Here are important things to consider when you're trying to hire an outsourced affiliate program management agency to manage your affiliate program.

1. 10 Things to Know When
Selecting an OPM
1) Does the OPM Have Experience Where It Matters?
As a merchant you're naturally going to want to work
with an OPM that has experience in your niche. You
may or may not find that - but the experience you
really want to look for is experience in key functions of
an OPM - which includes affiliate recruitment, affiliate
activation and affiliate program optimization. Look for
case studies and client testimonials that demonstrate
expertise in these areas.
2) Does the OPM Have a Sterling Reputation?
Affiliate marketing is all about relationships - so, it's
key that the OPM that manages your affiliate program
has a strong reputation in the affiliate marketing
community. Ask for references and check them. Don't
just ask for a client reference. You also need to know
how affiliates feel about the OPM - so ask to contact a
few affiliates to get their input as well.
3) Does the OPM Set Clear Expectations
and Outline the Plan to Meet Them?
Don't trust any OPM that makes big promises because
as is so often the case, if it sounds too good to be true,
it probably is. The truth is that affiliate marketing takes
time, and any experienced OPM should be able to
chart clear expectations for attainable, sustainable
growth (along with a plan for how they'll make it
happen). (888) 854-7770
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2. 4) How Will The OPM Ensure the Affiliate Program
Attains and Retains Quality Affiliates?
Will the OPM you're evaluating manually approve all of
the affiliates that will be recruited for your program?
That's preferred to ensure quality. Allowing affiliates to
automatically be approved into a program means sites
that won't perform (or that violate your terms and
conditions such as gambling or pornographic sites)
might be allowed to join your program.
5) Is the OPM Covering All of the Bases When
It Comes to Affiliate Recruitment?
Recruitment is one of the most important tasks the
OPM will perform for your program so, you need to
make sure they are doing it correctly. Will this OPM
leave no stone unturned in the search for strong
affiliate partners, or will they simply recruit within the
affiliate network(s) where the program resides? Will
the OPM reach out to a variety of affiliate types (deals,
loyalty, couponers, paid search affiliates, etc.?).
6) Is the OPM Capable of Managing Your
Affiliate Program on Multiple Networks?
There are several big affiliate networks and many
more niche networks. Any one of them (or a
combination) might work best for your affiliate
program. You need an OPM that is capable of
managing your program on multiple networks. Look at
the OPM's client list. Is it focused on one or two
networks or does it manage programs on a wide range
of networks? An OPM that "always works" with one
network probably isn't the right choice for you. (888) 854-7770
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3. 7) What Procedures Does the OPM
Have In Place to Protect Your Brand?
You need to be sure the OPM you select will enforce
any policies you put in place. This include your
trademark bidding policies and any terms and
conditions. Ask how the OPM monitors a client's
affiliate program for trademark bid policy violations
and make sure you feel comfortable with the answer.
8) Is the OPM an Active Participant
in Industry Discussions and Events?
You'll want to make sure the OPM you select is tuned
in to the ever-changing affiliate marketing industry.
Check to make sure the OPM attends industry trade
shows such as Affiliate Summit, ad:tech, CJU, Google
Affiliate Network Summit, LinkShare Symposium,
ShareASale Think Tank, etc. Also check to see if the
OPM is active in affiliate forums such as ABestWeb.
9) Communication is Key:
Are You Speaking the Same Language?
As you're talking to OPM companies to evaluate their
skills and services, pay attention to communication. Is
it clear? Do your questions get answered? Do your
calls/e-mails get returned promptly? More
importantly, are the people involved listening to your
needs and presenting solutions to fit that need? You
need an OPM that can become a virtual arm of your
business - and listening is a critical skill.
10) During Your Evaluation Process, Keep Asking
Yourself: Are These People Adding Value? (888) 854-7770
The best OPMs employ seasoned affiliate marketers
who become an essential part of your team. They help
to devise and implement the strategies and tactics that
drive success for your affiliate program. They hear your
challenges and present solutions. Look at client
testimonials and ask to interview a current client or
two. Ask about this when you call.

4. About Schaaf-PartnerCentric
Schaaf-PartnerCentric is one of the oldest and largest
outsourced affiliate program management agencies.
Our expertise is in launching new affiliate programs or
managing existing affiliate programs on one or more
affiliate networks. We’ve got the most experienced
team of affiliate program managers in the industry –
and we pride ourselves on becoming an integral part of
our clients’ teams, driving the strategies and tactics
that create success for the affiliate channel.
Contact us today to learn how Schaaf-PartnerCentric
can help you and your business:
Brook Schaaf
CEO, Schaaf-PartnerCentric
(888) 854-7770
Follow Us to Learn More about our Services
and the Affiliate Programs We Manage:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schaafpc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/schaafpc
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/1017783
Visit us online at www.schaafpc.com to see our full list
of affiliate program management clients and to meet
our team of affiliate program managers and marketing
specialists.