Affiliate and Merchant Relationship

[nadmedia]

As an affiliate and a merchant, I see problems from both perspectives. The largest problem I have encountered is lack of communication. Does anyone have any ideas to make the affiliate/merchant relationship a better experience?

[webdoctor]

lack of communication

In which direction?

It wouldn't surprise me if most merchants don't want to (have to) talk to their affiliates - they just want the sales.

Likewise, many affiliates don't really want to have to talk to their merchants - they just want the data they need and to be paid fairly and on time.

or am I missing something? :-)

[nadmedia]

I want to know as much info as I can. As a merchant, I want to know the marketing methods a publisher is using, every aspect. As a publisher, I want to know everything I can from my merchant that will help increase sales.

It seems to me there are too many secrets, that shouldn't be secrets. I think each party does not want to give out information in fear of losing revenue, when really revenue can be boosted if there was a foundation of trust established.

[webdoctor]

I want to know the marketing methods a publisher is using, every aspect

IMHO there are many affiliates who would say "that's actually none of your business" - they fear you'll learn their tricks, replicate them yourself, and then dump the affiliate.

[nadmedia]

In part it would be the merchant or affiliate managers business. There might be tricks the publisher is not taking advantage of that the merchant can point out. You want your product to be distributed as efficient as possible. Helping the publisher with new techniques or ones they are not using yet can be profitable to both parties.

[Receptional]

I am also on both sides of the coin. As a Merchant's stooge I TRY to meet affiliates, by setting up meeting points when I plan to be in a place that the affiliates will be but as an AFFILIATE... I have (I think) met the merchant on every occassion that I have had a successful relationship.

So - I seem to do more of the running in a way as an affiliate than as a merchant (or merchant's stooge).

My guess is that most affiliates press a few buttons and join a program. I haven't found this the most profitable approach in general.