Naturally, explaining what an OPM does is not any simpler than describing what affiliates do, or what affiliate marketing is. In fact, it is quite a bit more complex, because you first have to explain what is affiliate marketing, who are affiliates, what is an affiliate program, and only then… why in the world merchants need outsourced (affiliate) program managers, and what it is exactly that we do (recruit new affiliates, motivate them activate, police compliance with the merchant’s rules for affiliate marketing, handle communication, and work on the program’s optimization — yes, the five pillars).
To reflect the common (pre)/(mis)conceptions, in line with a famous What others think I do meme, and among others using two actual pictures of myself (one from a fishing trip, and another one from a speaking opportunity), I’ve put together the following “What People Think OPMs Do” visual summary:
And here is an accompanying “legend” (with my best attempts to quantify the veracity of each preconception):
Neighbors — They don’t know what exactly I do, but do know that it’s “computer-related” and I seem to have cash falling on my head. 95% FALSE (5% of the truth is that I do work at the computer)
Friends — Judging by the stuff that I post on my Facebook wall, it appears I must be on a life-long fishing trip. 95% FALSE (I, honestly, wish I had that much free time!)
Mother — Well… If my mother doesn’t think that I’m a computer gamer of some sorts, my mother-in-law definitely does. 
100% FALSE
Other relatives — They, probably, picture me working on a laptop, sitting in a comfy armchair, and wearing pajamas. 100% FALSE
Myself — I’d like to think of myself as of an educator, and contributor to the betterment of the industry. Essence – 100% TRUE; Time commitment – 20% TRUE
Reality — Multiple clients, 12-hour work days, coffee, stress, lack of fresh air… 100% TRUE (but since I’m working for myself, it’s also 100% worth it!)
I’m sure the situation is very similar with other outsourced options to in-house business tasks (e.g.: search engine optimization and paid search marketing, banner/graphics design, web development, outsourced social media marketing, conversion rate optimization, programming, etc); and the vast majority of my blog’s readers will identify with what I’m trying to say.
Enjoy your weekend, shutting down that computer and Internet connection on your smartphone(s), and spending time with those who matter most in your life!
About Geno Prussakov
CEO & Founder of AM Navigator – an award-winning OPM agency. Founder & Chair of Affiliate Management Days conference. Author of bestselling "A Practical Guide to Affiliate Marketing" (2007) and "Affiliate Program Management: An Hour a Day" (2011), speaker, consultant, and affiliate marketing evangelist.
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