We have a guest Blogger today. Lee Gientke, affiliate manager from ProHealth, shares his thoughts on their recent transition from Commission Junction to Linkshare:
Fear and Loathing in Affiliate Land
We had nothing to fear but fear itself, and we survived. There aren’t too many things that an affiliate manager fears more than a migration from one affiliate network to another. Things can, will and do go wrong - your top affiliates are wedded to a particular platform and refuse to work with another, contract negotiations get reopened because this or that feature was extra, and the uber geeks (the folks you can’t successfully migrate a program without) are on edge because an affiliate platform migration was not in their queue.
Well, I can proudly say we moved from Commission Junction to LinkShare without major carnage. Yes, I lost a couple decent affiliates who weren’t LinkShare fans because of this or that. Yes, the inter-organizational politics were a bit harsh for a couple days (but a couple beers have smoothed things out). Yes, the uber geeks were not loving me for a few weeks (let me be the first to say thank you to the IT guys across the hall – us marketing hacks across the hall appreciate you) and yes, certain things that are “extra” at LinkShare – like all things, everything gets worked out and everyone is happy.
Now that we are live at LinkShare, I can only say how great things are. LinkShare’s reporting is fast and doesn’t time out. Having access to my affiliate’s real names, phone numbers and addresses has allowed me to provide them with the assistance they need to perform at peak levels. Being able to directly communicate with my partners ultimately equals a more lucrative relationship for both parties and I don’t know an affiliate that isn’t happiest when they are making more money.
Yes, things can and will go wrong during a migration. Yes, there is a lot to fear, and potentially a lot to loose. And yes, you will be loathed by some. But none of the fear and loathing is outside of an affiliate manager’s normal day. The best advice I can give any affiliate manager or company contemplating a switch is to make sure you pack your sense of humor and smile along for the ride. The problems will get resolved and there is light at the end of the tunnel. And, most importantly, you can say you survived the fear and loathing in affiliate land.
Lee Gientke
Affiliate Manager
www.ProHealth.com/shop
805/564-3064x212
lgientke@prohealth.com
Adam Viener
1. Beth Kirsch on November 5, 2005 1:26 AM writes...
Lee,
Interesting entry.
I hope you follow this up in 6 months and let us know if the sales you see in LinkShare are greater than you would have been on track for in CJ.
Of course, I'd unstand if you pass on that one
Beth
Permalink to Comment2. Raj on February 22, 2006 5:49 AM writes...
Its been 3+ months since you migrated. So what was the outcome in terms of sales figures? And number of active affiliates? Thanks.
Permalink to Comment3. James on April 17, 2006 2:55 PM writes...
This was a while ago but I totally agree with this report about 2 1/2 years ago I moved 1 800 Wheelchair from CJ to Linkshare and found out the same thing. I also like Linkshare's customer service a lot better as well actually real people you can talk to.
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