PartnerPerform Blog

This weekend, ShareASale ran their inaugural Think Tank session in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was fortunate enough to attend, presenting on behalf of SameDayMusic, whose affiliate program I manage in the ShareASale network. With little doubt, this was the most productive (and pleasurable) event that I have attended within the affiliate industry.

As always, ShareASale takes very good care of their merchants and affiliates– the event was held at the Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas, which is about as decadent and refined as you can get on the strip. From the palacial rooms to the flawless service to the meticulous design, the Wynn Hotel is quite a place. My hat goes off to ShareASale– they really know how to entertain, and how to make people feel appreciated.

The event was attended by about 50 marketers, affiliates and merchants alike. Saturday’s session consisted of 15 merchant presentations to a crowd of about 30 of the most successful affiliates in the business. The feedback and guidance of the affiliates in attendance was invaluable, and at times– humbling. The revenues generated by the affiliates in that room could intimidate the GDP of small countries. Their insights will surely shape the future of the affiliate programs presented that day, and in turn, the success of the ShareASale network.

I’d like to thank Brian, Carolyn, and Sarah for running one hell of a conference. Its rare that we affiliate marketers get to work together face-to-face, and the guided format of this event made the most of it. During my presentation for SameDayMusic, I mentioned that it was events like that and the people in attendance that make me very proud to be a part of this industry. Here’s to the profits and friendships that were built at the ShareASale Think Tank in Las Vegas.

So we didn’t “write the book on affiliate marketing”, but we did define Outsourced Program Management… Check out our Wikipedia face-lift on the topic of affiliate management. Boy, did they need it!

Quality affiliate managers are in short supply for merchants who prefer in-house management. The most seasoned affiliate managers operate as Outsourced Program Managers (OPMs), providing affiliate program management and consulting on behalf of merchants. OPMs traditionally manage multiple affiliate programs, with some maintaining a support staff of affiliate managers which are dedicated to each merchant client.

OPMs often provide greater value and lower costs to merchants than in-house employees. OPMs typically bring a loaded rolodex of existing affiliate partnerships to their merchant clients, and can extend the merchant’s offer to their personal network if the program is salable. Additionally, merchants find cost benefits in OPM firms, as OPMs operate as independent contractors who do not incur health/401k benefit expenses, office space/computer costs, or training expenses.

OPM fees typically range between $2,000 and $10,000 a month in flat rates, most of which typically operate on a monthly rate and performance compensation hybrid model. Many OPMs also offer consulting services for merchants, including single-run affiliate recruitment, affiliate program optimization, program launch services, and affiliate tools/technology development.

As of today, Outsourced Program Managers are hereby well represented on the greatest encylopedia in the world…