Merchant Tips and Merchant Tips and TricksTricks

Dominic Hodgson Dominic Hodgson Big Bathroom ShopBig Bathroom Shop

A Brief IntroductionA Brief Introduction

►Care worker – MencapCare worker – Mencap►SEO Specialist – StickyeyesSEO Specialist – Stickyeyes►Commercial Manager - YardmistCommercial Manager - Yardmist

BigBathroomShop.comBigBathroomShop.com NextBathrooms.co.ukNextBathrooms.co.uk CheapSuites.co.ukCheapSuites.co.uk

My Opinion On Affiliate TypesMy Opinion On Affiliate Types

►PassivePassive Voucher codeVoucher code Comparison / CashbackComparison / Cashback DirectoryDirectory

►AggressiveAggressive ContentContent PPCPPC EmailEmail

Passive AffiliatesPassive Affiliates

►Take, Take, Take!Take, Take, Take!►Big feed and include more informationBig feed and include more information►Unique offers / vouchersUnique offers / vouchers►Secret commission levels based on Secret commission levels based on

performanceperformance►Custom creative (the networks like to Custom creative (the networks like to

call it bespoke)call it bespoke)

Aggressive AffiliatesAggressive Affiliates

►Give them contentGive them content Regular offersRegular offers Press releasesPress releases DON’T GIVE THEM CRAP!DON’T GIVE THEM CRAP!

►Share the love (or data)Share the love (or data)►Special rates for performanceSpecial rates for performance

Get InvolvedGet Involved

► Join the forums… JOIN not SPAMJoin the forums… JOIN not SPAM►Go to events and meet upsGo to events and meet ups►Arrange events and meetingsArrange events and meetings

Think VisibilityThink Visibility Northern Bloggers MeetupNorthern Bloggers Meetup

►Go and visit some of your affiliates...Go and visit some of your affiliates... Warn them first – don’t just turn upWarn them first – don’t just turn up

Communication is the keyCommunication is the key

►Be available more than 9-5Be available more than 9-5►Be available on more than one platformBe available on more than one platform

email, skype, msn, livechat, text, mobileemail, skype, msn, livechat, text, mobile►Get to know your affiliates; make sure Get to know your affiliates; make sure

they know youthey know you►Your AWIN account manager probably Your AWIN account manager probably

knows a lot more than you... Get to knows a lot more than you... Get to know themknow them

►Start a blogStart a blog

ManagementManagement

►Daily checksDaily checks Validate commissionsValidate commissions Approve affiliatesApprove affiliates Check competitorsCheck competitors Check that things didn’t break overnightCheck that things didn’t break overnight

► Check creative isn’t out of dateCheck creative isn’t out of date► Updates on sales or new productsUpdates on sales or new products► Talk to people in your vertical and, if you Talk to people in your vertical and, if you

can, your competitors (or at least thier AM).can, your competitors (or at least thier AM).►Highrise HQHighrise HQ

Creative and moreCreative and more

►Look at what your competitors haveLook at what your competitors have►Try and give moreTry and give more

Interactive flash elementsInteractive flash elements VideosVideos Animated images (not flashy ones that Animated images (not flashy ones that

induce seizuresinduce seizures

►Don’t force them on the affiliatesDon’t force them on the affiliates►Always offer custom; they will keep it Always offer custom; they will keep it

longerlonger

Thank you…Thank you…

Any Questions?Any Questions?

Dominic HodgsonDominic HodgsonWorkWork

Big Bathroom ShopBig Bathroom Shopwww.bigbathroomshop.co.uk

PersonalPersonalwww.thehodge.co.uk

dom@thehodge.co.ukdom@thehodge.co.uk