Following the announcement in recent weeks, I thought it best to fully explain and outline the situation regarding 'Account Management'.
Could I ask that you read the whole post a couple of times to ensure that you fully understand what is being said - for the vast majority of Affiliates, NOTHING will change.
Definitions
Historical definitions are termed as follows;
Managing - 'doing it for' ie, taking full control of another BB Affiliate(s) account and doing everything required to that account. This could be in exchange for cash, panels or other such recompense. This could also be done for no recompense at all.
Helping - Giving help and advice to other affiliate(s) by explaining and offering tips and strategy. This would be done by being sat next to the person or remotely via screen sharing software. There this again could have been a recompensed activity.
Future definitions.
Managing - taking full control of another affiliates and doing whatever to that account is now strictly prohibited. Even if the affiliate accessing the account is being recompensed or not.
Helping - the affiliate being helped logs into their own account and you the helper looks over their shoulder or remotely shares their screen. The helper should not know the accounts password or transaction pin.
Background
Since the beginning of Banners Broker there have been affiliates out there that have been managing other affiliates accounts, some successful, others not. It has been clear that most of those having their accounts managed are using BB as an investment vehicle and not as an online advertising company.
Following threats of legal action, where a 'manager' blatantly miss managed an account, amongst many others - it became clear that something needed to change to protect the image and longevity of the company.
Advertising Coordinators
Advertising Coordinators (AdCos) are employed staff by each Independent Contractor country (IC). These AdCos will take all the necessary steps to ensure that the Affiliates account has a successful advertising campaign and make sure that sufficient advertising inventory is purchased to support this. The accounts will be run sensibly and following the rules stipulated by Banners Broker International and under the close supervision of the IC.
An affiliate who has their account being taken care of by an AdCo and has any questions on the account or wishes to request a withdrawal, will have an AdCo liaison as a point of contact. Affiliates will be free to action a withdrawal via their back office but it is advisable that they check to make sure their account can support this.
Scenarios
I have been asked several times about specific individual scenarios, sadly I can't list them all here, but hopefully something comes close.
1. I have my account managed by someone, we did not have a contract but he is a mate and said he would help me out. Are we able to carry on with this arrangement?
No, you must learn how to look after your own BB account (with your friend helping you get up to standard if you wish). Alternatively, if you do not wish to spend the time required, you can join the AdCo service.
2. I manage my mothers/grandmothers/daughters/sons account and do/don't get paid. What happens to me?
You must start to 'help' your mother/grandmother/daughter/son get up to the level required with a view to them eventually looking after their own account moving forward. Alternatively, if you/they do not wish to spend the time required, they can join the AdCo service.
3. I often screen share with my team and help/ support them so they can build their own business, is this allowed?
Yes, absoloutley, you are helping them and not doing it for them.
4. Can I be clever and use screen sharing software to remotely manage someone's account, who would know?
The short answer is technically yes, you could try and circumvent the rules - but if you were to get found out, you would be terminated as a BB Affilate.
5. How will BB know that I am managing other accounts?
Every purchase you make, panel you qualify even every time you log in etc is logged by BB. The IP address is recorded and then held on file.
Naturally if 20 accounts are logged in from the same IP address, there could be many reasons, it could be a hotel, Internet cafe or you could be having a BB party at your house etc.
This would get flagged and investigated, if there is a perfectly good reason that would be ok - but if a pattern emerged, potentially you could be managing and logging into multiple accounts and action would be taken.
6. I am Mr Smith from the country - why are you telling me that I can't manage my two daughters accounts who live in the same house?
To answer your question Mr Smith, I would first ask a couple of questions - is there a reason why your two daughters can not learn how to look after their own accounts? There is evidence to show that Affilates who are empowerd and know how to look after their own account will ultimately go onto have bigger accounts than those who don't.
My second question would be, if BBI called your daughters and asked how their advertising was going, what would they say? "what advertising? I invested some money and my dad does everything for me" or "really well/badly - I am still split testing". You might be surprised to know that when BBI called some people, they had never even heard of Banners Broker despite having 6 figure accounts!
What I would suggest is that you start to 'help' your daughters rather than simply do it for them.
7. This is draconian and damaging to the company. Why?
When BBI introduce anything, they think 3 things;
1) Is it good for the affiliates
2) Is it good for the longevity if the company
3) Is it good for BB International
If followed correctly, this is one of the best things the company have done - it protects the interests of the Affilate, while protecting the longevity and perception of the company.
Let's be clear, this is not aimed at sons 'helping' parents' accounts - this is to safeguard those who are specifically having their accounts 'managed'. It is also aimed at helping other Affilates bring new business to the company.
I hope this goes some way to alleviating the concerns that people are having - the majority of Affiliates will remain unchanged.
