– Are you looking to get more out of your relationship with merchants? – Learn tips and tactics on the power of relationship building can increase commissions, earn you favour, and hook you up with free products to review. Dustin Howes, Affiliate Manager, WP Engine

1. 11 WAYS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF A
MERCHANT AFFILIATE MANAGER
DUSTIN HOWES
WP ENGINE AFFILIATE MANAGER

2. WHO AM I?
● Dustin Howes
● American > Calitexan
● Being an athlete
● Growing facial hair
● Making people smile
● Using too many bullet points
● Cheesy stock photos
● WP Engine affiliate manager

3. 3 PHASES 11 TIPS
Establishing the Relationship
Building Rapport
The Art of Asking

4. Phase 1
Establishing the Relationship

5. ● 1st impression
● Main website
● Additional sites
● Promotional
details
● Spelling and
grammar
TIP #1 - UPDATE NETWORK PROFILE
CONFIDENTIAL

7. TIP #2 - SET THE TONE EARLY
● Reach out early
● Offer to be a
beta tester
● Don’t ask for
favors...yet
● Be likeable!

8. TIP #3 - GETTING ACCEPTED AFTER A DECLINE
● Aw shucks!
Great success! I accept 90% of affiliates that take the time to ask for a
reevaluation
● Follow up email
● No demands
● Add professional profiles
● Engaged manager
● Counter-argument

9. TIP #4 - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
EARLY BONUSES
● Programs bonuses
● Grab the attention
● Grease the wheel
○Closing coupons
○Higher
commissions

10. Phase 2
Building Rapport

11. TIP #5 - BE TRANSPARENT ● Always share
● Don’t hide
● Ask for permission
● Share media kit

12. ● New opportunities
○ Past is the past
○ New products
● Work with the
manager
○ New payouts
○ Hybrid solutions
○ Win - Win
TIP #6 - BE FLEXIBLE

13. TIP #7 - BE RESPONSIVE ● Keep the ball
rolling
● Keep it short
● Stay top of mind
● Become the go-to
player

14. Phase 3
The Art of Asking

15. ● Established sales -
CHECK!
● Ask for a closing
coupon
● Don’t like
it...negotiate
TIP #8 - NEGOTIATE A BIGGER
DISCOUNT OR VANITY CODE

16. ● Offer to expand
exposure
● Provide stats
● Offer premium
placement
● Turn on the sales
pitch
○ For you...
TIP #9 - NEGOTIATE A HIGHER
COMMISSION RATE

17. TIP #10 - GETTING FREE PRODUCTS ● Easy resource
● Expectations
○ Review
○ Exposure
● Get creative
● Brand ambassador

18. TIP #11 - REQUEST A LINKBACK● Great for SEO
● Get rewarded for
great content
● Does not hurt to
ask

19. 3 PHASES 11 TIPS
Establishing the Relationship
Building Rapport
The Art of Asking

20. THANK YOU
DUSTIN HOWES
WP ENGINE AFFILIATE MANAGER
DUSTIN.HOWES@WPENGINE.COM
DUSTINHOWES.COM