Is it wise to offer non-SFI related incentives to my CSAs and PSAs? For example, create a standing order and get a free DVD?
Earl Winfrey, Aff (South carolina, US)
2/16/2015 1:37 pm
Affiliate since: 11/10/2003, Power Rank: 150
I'm not sure if that is the best way to go because it works against the momentum you create when offering the incentive. The best way to keep the momentum going is to offer an incentive that promotes the action that is being rewarded. For example, if the action being rewarded is to create a standing order, you could issue a gift certificate that could be used for funding the standing order next month. If the action being rewarded is recruiting new PSAs, you can reward them with additional PSAs. This works with any action you are rewarding so the momentum stays strong.
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I'm not sure if that is the best way to go because it works against the momentum you create when offering the incentive. The best way to keep the momentum going is to offer an incentive that promotes the action that is being rewarded. For example, if the action being rewarded is to create a standing order, you could issue a gift certificate that could be used for funding the standing order next month. If the action being rewarded is recruiting new PSAs, you can reward them with additional PSAs.
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How do you identify in your affiliates the skills that could help them become stars in SFI?
Earl Winfrey, Aff (South carolina, US)
2/16/2015 1:57 pm
Affiliate since: 11/10/2003, Power Rank: 150
The first step is to decide what those skills are. Make a list of items such as what type of badges to look for such as VP streak, EA streak, winner badges, reviews made, forum posts, etc. The badges give you insight as to the activity of the affiliate every month. If they are on an EA streak, that is an indication that they are strong with their activities. If they are winning in several games, they are active with TripleClicks. If they are constantly in the forum posts, they are feeding their minds with all things related to SFI and that shows a potential leader. If you create a list of everything you would consider helpful for an affiliate to make it to the next level, you can use that list to measure each person and decide what is lacking so you can help them.
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The first step is to decide what those skills are. Make a list of items such as what type of badges to look for such as VP streak, EA streak, winner badges, reviews made, forum posts, etc. The badges give you insight as to the activity of the affiliate every month. If they are on an EA streak, that is an indication that they are strong with their activities. If they are winning in several games, they are active with TripleClicks. If they are constantly in the forum posts, they are feeding their
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Where are the best places and what are the best ways to get answers about SFI?
Earl Winfrey, Aff (South carolina, US)
2/16/2015 1:25 pm
Affiliate since: 11/10/2003, Power Rank: 150
The first place I would direct my PSAs and CSAs would be the training links they went through when they joined. The first time through the training links happens way too fast in order to gain all of the information being offered so it's a good idea to revisit the training at least once per month for the first 6 months of joining SFI to make sure all of the information is digested.
Another great place for information is the SFI Forum because we get to share our experiences with other affiliates. I try to visit the forum daily so I can stay immersed in SFI and contribute from my own experience when I feel like I can help the topic of the thread.
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The first place I would direct my PSAs and CSAs would be the training links they went through when they joined. The first time through the training links happens way too fast in order to gain all of the information being offered so it's a good idea to revisit the training at least once per month for the first 6 months of joining SFI to make sure all of the information is digested.
Another great place for information is the SFI Forum because we get to share our experiences with other affiliates.
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Which is better and why...to contact my PSAs through SFI (e.g. PSA Mailer) or directly via their email address?
Earl Winfrey, Aff (South carolina, US)
3/26/2015 8:18 am
Affiliate since: 11/10/2003, Power Rank: 150
In order to maintain a certain level of professionalism, in the beginning, you should use the tools provided by SFI to contact your PSAs. This will help the affiliate determine who is sending the message. You represent SFI, so an official SFI message from you will reinforce the idea that this is a business, and the message is related to the business.
As time progresses, and you get to know your PSA, you should be able to use whatever method you feel is appropriate for communication. For example, a personal email address would help if you are dealing with an individual and the SFI tools would be the best option for sending out messages to the entire group. If the PSA lives near you, it may be a good idea to take it a step further and reach out via the phone, but I would caution you to make sure you get to know the person first.
Basically, the progression goes like this. Start off with the PSA mailer and then move forward with other forms of communication as you get to know the person.
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In order to maintain a certain level of professionalism, in the beginning, you should use the tools provided by SFI to contact your PSAs. This will help the affiliate determine who is sending the message. You represent SFI, so an official SFI message from you will reinforce the idea that this is a business, and the message is related to the business.
As time progresses, and you get to know your PSA, you should be able to use whatever method you feel is appropriate for communication.
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Should I or shouldn't I participate in the SFI PPA program?
Earl Winfrey, Aff (South carolina, US)
2/16/2015 1:47 pm
Affiliate since: 11/10/2003, Power Rank: 150
I would participate simply because it adds a new revenue stream to your compensation every month. However, I would not use it as my sole focus of recruiting because it does not build your downline. Remember that duplication is the backbone of SFI so gain as many PSAs as possible for your own team. So I would look at the PPA program as an accessory to your income but not the main focus of your recruiting efforts.
When starting out in SFI, is it better to invest in advertising or in an EA-qualifying purchase?
Earl Winfrey, Aff (South carolina, US)
2/17/2015 7:37 am
Affiliate since: 11/10/2003, Power Rank: 150
The simple answer is yes. If you have the money, invest in both advertising and in an EA qualifying purchase. If your resources are limited, I would suggest that you create a standing order for EA status first so you can get a share of the TripleClicks Executive Pool every month. With a share from the executive pool, you can start saving your commissions so you can build a reserve for covering expenses during slower months.
Is cold calling, using a local telephone directory, a good method for attracting new PSAs?
Earl Winfrey, Aff (South carolina, US)
2/17/2015 7:23 am
Affiliate since: 11/10/2003, Power Rank: 150
I have never been a fan of cold calling for 1 simple reason, I don't like it when people call me. If you like it when people call you with business opportunities, then you will probably do well with cold calling because you are already comfortable with the concept. But if you don't like people calling you that way, you will have a hard time calling somebody else. Cold calling is an acquired skill that is not well received in many areas. But if you make the right connection, it could end up being a useful resource.
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I have never been a fan of cold calling for 1 simple reason, I don't like it when people call me. If you like it when people call you with business opportunities, then you will probably do well with cold calling because you are already comfortable with the concept. But if you don't like people calling you that way, you will have a hard time calling somebody else. Cold calling is an acquired skill that is not well received in many areas. But if you make the right connection, it could end up being
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How can I use a PSA's Affiliate Profile to help him or her get off to a good start and become successful in SFI?
Earl Winfrey, Aff (South carolina, US)
2/17/2015 7:41 am
Affiliate since: 11/10/2003, Power Rank: 150
An affiliate's profile is a scorecard for you to keep track of the information he/she shares with SFI. From the profile, you can access the VP ledger that you can use to see the activity for the month. If you see that your PSA is losing VPs on a regular basis, you can send him/her a message to alert him/her to the areas that need attention. The profile is the first place I go to when trying to help a PSA for the reason I just stated. Great question!
How can you determine what TripleClicks product(s) a person might be interested in?
Earl Winfrey, Aff (South carolina, US)
2/16/2015 2:10 pm
Affiliate since: 11/10/2003, Power Rank: 150
This is a difficult question to answer because of the international status of SFI. Without having a working knowledge of a person's culture, it will be hard to predict what that person would be interested in. My suggestion would be to create a series of questions that will help you determine what products would be good. Use those questions with a variety of people from different countries so you can look for consistencies that will span cultural boundaries.
Why do so many affiliates become inactive shortly after joining SFI?
Earl Winfrey, Aff (South carolina, US)
1/4/2015 1:13 pm
Affiliate since: 11/10/2003, Power Rank: 150
For many people, the amount of work involved to be successful can be overwhelming, and this can cause a person to stop working. For others, they enter SFI with an attitude that they are going to get rich overnight and when they find out that it is a slow and steady process, they give up because they are looking for a quick fix rather than a permanent business venture. Along with those two groups of people, there are some who join SFI but do not have time to invest in the program yet. They have intentions to become active but they need to work out their schedules and resources so they can get started. That group needs special attention because they need to learn that SFI does not require a certain amount of action as long as some action is happening.
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For many people, the amount of work involved to be successful can be overwhelming, and this can cause a person to stop working. For others, they enter SFI with an attitude that they are going to get rich overnight and when they find out that it is a slow and steady process, they give up because they are looking for a quick fix rather than a permanent business venture. Along with those two groups of people, there are some who join SFI but do not have time to invest in the program yet. They have
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2/16/2015 1:37 pm