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 receive a bonus
gift: http://www.emarktingstrategies.blogspot.com/
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