for listing fees. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for it if it makes sense. But, I recently found myself in a situation that made me pause and think.

A few weeks back, a relatively small affiliate site with just 1,000 monthly views confidently asked for a $500 listing fee along with a hybrid deal. ​

It got me pondering – are listing fees something we should consider for all affiliates, or should it be reserved for those already hitting it out of the park?

In my humble opinion, listing fees should be a selective affair, reserved for the affiliates who already show some medium to high performance. It's not about limiting opportunities but rather ensuring that this upfront commitment aligns with the long-term goals of both parties – you, the affiliate, and us, the affiliate program.

For me, this upfront payment is more than just a transaction; it's a symbol of our commitment. But, and it's a big but, it also raises some critical questions regarding risks, rewards for both parties and long-term commitment of the affiliate.

My role as an Affiliate Manager is to make sure both sides – you and the Affiliate Program – are getting a satisfactory ROI. That $500 should be an investment that pays off for everyone involved.

So, I'm reaching out to you, to pick your brains. Your insights matter, and they will directly shape how we structure our offerings moving forward. This is your chance to influence the way we do business together. THANK YOU!

• Where do you stand on listing fees?

 

[abc]

I ask for $1500 from all new clients we list. This goes to designing 3 reviews for them to place on various sites, Some screen shots, and links and content back to the reviews.

If the client does not pay after the first payment is due, everything is pulled.

You will not believe how many affiliate programs have you list them then do not even make the first payment, there by getting free links and traffic.

 

[xecutable]

To me paying a fee is asking to get cheated if not now, then later. The business model has been invented a LONG time ago, and it's a performance based business model, where you are paid a good share of the profits. When the operator profits, you profit, everybody wins.

In a perfect world It's a trustless model, where the operator does not have to worry whether you will bring a bunch of non converting traffic or any traffic at all.

However operators got sloppy, as well as greedy and impatient. Instead of creating a brand and reputation, they decided to fast track their way to success by paying a bunch of fee, affiliates aske for.

From that point on, it became simple supply and demand. To cut costs operators started hiring inexperienced AMs, clueless on how to get new affiliates on board. So they started paying those fees. When there's 200 AMs ready to pay the affiliate fee, that fee goes up, like I've said supply and demand.

That fee would only make sense to me, if you wanted to get on a list as a top position, and the current top position is making a lot and the affiliate has to be compensated. And even then, what good is that list if the #1 position goes to the highest bidder.

Looks to me like affiliates like to have their cake and eat it too, feeling comfy with a "regular salary" each month, while getting their % on top of it. Reminds me of the US female soccer team.

Now if you know your casino is trash, and your program is trash and you wanna get some players and stuff, then yeah, why wouldn't you pay the fees. You know nobody will give you a chance. They won't be paying commission for long anyways so their ROI will be good enough.

Bottom line is, the fees exist cause there are operators willing to pay them. If nobody was paying, nobody would ask for them. If someone is offering us free money, why would we not take it.

P.S If you are offered a spot on a high traffic site, you are getting something for your buck. If you are asked for a fee on a no traffic site, you are paying for someone's link campaign, content creation or just a flat monthly salary for them to enjoy for zero returns.

 

[AussieDave]

When the operator profits, you profit, everybody wins.

That's the basis of design for Rev Share. It's how it should be.

The affiliate works their magic, the program works theirs, by making the igaming venue appealing, and ensuring the player's retention is better than the next venue.

Unfortunately now days, there is a large % of operators who have entered the industry because they think it's a cash-cow. Personally I've never seen so many white-label casinos, ever. Most seem to have this idea that affiliates should be paid peanuts; we can see this fact in the AGD audit reports.

The mindset of making affiliates pay for all and sundry, including 'Admin Fees'. I have a feeling VideoSlots.com was the first program to introduced "Admin Fees". I had word with Lucas (the then AM) over at CAP in 2012, when he was offering a life time 60%. to any and all affiliates.

I called him out saying that's impossible, and we locked horns from then. 60% was a scam.

I'm happy with 30% RS, BUT it has to be 30% (NGR) in my pocket, not <30% after GGR deductions.

In some regards, least until affiliates get an idea of the business, GGR starts at 100%. I've seen greenhorn affiliates expect 50% (on the nose) in some instances. It's impossible. The math does not allow it. Instead of program maintain the accepted RS status quo, they start to inflate the RS %'s, to accommodate the every growing demand for high RS % values.

As @abc commented, he asks a fee for justified reasons.

Though, affiliates expecting $xxx when, they have sweet FA traffic, is a bit cheeky.

In closing, aside from charity work, I don't work for $0. I certainly expect, when I make a deal with an affiliate program, that they honour this agreement, and pay me on time etc. That's the thing though, once there was a few programs here and there who renege on commissions. Now, hardly a day goes by without another program stiffing its affiliate partners.

If one has the traffic, and can deliever the numbers, then charging a "listing fee" is, IMHO smart business!

 

[abc]

Mine are a one off fee for the time and expense involved getting a new program listed.

 

[BetReels]

One of the better threads in a while.

I think the industry would be better off if we all went back to rev share only, without deductions and no listing fees. I.e. the operator does not charge you to run their business and you don't charge them to run yours.