Greetings -any other media artists with the affiliate bug?

[elanvital]

Thanks Ros for your cool and brilliant course, which I noticed is also a brilliant marketing process in and of itself without being obtrusive. Goodwork with the medium! I have been getting some marketers screaming and cajoling at me from my emial box, but I for one prefer an approach which inspires credibility.

I am interested in complementing affiliate marketing as part of a business model for building an online museum around a popular topic I have been researching for a number of years. It would branch out really well into a lot of searches and interesting juxtapositions. I will sell individual and organizational memberships to my museum, develop my unique peripheral products , and also sell related affiliate products through an online museum shop.... I htink it is a good model for cross platform documentaries with merchandising potential. This will be is a long term life project, and will take years to build and add on to.

In the meantime I also have a number of smaller, more mundane ideas in mind that are more quickly realized. I'm thinking of trying a seed like approach to get things started. I probably will have a million questions... thanks againf for introducing me to these ideas and principles.

I was wondering too if there are any artists or media artists in this crowd - maybe if there is anyone interested in colaborating on some sites targeted at the arts community? Or to exchange skills?

Regards,
Kaspar
Toronto, Canada

[Rosalind Gardner]

Hey Kaspar!

Welcome and how's my old hometown, Hogtown, aka Toronto the Good, doing today? I was there only a few weeks ago and I miss it already.

Your project sounds fabulous, and it's so good to hear that you've got the concept/plan worked out.

I trust that the online museum shop with the affiliate products will not be 'hidden' within the paid membership site? Or is the 'membership' model a way to collect leads?

Cheers,
Ros

[elanvital]

Hi Rosalind,

Yes T.O. is downright balmy this year - not unlike Europe in the winter, but not as rainy as the WET coast where you live!

I am still working out the business concept of this site - I tend to create my projects more naturally around the material or concept rather than trying to fit the material into a preconcieved formula. This one, specificaly by subject is completely unique...(not that I care to reveal it right now). Essentially I am doing a kind of documentary, but the documentary is non-linear and the viewer encounters the info according to their curiosity.

By selling membership, there would be members areas and non-members areas, of course, with different privileges and benefits for individuals and institutions. For members there would be full access, I will be continually updating the museum and adding different sections that can be downloaded through either section or by paid/unpaid "mobisodes".

Where the affiliate marketing comes in would be in 2 places - one would be a regular online shop that would sell related merchandise. The other place it would come in would be in sections where tons of background research are provided, if viewers want more info. If a book is cited, a link to Amazon or Alibris would be provided. I have a whole library on the subject and can provide expert recommendations, or could hire academics to do so as well. I know that there isnt a huge amount expected from the books, but the subject is a rather rich niche with several potential cult followings.... These people are part of that 2% demographic that actually does buy books!

Anyways, I hope to answer your question - I am selling my doc online, but feel like adding value and shopping ideas, hopefully adding and not detracting from the doc.

I hope that I've answered your question, and that when I have this started that you'd be interested to become a member when its up!

KAspar