Copyright 2005 Ron Passfield
What is one thing that separates the leading affiliate marketers
from the rest?
They show TLC - tender loving care - towards their downline
members.
This may sound very "touchy-feely", but TLC is a real business
imperative. If you ignore the intellectual, financial or
emotional needs of your affiliate downline, you do so at your
own cost.
Your affiliates have feelings too. They also feel insecure and
uncertain of themselves at times. Through TLC, you can build
their confidence and their trust in you.
TLC means using accessible language - writing in a way that
others can understand. This requires you to break down complex
concepts and processes and describe them in simple terms so that
the average person-on-the-Net can understand them. If you use
Internet Marketing jargon, you need to explain the terms you use
- not assume everyone understands them.
TLC involves making yourself accessible to your affiliate
downline members by phone, email, chat rooms, instant messenger,
teleclasses and/or teleconferences.
TLC is visible when you promote collaborative learning and
sharing through your affiliate forum and when you model
appropriate behaviour such as genuinely welcoming newcomers to
the affiliate program.
TLC is recognisable when you are generous in sharing what works
for you, what you have found helpful and the mistakes you have
made.
TLC is encouraging and supportive. It is reflected when you
express understanding of the emotional and financial needs of
your downline members through comments such as:
* "You might have difficulty writing articles, so here is some
hints on where to start..." * "You might not have the money for
Overture or other Pay per Click options, but have you tried
these free classified ad sites?" * "You may not have your own
website yet, but you could easily create a blog in the
meantime..."
TLC is responsive - prompt replies and assistance communicate
understanding and valuing others. Requests for information and
assistance frequently come from affiliates who are "at a loss",
frustrated or feeling helpless. If you can respond quickly to
their request for help, you will redress their emotional state
and, at the same time, create increased positive regard for
yourself.
TLC shines through when you show something of yourself - your
own humanity and vulnerability. Affiliates need to appreciate
that you too are only human, that you make mistakes and wrong
decisions. They also need to know that affiliate marketing is a
continuous learning process and that you are an active learner
yourself.
A little TLC goes a long way in affiliate marketing.
About the author:
This article is written by Ron Passfield, PhD, affiliate
marketing coach, who is developing his affiliate business
through the step-by-step coaching offered by the Affiliate
Classroom:
http://www.affiliate-marketing-coach.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to Ron's weekly "Emarkting Strategies" ezine and
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http://www.emarktingstrategies.blogspot.com/
