· Issue 21 · January 2013
From
Affiliate To Manager by Jill Swartwout
Jill Swartwout
»» Learning how to build websites gave me practical
“T
experience with some of the software and platforms hose that can’t do, teach.” That is a
that my affiliates would be using, so I would have
well-known cliché, but not one that is ideal
an easier time explaining to newbies exactly how to
to live by.
do [even] elementary things, like add banners and
While I was working in the education system, principals
text links.
were required to have at least three years of classroom experi-
»» Building successful affiliate sites and becoming fa-
ence before they could become a principal. Logically, a princi-
miliar with other affiliate sites helped me to learn
pal needs to know what it is that teachers do in order to be able
what a worthwhile affiliate entails, enabled me know
to effectively manage them within a school.
what to look for when doing affiliate approvals.
The concept of “doing” before managing is common in
»» Being an affiliate first, and hearing what is impor-
many endeavors. Even retail managers put in time doing, or at
tant with respect to morals and ethics in the indus-
least observing, various job positions in their store so they un-
try, readied me to monitor my affiliates’ activities to
derstand the challenges of their staff.
ensure they were doing the “right thing.”
When I became an affiliate manager, I was thankful that
»» Learning the affiliate side of various network plat-
I had first spent six years working part time as an affiliate, so
forms prepared me by being able to explain exact-
that I would be better prepared and know exactly what it was
ly how and where to find things (links, various re-
the affiliates I managed were doing.
ports, etc.) to those affiliates new to the network
While working with my father, he gave me a small site to
environment.
practice with before he would let me work on our primary af-
»» Meeting people at industry conferences, and devel-
filiate sites. I was able to develop a skill set which provided me
oping relationships with them, helps build a strong
the confidence and the ability to effectively manage big sites.
base of peers from whom to learn, confer with on is-
Here’s how that time spent as an affiliate helped me in affiliate management:
sues, and get advice/support. An industry friend of mine, David Benson, worded it
»» Becoming an affiliate first helped me to learn exact-
perfectly when he said, “Being an affiliate first lets you under-
ly what affiliate marketing is! Many people with-
stand the challenges, and difficulties that affiliates face and
out industry experience have a difficult time “get-
helps you serve them better. By being an affiliate first, you’re
ting it” unless they are given a tutorial or learn by
an experienced coach that has played the game and knows how
trial-and-error.
to win.”
6
Jill is president of the Beaches and Towns Network, Inc. and head of www.GirlyChecks.com. ☜