I’ve been an affiliate manager for over 7 years and have heard from many affiliates how they like to be contacted. One conversation will go, “I don’t want to be your friend, just tell me what works” to “I’m looking to work closely with you.” And we are still friends to this day.

It really depends on how you like to run your business. After all, that’s what affiliate marketing is. Your business.

Sometimes there is an “Us” and “Them” mentality in the network to affiliate relationship. And it’s sad on some levels how some networks and managers abuse that relationship. But not all networks are created equal. When you find a network that treats you right and a manager that knows what they are doing, I encourage you to use them as a tool and stepping stone to grow your business.

Not all affiliate managers are out there to steal pages and copy what you are doing. Some of us are really passionate about this industry and our place in it.

Here is a short list of things you may want to tell you affiliate manager right off the bat. It helps them match offers to you and to give you some helpful ideas.

Testing or Tried and True: Are you willing to test new offers out? Or do you want tried and true offers? Sometimes affiliates want brand new offers right out of the gate ready for testing. The ones with out traffic currently running to them and very little competition.

Other times you may want offers that are tried and true. You just want what works with your type of traffic.

How often you want contacted: I think it’s important you leave it somewhat open for your manager to contact you. Such as when new offers go live that would work for you. But, this is your business – so let them know.

Also, how do you like to be contacted? Aim, Skype, Email, Phone – let them know. Some affiliates don’t like phone calls due to multitasking and prefer aim skype or msn. Others like a more personal 1 on 1 phone call and have the time to discuss new offers or day-to-day changes.

Some of the questions I’ve gotten over the years as an affiliate manager haven’t always been clear on what the affiliate wants. Below are some questions that have been asked and or should be asked of your affiliate manager.

The type or kind of offer is it?
What are the top offers on the network?
What kind of offer is it?
When does the pixel fire?
What is the conversion rate on it?
Is there volume being run to the offer?
is there a cap on the offer?

You want the top offers that convert well on our network currently. From a manager standpoint these change on a day to day basis but we can give you stats on what’s working well today, yesterday, and even perhaps last week. Do you want short form, cc submit, what epc do you need it to be at, what vertical. Some affiliates don’t necessarily communicate what type of offer they are looking for all the time.

As far as conversion rate if someone is direct linking an offer the conversion rate will be skewed. Sometimes when you expect a pixel to fire on the first or second page it doesn’t, its always good to walk through the offer to see if it working and or how many pages it is.

As far as caps go some advertisers put caps on the number of leads a day an offer can get on a network-to-network basis. If you aren’t going to be around the computer to monitor your leads on an offer its always good to ask if there is a cap on the offer if the network isn’t going to redirect it.

In conclusion these are just a few but necessary questions to start with. As you progress in your relationship with your affiliate manager you will come to understand what he or she can provide information wise that you might not have thought about asking for. They will learn what you are looking for, what questions to ask you in return, and together your campaigns will become more profitable.

What else would you add?