When someone says that being an Affiliate Manager is easy, they aren’t being totally honest. The title “Affiliate Manger” can be misleading because of all that is not said in the title, like what the job entails. Affiliate Managers are customer service representatives, number crunchers, public relations representatives and even punching bags for affiliates that don’t see eye to eye with everyone. Ask any Affiliate Manager and they will tell you that it can be exhausting being the messenger between the company you work for and the affiliates that you are managing.
Patience is something that is definitely tested when it comes to this niche; albeit, Affiliate Management can be extremely rewarding, especially in the long run. When managers grab the bull by the horns, they come to find that persevering through this tough industry is rewarded by great financial freedom and the opportunity to eventually be your own boss and run your own show. Before you even think about grabbing the bull’s horns, let it sit in the pen and get some advice on what to do and what you certainly shouldn’t do.
Mistake # 1
Even if you went to school for management, you’re not going to know exactly what to do your first time around; don’t advertise that to your market. Affiliates will shy away from managers who seem like they don’t have the whole picture painted. Work with them and if you get a curve ball, don’t ask them for help or direction, just let them know that you’re on it and begin to use the resources around you.
Mistake # 2 (not making relationships)
The phenomenal Affiliate Manager has great relationships with their affiliates, as they should! These people are the reason that you have a job and you should let them know it. Try to get personal with them and be their friend, see what your common interests are, and try to get their birthday; nothing says great management like a box of brownies on their birthday! Keep in touch over the holidays as well. Seeing your affiliates as numbers will drive them away.
Mistake #3 (ignoring emails)
The primary, if not only method of communication with affiliates is email. Staying on top of your inbox is probably the most important thing you can do. Affiliates expect responses very prompt...waiting a few days to respond might anger them and drive them away. Responding to an affiliates email probably takes 15 seconds at the most, especially if your email comes to your mobile device! If you knock out the reply ASAP, you won’t come to find that your inbox is dauntingly overloaded!
Mistake #4 (initial meet)
When an affiliate is brought on board, don’t welcome them with a template email, they are gross. Take the extra minute to craft a genuine welcome, affiliates expect and DESERVE one. Introduce yourself, let them know how you found them and what you can do for them, be the better Affiliate Manager.
Mistake #5 Knowledge
You’d be surprised at how much you can learn about this industry. When you are doing your job, you’ll learn the best from experience, but take some time to read up on practices and facts. There are quite a few affiliate blogs and reference sites out there that enable you to see what affiliates are talking about and what they like or dislike when it comes to business. Put your brain in sponge mode and soak up all that you can!
Following this advice can certainly help you to get a better grasp on what you can expect when becoming an Affiliate Manager. This position will open doors to bigger and better rooms of opportunity in the palatial estate of the affiliate industry, just be sure to stay on top of your game and never get complacent, there is always something you can do that is better, different or both to make more money and a name for yourself.
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