Welcome to The Affiliate Manager Weekly Strategist from Affiliate Classroom.

Each week, we discuss an affiliate management strategy and ask you for your input.

This week, our VP of Marketing and 10 year affiliate marketing veteran, Rachel Honoway talks about trends in hiring an affiliate manager.

THE OVERLOADED AFFILIATE MANAGER
– Rachel Honoway

If there is one thing that every Affiliate Manager could agree on across the board - it’s the fact that the job is never-ending and ever-expanding.

As you reach your goals by increasing affiliates, active affiliates and affiliate activity - your workload doubles and your goals are realigned for further increases.

Understanding this somewhat vicious cycle, I have been completely amazed with the type of Help Wanted ads I’ve come across lately as we’re building the AC Certified Career Center. There seems to be a growing number of companies seeking experienced professionals to manage not only the affiliate program, but the search, email and “Web 2.0 initiatives” as well.

I’m not talking about management positions that are coordinating these varying channels. These are individuals tasked with planning, executing, tracking and growing these strategies.

Even if they were to find a candidate experienced in all of these areas, I just can’t imagine that one person would be able to
effectively manage all of the strategies single-handedly.

QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Is affiliate management your official job - or is it just one part of the responsibility set that you have?

Should merchants, advertisers and retailers lump all online strategies into one channel?

Join the discussion and post your answers. (Remember - participating in industry blogs can help with brand/program recognition and with recruiting affiliates!)