I remember when I first started out, I thought most of my affiliate managers were just pushing offers on me because they needed volume on them – regardless of how well the offer performed. The fact is sometimes this is true, you just need to be able to tell the difference.
This mindset becomes a problem when you start putting every affiliate manager into this category. I like to think that there are three types of affiliate managers, you need to be able to tell which one they are so you don’t waste time running crap and more importantly lose money.
Affiliate Manager Type #1 – The Bimbo
They are everywhere and very easy to spot out. Just take a quick look at their profile picture and as much as I hate to stereotype, there are not that many attractive female affiliate managers who actually know what they are talking about. There are always exceptions, and I know plenty of hot affiliate managers who know A LOT about this business, and they rock.
But let’s be honest and I know most of you already know this, a lot of networks hire hot affiliate managers who know absolutely nothing about this business simply to get horny young affiliates to work with them. Even worse a lot of them will pretend to flirt with you on instant messenger or facebook to make it seem like they actually care about you.
You need to STAY AWAY from these types of affiliate managers. If you’re unsure if they are this type or not simply ask them questions like “If you were to run this offer how would you go about setting it up?”. You can probably gauge just from that answer alone how much they know.
Affiliate Manager Type #2 – The Weasel
This type of affiliate manager can be VERY annoying and sometimes relentless until you reply to their email or answer their phone call. Most of the time they are just desperate for new affiliates under them, but occasionally you may run into someone good who truly does want to help your business out and provide you with good offers and information.
Affiliate Manager Type #3 – The Veteran
This is the ideal affiliate manager. They’ve most likely been around a long time and know their stuff. Some are past and or current affiliates themselves and can be really helpful. It’s usually pretty easy to tell who the veterans are just by how they talk to you and approach things. Instead of just saying “hey this offer is hot you should run it”, they will most likely also tell you where it is running hot and how it’s been promoted, thus making your job easier saving you time and money.
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Excellent post.
Over 2 years now and I have gotten to know one of my AM’s really well. I would say so well that anytime I get to his city I will try to hook up with them just to hang out.
He moved networks and I don’t think we’ve talked about affiliate to affiliate manager type stuff in a long while. Now it’s just what’s going on and if I’m doing good business.
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Nothing beats having a AIM convo about offers with a bimbo AM and after she pushed a offer she then sends a message meant for her friend saying how bad the offer is, but she has to push it. LOL That was the quickest I left a network.
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Bryn Youngblut Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Wow that is messed up, but exactly what I am talking about.
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R Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Sad thing is she came on a referral from you…
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Bryn Youngblut Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Great now I feel like crap but that just validates my feeling about how hard it is to trust anyone in this business. If you don’t mind could you email me who it was so I know I’m not working with them?
I was super pissed one time when I got switched from “a veteran” to a bimbo a couple months ago. The veteran gave her a bunch of accounts and mine was included, I always thought it was strange that he would give away my account because it was a decent size. I’d put money that she just flirted with him and he gave up some serious cash to increase his chances with her. It’s always the worst when you get switched like that.
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Bryn Youngblut Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Yeah dude that sucks but ultimately it’s his loss.
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John Kirkpatrick Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Very true, I gradually stopped working with them less and less. It’s a shame because he always told me lots of good information, usually stuff that he probably shouldn’t have been too, heh.
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haha great post man – bimbos nice
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I weaseled my way into sexual relations with a veteran bimbo last week. Normally a C-section scar would be a turnoff but the way she relaxed my colon was unbelievable. Dreams do come true, kids! The older the better IMHO.
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Don’t forget the “shady” affiliate manager
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Bryn Youngblut Reply:
November 12th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I definitely missed a couple of the types but maybe that will be a part 2.
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There’s nothing better than asking what an the EPC is for an offer just to hear “What is EPC?” as the reply…
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The weasel will also AIM you every day to promote some “exclusive” offer. They seem pretty immune even when you tell them to get lost.
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There’re lots of male bimbos too. Getting switched from a female veteran to a male bimbo is no fun.
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Bimbo AM’s = 99% of Clickbooth AM’s
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the “vet” AM is ideal but be careful when he starts asking you questions about what you are blowing up b/c he is in turn feeding that to other affiliates.
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R Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Exactly. Try a certain company out of las vegas, who hides the office location by putting a fake addy on all business materials, that way when they have someone try to go after them it will take a lawyer 2 times the effort (and 2 times your money spent) to find them.
Its funny when you try to find a office location and the addy is not even real and you are looking at a grocery store.
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I think you also missed the non existent AM who you have to hound for weeks through every communication system known to man to get a god damn pixel placed.
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AM’s can make or break you. Build a relationship first and never send large volumes of traffic to an offer purely based on their recommendation until their advice has been proven.
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“If you were to run this offer how would you go about setting it up?”
This is the greatest line ever. We should sign up to a bunch of networks and just ask that question. You could probably make a hilarious blog just about the answers to that question.
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nice comments. I can’t believe getting your account switched and loosing that relationship with an AM thats working out and going up to bat for yah.
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I love hot AM’s, aka Bimbo’s as you put it Bryn!
Classic post bro.
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Here is an example of a Classic Bimbo
“I also met Brittany, my publisher manager at Clickbooth. Deb really loved her because she though Deb looked 25 years old tops, but we are both in our early 30’s with two kids. She thought I could be 25 years-old tops too, but that’s normal for me. Not a bad thing I guess especially in another few years. Haha. Brittany and I had an unfortunate head-butt and I hope she didn’t end up with too much of a headache. Sorry Brittany but it was all your fault!”
from http://www.emonetized.com/221/adtech-new-york-city-2009-recap
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If you’re a guy then HOT affiliate managers who know their shit are the BEST. Period. They are out there and if you don’t have one… you’re missing out.
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Eugeniu Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Looks like Anonymous is one of them 🙂
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Anonymous Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
haha nope. i’m a male affiliate. what i said is simply fact… unless you’d rather spend most of your time talking to dudes.
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Yea, It seems I Just got switched last week. Don’t know if she’s a Bimbo or even hot for that matter.
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When I first started as an AM there were far too many affiliates that were quick to write off a newbie AM. Although I didn’t have previous experience I was willing to ask our veteran AM’s the right questions. Even though it’s unfortunate to be handed off to a new, unexperienced AM don’t be too quick to assume they won’t be beneficial to you. The most important thing to look for in an account manager is their ability to find answers quickly. Since starting a year ago I’ve since had affiliates admit they were wrong to ignore me at first. There is a difference between a Bimbo and a newbie AM willing to learn.
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Bryn Youngblut Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Very good points and very true.
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Bryn,
Man, I think you’ve nailed it on the head. I just recently got into CPA, and I have had 2 managers at Clickbooth. The first one was awesome. He gave me tips and tricks and told me what converted well and why.
My new manager is a total weasel. “acia, colon, and biz opps are doing the big volume right now.” Blah. I’d like to promote something I actually believe in thank you very much!
I’m looking forward to reading part 2
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It’s also bad when you get the Bimbo who is also ugly 🙂
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Excellent article! Even though I’m still pretty new to affiliate marketing, I can already relate to this.
When can we expect a part 2?
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