Maintaining Relationships With AMs (8)
Hi Everyone,
I have recently decided to start promoting mobile offers on Decisive, and I'm currently looking for offers. Since I'm new to the networks I've recently joined, my AMs are pushing for me to deliver traffic soon, but I may or may not use an offer from whichever network they represent. Does it matter if I just tell my AM that I'm not looking to promote any offers from their network at the moment, since I don't feel that any of them happen to be right for me?
I think it's ok just to tell nothing. It's just business
You might as well get used to that...lol Wait till they figure out you actually know what you're doing.. they'll never leave you alone..lol
I know exactly how you feel.
As for everything else in life, everyone has his/her own agenda. Affiliate managers are trying to do their jobs - which is to help affiliates to generate as much revenue as possible. In many cases, AMs will also earn commissions based on their affiliate's earnings. So it would only make sense for them to encourage you to run their offers as best they could.
And then there's us, the affiliates. Our priority is to make money for ourselves, not to please affiliate networks. We only want to promote the best-converting offers. And the more "insider tips" we get from AMs, the better.
It's true that we're all in it for the money, but first and foremost, we're all just people. Just like there are good and bad people in affiliates, there are good and bad people in AMs also. However, based on the masses of people I've talked to from both sides, I'd say most of them/us are AWESOME people. 
Therefore, know that although your AMs will continue to push offers at you, most of them will understand the position you're in and where you're coming from. If you have no idea which vertical to go into, just be honest and ask them for recommendations and advice. Talk to ALL your AMs and pick their brains as much as they have time for. If you don't end up promoting their offers, no need to feel bad, because 1)it's part of their job to recommend offers to you, and you're not under any obligation to promote any offer, and 2)just because you're not promoting their offers now, doesn't mean you never will!
And as soon as you've decided on a vertical to promote, talk to your AMs again to find out the best offers in that vertical. From this point onwards, to AMs that inform you of offers in other verticals you can respond with, "thanks but I'm only focusing on this particular vertical right now." If you're already working on one or more offers, just tell them courteously for example that "I'm already working on an offer and using it to optimize my banners and landers, but once I'm ready I'll ask you for recommendations on similar offers to split-test."
In short, AMs are people too (LOL)! Be sincere and courteous, and just tell them honestly that you're already working on something, or that what they're recommending isn't appealing to you and let them know your preferences so they can make better recommendations in the future. Sometimes they can be persistent and follow up with you every couple of days, but know that it's their job to follow up, and just inform them nicely that you don't need recommendations at the moment but will hit them up when you do.
Allow them to do their job, but also allow yourself to pursue your own agenda. These don't need to conflict with each other unless you let them. A good AM can be the key to your success. Communicate more with AMs that are the most helpful that give the best advice, and it will result in a win-win for the both of you!
Sorry for being long-winded - your post has struck a nerve in me. 
Amy
P. S. Oscar if you'd like aff network recommendations please let me know! Not trying to suck up to anyone, but I have some of the best AMs in the world that take great care of me. Some aff networks are just better at hiring awesome AMs!
Vortex summed it up perfectly !
Tell them exactly what you need/are looking for and see if they can help you, you'll quickly notice some, at least in appearance, have more your interests at hearts than others that just throw different offers from completely different verticals each day at you.
As you get more into affiliate marketing, your AMs will become one of your greatest assets, and the more they know your business the more helpfull they'll be to you.
I don't know what networks are "in" at the moment, but you can't go wrong with any of the big 3, which for me are : MundoMedia, F5Media and AdSimilis.
Mehdi
Thanks for the responses everyone! I'm glad I'm not in a position no one else is, and this advice should really help me in understanding where my AM is coming from and what I should do as well. I'll definitely look into MundoMedia, and will probably go ahead and contact AdSimilis' STM contact on Skype, as I've already applied.
P.S. - Amy, if you could PM me some network recommendations as well, that'd be much appreciated!
Speaking as an AM in affiliaXe, I know I prefer it if my affiliates are honest with me.
Its ok if you are not currently interested in the offers I am recommending, but I appreciate an honest feedback. Just like I make an effort in replying to every message an affiliate sends me as soon as I can, I want a reply from my affiliates as well, be it a good reply (I will run your offer and you are amazing!) or not a good reply (I dont find the offers interesting at the moment).
It will help me be a better AM for you (and in general) as I will have a better knowledge of your needs.
Great comments in this thread! As AM of Adnomic, I strive to build long-lasting relationships with affiliates and provide value based on your needs. If we can't help out at this time, there is a lot opportunity to build something special down the road!
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