An affiliate manager is a professional who manages an affiliate program, which is an agreement where a merchant pays a commission to an affiliate website to send traffic or sales their way.
These managers play a significant role in the performance of an affiliate program.
In this article, we’ll be looking at:
- What an affiliate manager actually does all day
- How much can you get paid as an affiliate manager
- How can you become one
Let’s get into it.
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Affiliate Manager Responsibilities
Let’s start off with the day-to-day activities of any affiliate marketing manager.
Affiliate Recruitment
Perhaps, the biggest key responsibility of an affiliate manager is to identify and recruit prospective affiliates that can promote the merchant’s product or service.
This involves researching and reaching out to new affiliates, crafting pitches, negotiating agreements, and setting up affiliate accounts.
Program Strategy Development
Affiliate managers take a big part in managing and growing the affiliate program. They are expected to study market trends, know their competition, and come up with innovative ideas to attract and retain affiliates.
Communication
Establishing a good line of communication with affiliates is crucial. An affiliate manager responds to queries, provides the necessary resources, and maintains regular contact with affiliates to foster strong, beneficial relationships.
Affiliate Performance Monitoring
Affiliate marketers regularly monitor and analyze the performance of each affiliate campaign. They use various analytics tools to track metrics such as click-through rates, conversions, and sales.
Some examples of these tools are Impact, Partnerstack, Tapfiliate, etc.
Compliance Enforcement
Affiliate managers need to ensure that all affiliate marketing activities adhere to the brand’s policies.
This involves periodic compliance checks, guiding affiliates on approved marketing tactics, and addressing any violations promptly.
Training & Support
Particularly in the case of new affiliates, managers need to provide training and ongoing support to help them succeed.
As an affiliate manager, you should offer guidance on using affiliate marketing tools, advice on effective strategies, and assistance in understanding and interpreting performance data.
Reporting
Regular affiliate program reports are crucial to keep the company management informed about the program’s performance. These reports typically contain data on sales, commissions paid, new affiliates recruited, and other key metrics.
Affiliate Relations
An affiliate manager is also responsible for maintaining a positive relationship between the company and its affiliates.
This includes ensuring that the affiliates are content with their part in the program, are paid on time, and feel valued and respected.
Average Affiliate Manager Salary
According to Glassdoor, the average affiliate manager salary across the United States stands at $83,996/year.
How to Become an Affiliate Manager?
Becoming an affiliate manager requires a blend of educational tools, skill sets, and practical experience.
While it is possible to become an affiliate manager without a degree, a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a similar area can provide a significant advantage and a strong foundation.
If you don’t have a degree and aren’t looking to get one, certifications such as the Affiliate Marketing & Partnerships Industry Certification can provide credibility and also enhance your knowledge about the industry.
Other beneficial certifications could be in digital marketing, SEO, or even online advertising.
Additionally, prior experience in affiliate marketing, sales, or digital marketing really helps.
Most employers prefer candidates who understand online business metrics, have a good track record in sales, or have worked in a small-to-medium digital marketing agency or e-commerce business.
Solid knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) is also beneficial as it enables you to help affiliate partners rank their websites better, drive more affiliate traffic through their affiliate links, and make more money as a result.
Next, you should familiarize yourself with popular affiliate marketing platforms such as ShareASale, Commission Junction, and Amazon Associates.
Attending industry conferences, webinars, and meetups can help make valuable connections also helps.
Last but not least, a successful affiliate manager needs excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, as their role is heavily focused around building relationships and solving issues.
One of the best ways to learn more about affiliate marketing and affiliate management is to find a mentor already working as an affiliate manager to teach you the ins and outs of the role.
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Now Over to You
Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of what affiliate managers do and how much they earn.
Perhaps the biggest timesink for an affiliate marketing manager is finding and reaching out to potential affiliates.
If you need help getting your affiliate program off the ground, don’t hesitate to start your 14-day free trial with Respona to see how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the primary role of an affiliate manager?
Affiliate managers oversee an organization’s affiliate program to enhance sales and business growth.
They are tasked with recruiting affiliates, developing program strategies, monitoring performance, and maintaining an effective line of communication between the company and existing affiliates.
Do affiliate managers need to have technical skills?
While they don’t need to be tech wizards, affiliate managers should be comfortable using digital tools, especially marketing platforms, social media and affiliate networks, and analytics tools.
They should understand SEO basics and also be familiar with affiliate software to effectively manage and analyze data.
How does an affiliate manager get paid?
Affiliate managers usually receive a base salary, but they may also earn a bonus or commission based on the performance of the affiliate program.
The structure varies depending on the company’s policies and the agreement between the manager and the company.
What kind of companies hire affiliate managers?
Companies that run affiliate programs often hire affiliate managers.
These can be a wide range of businesses including e-commerce stores, SaaS providers, educational platforms, online marketplaces, and digital marketing agencies, to name a few.
What are some key qualities to look for in an affiliate manager?
A good affiliate manager should have strong marketing knowledge, excellent communication skills, and a knack for problem-solving.
In addition, they should be able to understand data and analytics, they must be reliable, and should have a clear understanding of the product they are promoting.
They should also be able to build strong relationships with affiliates, helping them to become successful promoters of the company’s product or service.
