Comments on: A Tale Of Two Merchants – Or Why Communication Really is The Key

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:31:56 +0000

Hey Ken, yes you are dead right. I do feel its my responsibility as someone who is often one of the larger affiliates on a programme to demonstrate that I behave professionally and expect to be treated the same. I do have a choice of people to work with and am increasingly intolerant of unprofessional behaviour. I’ve just switched links away from one merchant permanently which will probably cost me a few hundred quid a month – but if I don’t stand up and show them they can’t just pick up and drop affiliate marketing on a whim I’ll be doing myself a long term injustice!

By: kcheung

kcheung — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:31:34 +0000

Whilst i do totally agree with you, i do find that agencies, and networks play a part, as you’ll probably already know i work at an agency, and there’s still a lot of stigma against affiliates, which whilst still around is gradually changing, on the same token there are good agencies and bad ones, and the same goes for networks. point to note about networks, some networks allow you to email the merchant, but at the same time don’t alert the merchant that they actually have mail, one US network in particular that begins with a ‘c’ is particularly bad at this, AWin on the other hand send us (the agency) an alert as soon as an affiliate emails meaning we can respond immediately..at this point, its down to how responsive and good an agency you’re dealing with.

given your predicament i’d switch my links, the only way merchants, agencies and networks will learn is when their forecasts get mucked up because they haven’t been managing affiliates correctly…after all affiliates are effectively business partners and should be treated as such! (rant over)

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:51:00 +0000

A few a week to get the ball rolling I guess! You start to form a dialogue to improve things and increase volume. Where there’s smoke there’s fire! You need to get that fire burning so it will smoke out the place!! Sales = $$-)

By: Respironics

Respironics — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:07:48 +0000

loyalty and communication are the key to any relationship

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:28:05 +0000

At what point do you start to build a relationship with merchants or networks?

I am in the early stages of AM so don’t really have any relationships with anyone but at what point should you start? How much in sales do you need to be sending?

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:02:38 +0000

LOL, so true!

By: Steven

Steven — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:52:52 +0000

This reminds me of a Dilbert comic strip that I’ve cited in the past, admittedly with a hint of sarcasm, when experiencing the old “email / voice mail into the abyss” scenario. See storyboard #7 about the horizon concept http://www.dilbert.com/2009-04-05/.

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:38:00 +0000

You’re absolutely right of course Rob, but it’s been over 3 weeks since I contacted the merchants now so I think I’ve given ample time before launching a moan!

If it was a holiday related issue, then this would be a great example of how important it is to get your holiday cover right. It doesn’t take much to sour an affiliate relationship.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:52:33 +0000

Whilst I agree that direct communication counts for a lot, I’m just thinking that in July a lot of people are away on long holidays and those that get left behind can get snowed under . . .

By: kelvin newman

kelvin newman — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:08:46 +0000

All I can say is hopefully that’ll learn them!