Web Affiliate Marketing Blog

The second part of my “Meet The REAL” interviews comes from a Network perspective thanks to Hero Grigoraki. Hero, from Webgains, shares her thoughts on the industry as well as surprising us with her music tastes…

How did you first hear about Affiliate Marketing?
It was a cold and rainy day when my then director called me in his office to assign me my new task – I was pretty much thrown into the ocean without knowing how to swim

What has been your career track and did it help your prepare for your current role?
I have a degree in graphic design, which has been extremely helpful with AM – it has given me the skills for the technical aspect of the job as well as the marketing & advertising knowledge to get me started. Before moving in AM, I was employed in various online marketing positions, all of which have given me a very good insight in online marketing, helping me give valid advice to merchants. When I was assigned the affiliate task, I spent 6 months reading all the network manuals, any book I could lay my hands on and spent many nights reading the a4u threads. The mistakes I did back then, I’m still embarrassed about!

Would you ever consider moving over to the dark side and becoming an affiliate yourself one day?
No, it’s way too scary, I prefer the comfort of the network/merchant side.

Sat in a pub with your friends, how would you describe an average affiliate?
Oooh, a tough question. Hard-working, highly dedicated, self-motivated people, especially those with a day job. I can’t help admiring them for their persistence, especially when they start up when things are difficult. Although I prefer to not talk about work with my friends, mainly because they never understand what I do for a living.

What merchants do you manage personally?
I run the fashion, accessories & cosmetics verticals on the Webgains network.

What are the biggest changes you have seen since being involved in the industry?

• The UK industry uniting against spyware
• The continuous changes in search engine paid listings rules
• The shift towards different types of affiliates every couple of years (from price comparison to ppc to Cashback to vouchers to social networking sites)
• The growth and recognition of the industry: more merchants, affiliates & networks than ever before
• Network consolidation & changes in attitude/approach from pretty much all networks to put the affiliates more in the core of their business

In an ideal world with no boundaries, what issue would you address first in the affiliate marketing world?
Ethics – from all parties involved: affiliates, merchants, agencies, networks. Give the unscrupulous the boot!

How reliant is the internet on Google and is it a good thing?
The internet will rely on Google so long as the customers rely on it – let’s face it, Google is the only search engine that puts user experience higher up in their priorities than anyone else and that’s why so many people prefer it.

In 3 years time, how do you think the industry would have developed?
We will all love each other

Complete this sentence in no more than 25 words;
At the next A4U Expo I would….
like to talk to even more affiliates and finally put faces to even more names; so come down to the Webgains stand!

Now its time for some quick fire either or….

Wembley or Twickneham
Wembley – where’s Twickenham?

Risotto or Roghan Josh
Risotto – had to look this up, couldn’t you have said “curry”?

Hardcore or Winebar
Hardcore

Bill or Sergey
Tough choice, I go for Bill cause he’s now retiring, he can do no more harm, I think

Burn It or Recycle It
There’s a place for both

2 Wheels or 4 Wheels
2 feet

Hotel with Spa or Backpacking
Can I backpack to a spa hotel?

XBox or PlayStation
Neither nor!

Sun or Snow
Sun – I am Mediterranean after all

Frank Sinatra or Snoop Snoopity Doggity Dog
Neither, I’m a rock fan meself. If I really had to choose, I have a few Sinatra mp3s, but stay well clear of Snoop

Thanks Hero!