1, 2, 3.....SPILL.... You don't have the name names....Just let me know what you wish networks did less or and what you wish they did more of! I'm listening..... Jen
Widely varying payouts on the same offer between affiliates. Anti-competitive practices; IE: Affiliate "No poach" agreements between networks. Shaving. Lying about shaving. Bullshit incentives like bonus cash cards, contests, prizes.
Have you ever ask your AM at "X" network about varying payouts? Could be because of certain subid's volume or high quality on an offer that varies the payout. But if you have a good relationship with your AM they should be able to get you where the market dictates. Re: scrubbing/shaving sometimes the advertisers are scrubbing and the network may not know (I can only speak for USM) Are networks promising you these things and not following through? That would piss me off too!!!
- Shaving-Scrubbing - Saying offers are "Private-Exclusive-Direct" and then getting emails about the same exact offer from 5 different networks. - Bogus caps and campaign limitations on solid offers(wondering if they are running them internally and being selfish!) - AMs being lazy, not responding/getting you good offers - AM's saying an offer is HOT and really just having you test the freaking thing
@BigEricBug...Good points!! Re: the private/exclusive/direct sometimes an advertiser will say its your "exclusive" and then when you aren't getting them the volume they want they give it out without telling you...Then we find out it really isn't our exclusive anymore!! Re: AMs being lazy, not responding and giving you good offers has to do with what AM/Network you are deciding to work with. If you aren't getting the attention you need you shoudl ask for another AM or try a new network where you will get the attention. Same goes for saying an offer is HOT without testing...not sure why an AM would do that. I wouldn't do that just because I know the next time I really do have a HOT offer that I will no longer be trusted!!! )))
How about the CONSTANT churning through of employees and the email after email introducing themselves to me and pushing the same 'ol shit the last dozen did before them. Networks churn through employees faster than GI mailers do IPs! More focus should be placed on placing 'qualified' individuals in these positions. In fact, with regards to email specifically, I think a noob rep should have too cut their teeth on non email related tasks within the network before they 'graduate' to dealing with mailers. Then shaving...lying...offers..blah...blah...blah
another good point Push. These networks have under qualified people in there as AM's and I can barely keep track of who my AM's are month to month.
Ironically enough the really good people are a lot more high maintenance and leave even quicker then the newer people. At least this has been what I've witnessed. Most are full of ego and not worth the trouble. I appreciate the newer people to the industry because they're hungry and appreciative versus jaded and greedy. As with cleaning your data, finding your clickers and openers. Network need to test out employees to see how they fit and find the best ones to keep long term. We always hire with the highest hopes but often times who shows up in the interview is not who shows up to the office every day. Have you ever tried to hire employees Jason?
In fact I have Jason - for more than just my own companies. I built sales teams that kicked ass because I applied my methodology of training to them as I had learned from the best myself. I built my own company up hiring the best that were available to me and I did so with the utmost confidence and yet I was still let down in a few instances. It's tough Jason; I get that. But my comment was and is geared towards maybe more of the fledgling, wannabe companies/networks out there that scoop up the dregs of the internet marketing world that have bounced from one spot to another looking for the radar they can fly under. I've fired friends. I've lost sleep over people working for me. It sucks. But at the end of the day when it's your name on the line; you do what's best for YOU and YOUR BUSINESS because it's just business. Not everybody gets that. Feelings get hurt. The survivors in this space take more time with their employees, noobs, green peas, etc. than the others who only churn because they're growing too fast for their own good. And more often than not; those companies slip into the abyss. I'm really happy to see you still going strong doing it the right way brother.
AM's that have not the slightest idea about mailing. Saying an offer is "Killing it" when it's hardly performing. Saying an offer is exclusive when it's not.
After further consideration I'd say my "biggest" problem with Affiliate networks is the fact that they even exist.
I want to just laugh this off - it IS funny, but based on another post where you said you don't work with networks anymore, I believe you mean it. For the rest of us though they are a necessary evil
Good comments, but here is the real problem with most networks. It is highly unlikely for people who actually know their stuff and can be helpful to mailers to want to work as AMs... Say you are an AM that learned enough about mailing, how to find good offers, what mailers really need and how they make their money... Why would you want to remain an employee vs. just quit and start mailing or start a network with solid inhouse mailing? That's why we have all these pet peeves... The motivations / incentives of most AMs are just out of whack.
That's pretty much it. It's the old BestBuy conundrum - why are most bestbuy employees as ignorant about the tech stuff they sell as the people shopping there? Because anyone who actually is technically inclined wouldn't be working at bestbuy. Same deal with auto parts stores. Do you really think the dude or trailer-trash lookin girl behind the counter knows anything about what's best for your car? No. They don't, because the people who do are actually working as mechanics or working at their own shop. I also don't like affiliate network reps that think pretending to be my best friend is somehow going to make me want to run their underperforming/tired-ass offers.
Appreciate the feedback! Since we are under USM and the thread I started I feel like I can speak to this I don't think I work with any of you guys BUT if you know anyone who works with me they can tell you... I have been at USM for 4 years and I am still working with mailers because thats what I like to do. Trust me- I get the turn over thing as my contacts at networks change all the time too...It's def not easy to just jump back in with someone new who doesn't know what works for you.. I will not tell you an offer kills unless my internal mailers have tested it on multiple tests and it performs for them. I think the mailers I work with will tell you I'm a straight shooter and will always go the extra mile thats why they stay! I know I can't get rid of all the necessary evils that come with being a network but if any of my mailers are reading this I think they will agree with me... Also since USM was started by a mailer we tend to side with the mailer and be the best advocate for you. I'm certain all advertisers scrub but if you ever think there is an issue with will go to bat for you every time.
