An affiliate wrote:
Could you please explain how affiliate marketing works for someone living in Eastern Europe. How exactly is payment handled?
Good question. Whether you live in Western or Eastern Europe cashing a USD check (the universal payment method utilized by all affiliate networks) always entails a fee. In Western Europe it is normally a flat fee of anywhere from 8 to 34 Euro, while Russia and many other Eastern European countries it’s a more complex story. Cashing a foreign currency check in Russia and Ukraine can take up to several weeks. The cashing fee is tied to the check amount, and ranges from 2% to 5% depending on the check amount and often also your personal agreement with the cashing service. In light of this, presence of alternative payment methods may be of a competitive advantage for an affiliate network.
I have just finished researching payment options across five different U.S. affiliate networks, and compiled a list that all European affiliates should find of help. The below order is alphabetical only, and keeping in mind the original question, I have also singled out the best methods of payment for affiliates located in Eastern Europe:
* AvantLink [website | Twitter] – Checks, direct deposits (U.S. banks only), and PayPal [details here].
* Commission Junction [website | Twitter] – Direct deposits and checks. Direct bank deposits (ACH) available only for Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and US [details here]
* Google Affiliate Network [website | Twitter] – Pays affiliates through their AdSense accounts. Payment options include checks, electronic funds transfers (for select countries many of which are in Europe), Western Union and Rapida transfers [details here].
* LinkShare [website | Twitter] – Direct deposits and checks. Direct bank deposits (ACH) available only for Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, UK and US [details here].
* ShareASale [website | Twitter] – Direct deposits for US, Canada, UK, and Euro-based E.U. accounts that support this payment method, and checks sent via regular mail or FedEx.