Shoemoney - Skills To Pay The Bills

Posted: 22 Oct 2014 07:00 AM PDT

A Girlfriends Guide to Affiliate Management – Part 2

Let's Get Trained – The Ground Rules

Well, let's dive right in. Two weeks ago I gave you an overview of the "Industry Trained" concept. This week I'm getting down and dirty – and I mean Down and Dirty. This may sound like a talk I'm about to dish out to my teenage daughter, but right now it is what it is. And quite frankly, sometimes you need to hear it.

Again – Yes, I am generalizing here. I hope these are points that you are reading and say to yourself – "What!!!! That never happens." I hope some of this is advice doesn't apply to you at all. If it does, take it for what it is. . . someone just trying to help women be crazy successful in this industry without selling out.

Keep in mind that I can share this information because I've been there and have made some questionable choices. So I can chalk it up to being a bit naive at first, yet I'm at a point where I feel being vulnerable may be able to shed some light on this topic. So judge away but I'm offering this advice because I think more women are needed in the online marketing world. And preparing them with a slightly un-talked-about topic is essential.

Ground Rule #1: Draw a line in the sand and NEVER cross it

photo credits: http://disjointedthinking.jeffhughes.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/line-in-the-sand.jpg3

So it's story time.

When I started talking with affiliates, some of them shared with me their wonderfully creative minds. And when I'm saying "creative" I really mean super dirty. I should have written most of it down and made a killing writing 99cent kindle books.

Anyway, back to my story.

I had an affiliate, who almost every day hit me up on AIM and asked what color my panties were. And for the longest time, I'd just LOL it off. But the persistence kept up so I relented and for a while it was like a check-in-of-what-color-I-wore-day. I won't go into details where the conversation eventually went. But dang, he could talk and it had to be stopped.

Here's my point:

Don't LOL things off. If something crosses your line, simply say: "I am here to make you money, and I will. But I will not discuss anything off topic."

You are way more than the color of your panties!

Simply put. Money always trumps a sleazy innuendo talk. Money is what makes the world go round and if you can put money in affiliates' pockets – that is all that matters.

Take control of conversations that start to cross a line. But know where that line is. I recommend staying to topics related to business and marketing.

Ground Rule #2: Don't Make Promises you don't intend to keep

Never, never never think that what you are saying isn't being thought of as a promise. If you don't want to do something (yep I'm talking sexual favors here) – don't promise it in a giggling LOL sort of way. That person on the other end of the phone is putting this in their personal "promises to redeem" bank. And when you don't deliver on that promise, all hell can break loose.

Here's what I really want you to get out of this rule. Don't make promises that you will do certain things in exchange of any form of traffic. Even if you are joking around. That joke to you may be a promise for someone else.

This is where the line in the sand in rule #1 should really come into play and protect you. In actuality – If you keep rule #1 you should be good.

So – don't cross that line and don't make promises you really don't intend to keep. Simple. Likewise, if you make a promise – keep it. Simple again.

There is no love where traffic is involved

This ain’t love baby! That's harsh isn't it. It's better hearing it from me instead of the gauntlet coming down.

I feel like playing the classic song Roxanne by The Police in the background right now, and it's really the only thing that comes to mind. To be a little more updated, I'll leave you with the El Tango version from Moulin Rouge.

moulin rouge

The point I'm trying to make here is that when money, traffic, insider traffic information is on the line do not mix anything else with it. Things get muddy, confusing and a little sloppy and not in a good way.

You will never get traffic with your body. It doesn't matter what any one tells you or says, promises, pleads or deals with.

For the love of all things green and good, do not mix the thought of getting more traffic with sex. That's it.

Be ok with Someone (Everyone) Knowing

If you want to have some fun and deliver on some of those innuendoes you've made – go for it. I'm not telling you to be Ms. Prude McPrune here. But I am going to tell you – if you do that, be ok with everyone knowing.

Everybody talks. And those talks just grow and grow. Pretty soon, your escapade could be in the covers of Hustler.

So even though there is a promise that no one will know – just toss that sucker out the window along with escaping that reputation.

Don't go there – period

I'm just going to save you some time and really encourage you to keep your mind in the money game and no where else.

So how do you handle yourself?

Women get the raw deal sometimes in that if she is not flirtatious, then she is seen as a cold bitch. If she is socially flirtatious she is seen as easy with no brain. So where is that happy middle? And is there one at all?

Yes, and this is how you go about it.

Be secure in yourself, what you know and what you do offer professionally. When you know the ins and outs of the industry you can offer that knowledge. You can speak intelligently without having to giggle to fill in the blank spots.

See where I'm going here – use that sexy mind of yours to hold intelligent conversations.

Rules for Out and About at Shows

Stay away from the booze – So this should go without saying. But it needs said. I can not tell you how many times I've seen a female affiliate manager have a bit too much and have some wild dance moves. Ok, that was probably me BUT I'm here to tell you . . . don't do that. Yes, have fun but don't put yourself in a situation where you are out of control.

Stay off the dance floor - This is the area I like to call – Grope City. Go – Dance – Have fun – but this is also a place to draw a line in the sand type deal. You aren't out there to throw down your come-get-me-moves. Be a professional – always.

Don't by shy – speak up and join the conversation – YOU have something to say. Use that brain and let it be known you have a voice. Speak up and introduce yourself quickly, don't shy back. Get your hand into the group to shake hands and say "Hi, I'm ___________ "! Don't wait for someone else to introduce you. And find something to say within the first minute. Be a part of the conversation. You are there to make an impact!

So next week we are getting our minds out of the gutter a bit and I'm going to give you the insider tips on being an incredible affiliate manager.

Industry Trained – How to Shine like a Star – Part 3