What’s Your Payout? That Depends…

Time and time again I’m asked: “What is the most challenging part of working with Affiliates?” Here is some feedback and insight for those on both the Affiliate and Affiliate management sides. To begin, here’s a phrase we’re all familiar with:

“What’s the highest payout you can give me?”

This question is all wrong. We all know that salespeople have to ask, and that we have to have a pre-arranged response prepared for them. I understand the need for this question, though. Although I do believe that the individual speaking is asking the wrong question.

The big Affiliate secret is that Affiliate Managers want to give out as high of a payout as possible. The only thing standing in the way of that high payout is communication and performance. The Affiliate Manager needs to know what the Affiliate will be providing him in exchange for that higher payout. They’re thinking, “What are you going to do for me for this higher payout?” So let them know. Also, there’s usually volume requirements involved with a higher payout.

In my experience, the formula is as follows: The higher the volume of leads/sales you bring the offer, the higher the payout per lead/sale will be. Also, the smoother this transaction occurs, the nicer the Affiliate Manager will be to the Affiliate and the higher the payout will be.

I’m sure that appealing to, either one, or all, of these concepts above will be fruitful as an Affiliate. Remember, only select companies will have a top-tier payout with any Affiliate program. Be sure to sell the Affiliate Manager as to why you and your company deserve that highest payout.

On the other hand, for the Affiliate Managers out there, you can take this frustrating question and turn it into an opportunity. I’ve learned to love this question because it opens doors for me to articulate to the person my expectations of them and how exactly we can profit off each other. So the next time the Affiliate doesn’t take the initiative to see how you can be successful together, use the question as an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a successful Affiliate relationship.

The bottom line to this issue is that there’s more to working with a company than negotiating the largest payout possible. It’s in everyone’s best interest to communicate as much as possible and create a successful working relationship so that both parties mutually understand each other’s interest, so that you can work together to make each other successful.

That, my friend, is the highest payout.