TourGuideMiKE Affiliate Program

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The TourGuideMiKE Affiliate and Partner Program

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions
Setting Up Links
Payment & Tracking
Maintaining My Affiliate Account
Promoting My Web Site

General Questions

How do I get started?

Getting started with TourGuideMiKE's affiliate program is an easy process:

Click here to complete our affiliate program application. You will be asked to acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms & Conditions.

If you're already a member, just click here to log in.
Once we've reviewed your application and you're approved for our program, you'll receive an email instructing you on how to link to TourGuideMiKE and start earning money.

Does it cost anything to be a TourGuideMiKE affiliate?

TourGuideMiKE's affiliate program is 100% free! It costs nothing to join - there are no startup fees, hidden costs, or other charges for membership. In addition, we provide all our affiliates with a free, one-time use of the TourGuideMiKE Automated Vacation Planner™ so that you know exactly how wonderful our service is.

What type of sites can become TourGuideMiKE affiliates?

TourGuideMiKE is open to establishing relationships with sites that are interested in selling our products. However, before you can become a TourGuideMiKE affiliate, we will need to review the content and design of your site to ensure that it meets our guidelines.

In general, we prefer to work with sites that:

Provide services to consumers in the travel, tourism, or vacation planning areas.
Are well designed and aesthetically pleasing.
Do not use inappropriate content such as pornographic or otherwise offensive material.
Are completely functional and up and running. In addition, we require that affiliate sites maintain current and up-to-date information. We reserve the right to temporarily turn down any site that is down or is currently under heavy construction. However, once the site has been completed and is fully functional, the site may reapply to our affiliate program at any time.

Are there any restrictions or guidelines for the design of my site?

We believe each affiliate should have the freedom to design their site and promotional programs as they choose. However, the site must be designed to meet the standards set in TourGuideMiKE's Internet Affiliate Agreement.

I don't have a web site yet. Can I still apply to be an affiliate with TourGuideMiKE?

No, you must have an existing web site to become a TourGuideMiKE affiliate.

What if I want to frame the TourGuideMiKE site?

Unfortunately, we are not a proponent of framing. We invite you to format the links to our site so that they open into a new window for your guests. That way your site will remain open in their browser until they choose to close it. Please let us know if you need assistance with the correct code.

Will TourGuideMiKE do anything to promote my site?

TourGuideMiKE will promote your site, but we do require that you earn our praises by becoming one of our top performing affiliates. We will provide a link on our site to those sites that prove to be outstanding affiliates and we may highlight these sites in certain promotional campaigns and monthly affiliate newsletters.

If my web site is based outside of the United States, can I become a TourGuideMiKE affiliate?

Yes, we encourage all sites, wherever they may reside, to become a TourGuideMiKE affiliate. TourGuideMiKE can process orders from users almost anywhere in the world. Please be aware, however, that billing statements will reflect US dollars.

Who do I ask if I have any other questions?

Our affiliates are very important to us and TourGuideMiKE wants to make sure that you have all the assistance you need to become a top affiliate. If you have questions that are not covered in the FAQ page for our program or are experiencing technical difficulties, send an email to affiliates@TourGuideMiKE.com and we will respond as soon as possible.

What if I have a suggestion or comment?

We love to get feedback from our guests and affiliates. We believe that comments and suggestions from these two groups are a critical aspect of achieving our organizational goals.

Please feel free to send an email to us at affiliates@TourGuideMiKE.com if you feel there is something we could be doing better or if you have an idea on how we might improve or enhance our affiliate program.

Setting Up Links

Where will I find TourGuideMiKE banners, images, and text links?

Once you've been approved for our affiliate program, you will be a provided with a user name and password to our Affiliate Resource area. The area has banners, icons, and other information to help your affiliate program be successful.

How do I create links to the TourGuideMiKE web site?

You will be provided with instructions on how to create banner, product, and text links for TourGuideMiKE from your Affiliate Resource account once you are approved for our program. And if, after reading the reference materials and instructions, you still need help, you can always contact us directly at affiliates@TourGuideMiKE.com.

Will you assist me with setting up links on my site?

Yes and no. You are responsible for the content of your site as well as choosing the links that you will use to send your visitors to TourGuideMiKE. You are also responsible for incorporating those links into the structure of your site. However, we are willing to provide assistance on technical issues or problems you have with any of the banners, text links, or images we have created.

How can I promote TourGuideMiKE?

You may promote TourGuideMiKE by using the banners, text links, and other images we have created for our site. We have found that incorporating text links into the content you have created for your site is the most effective marketing tool for generating sales.

Because you will be supplied with your own complimentary TourGuideMiKE Automated Vacation Planner™, we hope you will want to write a positive review of it; share the automated features you found helpful; inform your site visitors of the incredible, exclusive information it provides, and anything else you would like to write about our amazing service. Marketing studies prove that the personal approach to endorsements is the most productive.

We have also found that our guests want to know who "TourGuideMiKE" really is. You can learn more about Michael J. Hewell at the web site for MICHAEL'S VIPS (Michaelsvips.com) and at "About TourGuideMiKE" (TourGuideMiKE.com/about.asp) at TourGuideMiKE.com. If you would like to use any of the endorsements that are available on either site for your initial campaign, you are welcome to do so, as long as we first approve of your choices.

In addition, affiliates who have used text links in e-mail newsletters or campaigns have found this to be a highly effective means for driving sales. We invite you to promote TourGuideMiKE in any way that you believe will help YOU succeed. If you have any concerns, or would like to suggest an idea, please contact us at affiliates@TourGuideMiKE.com!

May I link to TourGuideMiKE from more than one web site?

Yes. You are welcome to link to TourGuideMiKE from multiple sites as long as these sites meet the approval criteria as described above, which is required to join our program. All URLs you will be linking from must be submitted to us for approval before posting any banners, images, or links for TourGuideMiKE.

Can I link my site to TourGuideMiKE.com while also linking to other similar sites?

Absolutely! We know that TourGuideMiKE offers a unique opportunity for information and services. We also know that we haven't cornered the market on unique information. We want your guests, and ours, to enjoy the best experience possible by giving them access to as much information and resources as they need.

Can I take orders on my site and forward this information to TourGuideMiKE for order fulfillment?

No. TourGuideMiKE needs to process all orders directly.

Payment & Tracking

How does TourGuideMiKE track the sales that are generated by my site?

TourGuideMiKE tracks sales using a proprietary, state-of-the-art system that tracks users from your site including any bookmarks they may save. This system tracks them through the initial referral to their purchase(s).

I know I earn commissions but do my Customers receive any discounts because they were referred from my site?

The answer is a BIG Yes! We want to help you maintain your great relationship with your customers. Anyone who purchases as a result of our affiliation will receive the discount off our regular price that you and TourGuideMiKE will agree to in advance. Not only will you be earning money; you'll be saving your customers money too!

We are currently offering a $2 discount for public sites and public advertising, and a $3 discount for private Newsletters that are either accessed by a membership requirement or mailed to subscribers. Please contact us if you have any questions about our discount offers for your customers at affiliates@TourGuideMiKE.com!

How much do I get paid?

TourGuideMiKE's affiliate commission rates are very competitive. We offer rates starting at 5% and that can grow as we see the success in our affiliate relationship.

Do you compensate affiliates if a customer doesn't make a purchase on their first visit, but returns later to buy a product?

Yes, using our tracking technology we are able to credit affiliates for customer purchases that originate from a bookmark from their initial visit, or who uses your unique discount code.

When and how often do I get paid?

All commissions are paid on a monthly basis, as long as affiliates have earned $25 or more in commissions during the month. Commission checks are issued in US dollars. You can always log into the Affiliate Resource Center and review your current commissions due and any commission checks that have been issued to you.

How do I keep track of the sales my site has generated and the commissions I have earned?

Once you are a TourGuideMiKE affiliate and have your user name and password, you will be able to easily to run a wide variety of reports using the "Run Reports" function in the Affiliate's Resource Center. These reports will provide you with information on your web site's sales, link performance, and many other important data to help you maximize your web site's sales potential.

If I operate more than one web site, can you track them separately but pay me with one commission check?

Yes. If you will be linking to TourGuideMiKE from more than one web site and wish to track sales for these sites separately, we can add a second discount plan to your account. Our tracking technology will report sales and other statistics for each discount plan separately.

Do you have sales quotas?

No. We do not require our affiliates to meet sales quotas.

Maintaining My Affiliate Account

How do I change my account information?

As a TourGuideMiKE affiliate, if you need to make changes you can easily update your account information by logging onto the Affiliate's Resource Center and clicking on "My Account info".

How do I cancel my account?

You can terminate your affiliation with TourGuideMiKE at any time by notifying us by telephone or email.

Promoting My Web Site

Can I change or personalize the images provided by TourGuideMiKE?

You may add pricing information or add a discount code but you may not alter any of the images provided by TourGuideMiKE.

What kind of advertising can I do?

We encourage all of our affiliates to use their own creativity in advertising and promoting TourGuideMiKE. You may promote our company and products in newsletters or e-mails to your site subscribers, by writing articles, or - even better - use your free Automated Vacation Planner and write a customer testimonial telling your site visitors about our excellent product and how you used it. Please review the answer to "How do I promote TourGuideMiKE" for more ideas.

What kind of advertising is prohibited?

As a TourGuideMiKE affiliate, you are prohibited from promoting our company or products by sending unsolicited e-mails (aka spam). Violation of this policy may result in temporary suspension or termination of your relationship with TourGuideMiKE.

Can I do a press release or other kind of announcement regarding my affiliation with TourGuideMiKE?

Yes. However, any announcements made to the media regarding TourGuideMiKE or its products must be provided to us for review and authorization before they are submitted to the media.

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