Choose Affiliate Programs With Accessible Affiliate Managers

Believe it or not all affiliate programs aren't the same. Some boast great commissions and high conversion rates, some just boast high conversion rates with minimal commissions. The best affiliate programs will give you 90 day return policies and 50% to 60% commissions.

These are usually click bank products which are electronically delivered therefore profit margins are maximized due to what Chris Anderson (Author/Editor) calls The Long Tail.

Unfortunately choosing an affiliate program isn't solely dependent on profit margins and return rates. As a mobility scooter affiliate and dealing with multiple merchants providing DME such as electric powered wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers I know that the accessibility of your affiliate manager will directly reflect the quality of your merchant links, your knowledge of your merchants procedures and the general tone for your merchant affiliate relationship.

Believe me… some merchant, publisher relationships can be so rocky that animosity keeps progress at a stand still. I call this the people factor as all souls arn't meant to get along. When communication between merchant and affiliate becomes spoiled it becomes like pulling teeth to extract information form your manager or sometimes they make themselves difficult to grab hold of by postponing meetings and phone conversations or by simply giving incomplete or inaccurate information.

This happen to me as I called my affiliate manager and he just seemed a tad distant "you know…" like he really didn't care about my problem or solving it. Thats when I knew I was dealing with the wrong guy and I'd better get a grip on this before I devoted to much time and fell short from lack of support.

I want all reading this post to understand… even though all this has happened to me and may happen again, it's in no way an epidemic as 98% of the affiliate managers I deal with are outstanding men and women who know their stuff and will guide you down the wright path every time!

In order to Avoid the Ugliness of Poor Affiliate Managers – Try These Simple Steps to Identify What Caliber of Affiliate Team Your Working With

First set up a meet and great with your manager to discuss your goals, company goals and to hear any ideas they may have to get you off on the wright foot. If your manager absolutely refuses to meet over the phone and insists on e-mail contact only – A yellow flag of caution should be tossed in the air.

It should be your managers first priority to assist you in product information, tech stuff and general knowledge of their policies and procedures. Make sure you inquire about content development rules and ask all your affiliate managers if they can provide you with any content surrounding their products that will aid you in the sell.

Some affiliate programs offer such material and others may not. It's not a big deal either way although if the already have content that is proven such as sales letters squeeze pages or testimonials then by all means take what they give you.

You may need to alter or re-write the content to avoid duplicate content but thats no big deal, people do that everyday, just as long as it's not plagiarized. keep in mind if they have the content available for you then the other publishers associated with their affiliate program will have the same content. thats one reason to re-furbish the content. this technique is good for reviews and descriptions, especially long wordy descriptions of products you may not be entirely familiar with.

Obtaining this information and guidance from your affiliate manager is crucial in creating a positive relationship that will endure through your affiliate experience.

Create a Series of Questions to Ask Your Affiliate Manager

1. Do you provide content ?
2. Are you available during the workday (Mon – Fri)
3. What are your top sellers?
4. What do you suggest I sell?
5. Can I create my own links?
6. Is their room for negotiating higher commissions?
7. Do you offer incentives i.e. higher commissions with greater sales volume?
8. May I call you with questions if need be?

Of course you'll have to ask these questions appropriately, but they are all valid questions that may annoy some affiliate managers although they are perfectly valid inquiries. Again if your contact shows resistants providing information or just refuses to attempt to provide at least the most basic of information such as whats selling or do you have any suggestions, then you're dealing with a less than adequate situation.

You may handle things (two) ways if the need acures…

• Ask politely to speak with department head and extract the relative information from he or she. They at minimum should be able to explain in a professional manor the reason why they wouldn't be able to discuss these topics.
• Depending on whether you're satisfied or not your second recourse is to find another affiliate program entirely or simply ask for another affiliate manager. Most companies I've dealt with have only (one) affiliate manager so your decision won't be to difficult if that (one) manager isn't quite up to par. Have no doubt that these less than perfect relationships can manifest. Just be ready to "bail out" and board a sounder ship if need be.

In parting I'd like to restate – these not so comfortable situations aren't wide spread… so please don't be uncomfortable or apprehensive when contacting or dealing with corporate managers as most will not let you down. Just be aware of the warning sings and stay on your toes… no better yet keep your affiliate manager(s) on their toes!

Good Luck and Good Hunting

About the Author: Daryl Clayton Kennedy a mobility scooter affiliate and regular contributor to www.affiliatexfiles.net . Daryl's affiliate site reviews 3 wheel scooters and power chairs for those needing ambulatory assistance.