Aac?

[Triple7]

xecutable is it short and t-shirt weather there? Also do cabs accept credit cards?

At the moment not. It's quite fresh. No need to put a jacket, put a short and t-shirt would be cold now. Cabs usually do accept credit cards. Although I think it's better to use the public transport instead of cabs.

Cab drivers in Amsterdam are quite rude and incorrect to tourists/visitors. They overcharge, drive some extra kilometers, etc.

[xecutable]

^^ Like he said it's at times chilly at times warm. So some sort of t-shirts and a long sleeve shirt a light jacket. I've never used a cab here, as the public transport or a bike will get you anywhere and they are extremely timed and clean too.

[webanalysissolutions]

All well and good going to 3-4 conferences a year for a few beers etc, but I never understand what people get out of them. We're a big affiliate and visiting our advertisers directly throughout the year is much more beneficial than spending thousands going to conferences where you might get a 20 minute meeting and not much else. Really, does any affiliate go to LAC, BAC, AAC religously? (for business reasons). They're too close together for a start, and if you're an affiliate of any good size then you'll be talking to your advertisers weekly, if not daily anyway.

[Casinorep]

^^ 25% business and 75% leisure for me.

[Renee]

All well and good going to 3-4 conferences a year for a few beers etc, but I never understand what people get out of them. We're a big affiliate and visiting our advertisers directly throughout the year is much more beneficial than spending thousands going to conferences where you might get a 20 minute meeting and not much else. Really, does any affiliate go to LAC, BAC, AAC religously? (for business reasons). They're too close together for a start, and if you're an affiliate of any good size then you'll be talking to your advertisers weekly, if not daily anyway.

Obviously it will be different for operators, but we only go to 1-2 a year.

The best thing about conferences for us is that we get to see lots of affiliates at the same time. It's cheaper for us (being in Oz) than flying to see each aff we want to see individually.

It also gives us the opportunity to talk to affs we wouldn't normally come across and the networking is invaluable in my opinion.

For example, back in Prague I met someone who was working for a program who is now an affiliate. If I didn't meet them then, they'd not be working with us now. I suppose that doesn't work the other way around for affiliates, unless you're planning to become an affiliate manager at some point, but just an example of what we get out of conferences.

[xecutable]

You never know who you are going to talk to and what you are gonna get out of it. When you get to know people and you socialize with them during the conference, maybe even after often you guys end up exchanging idea etc. Doing what we do, some of us do not get talk to many people on daily bases, except in the gym or anything you might participate in.

As for business, most of the big sponsors are you know who, so nothing there to see or do (for me anyways).

[AE-Martyn]

Don't forget these kind of events also build relationships, trust and is a good way to spend time with the people you want to spend time with. So even if no new business is done, improving a relationship between Affiliate and Affiliate Manager can be invaluable long-term.

Being a family man, it's a little harder for me to get a pass out to travel to see affiliates directly, not ruling it out though as I see the value in it. Being in the UK we're well placed to travel most places.

[RacingJim]

It's just a big booze up for the affiliate managers isn't it? I guess some of the best relationships are made over a beer in a more relaxed vibe.

[AE-Martyn]

It's just a big booze up for the affiliate managers isn't it?

[LIE]No![/LIE]

I guess some of the best relationships are made over a beer in a more relaxed vibe.

True story. I've done some good business and some not so good business with a beer in hand outside of the conference/after hours.

[Miles_FTA]

Hi "Casino Rep" My offer still strands for Lunch Monday if youd like ? we arrive at 10 and it would be good to get to know a new affiliate ? and visa versa I'm sure let me know

[Miles_FTA]

I wasn't paying attention and booked the wrong flight dates. So now I'll be in Amsterdam bright and early Monday, and was wondering if anyone want to grab a bite or movie or drink or........... If you're in town.

Hi "Casino Rep" My offer still stands for Lunch Monday if you'd like ? We arrive at 10 and it would be good to get to know a new affiliate ? and visa versa I'm sure let me know

Gives us a number if you'd like and we can call you when we arrive and make a plan to meet you Lunch on us ?

[Miles_FTA]

[QUOTE=AE-Martyn;790094]Don't forget these kind of events also build relationships, trust and is a good way to spend time with the people you want to spend time with. So even if no new business is done, improving a relationship between Affiliate and Affiliate Manager can be invaluable long-term.

I agree 1000% well said Martyn ..

[AE-Martyn]

Hi "Casino Rep" My offer still strands for Lunch Monday if youd like ? we arrive at 10 and it would be good to get to know a new affiliate ? and visa versa I'm sure let me know

Don't do it, he'll make you pay for lunch!!!

[Casinorep]

Martyn you're a dag (stole that word from Renee).

[thebookiesoffers]

I find them brilliant for more than just getting pissed and having a jolly. there are some aff managers I have met and now class them as friends and I have been able to use that to help me, ie, Sarah Caskie at Coral. She's a right laugh and sound person and because we've got to know each other I've been able to reach out for help from her. Got a fair few others aswell but it would bore everyone if I went through them, Keith Hathaway, Natalie Merrison and Hodgey, spring to mind
And to be fair in a industry that attracts bellends I have met some great affiliates as well from here, and just from the industry. Like Matt (baldidiot), really nice fella and someone I feel I can always approach if I am looking for advise and hopefully he thinks likewise. others like the dbsporting lads I know I can get top quality content from.
All because of the conferences

[Casinorep]

There's a saying "people like to do business with people they like", and that's true. It's one thing to be in dialogue with someone via technology but it's an unparalleled value to interact with those people in person and building relationships either through formal meetings or at social functions. Because at the end of the day, you do business with people, not a computer screen.

And I can say over the years I've developed friendships with some folks in this business that wouldn't have happened otherwise if we just exchanged emails.

It's also why there are team building activities and such.

[Triple7]

Yep, liking someone or disliking someone can make way of a difference. Every company takes business partners to sport events, golf courts and neon light bars

[webanalysissolutions]

Yep, liking someone or disliking someone can make way of a difference. Every company takes business partners to sport events, golf courts and neon light bars

It's all well and good talking about the essentials of networking, face to face etc etc, I understand all that, but yes, you might get a slightly better deal, better rev share, some CPA etc, but if a brand doesn't convert, it just doesn't convert, and there's no amount of talking, socialising, drinking, wining and dining that will change that. You might get a few tips, but in general affiliate managers don't understand your traffic that well and advice is generally poor - like "put us on top of the home page" type requests.

In addition I'd say at least 50% of the advertisers you see at conferences either a) have a really bad reputation and dodgy past, and b) are still skimming, or cheating affiliates today. Just read the many posts you find across the affiliate forums.

That may well sound negative, but ultimately it's wise to choose who you invest your time in building business relationships with. I've been in the industry almost 15 years now and i'd say we're a super-affiliate with some brands, but we're only that way because we've chosen our friends wisely and haven't been over-awed by the hype of freebies, wining and dining and the rest of the stuff that goes on at conferences. We get loads of offers to go to sporting events, beers, meals, and other perks, but really only take up companies on about 1 in 10 offers, as a lot of time can be wasted chasing red herrings that ultimately don't earn you a penny.

All that said, I always go to London - that's enough for me to speak to the right people. I have done Barcelona in recent years, but Amsterdam doesn't serve much purpose - it's going into the summer where there's little football activity, and i've just spoken to most people a few months ago at LAC.

[Triple7]

Well, I agree with that. Concerning affiliate deals, I guess it's all about traffic and conversion. Even if somebody gives me 5% extra, 50% * 0 conversion means 0 euro's and 55% * 0 is also 0.

But it's just about affiliate programs. It's also about affiliates, competors. I'll hear some nice tips, could do some backlink exchanges, etc. That's more worthful to me than 5% extra revenue share for a brand that isn't converting at all.

Their advices are to me also much more useful than the advices of most affiliate managers. I agree with you that most of them don't understand than much of things like traffic, etc. They are hired just to get their brand on toppositions as much as possible and to generate as much as possible printscreens with their banners on a website...

Seeing the "line up" of affiliate programs I totally agree with you. The most dodgy affiliate programs are present there. 888, RevenueJet, AffPower... It is the crap of the crap, I agree with that, but I will just ignore them. I have nothing to discuss with them, I'm not interested in working with them to get scammed and to send them players they can scam. Ofcourse affiliates that don't look further than their nose is long, will be kissing asses with them, but I will just ignore them. And if they ask something... I am polite, I will explain them very clear why I am not interested in working with them and why nobody should be working with them.

My main purpose is to speak some 'competitors' and some affiliate managers i'm having good contact with. The ones mailing every week to "discuss a new great deal to have some top positions" I will just ignore. By mail they're quite irritating and in real life I suppose they're even more irritating.

All this said, I agree with you that if I'd go just for good deals, it would be a totally waste of time. But going to see and speak some people, I think it's worth it. For me. For other people perhaps it isn't, for example if they saw those people not so long time ago...

I am also quite a newbie. Perhaps in some years I'll think different about this conferences. So I don't think you're sounding negative. I consider it realistic

[webanalysissolutions]

Well, I agree with that. Concerning affiliate deals, I guess it's all about traffic and conversion. Even if somebody gives me 5% extra, 50% * 0 conversion means 0 euro's and 55% * 0 is also 0.

But it's just about affiliate programs. It's also about affiliates, competors. I'll hear some nice tips, could do some backlink exchanges, etc. That's more worthful to me than 5% extra revenue share for a brand that isn't converting at all.

Their advices are to me also much more useful than the advices of most affiliate managers. I agree with you that most of them don't understand than much of things like traffic, etc. They are hired just to get their brand on toppositions as much as possible and to generate as much as possible printscreens with their banners on a website...

Seeing the "line up" of affiliate programs I totally agree with you. The most dodgy affiliate programs are present there. 888, RevenueJet, AffPower... It is the crap of the crap, I agree with that, but I will just ignore them. I have nothing to discuss with them, I'm not interested in working with them to get scammed and to send them players they can scam. Ofcourse affiliates that don't look further than their nose is long, will be kissing asses with them, but I will just ignore them. And if they ask something... I am polite, I will explain them very clear why I am not interested in working with them and why nobody should be working with them.

My main purpose is to speak some 'competitors' and some affiliate managers i'm having good contact with. The ones mailing every week to "discuss a new great deal to have some top positions" I will just ignore. By mail they're quite irritating and in real life I suppose they're even more irritating.

All this said, I agree with you that if I'd go just for good deals, it would be a totally waste of time. But going to see and speak some people, I think it's worth it. For me. For other people perhaps it isn't, for example if they saw those people not so long time ago...

I am also quite a newbie. Perhaps in some years I'll think different about this conferences. So I don't think you're sounding negative. I consider it realistic

Thanks Triple7, agree with you, networking with other affiliates is far more useful than affiliate managers I'm always happy to share open views and exchange ideas, I know we're all in competition with each other for the same people, but if I get as much as I give out I'm happy.

Even as a "newbie" as you describe yourself, you seem to have your head screwed on the right way I have done the same to programs I don't wish to work with over the years. However it's amazing how many newbies do turn up each year and are overwhelmed by the glitz and glamour, girls in short dresses and offers of free alcohol on each stand. It must sell though, as every conference is the same recipe - stuff that young 20-something guys are interested in - girls, alcohol, selfies with celebrities etc etc. You have to try look beyond that as the rewards can be massive if you do business with the right people, and you can also earn zero for a long time if you choose progams who have networked with you and won your trust but won't convert a single dime.