This presentation is from Affiliate Summit East 2015 (August 2-4, 2015 in New York, NY). Session description: Auditing your network relationship is a key part of managing an affiliate program. Here are the Top 10 points to consider when reviewing your affiliate network’s capabilities and performance.

1. Affiliate Summit East
2015

2. Programs change over time
 New Program vs. Established Program
 Changes in the vertical
 Changes at the company
 Changes at the network(s)

3. Jeannine Crooks
Senior Account Manager
John LoBrutto
Director of Affiliates & Partnerships
Karen McMahon
Affiliate Marketing Strategist
The Affiliate Whisperer

5. Transparency
Costs & Value
Business Development

6. You’re part of it too!
Tell us your thoughts and
why you reached your
decision

7. 1. Reporting:
2. Tools:
3. Interface:
How well does the network
capture data and provide timely
analytics
How sophisticated is the
network’s distribution
capabilities and usability
How flexible is the interface and
how dependable is the
technology

8. Transparency is the first pillar of a successful
Affiliate Network program. Program
evaluations begin and end with how well the
network facilitates a positive partner
relationship.
Your best opportunity to build trust in affiliate
marketing is through relentless transparency.

9. Networks offer different levels of transparency
through their access to data and partner details.
Some Networks have service levels that
encourage vigorous dialogue between partners
and others prefer to help manage these
relationships.
Transparency also relates to how offers are
distributed, tools available and the robustness of
reporting options. Network reliability and
tracking integrity are a key part of long term
program success.

10. Dashboards
Publisher Details
Link data-mining
Product data-mining
Grouping
Categories

11. Promos/Coupons
Product Feeds
Marketplace
Newsletters/email
Directories
Recruitment/Communication

12. Tracking/Sub-Ids
Pixels/Cookies
Corrections
Offers
Authentication/Fraud
By Website
Real Time data

13. 4. Start-up & Maintenance:
5. Merchant & Affiliate Support:
6. Global Reach:
How cost effective is
your network
Is the network
support proactive
Is the network in all
your markets

14. You should have a clear picture of the true
costs (financial, time commitment, emotional
stress) of doing business with your network.
Then assess whether you are getting your
money’s worth from your network.
And remember, sometimes you get what you
pay for.

15. Monthly Fees
Join/Set-up Fees
Hidden & Unexpected Fees
Non-Financial Costs/Values
Negotiating the Best Contract Possible
Additional Fees

16.  Account Reps at the Network
 General Contact Process
 Process to Get Tech Help
 Do Your Affiliates Like the Network?
 Affiliate Interface Experience
 Affiliate Help Process

17.  Assess Future Marketing Goals
 Is Global Reach a Priority for the Network?
 Costs to Expand Internationally
 Affiliate Payment Process

18. 7. Affiliate Recruitment:
8. Expanding the Base:
9. Finding Partners that fit:
10. Relationships:
How easy is it to find
partners
Does the network have
the partners I need
Do they have the right
partners for me
Does the network help
you develop relationships

19. Is your network actively helping
you grow your program?

20. Whether your agreement is for
extensive support or primarily
self-service, your network
should provide the information
and tools needed to take your
program to the next level.

21.  Recruitment process on & off network
 Promotional opportunities
 Size and scale of marketplace
 Do they promote you

22.  Engaging underperformers
 Special Affiliate promotion opportunities
 Joint promotions with other Merchants
 Identifying new channels
 How saturated is my vertical

23.  Gap Reports and Analysis
 Experience level in your vertical
 Ways to identify content & traffic synergies

24.  Assistance with difficult relationships
 Solicitation of new Partners
 Paid Services and account management
 Competitive information

25.  John LoBrutto
◦ John.LoBrutto@1and1.com
 Karen McMahon
◦ Karen@TheAffiliateWhisperer.com
 Jeannine Crooks
◦ Jeannine.Crooks@AffiliateWindow.com