Having an affiliate program gives the freedom to concentrate more on the development of products or services and less on the sales aspect.  That doesn’t mean that an affiliate sales force will run itself.  You will need to provide them with the things they need to succeed.  You will need to be available to affiliates when they need you.

That doesn’t mean waiting by the phone or checking emails 24 hours a day. Take the time to address the concerns of your affiliates and help them with any problems they may have.  While some problems need to be dealt with on a one-on-one basis, there are some things that will help answer questions before they are even asked.

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the simplest ways to address common concerns of affiliates is to set up a Frequently Asked Questions page, or FAQ.  When you’re starting out you could address questions that you might have if you were joining your own affiliate program.  As you start adding affiliates and they begin to ask their own questions add them to your FAQ.

It will be easier for affiliates to navigate FAQ if it is divided up into logical sections.  Have a section on acceptable promotional methods, one on payment terms, one on how to use links and other tools and so on.  If you end up with a lot of questions move each topic to its own page.

Blogs and Podcasts

Blogging and podcasting are two popular ways to provide information in an easy-to-digest manner.  Blogging provides information in writing, while podcasts cater to those who learn better by listening.  You could do either or both for your affiliates.

Cover anything of interest to affiliates in a blog or podcast.  Answer questions received that might pertain to a large number of your affiliates.  Discuss news that affects the affiliate marketing world in general.  Also discuss promotional techniques that affiliates might not have been aware of.

Question and Answer Sessions

Question and answer sessions give the opportunity to address multiple questions in a short period of time.  They give affiliates the chance to ask their own questions and learn from the questions of others.  They provide an opportunity to get to know one another.

Q&A sessions can be held in a number of ways.  Have them in an online chat room.  Hold a conference call.  Maybe have an online seminar with questions received by email or instant message.

These methods give a way to answer affiliate questions and address concerns before they are voiced.  It is still important to make yourself available to your affiliates on an individual basis.  Providing them with full contact information will allow them to contact you in the way that they are most comfortable wit. It will let them know that you value their hard work enough to be there when they need you.

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