What do AMs Need to know about you?

[positivecarry]

I am wondering what you MUST tell AMs. Because, it is a business, and they want to make $ just as everyone else. But they are in control with all information funneling to them. If you work on a niche, and they see you bringing in commissiona, they may say to a better affiliate, "hey, xyz affiliate is bringing in a boatload of sales with these keywords, here you go, here is what they are doing, I know you can do it better, so bring us more commission. And poof, there goes your edge. So, if anyone has experience with how to respectfully deal with AMs requests for info, I would be interested to hear about this.

I mean as far as I know, there may be absolutely nothing you can do to prevent this. They know your website, they can just check out all your links, use their ppc spy tools, etc, etc. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Linda Buquet]

I understand where you are at and would probably feel the same way in your shoes. I'd like to think there is a middle ground that's equitable - but I would also like to think everyone is honest and fair and that's not always the case.

Merchants do need to know the site you are promoting them on and the promotion methods (email, PPC etc.) in general not in detail because it is their brand. Unless there is a problem or suspicion I think that may be the main things they should know.

Because there is no much affiliate fraud and so many bad affiliates merchants sometimes feel the need to ask for more info because maybe they've had a rash of affiliates using fraud CC or parasite adware, so when they see a jump in traffic and sales they get suspicious and need to investigate.

So I think there's a fine line, not sure I know the best answer.

 

[positivecarry]

Well, thanks for the response, I guess they can try to replicate a natural search ranking for certain keywords. But the advantage to me is that I put the time in and have the site in the rankings already.The biggest threat is for them to see my long tails and throw up PPC all over those pages.I guess it's just a part of the affiliate business.

 

[JAmieF]

Affiliates are an extension of merchant and respect should be given (sometimes affiliates are not treated as an extension). It is great if you can tell an AM how you are marketing as they can help you out with providing you with extra tools you require to achieve more.

In regards to your comments

they may say to a better affiliate, "hey, xyz affiliate is bringing in a boatload of sales with these keywords, here you go, here is what they are doing, I know you can do it better, so bring us more commission

Myself personally would not do that as I want the affiliates to reach many different places as possible.

 

[Edwin]

I mean as far as I know, there may be absolutely nothing you can do to prevent this. They know your website, they can just check out all your links, use their ppc spy tools, etc, etc. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

Here is an tutorial that i found interesting regarding your question and it's something i will definitely be implementing.

 

[positivecarry]

nice find, 5 star find,haha

 

[Edwin]

Glad you found it interesting as well, this thread came to mind when i noticed that blog entry.