Thanks, Scott!

Sam Harrelson Consulting Launches as Affiliate Program Management Agency: “Caterpillars to butterflies.

Congrats and Godspeed, Sam.  Here’s to making a difference.”

Lots of folks have asked why an OPM and why now considering how crowded and fairly stagnant that space has been over the last few years.

To me, it’s simple:

1) The Affiliate Outsourced Program Management space is competitive and crowded to the point that many OPM’s are engaged in a “race to the bottom” mentality of pricing. Whereas many OPM’s charged in the $2,000-5,000 a month range just 2 or 3 years ago, the price points have dropped to levels such as $250 a month or even commission based. While that seems advantageous for merchants, it’s really a lose-lose for the industry because you do get what you pay for in terms of quality management. I’m looking to reverse the trend of getting 20 or 30 clients at $500 a month and recruit a team of inexperienced managers to run the farm while I sit in the big house and take in the winnings. To quote Jerry Maguire… “Fewer Clients; Less Money.” I’m focusing on quality, not quantity. Quality interactions, quality merchants, quality affiliates, quality networks and quality results.

2) While the OPM space is crowded in many verticals and niches, there are still large areas of online commerce that are underserved, if at all, by OPM’s. For instance, my focus is on tech merchants, non-profits/charities, gadgets and gaming. Those aren’t the only prospective clients I’m speaking with, but they make up what will be the core of my business. Again, fewer clients and more quality.

3) It’s time for the OPM model to evolve. I like helping things to evolve.

So, here’s to the company I’ve been trying to build my entire career in the affiliate marketing space. I’m beyond excited about the direction of the company after speaking with prospective clients (and a few folks who might be coming on board) at Affiliate Summit last week.

I should be able to fill in some details about clients next week or by the 24th depending on when contracts get inked etc. In the end, my goal is to personally stay involved in all aspects of this management company, even if that means staying a 1 man shop (which is how I’m leaning at the moment).

However, this butterfly is ready to go.