[2busy]

The search is your friend. Near the top of the forum page is the search feature. You can look up any kind of information you are looking for and learn at your own pace. If you search for the term "parasites" be prepared for lots of reading.

Welcome to ABW!

[Geno Prussakov]

Originally Posted by tcharmlady

I am a newbie so forgive me for asking ..... what do you mean "to keep parasites out of their program?"

This would be a good thread to start with. And then - yes, search around the forum [specifically here], as well as read publications by Ben Edelman and Kellie Stevens.

Geno

[John Jupp]

Originally Posted by superseeker

I too am an aspiring AM and new to this site and world. Thank you for the primer.

Rick mentioned what I joined this site to find: Super Affiliates.

What is the best way to find the "super affiliates"?
I have seen that most affiliate programs are quoted in % and I an nervous that my program does not offer a very high % of total sale. It does though offer big money per sale (around $800 but only about 2.5%) as commission because it is a high priced product. It is just that my margins are slim because this is relatively new technology but the % should increase as I realize more sales.

What else can I do to get the Super Affiliates involved other than offering high %?

The commission is secondary to the conversion. Does the program convert? That is what an affiliate asks first. Then they ask: What material do I get to promote it? Then they ask: Can I get more commission?

[Julia_Shoeboxed]

Affiliate managers should also be strong communicators. The AM must be able to articulate what the product is, the benefits of the program, and useful tips to affiliates. The AM must also be able to effectively communicate to the merchant what the affiliates' needs are.

[JAYMEDINC]

I wonder what took me so long to stumble on this thread. It was tacked right up there at the top and I missed it.

Anyway, I am glad I read it now. Yesterday I had to write up a little proposal to my VP so he could look it over and give to the Pres, about how I want the revamped affiliate program to run. (I've been an Affiliate Manager for about 5 days now)

One of the things I am including in this is a list of my responsibilites. You have given me a few things to add from this thread.

Here is what I already had:

I need to build on the existing program by establishing an Affiliate Agreement and making sure the existing affiliates receive their commissions and training.

I need to recruit new affiliates and motivate existing ones.

I need to monitor our affiliate’s traffic daily, to make sure each affiliate is getting the best out of our program. And to help them if they need guidance or customer service.

I must create easy to understand instructions and training for affiliates to understand how to maximize profits.

I must continually stay in touch with affiliates via phone calls, email and newsletters.

[Chuck Hamrick]

Jay,

I suggest you change several terms:

I need to recruit new affiliates and optimize existing ones.

I must continually offer assistance and support with affiliates via phone calls, email and newsletters.

Get the notion out of your head that you will work the affiliates, they are independent people and will only promote your products and services if they see an opportunity to succeed. If you do not provide the benefits to them over the competition then they will not promote you.

[Leader]

I must continually stay in touch with affiliates via phone calls, email and newsletters.

Oh, the horror! "Continually" is way too much!

*Turns off phone!*
*Puts filter on email!*

If affiliates wanted to be nagged like that, they'd get a regular j*b!
Chances are that only 1% of affs will put up with any attempts at really having "continual" contact. Best to only talk when you really have something to say. And that won't be often. At least, not if you want your emails opened, it won't.

A newsletter comes monthly with good info...that's worth opening.
The guy is bugging me every day = he's got a Problem with a capital P; drop program.

I need to monitor our affiliate’s traffic daily, to make sure each affiliate is getting the best out of our program.

This will drive YOU nuts. And, if you don't realize how traffic *normally* can spike/plunge all over the place, you'll start driving your affs nuts with questions about "why" it does so (and give away your cluelessness)!

Finally you get the response "When Google tells me its algo, I'll let you know!"...or at least, one AM got that response from ME...

[John Jupp]

I'll offer you a very few pearls of wisdom.

NEVER let marketing handle the website. Any product price changes MUST be thought of at least a month in advance, same with new products.

ALL changes to be done by a techie with new spreadsheet provided at the same time for datafeed.

NEVER allow marketing any say in site adjustment. ALWAYS take on board what they wish to promote as the next "special" but DO NOT allow them near the site.

ORDER the creative for promotions a month in advance and ensure affiliates have this creative 2 weeks before launch of promotion.

LIAISE with marketing daily to ensure product availability.

When marketing get too big for their boots call us OPM's in and we'll educate your Boss, the Marketing Team and the stock room just how important an Affiliate Manager really is and why every online activity has to be carefully co-ordinated and why you are not just an Affiliate Manager but an Online Site Performance Manager who ensures all departments know their place, that techies are a law unto themselves, that affiliates do not "work" for the company, that any change to marketing must be pre-planned so as to work with other departments, that your online budget for regular creative is ample, that you need to get your junior and middle marketing team to an affiliate event so they can meet the affiliates (perhaps by sponsoring a pre-event drinks party), thereby aiding recruitment to the program and speaking 1 2 1 with them to get an indication on how to move the program forward....

Above all, don't take any c rap from Management. They asked you to do it because a) they think it an unimportant task or b) they need someone who can properly take a handle on this as they don't know how.

[JAYMEDINC]

Thank you Chuck and Leader.

I have made the edits you recommended.

[bcoppieters]

Thanks for the great info. It looks like I can add a few other things to my list of responsibilities. Sometimes you forget about all the extra things you do, and may not be getting compensated for. This may help me negotiate a raise.

Thanks again

[TrishaLyn]

Speaking of continually... how often to shoot a quick email would be effective but not overwhelming? I'm thinking once a month rides the line of helpful but not annoying - thoughts?

[rematt]

Originally Posted by TrishaLyn

Speaking of continually... how often to shoot a quick email would be effective but not overwhelming? I'm thinking once a month rides the line of helpful but not annoying - thoughts?

That depends. If you include something useful in an e-mail like a link to current best sellers or new discounts, deals or coupons, then once a week isn't too much. If you just want to say hi, the annual Christmas card is fine. You don't need to constantly check to see if I need anything. Trust me, if I need something I'll get in touch with you. It's enough to let me know how to get in touch with you and that you're available.

I know as as an AM you want to help me to promote your program(s). As an AM your program(s) are obviously gong to be your priority. As an affiliate I work with a lot of different programs and your program may not be as high a priority for me. You're competing for the same time that dozens of other programs are competing for and unless you've provided me with a compelling reason to promote your program it will probably remain low on my priority list. The frequency of your e-mails won't change that, the quality of your message might.

-rematt

[JAYMEDINC]

Originally Posted by TrishaLyn

Speaking of continually... how often to shoot a quick email would be effective but not overwhelming? I'm thinking once a month rides the line of helpful but not annoying - thoughts?

If I get emails from someone once a week, I tend to just delete them unless the subject line catches my interest. Once a month, I am much more likely to open it.

[Whipping]

This is a very helpful thread. It has answered a lot of my questions as a new affiliate marketer. Thanks everyone!

[Whipping]

Originally Posted by JAYMEDINC

If I get emails from someone once a week, I tend to just delete them unless the subject line catches my interest. Once a month, I am much more likely to open it.

There is nothing more annoying than getting emails anything up to 2-3 times a day because you have joined someone's program. I tend to consign them to the spam folder or just don't read them. It not only grates on the nerves but removes any incentive to follow on with the program involved.

Once a month is about right.

[Vika]

Thank you for the usefull information.
However, please don't be annoyed with my question. I have spent time trying to find the answer and will very much appreciate your help.

As an AM working for a merchant, how do I recruit affiliates for our aggiliate program.

Thank you in advance.

[JHD2009]

Hey guys and gals,

I am new to this. I am a a merchant. How do I know who my affiliate manager is? Is he supposed to contact me or I am supposed to contact him?

Please let me know.

Thanks.

Brad

[Merchant Consultant Team]

>>>How do I know who my affiliate manager is?

You hire him/her and pay MONEY.
You have his/her W9

[John Jupp]

Originally Posted by JHD2009

Hey guys and gals,

I am new to this. I am a a merchant. How do I know who my affiliate manager is? Is he supposed to contact me or I am supposed to contact him?

Please let me know.

Thanks.

Brad

Brad I think you are mixing up what an Account Manager is (a person working for a network managing a number of merchant accounts) and an Affiliate Manager (agency or in house, retained to promote specifically for that merchant). The Affiliate Manager you'd know. The network account manager, well most merchant panels have the name of the account manager and if they don't they usually get in touch. However dropping the network a line to ask isn't a problem.

[aceofadsense]

WOW, The info provided in here is simply superb. I am new to the world of affiliate marketing. I joined a firm as a trainee and the responsibility given to me is to search out for affiliates who are good and also the commissions that we have to give out. All wanted to know is, is there any way that I can find affiliates(without joining the affiliate network) who are ready to work with me? If so where can i find them. I feel its profitable both for me n the affiliate if i avoid joining the network. Please suggest me also on the basic things that i have to look out for to be succesful in this affiliate marketingi feild. My email is aceofadsense/at/yahoo/dot/com.

Thanks Once Again For All Your Valuable Suggestions. Take Care.

[rematt]

Originally Posted by aceofadsense

I joined a firm as a trainee and the responsibility given to me is to search out for affiliates who are good and also the commissions that we have to give out. All wanted to know is, is there any way that I can find affiliates(without joining the affiliate network) who are ready to work with me? If so where can i find them. I feel its profitable both for me n the affiliate if i avoid joining the network. Please suggest me also on the basic things that i have to look out for to be succesful in this affiliate marketingi feild. My email is aceofadsense/at/yahoo/dot/com.

It's pretty obvious from your first couple of posts that you have little or no experience as an affiliate manager or affiliate for that matter. The biggest problem that you're going to run into is that with your lack of experience it will probably cost you a lot more to run a program in-house. Included in that cost will be your credibility.

Before you decide to attempt an in-house program you need to get a handle on what is actually required to run a program and what services the established networks provide. With your apparent lack of knowledge regarding affiliate programs you are almost guaranteed to fail.
Do a lot more reading here and in the Merchant Best Practices Forum . You may also want to consider hiring an OPM to at least answer some of your questions and possibly help you get your program off the ground. The on the job training you'll receive will be invaluable regardless of whether you decide to join a network or run your program in-house.

Good luck.

-rematt

[Chuck Hamrick]

aceofadsense, get a site created and join all the top networks. You can do backlink searches for your competitors but if you do not know how to identify an affiliate redirect you will not be able to figure which are affiliates versus commercial sites. Do your home work and it is 10x more difficult to get an affiliate to join an in-house program. Unless you have 100's already asking for your program?

[Alan Hamilton]

Originally Posted by rematt

[LEFT]It's pretty obvious from your first couple of posts that you have little or no experience as an affiliate manager or affiliate for that matter. The biggest problem that you're going to run into is that with your lack of experience it will probably cost you a lot more to run a program in-house. Included in that cost will be your credibility.

As has been the case with so many of your posts Re, your advice above moved me so deeply that I think I got a slight case of the vapors!
Excellent advice you offered and I'd suggest he follow it, be patient, realize that becoming a good AM or OPM takes years of evolution and learning. If he has it, he will one day be a star. If not, there are openings at Walmart.

[aceofadsense]

Hello all, thanks a lot for ur valuable suggestions. Hamrick, Wat do you mean by "Join all the top networks?" R u refering to the affiliate networks like clickbank,SAS n stuff or something else? If you are refering to affiliate networks then it might cost me a lot when i consider to join more than one network....need your suggestions please.

Thank You.

[Chuck Hamrick]

You need to join as an affiliate to do a Competitive Analysis meaning find out what your competitors are paying in commissions, any performance incentives, bonus tiers, EPC. Your program will fail if you offer a weaker commission and benefits to affiliates unless you have a significantly better product.