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Affiliate Marketing Strategy For Interview

Posted by matthewprice1985 on 6/23/2012 at 1:55 PM ET 250 Points

Hi,

I'm required to present a 6 month affiliate marketing strategy for a job interview. My marketing experience is mainly self taught so it's daunting.

The brief contains plenty of stats about how many affiliates are active, how many are unprofitable and how they perform in general. Part of the criteria is for me to show realistic progression on the stats over 6 months. How can I work out what realistic progress is? Is there some formula or method to help me make progression?

Also if anyone could point me in the direction of good example presentations or strategies it would be incredibly useful. Please let me know if I've not provided enough information. Thanks in advance!

Posted by mgoodman on 6/23/2012 at 3:55 PM Accepted

This sounds like a test of your analytical skills. If that's what they are looking for and you don't know how to attack the challenge, then perhaps this isn't the job for you.

I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear, but think about how terrible it would be if you somehow got the job and then failed because they expect (and evaluate you on) something you can't do.

There are many elements of Marketing that you can pick up on the job, or by being "self-taught." Serious analytics, however, isn't usually one of them. If the employer is looking for heavy-duty analytics and you are not skilled in that, then maybe you're in the wrong place.
Posted by matthewprice1985 on 6/24/2012 at 6:01 AM Author

Hi,

Thanks for replying. I think you may be right - it's a pretty good indication that the job won't be for me.

But, if possible I'd still like to go through with the interview. At least then I can try and make a good impression - There may be other positions available.

If there's any advice you can give me to just help me get by for this one presentation it'd be appreciated.
Posted by mgoodman on 6/24/2012 at 12:48 PM Moderator

Since you are not likely to wow them with your analytical skills, maybe the best thing to do is level with them and tell them you are not an analyst, but you definitely value sound quantitative skills.

What you would do is have someone with the right background and skill set develop findings that are consistent with the data, and then use your managerial judgment to determine the correct and most meaningful conclusions and indicated actions.

If you can convince them that your judgment and initiative are what they should be looking at, then perhaps your lack of quantitative skills will be seen as less important. That's certainly a better approach than trying to "fake it" in an area that isn't comfortable for you.

Good luck. Let us know (a) what you decide to do, and (b) how it is received.
Posted by carrie77 on 7/4/2012 at 7:50 AM Moderator

Hi Everyone,

I am closing this question since there hasn't been any activity in 10 days.

Thanks for participating!
Carrie (Production Editor)

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