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Getting Started
After your account it set up, the next step is get FindaSeminar
search results populating your site. For search results to show, you
need to run the Code Generator.
The Code Generator
The code generator creates the code which should be placed in the
HTML code on your web site. There are two main options to choose from
when deciding on what training events to display.
The first option is to simply to choose a category/subcategory from
the dropdown box. This is the easiest solution, since our results are
categorized and sub-categorized to assist visitors to find exactly what
they are looking for.
If you have a very specific type of training you want displayed, you
may choose to enter your own keyword(s). Keyword searches are not
as fast to display as are category searches, so we recommend choosing a
category/sub-category listing. However, if you only want specific
training, 'Quickbooks seminars' for instance, then you would use 'Quickbooks'
as your keyword.
After choosing a keyword or category, choose how many results to
display. The default is five, and this is sufficient for most sites. If
your site has little real estate left, you may opt to display three
instead.
If you intend to dedicate an entire page to showing search results,
then you may opt to go with ten results.
The last criteria is to choose a state or province. If you are going
to set up your site with a state selection box, you can programmatically
have the state value from your form put directly into the training
search results code.
If your site is serving only a local area and aren't interested in
nationwide training listings, then you may also consider choosing a
state.
Normally, we recommend leaving the state selection to 'All States'.
After running the Code Generator, the resulting page has the code
required to display results on your site.
NOTE: There is also a link near the bottom of the page code generator
which lets you see exactly what the search results will look like.
Putting the code on your page
Now that you have the code created by the code generator, you'll need
to edit your HTML. The style-sheet in the first box needs to be entered
into the HEADER of your page. See the example below:
<HEAD>
...
<style>
<!--
.FAS_Body_Font { font-family: Verdana,arial,helv,sans-serif; font-size:
8pt }
.FAS_HdrFtr_Font { font-family: Verdana,arial,helv,sans-serif;
font-size: 10pt; color: #000080; font-weight: bold }
.FAS_Link { font-family: Verdana,arial,helv,sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;
font-weight: normal }
-->
</style>
</HEAD>
The other box contains the code which will actually display the
search results. You should enter the code in exactly the location you
want the them to display.
Commission Structure/Payment
Our commissions structure is simply. Affiliates get a flat 0.75% of
the cost of the event. Although it sounds small, consider that training
classes listed on FindaSeminar can exceed $3000. Also consider that we
have a relatively good clicks/registration ratio.
The flow of payment is from trainee to trainer to FindaSeminar to
you. You will be able to tell where in that flow each registration is by
viewing the Commission Status. This status values are:
- Pending - this means that an individual has registered
for a class, but the class probably hasn't occurred and payment
has not been made by the registrant.
- Payable - payment has been received by the trainer,
FindaSeminar has billed the trainer and has been paid. This amount
is due to you on your next check.
- Paid - This is a historical measure. It is simply a
tally of all paid commissions for the time period selected on the
reporting screen.
On occasion, you may notice a registration disappear from your
registration/commission report. If this happens, most likely the
registrant has cancelled the class. You can view cancellations under
reports of your account management page.
Payments to you are made on two conditions - 1) your account balance
exceeds $100 or 2) it is year-end.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) No events are showing up on my site, just the
FindaSeminar name and link. Why?
2) Results used to show up, but now there aren't any.
Where did they go?
3) It's been ages since someone registered, when do I
get paid?
4) I've been an affiliate for a while, but no
registrations. What's wrong?
Q. No events are showing up on my site, just the
FindaSeminar name and link. Why?
A. You may need to adjust your search criteria with the Code
Generator. It's possible that if you chose a keyword that it is
misspelled. However, it is also possible that there just aren't any
seminars for the keyword or category you chose. You can check the
search by going to the FindaSeminar home page
and try the same searches.
If you try a search on FindaSeminar.com and it produces results
that don't show up on your site, then contact
FindaSeminar support.
Q. Results used to show up, but now there aren't
any. Where did they go?
A. Our search results are dynamic and timely. Only classes that
have scheduled dates display. A class that was held yesterday won't
display on your site today. That's the beauty of our search results.
They only point to valid classes with scheduled dates.
If you were getting results before and you haven't changed the
code on your site, then the ones you had showing probably have
expired. Most of our training classes have recurring dates, so the
class may show up again at a later date when the training provider
updates their schedule on FindaSeminar.
Q. It's been ages since someone registered, when
do I get paid?
A. Keep in mind that a registration may be for a class that is
several months out. Then after the actual class, FindaSeminar bills
the training provider. Typically, we settle up with the training
provider 30 days after that. We settle up with affiliates within 30
days from then.
Also, we don't send out checks until your account reaches $100,
or at the end of the year.
If you are looking for instant returns, then the affiliate
program may not be for you. Our affiliates' commissions aren't
immediate, but they are substantial because of the cost of some of
the seminars we have listed. Long-term partners are our best
affiliates.
Q. I've been an affiliate for a while, but no
registrations. What's wrong?
A. It's hard to say, but there are a few possible issues:
1) You may have the results on a section of your site/page that
isn't easily viewable. I majority of site visitors don't even scroll
past the initial portion of the page. If our results are at the
bottom of the page, then many people aren't going to be aware that
they are there.
If results must be somewhere besides the viewable area of the
page, a hyperlink to the bottom labeled 'Seminars' or 'Mytopic
Training' might help.
2) You may have selected training that isn't appropriate to your
site's topic. A site pertaining to ASP Programming isn't going to
benefit from management class listings, for example. Try
re-assessing your search criteria.
3) The listings may be on a separate page from your homepage and
isn't easily navigated to. Ask someone to be a guinea pig for you.
Tell them to pretend that they are looking for training on your site
and let them test drive it. If they don't find it right away,
chances that your average visitor isn't going to find it at all.
4) Take a look at your account management page for reporting.
Look at the quantity of links back to FindaSeminar. Don't expect
more than 1 registration per 100 links back to FindaSeminar. In some
cases it's a better ratio than that, sometimes worse.
Future Enhancements To the Affiliate
Program
Our affiliate program is still in its infancy. We've got lots of
minor adjustments and additions on the way. Feel free to drop us a
line if you have constructive criticism. After all, you are the one
going to use it. We endeavor to make it as functional and profitable
for all our affiliates.
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