Originally Posted by MisterPeabody
(Post 17170286)
Lots to add so I'll keep it as short as possible:
Wisdom in this business is knowhing WHICH affiliates to listen to and which one's 'advice' to either downplay, ignore or give that affiliate a custom solution.
Remember: Your best affiliates are really your business partners, as much as your twins are, so you MUST treat them with the respect they deserve (and they do deserve it). Even 'newbie' affiliates, or affiliates who only send a sale or two your way, deserve your respect because you know, from your own experience, that just because someone is just starting out doesn't mean they won't be a mega-success in the future; you're just meeting them at the beginning of their journeys (and lucky you - cause when a hard-working 'small affiliate breaks through and takes you with them it's a wonderful experience).
Okay, you know this. Awesome. Every affiliate has an opinion, and what works for THEM - their world, their sites, their way of doing business. Now what YOU gotta decide, Program Owner, is which affiliate is making you the most sales and which ones ain't. 'Kay, easy enough, just check the stats. Now, are those affs giving you the advice your biggest or your 'smaller' affs?
The 'big boys" (based on your stats, let's call them 10+ sales) you listen to whatever they fucking say, okay? Just SHUT THE FUCK UP and listen to WHATEVER THEY TELL YOUR BITCH ASS TO DO.
Now: if sales go DOWN after you do whatever they say you talk to them like proper business partners and the two of you (or however many) FIX IT. Together. Like real partners should. If sales go UP rinse and repeat.
And if a smaller aff tells you/asks you to do something you POLITELY tell them their sales need to go up before you can do that. "But my sales WILL go up if you do A,B and C!" Okay - then TRY IT for a month, maybe six weeks. if sales go DOWN you talk to your aff like a real business partner would and you FIX IT. Together. If sales go UP then rinse and repeat.
If you had hardcore content I could help you out myself but, with the twins, all I can offer is advice.
And your tours? yes, offer a few for your affiliates, if you can afford to do them/pay for them. If not, you will be limited (somewhat) depending on the traffic your affs send. But tour design isn't the biggest issue (personally, I think you should tone down a bit, LOL). Knowing your traffic (and how to get more) is much more important.
Finally: A/B Testing. pay for a script, DO IT, become addicted to it. It's THE only way to tell if what you're doing - and the advice even your "big" affiliates are giving you - is working or if you're just spinning your wheels.
Lastly, don't try to re-invent the wheel. Look at what successful websites/program owners are doing and just fucking copy them, but with your own sense of style, your own 'twist'. Sexy twins is enough of a twist right there.
best of luck to you! :)
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