I'm a Beauty Blogger and my target niche is Beauty, so it makes perfect sense to market beauty products on my Blogs. Today I focus on two of the most notable brands Sephora and Nordstroms. Below is what each company offers in terms of commission and return days:
Sephora - 5.00% commission on all goods Return Days = 1 Days
Nordstroms - 2.00% commission on all goods Return Days = .5 Days
In the tables below you will see that I made a total of $4,203.24 in sales in a 2mo period. I will not be paid one penny for these sales even though they were purchased through my affiliate links because they are all deemed as "non-commissional sales."
Non-commissional sales can come from a number of reasons, such as a transaction not being part of an offer, an invalid Affiliate ID or most importantly if the return days have been exceeded. Return days are also known as Cookies, is the tracking data stored from the computer that clicked on the link. If an affiliate company gives you "30 return days" then you have a greater chance of making a sale because that computer's tracking data is stored in their system for 30 days after the initial click. In this case with Nordstroms and Sephora, the tracking information is only stored for 24hrs or less.
October 2013
Non-Commissional Sales
Process
Date
|
Advertiser
Name
|
Product
SKU
|
Product
Name
|
Sales
|
Reason
|
10/3/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1497171
|
Faux Tan
Body Sunless Body Tanner
|
23.40
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/3/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1552124
|
Give Me
Some Lip
|
22.50
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/12/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1390194
|
Classic
Travel Refillable Powder
|
8.10
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/12/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1405968
|
Shimmer
Sheet Set
|
9.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/12/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1425529
|
Bulls
Eye Lash Applicator
|
10.80
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/12/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1458124
|
BUXOM
Amplified Smoky Eye&Trade; Collection
|
10.80
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/12/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1481043
|
Color
Theory Shadow Block - Bionic Emerald, White Asylum, Crown Blue
|
11.70
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/13/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
373533
|
Chanel
Illusion D'ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow
|
36.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/13/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
373533_2
|
Chanel
Nuit Infinie De Chanel Illusion D'ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow
|
36.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/14/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
368913
|
Marc By
Marc Jacobs 'Classic Q Fran - Small' Shopper
|
448.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/14/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
665332
|
Zella
'All Shirred Up' Pullover
|
58.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/19/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1169937
|
N/A
|
2.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/19/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1454149
|
La Laque
Couture Nail Lacquer 25 Rose Romantique
|
25.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/19/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1528959
|
Caudalie
Favorites Set
|
32.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/19/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1547967
|
Time To
Shine&Trade; 6-Piece Mini Full-On&Trade; Lip Collection
|
32.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/19/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1549336
|
Lip Tar
All-Star Mini X 4 Set
|
20.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/19/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1552124
|
Give Me
Some Lip
|
50.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/19/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1553544
|
Ambient
Lighting Palette
|
58.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/19/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1553718
|
Off The
Cuff Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush Palette & Bracelet
|
42.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/19/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1567320
|
Bright
Crystal Gift Set
|
92.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/20/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1501493
|
Ariel
Storylook Eyeshadow Palette Volume 3
|
55.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/21/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
509536_1
|
Chanel
Nuit Infinie De Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Color
|
34.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/22/2013
|
Sephora.com,
Inc.
|
1422690
|
Cinderella
Storylook Eyeshadow Palette
|
55.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/24/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
983198
|
Tom Ford
Cheek Color Blush
|
56.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/28/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
665332
|
Yes
|
-58.00
|
Cannot
find Original Order based on Orderid
|
10/30/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
699152
|
Michael
Michael Kors Stretch Corduroy Leggings (Regular & Petite)
|
119.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/31/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
108969
|
Chanel
Le Vernis Nail Colour
|
27.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/31/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
333458
|
Chanel
Rouge Coco Shine
|
34.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
10/31/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
960294
|
Chanel 5
Colours Exclusive Palette
|
80.00
|
Return
Exceeded
|
Grand
Total
|
1,429.30
|
In all of my transactions (shown above) the main reason I didn't make any commission was that "the return days have been exceeded". This means that all of these purchases were made "after" the initial click-through (or cookie) expired. Not one of these transactions were made within the 24hr click-through.
This should really open your eyes to what Affiliate Marketing is all about, but not every company operates on greed, I do belong to some really great companies that I have set up separate Blogs for just to market their products. In case you're wondering, I have a total of 10 blogs, 8 of them are used specifically for affiliate marketing....(another topic to be discussed).
Do you think Sephora or Nordstroms will miss me or even care that I chose to stop marketing their products.... I don't think so! Bottom line.... pick companies not because of their names but because of their integrity and ability to award you for your efforts.
Do you think Sephora or Nordstroms will miss me or even care that I chose to stop marketing their products.... I don't think so! Bottom line.... pick companies not because of their names but because of their integrity and ability to award you for your efforts.
November 2013
Non-Commissional Sales
Non-Commissional Sales
Process Date
|
Advertiser Name
|
Product SKU
|
Product Name
|
Sales
|
Reason
|
11/3/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
319821
|
Le Métier de Beauté
'True Color' Eyeshadow
|
30.00
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/5/2013
|
Sephora.com, Inc.
|
1555127
|
Degrees Of Dazzling
|
79.00
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
376709_26
|
Vince Camuto 'Ellen'
Flat
|
39.47
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
596347
|
ASICS® 'GEL-Noosa Tri
8' Running Shoe (Women)(Regular Retail Price: $119.95)
|
80.36
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
923213
|
Tea Collection
'Eastern Print' Dress (Toddler Girls)
|
19.43
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
956332
|
Mighty Fine 'I Am
Hello Kitty®' Hooded Tee (Toddler Girls)
|
28.00
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
967102
|
Love U Lots Two-Piece
Swimsuit (Little Girls)
|
34.00
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
564164
|
ASICS® 'GT 2000'
Running Shoe (Women) (Regular Retail Price: $115.00)
|
77.05
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
598660_3
|
Lodis 'Sylvie Swivel'
iPad Case
|
58.80
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
644184_2
|
Lodis 'Swivel' iPad
mini Case
|
46.80
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
692707
|
St. John Collection
Shawl Collar Liquid Satin Blouse
|
356.98
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
692812
|
St. John Yellow Label
Reptile Print Jersey Tee
|
116.98
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
692812_1
|
St. John Yellow Label
Reptile Print Jersey Tee
|
233.96
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
981278
|
Joe's Skinny Ankle
Jeans (Delia)
|
98.90
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
662814_1
|
Clarks� 'Rosepoint
Dew' Bootie (Online Only Color)
|
139.95
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/7/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
681150
|
TOMS 'Classic -
Earthwise' Vegan Slip-On (Women)
|
40.46
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/8/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
363960
|
Bobeau Asymmetric Knit
Maxi Skirt
|
39.90
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/8/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
365925
|
J Brand '2311 Maria'
High Rise Jeans (Starless)
|
200.00
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/8/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
586561
|
Paige Denim 'Hidden
Hills' Bootcut Stretch Jeans (Stream)
|
169.00
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/8/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
909997_1
|
Steve Madden 'Clydee'
Pump
|
79.90
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/8/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
909997_2
|
Steve Madden 'Clydee'
Pump
|
79.90
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/8/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
919182
|
Sam Edelman 'Kayla'
Over the Knee Boot
|
274.95
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/8/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
952740
|
Pleione Exposed Seam
Print Tee
|
28.80
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/8/2013
|
Sephora.com, Inc.
|
1474238
|
Beauty Editor Darlings
Set
|
15.20
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/8/2013
|
Sephora.com, Inc.
|
1550623
|
Vice Palette 2
|
47.20
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/8/2013
|
Sephora.com, Inc.
|
1435056
|
Good Karma Optical
Blurring Brush
|
25.00
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/8/2013
|
Sephora.com, Inc.
|
1532084
|
Naked Skin Ultra
Definition Pressed Finishing Powder Naked Dark
|
34.00
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/10/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
266225
|
Giorgio Armani 'Eyes
to Kill' Mascara
|
30.00
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/10/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
627243
|
CHANEL LE VOLUME DE
CHANEL MASCARA
|
30.00
|
Return Exceeded
|
11/15/2013
|
NORDSTROM.com
|
310070
|
PIKOLINOS 'Brujas'
Boot
|
239.95
|
Return Exceeded
|
Grand Total
|
2773.94
|
||||
Don't let this post discourage you from affiliate marketing beauty products on your Blog. In all actuality I do quite well as an affiliate marketer with other companies besides Sephora & Nordstroms. I've found that the best company to sign up with to promote beauty products is LinkShare. Sephora & Nordstroms are a part of LinkShare but there's also over 100 beauty companies that pay a lot more commission and have just about everything you want to promote.
Before you become an affiliate marketer, you should be familiar with several terms, I listed the most important ones below for those of you that are newbies, but just be sure and do your research before you get started!
Before you become an affiliate marketer, you should be familiar with several terms, I listed the most important ones below for those of you that are newbies, but just be sure and do your research before you get started!
**************
Actual Commissions - Actual Commissions represents the net commissions earned by a publisher after adjustments such as cancellation, and returns.
Adjusted Commissions - Adjusted Commissions represent commissions that were adjusted from the baseline commissions, usually because of special offers, cancellation or returns.
Affiliate - Also referred to as a Publisher, an affiliate is a person or organization running a Web site that partners with one or more online advertisers. The affiliate places links on its site to promote the merchant's products or services. In exchange, the affiliate receives a commission for all valid transactions it has referred.
Baseline Commissions - Baseline Commissions represents commissions you’ve earned from advertiser’s baseline programs. These do not include special offers, and other adjustments such as cancellations and returns.
Affiliate ID - Tracking Code (Affiliate ID): Your LinkShare Tracking Code (some people call this their Affiliate ID or encrypted code) is not your LinkShare Username. You can find your unique tracking code by looking at any link code generated by your account. The tracking code is the 11 character alphanumeric code behind “id=” and before “&offerid=” in the link code.
Commission - Commission refers to the amount of compensation paid to publishers for participation in an advertiser’s Affiliate program. Publishers generally earn a percentage of each sale made on an advertiser’s site to a visitor referred by a link on that publisher’s site. Commissions may also be a flat fee for each purchase or action. This commission varies from advertiser to advertiser.
Commissionable - A transaction that elects for a commission.
Commissionable Transaction - he transaction successfully applies to the offer terms.
CPM - CPM is usually referred to the number of clicks registered in a website by the readers. Ad Networks, such as AdSense, calculate ad revenue for websites based on CPM.
CTR - click-Through Rate or CTR is obtained by dividing the number of clicks by the number of impressions. CTR is a good way of measuring the effectiveness of a campaign. For example, if your banner ad was delivered 100 times (impressions) and one person clicked on it, then the resulting CTR would be 1 percent.
Return Days - Return Days are the number of days that can elapse between a referred customer's intial visit and a return visit in which they make a purchase. If a customer makes a purchase within the Return Days period, the referring publisher receives a commission on the sale, even if the visitor returns directly to the advertiser’s site.
Non-Commissionable Transaction - This can come from a number of reasons, such as a transaction not being part of an offer, or if an invalid Affiliate ID is provided, if the return days have been exceeded.