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The affiliate/network relationship is a complex one, at times rising to the level of soap opera while at others more like a deserted ghost town (or maybe Blazing Saddles) However, at it’s heart, the connection between an affiliate or web publisher and the affiliate networks they work with should be a mutually beneficial business relationship.
Matomy Market Affiliate Services Manager, Noga Kaizerman, has many thoughts on the subject. She and her team handle a large portion of Matomy Market affiliates, many of whom prefer to work independently on the platform, choosing their own offers and making decisions on their own. Noga’s team pays close attention to the activity of these and all of the affiliate services affiliates, and make it their priority to grow their business.
What are some of the ways you help affiliates?
” First, we establish communication, which is the number one thing an affiliate can do to get the most from his network. When I send an email to an affiliate who is showing a lot of potential, I look forward to getting the replies that say: Yeah I want to make more money, please help me! It shows that the affiliate has initiative and is ready to work. I say this because it’s not always one offer that will go bonanza and make him a ton of money. But if they are willing to test some offers and try some different media types or a new vertical, chances are they will see a big improvement in their performance.”
Here are the questions that Noga and her team always ask an affiliate: ( “The more information you give us, the more we can help!”)
1. How do you market?
2. What is your business model?
3. What are your needs from me ?
4. What offers work for you?
5. Who are your customers?
The Affiliate Services Department also issues The Performer (click here for the last issue), a newsletter that contains the best performing offers for every media type. Not getting yours? Send Noga an email and tell her to sign you up! Non-registered affiliates can browse Matomy Market’s thousands of offers by country or category on the FindIt page of our website.
The panelists chime in…
To continue the discussion, here are some ways that networks and affiliate managers can help their affiliates grow. (This information is sourced from an ASW11 Session: Improving the Affiliate/Affiliate Manager Relationship) The session was paneled by top industry insiders Todd Farmer (www.MyContentPro.com , www.affiliatemarketingplan.com ), Joe Sousa (Owner, Internet Marketing Associates), Jamir Birch ( CEO, www.JEBcommerce.com ), Jason Rubacky (Affiliate Development Manager, ShareASale) and Logan Thomson (CEO Blink Source).
They can provide:
- New Creatives
- Campaigns
- Products
- Payout Bonuses
- Hot Markets
- Test for the affiliate on specially-made sites to be able to tell them exactly which banners convert and in which place on the page.
Noga is quick to add: “It helps me tremendously when an affiliate sends me the following… ” :
- Feedback on what works
- Improvements for merchant’s site, leaks, shopping cart flow
Don’t ever call me again!! I’m on skype…
Great advice for all networks and affiliate managers is to know the affiliate’s preferred way to be contacted. Some don’t want to talk on the phone, etc.
- Email or IM is the preferred method – not daily, they are deleted. No “Dear X”, but “How about that game last night?”
- Phone calls only for emergencies
- First contact is best in person: conference, or in snailmail, twitter
- Be organized: keep track of conversations and action items
Of course there are also annoying behaviors to which we say: Speak up! Complain to a superior if your affiliate manager:
- Spams forums, your FB profile, or engages in comment spam
- Talks before listening
- Posts untrue statements
- Hijacks threads, posts or competitor’s conversation
- Pretends to know more than they do
So as not to end on a sour note, Noga has this to sum up: ” We want to help you make more money and become a real partner. No email is ignored! Get in touch and let’s do business.”
