Where Does the time Go?

I have felt as if there is even less time to devote to my Experiment of learning which started only a few weeks ago. There are endless lists of ideas accumulating on envelopes, backs of shopping lists, and Store receipts. I think I have just had an epiphany; I never have a good Idea sitting in front of a Computer (that does follow my character come to think of it.) I think most intensely when I am not obliged to. With all seriousness I have gone and placed banners on this blog and on the family site but am beginning to think that 160 x 600 is a bit overpowering for the current space and I am going to need to downsize it. Especially now that the Misses has decided to place a HUGE banner counting down the Days and hours till the movie "Twilight" comes out. It is her latest obsession, one that has taken up a significant amount of real estate.
I have of late in my efforts made contact with a fellow affiliate manager (he actually took the time to contact me first). I find this a pleasant change from the typically blank acceptance response. I know I joined a few of the huge programs first to be semi silent observer of how they do and understand that managing them is undoubtedly time consuming, but those programs also have very thorough acceptance letters with embedded banner code, Cash activation bonuses, detailed ways to communicate with the affiliate Manager and content that reads like a letter just for you. I guess what surprised me was that through a few emails tossed back and forth I was able to tell that the personal contact though brief was a change from the norm for the manager. What a concept that I am not the only affiliate manager who at times feels alone walking London. In these few emails I made sure to ask a few concentrated questions about the program and what has and hasn’t been tried and got a pretty good grasp of expectations and what it would take to make the top 20%. I am a Firm Believer in the 80 / 20 Principal and that is where I am going to try and land in each of these programs. Well enough yapping, It is time to do my best.

First Impressions

They say that you form your first and lasting impressions of an experience, in anywhere from a range of 2 to 20 seconds. As of now I have applied to several programs and to be honest was a little shocked at the attention various Program Managers gave to their response emails. My first impressions ranged from, "I'm going to enjoy work with you" to "This Program is Not worth my time." It was my thought that the first contact should be open, positive, encouraging, and heaven forbid even a little personal.

I have to say though that some managers put real effort into their response some of them pretty good in fact. The good ones included specific program information, an introduction to the affiliate manager of the program, a rundown of available tools at my disposal through their program, a couple of astute managers had even taken the time to add best sellers and auto populated HTML code for banners making quick deployment that much easier. My Favorites were responses that even had a clear bonus offer to entice me to get those links up. I even got a few Ideas on how I could improve my approval email. Yet there are two sides to every coin. Some things that I saw that distressed me were the lack of warm welcomes to potentially successful partners. The introductions to a contact or dedicated affiliate manager were infrequent to non-existent. The responses that really failed to impress were the ones that gave an "Affiliate@I-don't-really-pay-attention-to-This-Address.com" email as the best way to contact them.

The greatest disparity of style I have found in the programs thus far is with those that auto approved. They were either Great, or shockingly blank. My impression of the latter program responses was that they hadn't even really looked into the process and did not know how to operate their own, and I really don't want to do anything for them. I am not going to try and put real efforts in and hours of labor for nothing, I want to work with someone that does the same amount of work or at least attempts to look like they do.

So you know I am placing links on this blog of the programs I have joined and plan on promoting in one way or another. I am not going to single out anyone but I do hope that future managers may look at this can gain a better perspective and apply it to their Program. What I can say at about week two of this little adventure (most great affiliates say it took them 3 years to consider their efforts “Great”) is that it is actually kind of exciting to go through the list of merchants on ShareASale and browse sites of potential programs to promote. honestly you can get so many ideas I see why affiliates that are not solely concentrated in my niche have little time to spare or may take longer to respond, and knowing that is really going to help me better manage those affiliates that I work with now, and better appreciate it when I do have their attention.

Who I Am

A long time ago I knew I wanted to work in marketing. Along the way realized being self employed wasn't half bad either. With a LOT of hard work, and equal dose of luck and determination I made it to that marketing gig. I love it here, but I am finding a whole new world in performance marketing. One that just might take me my whole life to study and perfect.

Every where I go I have done my best to make whatever I do better. I am not so much an irreplaceable part of the engine so much as I am the catalyst that takes the performance to the next level, the supercharger if you will. I strive to help the operation function better, to operate smoother, to grow faster, and to be better understood. I work hard, but I work smart too.

I have Been self employed in direct sales, managed and customized CRM databases, managed regional programs responsible for Millions of dollars in payments, and created from scratch accounting measures to control them. As a result I increased Profitability in those programs over 400%, amounting to over Five Hundred Thousand Dollars in Profit.

As of late I have taken those skills and abilities and put them into place here in the Affiliate Marketing Industry. Again I have taken sales to a level never before seen at a growth rate beyond expectations. Creating a quality operation is what I do, challenges are what I live for. That is why now I am stepping onto the other side of the affiliate business. To help my perspective, to be better for those that need me, and to challenge my capacity to grow and learn.