So You Didn't Get Paid...

[GregK]

I hear this one a lot so I thought I would write a quick "how to" on handling the situation. This is one of many ways to handle it, but it seems to be the best for getting what you need, while preserving the relationship.

-check your records: make sure you are entitled to a payment and figure out exactly how much. Having this info will help you in the later steps.

-contact your affiliate manager: sometimes a payment goes out late or there is a system error, asking them will save you a ton of headache. If this was a unique problem, let them know how much you believe your payment should be and send them any info they need. Sometimes records get lost, its not pretty to think about, but it is the truth.

-follow up: give them a week to work on it and then follow up. Affiliate Managers are busy and sometimes things get buried under their other duties. Believe it or not, you're not their only affiliate.

-follow up: give them another week and see what is going on. If you talk to them on the phone, follow it up with a recap e-mail, that way you both have a record to look back to.

- If you have followed up a few times and nothing has happened, consider posting in an affiliate forum like this one. The truth is, despite the majority of affiliate programs being legitimate, there are some bad eggs. There is strength in numbers and there are plenty of affiliate communities out there that are willing to help you.