Affiliate Manager Or JV Broker ?

Thanks for the mention, Ebbi (assuming the 'Mike' is me .. ), and the props, John.

I don't think you can really go by standard definition when it comes to what well known Affiliate Managers, JV Managers, or JV Brokers do for their clients, individually.

Generally ... it's often assumed that Affiliate Managers are on board for the long term, and may recruit, train, and notify affiliates in the employ of the merchant. Depending on the AM, they may for the most part simply relay the message of someone higher on the totem pole, or may actively have full control with little supervision.

As mentioned earlier, ABestWeb.com is a great place to find an Affiliate Manager. You my also check for recent graduates of Anik Singal's accertified.com

Many folks fail to see the difference between basic 'affiliates' and 'JV partners', because the endorsed mailing form of Joint Venture we're used to participating in ... and the fact that we use Affiliate software to manage our relationships for both, make them appear to be one and the same. The major differences, IMHO, is that more often than not ... an Affiliate Program is offered by a merchant as an extension of their promotional endeavors in which they pay interested parties a commission or some other form of reward for their ability to make and retain sales. For the most part, this is an entirely automated function ... with little or no direct interaction, unless the Affiliate Partner has reached a status worthy of such. JV Partners, on the other hand, are one part of a 2 way relationship between the merchant and a JV partner, which can involve anything from brainstorming to product development, active participation within the project, in addition to endorsed mailings and other forms of promotion ... and usually includes future reciprocation. Though many of the notifications to the latter during a launch process are automated like that of the common Affillate ... they are most likely notified to participate in the venture on a one to one, individual basis (if not actually, during the invite process ... personal contact should occur via the JV Manager or Merchant before pre launch). A Major problem is that many Merchants that don't use a professional Affiliate/JV Manager or JV Broker fail to see the difference between common Affiliates and JV Partners ... and the latter wind up being not nearly as interested or productive as they could be.

As far as the difference between a 'JV Manager' and a 'JV Broker' ... once again, it all depends on what they are offering. I believe a 'JV Manager' is generally an 'all purpose' launch time JV Partner Manager that usually has the ability to recruit, manage the relationship building process, control chosen 2nd Tier referral accounts with hand picked partners, and possibly author and send out automated notifications during the pre launch and launch process. JV Brokers generally serve the purpose of 'getting a foot in the door' for the JV Manager/Affiliate Manager and giving them a leg up in the relationship building process that will hopefully lead to the JV Partner not only into hitting the 'send' button during this launch ... but into an ever evolving relationship of mutual reward.

Examples of Affiliate Managers that transcend into JV Partner relationship building - Stu McLaren (Armand Morin), Andy Hussong (John Reese), Brent Coppieters (Russell Brunson), David Radeloff (Anik Singal), and Joe Jablonski (Mike Filsaime).

Examples of JV Brokers that will/have run a launch JV Program as well as broker it - Willie Crawford, Gina Gaudio-Graves (retired from active brokering), Marc Goldman (also retired, I believe), Ken McArthur, Mark Hendricks, Chris Rempel (retired?), Reed Floren, Sean McAlister, and Sohail Khan. There are also JV Brokers that have chosen toa specialize in a specific niche, such as Dr. Gregory Simpson (Health and Wellness). Dr. Simpson has worked with Willie (Crawford), and Willie, Gina, and Sohail offer a JV Broker Bootcamp which I highly recommend.

I, personally, am pretty much solely a JV Broker (the last time I completely brokered and managed a launch was Mike Filsaime's Butterfly Marketing launch in early 06') ... but I do offer regular JV Management and Product Launch consultation at no additional cost. Another difference from solely being a JV Broker as opposed to totally running the AP or launch is that I work entirely on my referral's commission on the 2nd Tier (and if 2 tier referring is allowed within the network, a % on the 3rd Tier for all 2nd Tier referred sales). Due to the way I work, I juggle more clients than a typical JV Manager, generally ... as they have to remain free to a certain extent to focus on individual launches, but they are paid across the board for all sales ... not just those made by their referrals.

In addition ... graduates of Jeff Walker's Product Launch Management Bootcamp have been making the scene offering services that run the gamut from JV Management and relationship nurturing to running the whole product launch process - Brandon Fredrickson and Dennis Rosenberg are 2 I actively work with ... others can be found on this site - productlaunchmanagement.com. Jeff doesn't own a complete stranglehold on this market, as there are individuals like Harris Fellman, Rob Toth and David Bass that offer comparable services..

Recap ...

Affiliate Managers - Typically one way communication ... little real interaction with standard partners ... usually long term, generally paid salary and/or commission across the board. On the other hand, may be called Affiliate Managers, but actually perform as ...

JV Managers - Usually responsible for recruiting, one on one interaction, relationship nurturing, either complete control or joint w/ Merchant/other High Level Associate of JV Management and notification during launch process. Typically paid for all partners sales ... whether they have recruited them, or not ... unless agreement is made with the Merchant to consider some 'In House'.

JV Brokers - Can honestly replicate the job description and compensation requirements of all of the above, including running the entire launch ... but primary job is to bring partners into the system. Compensation for the latter in generally a % of referred partners sales (or flat fee per sale), only.

Product Launch Managers - Usually offer a complete launch package that entails everything ... soup to nuts, generally at a package fee commensurate.

Hope that answers some of your questions. If not, feel free to ask.

Cheers,

Mike Merz

Thanks Ebbi for starting the thread.

I am also on the same boat as you. Still trying to put all the pieces together. I also just registered with jvnotifypro. Unsure the step by step process. Can I PM you to share some knowledge ?

Yeah, I remember you asking, Ryan ... which niche was that again?

When JVNP is revamped in 2010, we'll be branching out into popular niche categories like Health and Wellness, Real Estate, Money and Investing, Self Improvement, etc., and polling the partnership to qualify upward trending niches for potential inclusion ... ongoing, but that and 50 cents won't get you a cup of coffee ... now.

Get back to us with that niche, again, and perhaps another fellow Warrior can help ... I'll take another look at my rolodex, as well.

Cheers,

Mike Merz