Posted on March 02, 2010 by Tim Schroeder

Trisha has an extensive affiliate background, having worked with reputable companies including most recently For Me To Coupon, her insights at conferences, on her blog, and on the Affiliate Marketing Fanatics podcast she co-hosts on GeekCast.fm.

You can check out Trisha’s blog, or find her on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

An Interview With Trisha Lyn Fawver

How did you get started in the industry?

I was working at a printing company in the marketing department when they asked me if I wanted to take over the affiliate program.  I had been running other programs and turned them around and the affiliate program needed a lot of work and updating.  So I took over the affiliate program, turning it from a independent Direct Track based program to a top performer with Commission Junction.

What was your biggest learning experience to date?

It was interesting working at a start-up marketing firm that was backed by an existing company and seeing what that dynamic was like.  Despite good affiliate results, the backing company still ended up dictating what happened at the firm and ultimately sealed it’s demise.

What was your biggest success to date?

Growing the two printing company affiliate programs I’ve managed into top earning programs.  Reorganizing the first program I managed completely to a great running program.

How did you learn the business (eBooks? Webinars? Membership sites? Freebies? Paid services?)?

By jumping in head first and listening to my manager, who had run affiliate programs at other companies.  I also attended my first Affiliate Summit about 6 months after jumping into affiliate marketing, and learned a lot that way.

What do you think is the true value to consumers in affiliate marketing?

A lot of affiliate sites offer tons of value to consumers.  Whether you’re talking about cashback sites or incentives, or just offering an abundance of coupons.  Obviously, if affiliates didn’t provide a lot of value, consumers wouldn’t go to their sites.

Do you think sponsored conversations have their place in the industry?

It’s a fine line.  If the conversation also has a lot of good value and doesn’t push the sponsor before the good content, then there’s definitely room.

Besides yourself, who do you think is the most valuable resource to the affiliate community?

The obvious answer for me is Shawn Collins, as his blog is a fountain great information.  A second would be AffPlan, which is starting to really come into its own with the information being presented.

How do you balance professional v. personal?

Very carefully lol.  Especially since I work at home, sometimes it’s very difficult to turn off work mode and turn into professional mode.  Basically my weekends are personal only and every other day is professional until my husband tells me it’s time to put the laptop aside and watch some tv or eat with him.

How often did you check your stats….1 month in? 1 year in? Today?

As an affiliate manager, I check the stats of my programs daily pretty much.  We do weekly reports that are a bit more in-depth.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

It would be cliché to say Kathy Bates since she’s one of the only plus sized ladies in Hollywood, but she’s also a great actress so I think I’d still go with Kathy Bates.  Or I could throw America Ferrara a bone.

OK, now who would REALLY play you?

That girl on Drop Dead Diva lol.

What are some of the key differences between a ’super affiliate’ and the veteran, less successful affiliates?

Lightning in a bottle.  From talking with super affiliates, yes they put in a LOT of work, but many of them were also just in the right place at the right time with the niches they chose (ringtones, mobile phone accessories, etc).  There are also other affiliates that got started in the beginning 10+ years ago and have built up their businesses to successful enterprises.  I think what mainly differentiates them from the less successful affiliates is time put into their businesses.  You have to make this a full time business to earn full time profits, otherwise it’s still just a side job, even if you’ve been doing it for years.

Is where you are now where you thought you’d be…10 years ago? 5 years ago? A month ago? Why/ why not?

Ha!  10 years ago I was graduating high school and on my way to college for Theatre Arts – I thought I was going to be an actress and playwright.  So this is miles from where I thought I’d be.  5 years ago I was working in customer service and still thought it was a stepping stone before selling a script.  A month ago is probably the closest expectation!

Explain affiliate marketing so a child would understand it.

Affiliate marketing is where people put advertisements for online stores on their websites and get paid a fee when someone else buys through their advertisements.