Any reasonable observer might accept the correlation between today’s affiliate marketer and yesterday’s commission salesman; including the door-to-door salesman, telemarketer and corresponding salesman. If such a correlation can withstand criticism from, and debate among, members of the respective groups and as a result, these groups can therefore be viewed as similar in nature, it can also be said that a major difference between the two is the Internet.
Being in the affiliate marketing business is not as difficult today because those who engage in it have the Internet at their disposal. There is little doubt that an affiliate marketer’s job – while being done in a much more competitive environment – is made much easier by the Internet as compared to the days when marketers/salespersons had to make use of the telephones and other tools and resources of the day, to get up-to-date news, statistics and industry information on their respective fields, as well as to “track” the progress of their programs.
That having been said, let’s take a look at how technology has affected the sales (affiliate marketing) profession. Assuming of course that most affiliate marketers conduct business from home, this is an attempt to depict a day in his/her professional life…
Upon waking up and after having breakfast, the computer is turned on to check any new developments in the network. As far as the marketer is concerned there might be new items to update and statistics to keep track of.
The site design has to be revised. The marketer knows that a well-designed site can increase sign ups from visitors, as well as help in the affiliate’s conversion rates (the conversion rate is measured as clicks on product links divided by the number of product displays).
That done, it is time for the affiliate to submit his/her program to directories that lists affiliate programs. These directories are used by merchants and other affiliates to attract interested parties to join existing affiliate programs, and are therefor considered a surefire way of promoting an affiliate program.
Time to track down any sales the affiliate is getting from the efforts of other affiliates in a fair and accurate manner. It is important to point out here that phone and mail orders still exist and therefore must also be track, although to a lesser degree. Additionally, the affiliate will also check to see if they are new clients checking out the products. S/he Notes down the contact information that might be a viable source in the future.
There are lots of resources to sort out. Ads, banners, button ads and sample recommendations to distribute because the marketer knows that this is one way of ensuring more sales. It is always best that an affiliate marketer stays visible and accessible to the marketplace.
The affiliate marketer remembered that there are questions to answer from visitors to the various websites and product pages; but this has to be done quickly because nothing can turn off a customer like an unanswered email.
To prove that the affiliate is working effectively and efficiently, inquiries would have to be paid prompt attention to since nobody wants to be ignored; and as most seasoned affiliate marketers will tell you, customers are not always the most patient of individuals. So it is important to provide a quick answer that should also be professional courteous.
In the process of doing all the necessities, the marketer is logged on to a chat room where s/he interacts with other affiliates and those under that same program. This is where they can discuss things on how to best promote their products.
There are things to be learned and it is a continuous process. Sharing tips and advice is a good way of showing support, as there may be others wanting to join and may be enticed by the discussion that is going on. There is certainly no harm in anticipating what kind of opportunities lie ahead.
The newsletters and ezines were updated days ago, so it is time for the affiliate marketer to see if there are some new things happening in the marketplace. This will be written about in the marketer’s publication to be distributed to old and new customers alike.
These same publications are also important tools in keeping up to date with newly introduced products the marketer has put up a sale and promotion that customers may want to know about. Besides, they have to keep up with deadlines for these sales written in such publications.
The time has come now to show some appreciation to those who have helped the marketer with promotions and sales increase. Nothing like mentioning the persons, their sites and the great job they have done in helping to make everything work. This of course, will also be published in the newsletters among the more important information that have already been written.
The marketer still has time to write out recommendations to those who want credible sources for products and services being promoted; and there is also time to post some comments on how to be a successful affiliate marketer on a site where there are lots of wannabees.
Two objectives done at the same time is when the marketer gets to promote his/her product, as well as the program s/he represents and promotes. Who knows, someone may be inclined to join, right? Time flies however, and although the affiliate missed lunch s/he is still quite content with the tasks performed and can say: Job well done with a self gratifying pat on the back. Bed time….
Okay, so this may not be all done in a day; but it does give you an idea of how an affiliate marketer, a dedicated one that is, spends the marketing day. Is that success looming on the horizon, or is it just a mirage of wishful thinking? You be the judge!
