Tricia Meyer

Affiliate Marketer, Blogger, and Consultant

Amazing Women in Affiliate Marketing

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My posts may include paid links for which I earn a commission.

Women in Affiliate MarketingI might get teased for being a PollyAnna or seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, but I’m totally okay with that if it allows me to open myself up to positive influences and strong people who do good.

At some point at every Affiliate Summit I hear talk of how the men outnumber the women. While that is definitely changing over the years, the fact remains that although the number of women may be fewer, the quality and strength in those women is amazingly high. Here are just a few of those amazing women in affiliate marketing that everyone should get to know because they inspire me every day.

Missy Ward is pretty much the queen bee of affiliate marketing. She has the knowledge, the connections, and the enthusiasm to make everything that she does successful. As one of the co-owners of Affiliate Summit, she is the face (and voice!) that everyone recognizes. I owe so much to Missy and the doors that she has opened for me.

Connie Berg is like the big sister of affiliate marketing. She was doing it long before most of us and was willing to share with us what she knew. If you haven’t read her story, you need to check it out. She’s a true example of someone pulling themselves up by their bootstraps and succeeding where others were not.

Deborah Carney is the self-professed “mama” in affiliate marketing. If you haven’t heard her name before, you will definitely hear it a lot more as the moderator of the new Affiliate Summit forum. She’s had experience as both an affiliate and an affiliate manager, which gives her some really unique perspectives.

Kim Rowley. I was always a little intimidated to introduce myself to Kim because she is so well-known and respected in the business and always has a group of friends around her. Now that I have gotten to know her better, I understand why!

Lisa Riolo. Lisa is one of the smartest, most articulate women whom I have ever met. She has seen so many facets of affiliate marketing that her knowledge of our industry is unbelievable. She continues to innovate and bring new ideas to our business.

Lisa Picarille. I used to be REALLY scared of Lisa. Why? Because she is one of those women who is confident and smart and self-assured. I was afraid that if she met me, she would think I was just a giggling little girl. As I’ve come to find out, Lisa is actually one of the warmest, most trust-worthy people you will ever meet. She has such interesting perspectives that I could sit and talk to her all day and never grow tired of learning from her.

Cindy Ballard. She may not work for me anymore, but she is still an active part of the affiliate industry. She can negotiate with affiliate managers like no one I have ever seen or probably will ever see.

Rebecca Madigan. When I first heard about Rebecca, I thought that she was just some woman who the PMA hired to do administrative work. How unbelievably wrong was I? Rebecca’s roots at CJ make her an absolute wealth of industry information and she will be the first person to jump in and help you make connections when you need them.

Affiliate managers. There are many female affiliate managers and network employees who always go the extra mile and are such a pleasure to work with that they have become friends. Off the top of my head: Teresa Tao (Shoebuy), Kristen Grace (BuyCostumes.com and Celebrate Express), Kim Salvino (buy.at), Amy Ely (buy.at), Jessica Sander (Shareasale), Melissa Salas (Buy.com), Carolyn Tang Kmet (Groupon), Karen Garcia (GTO Management), Wendy Palmer (Rextopia), Anne Fognano (all-around Wonder Woman), Jill Swartwout (GirlyChecks), Liz Gazer-Proudfoot (Growthspurt Media), Sarah Beeskow (Sharesale), Sarah Bundy (AllInclusiveMarketing).

Fellow affiliates. I love reading what these women write and seeing how they always find fresh was to earn money in affiliate marketing! TrishaLyn Fawver, Jen Goode, Heather Sokol, Amanda Orson, Judi Moore, Lori Herron, Heather in Beautiful BC, Char Polanosky, Rexanne Mancini, Shannon Weidemann, Laura Parvey-Connors (I think an affiliate now? Awesome either way!), Julie Vazquez, Sabrina Malone.

Industry influencers. I can’t profess to actually know how each of them earns a living, but I know that they are smack dab in the middle of our industry as movers and shakers:  Stephanie Lichtenstein, Melanie Seery, Sharon Mostyn, Kellie Stevens.

Then there are women whom I do not know but wish that I did. I hear such great things about them but haven’t had the good fortune of meeting them yet. Rae Hoffman-Dolan (Sugarrae) and Eva Klein are high on that list. (I know I kind of met Eva at the SAS party but it doesn’t count because she didn’t know who I was!)

I’m sure that I have left out a lot of great women in our business. Feel free to add them in the comments! I would love to know more about them. Affiliate marketing is an industry FULL of strong, intelligent, hard-working women. And our numbers are growing!!

Comments

  1. They have consistently proven to be a group of creative, non-misogynistic team players and I think we’re all lucky to call each other “friends” as well as peers. | 😛

  2. I know nearly all the women you mentioned and I have a great respect for so many of them. They have done great things in both their personal life as well as the affiliate industry. | 😛

  3. Seeing women in business is a very inspiring thing . Because I am a woman too it keeps me motivated.

  4. It was fantastic of you to pay tribute to their accomplishments and recognize their contributions to the affiliate marketing world.

  5. Great post. Such an honor to be a women. These post uplift the moral and honor of the women. Thank you so much for sharing this

  6. It’s one of my dream to meet this women. I am just a newbie here on this filled of business You see, this kind of market is still unknown to our place. They have the wrong notion that staying home and working online does not stipend a stable income. And I want to prove them wrong.

  7. Just had my new born baby and I’m on maternity leave…
    My little brothers friend showed me about affiliate marketing and I just started my own blog! Wish me luck 🙂

  8. Hi Tricia , You are a superwoman and supermom. Who says girls can’t do multitasking indeed girls are more patient than boys. You got all this brilliant idea and being at home working home based mom I salute you.

  9. Hope one day I can participate in your conference and one day I can be as effective blogger as all of the above mentioned. Wow, it would be great!

  12. Thanks for an amazing list of women from the affiliate marketing world. I’ve been following Rosalind Gardner, Lynn Terry and Sugarrae for years. I’ll definitely be adding the women from list to my personal list. Thanks for the post.

  13. Tricia,
    Thank you so much for including me in your Amazing Women in Affiliate Marketing! I’m honored to be among so many great leaders and influencers. I am indebted to Kim Salvino for introducing me to you and so many other amazing affiliate marketers at Affiliate Summit East in 2008. The amazing thing about the affiliate world is that once you meet one person, the networking begins, face-to-face/social-media/email connections happen and somehow you find yourself included an an amazing list like this!

    Viva affiliate connectivity!
    Sharon
    @sharonmostyn

    P.S. Currently I’m working for a community bank to set up their affiliate program and other online marketing initatives, but maybe one of these days I’ll be able to work full-time in the affiliate field like you.

  14. Ratna, I think maybe it is your approach that is off putting. I have been with Lisa many times, especially when she was at Revenue Magazine and she would have people come up to her and start going on and on about why she should write about them because they are so great. It really after a while makes you not want to seek out people because they just want something. And with your comments several times here about how you are a super affiliate, CJP, LS Platinum, SAS Thinktanker etc it is coming off as you maybe are the one who is not so eager to have conversations. It seems more you are looking to talk to people about how great you are and that isn’t what it is about.
    I have conversations at Affiliate Summit and many other events that have nothing to do with my work, my site or the industry. I take a personal interest in people, not just what they can do for me.
    Maybe try the approach of hey how are you doing, not hey I am so and so and I am so great.

    • Connie, It is definitely a long time since I heard from you through a forum or otherwise!. Hope all is well with you. For the record, I never asked or sought or had any intention to get favors from Lisa. Nor do I even want any exposure in a magazine or industry news!. I would be much happy without it!!. But I definitely have initiated conversations with Lisa because she is considered an advocate for the affiliates and works on PMA and perhaps other industry associations!. And I do have fine conversations with folks in the industry all the time at events or otherwise, and some of them even fellow affiliates who are considered direct competitors and never had any real issues for the most part.
      Any case, I will sort out this with Lisa directly and it is better for all of us to leave this here now!!.

      • We are all advocates and work in different associations. LIsa has no title, she is Lisa. To have such expectations of her is unfair to her, to say that because you percieve her to be something she owes you something.
        A tip for you, next time at an industry event go up to someone and say hi I am Ratna, tell your company name and ask the person about them. Don’t start out saying who you are, what you do, how you are this and that, how you are so important etc. Listen instead of talking so much. I myself get turned off when someone comes up to me and it starts as a pitch or a how great am I speech. I have no desire to carry on any further conversation.
        There is a large group of us that get together several times a year and business never comes up. We get to know each other personally, enjoy each other’s company and genuinely care about each other.
        I am great friends with many of my competitors, we help each other out, would fight to the death to keep each other in business. I am not talking about just having conversations with them, I genuinely love and care about these people, want them to succeed and want only the best for them.

        • Back off your tips Connie. I don’t need to hear that from you at all .. I know Lisa is one of your favorite people. But you don’t have to get clueless to point fingers at me. My typical conversations start off with simple intro and not with boastful tone at all. Don’t use out of context the words such as CJP, LS Platinum, etc. Those things do not come in my normal conversations unless I am talking to a merchant and they specifically ask for our status in a network(s)!. I wanted to converse with Lisa to know her and her works better (like PMA and hopefully contribute to such organizations). And not really to have fun or thinks she has fun people!. I think you’re way off in your thoughts and assumptions completely!!. I lose NOTHING/ZILCH if I don’t hang out or speak with Lisa. Based on my experience, I expressed here that she is unapproachable or closed off. But as I already said, and Lisa also responded, we will greet each other next time when we are in the same space!!.

          • My final comment, You say ” I lose NOTHING/ZILCH if I don’t hang out or speak with Lisa. ”

            Oh but you do! You lose a great deal. I have never known a more warm, caring, interesting, friendly person.

      • You say “But I definitely have initiated conversations with Lisa because she is considered an advocate for the affiliates and works on PMA and perhaps other industry associations!”
        Have you ever initiated conversations with Lisa because you think she is an interesting person and would like to get to know her better? Or because she looks like she hangs out with fun people and maybe you want to get in on some fun?

  15. Great list Tricia. it’s been some time since my path has crossed some of these names – perfect time for me to update my reader and reconnect. What a great reminder of just how far affiliate marketing has come and shine light on all the doors it’s opened.

  16. Ack! I just lost my last last post! Oh well, if it shows up twice, I apologize.

    I just wanted to say that I’m really glad you posted this and that I got to read all the comments, because I too have been meaning to get to know Lisa Picarille more and say hi properly, but have been too scared lol. Now I know what a great lady she is, so I’ll be sure to find her and properly say hi next chance I get 🙂

    Thank you for that 🙂

  17. On a side note, I’m really glad you put up this post and I got to read through all the comments, because very honestly, I have also been too scared to talk to Lisa Picarille and have always wanted to (lol). Now I won’t be – knowing now what I didn’t know before 🙂

    I’ll be sure to stop and say hi properly now next time I see her 🙂

    Thank you 🙂

    • omg, i didn’t know i was so scary. i thought i reserved that side only for dry cleaners when they screw up or the customer service reps at comcast.

      sarah, i would love to meet you in person. let’s make a point of it at the next big event.

      • Lisa, Great you responded here. I am of the same feeling that you were not approachable other than to a few that I see you always hang out with … I believe I attempted to reach out to you many times that ended nowhere!. I really thought so far that you’re unapproachable (have a Don’t Disturb Me board plastered all over you) and only hangs out with a few (inner circle) people. Well, who knows, I will give another shot at you next time I see you!. FWIW, if you cannot be approached by one of the super affiliates in the industry, as a representative / advocate of Performance Marketing, I don’t think it speaks too well!.

        • Ratna, my friend, your comment is probably with the best intentions but I don’t think the delivery is right. Lisa is very approachable but I think what you are trying to say is that since many people have great respect for her opinions and they see her as an authority figure in the industry, they might not know what to say to her when they have the chance. It’s easy, walk up and say hello.

        • Ratna – FWIW, Lisa Picarille has become one of my most dear friends. Why? Because she is caring, sweet, thoughtful, honest, smart, funny, talented, and a great dancer. 😉

          You probably see her with these “inner circle” people so often, because it is *us* that keep her nearby. She’s so great to be around, that we rarely let her out of our sights.

          Next time you’re at an event, please let her know who you are. Heck, I’ll probably be with her, so let us both know!

          Lisa is an amazing person, and welcomes all nice people!

          • Todd, we met several times and you’re quite approachable and friendly. You can find more on me @ratna555 or at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=562782644

            I understand what you’re saying about Lisa. So definitely I am going to speak to her one more time!. I see her pretty often at events. Last week I saw her at LS Symp in SF (after ASW11) but didn’t care to speak to her!. And BTW, I live in the heart of Silicon Valley (Palo Alto/Los Altos), which is not far from the SF (where Lisa works I think)!

            Oh Greg, FYI, yes, she knows me who I am and I think I met her at CJU, ThinkTank and several places but never really connected or talked to her past a minute or two!. As I said, she is like, don’t waste my time. So, I thought she was not interested in speaking to me. Or perhaps she did not know that I am a CJP, LS Platinum, SAS Thinktanker etc. and thought I was a small fish for her?.

            Any case, my point was simple. If you’re an advocate or representative of the industry, one does not hang out with only a select few rather you would reach out to one and all (small or big or whatever). Greg, as I said, I will be sure reintroduce to her whenever next that I see her at conferences!.

        • ratna,

          sorry that you feel this way about me. i am always approachable. i don’t take into consideration anyone’s standing in the industry – whether they are a big fish or a newbie. i treat people like people. and have many friends that are not super affiliates or big players in the space. they are just darn good people that i enjoy hanging out with.

          that said, i am also human and in the past i have been bombarded by many people that launch into stats, data and pr about their company within 30 seconds of meeting me. i tend to dislike that approach and be turned off by it.

          perhaps, you and i didn’t get off on the right foot way back when we first met and that colored all future interactions we’ve had? but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fixed.

          as for our geographical proximity, i’m not sure that plays a factor. there are affiliates that live in sf that i never see outside of traveling to conferences.

          i hope you will be receptive to chatting next time we are in the same place.

          best,

          lisa

        • Hey Ratna –

          I don’t know what the history is here, but this approach isn’t going to ingratiate you with Lisa or anybody.

          Personally, I’ve never been bitten by anybody that I approached, and have happily found that I was wrong when I prejudged people as unapproachable.

          Given your relatively close proximity, how about asking if Lisa is available for lunch, where the frenzy and distraction of a conference won’t get in the way?

          • Lisa,

            Definitely I will reach out next when we are in the same space. Alternately, as Shawn suggested, I am also open to meet over a lunch in SF or in Palo Alto or somewhere in between!. Perhaps, we may not have got started off on a right foot. I converse with hundreds of merchants / OPMs / Network reps / friends at a typical ASW and I don’t pretend to remember how each conversation started off!.

            Shawn, thanks for your note. I definitely don’t need to gain or crave for anybody’s ingratiation!. I am a pretty contented person with everything I got in my world!.

            Ratna

      • I had a meeting the other day with someone outside our industry to teach him about affiliate marketing. Afterward, he sent me a link to a blog article about how some experts need to project more self-confidence and embrace their success. It wasn’t meant to be mean but was meant to help me see that I need to stop selling myself short when I meet new people. (People I know well know that I can talk about myself all day!) I think that’s why I was always so reluctant to befriend women like Connie, Missy, Lisa R., Lisa P., @phillian, etc. I sensed a self-assuredness in them that I don’t have myself—YET. But I am working on that. And they are helping me. 🙂

  18. btw: i would never think of you as a giggling little girl. in fact, before we met, my perception of you based on what i had heard and seen from a far, was that you were successful, optimistic, helpful, smart, sassy, a devoted mom, and very driven. those traits have only been heightened now that i know you. plus, i now have to add so much more to that list like: good friend, trustworthy, loyal, disney freak, rabid steelers fan….i could go on and on…tricia, i’m thrilled to call you a friend.
    .-= lisa picarille´s last blog ..The Gift of Content =-.

  19. YOU are right there at the top of this list girlie, how did you miss listing YOU? 🙂 I am honored to know all of these women and have had the pleasure of knowing them for many years. It is a unique and eclectic group, and I couldn’t imagine a better group on or offline to be associated with 🙂

  20. It is so amazing to be a part of, and to actually see, that roll call! 🙂 To be a part of an industry where support and friendship goes beyond the lines of competition, is something truly amazing. Thanks for highlighting all the strong women in this field, Tricia. You’re definitely one of them! 🙂

  21. It’s a special honor to be listed with so many great and inspiring women. Know, too, many men and women look up to you because of your many achievements.

    What I love most about this post and the comments here…It shows how the people in our community appreciate and believe in each other, learn from each other, and inspire each other in an amazingly supportive way. We build and grow our businesses and lives in a positive, encouraging environment like no other. I love it.

  22. Tricia – Thanks for including me in this list, too!

    What I find so amazing is that each one of those ladies have such different stories, backgrounds, inspirations and skill sets that make them all successful.
    .-= Char´s last blog ..February Crossword Puzzle =-.

  23. Tricia,

    After 5+ years in this industry, I still get butterflies just seeing my name alongside the others listed in this phenomenal group. Thanks for including me! I owe so much to some listed here that have shared their knowledge professionally, supported me, and buoyed me up personally when life was at its craziest. How lucky we are to work in an industry where the relationship line is happily blurred, and those we “work” with are also easily those we come to “love.”

    Keep spreading the sunshine, Tricia. And remember that we are equally as blessed to have you in our circle.

    • “I owe so much to some listed here that have shared their knowledge professionally, supported me, and buoyed me up personally when life was at its craziest.”

      I couldn’t agree with this sentiment more! I have no doubt that if it were not for the support of the women of affiliate marketing, my company would not be what it is today. Nothing against the guys, but our sisterhood is strong. 🙂

  24. Thank you so much for the shout out. I am honestly humbled to be mentioned in the same company as these amazing women (yourself included)!

    • You bring so much joy to every Affiliate Summit. How could I not include you?? You help make ShareASale a terrific network!

    • I actually had you as an affiliate manager first. Then I thought that wasn’t exactly right so I switched you to affiliate. So many people wear lots of different hats that it was hard to categorize. Bottom line–you deserve on the list no matter what you are!

  28. Great post….. these are all amazing women in our amazing industry! And I know it’s your post and a;; but you are an Amazing woman in affiliate marketing yourself!!!
    .-= Jeremy´s last blog .. =-.

  29. tricia, it’s been my pleasure to get to know you over the last year or so. thanks for including me on a list of such impressive ladies. i am honored. the women in affiliate marketing are amazing, smart, and driven people that i feel blessed to work with and know. i learn from everyone on this list (and so many others) each and every day.

  31. Tricia,

    What a great list of great women! Tricia Meyer, you most certainly rank up there as a women of influence, integrity and skill within the affiliate industry. Thanks for putting this together. It definitely brightened my day.

    Sabrina

    • Ohmygoodness! How were you not in there? Post updated! I know we have only recently met, but I am so glad that we did. I feel like we have become friends very quickly! You constantly crack me up with your parenting posts and comments on Facebook. I look forward to getting to know you better. 🙂

  32. Great stuff, and definitely amazing women in Affiliate Marketing. Since I’m 17 comments too late to say it first, at least I can chime in with “YOU are definitely an amazing woman in Affiliate Marketing”.

    I’m proud to know you, and the amazing women on this list.

  34. Great list Tricia. A very good attempt at A-list of the women in the industry. There are some upcoming stars in the list, there are proven contributors/speakers/employees, and there are some with entrepreneurial spirit etc. all making their presence felt in the industry. Kudos for making the list!! And I know you are definitely part of the list you sunshine girl!

  35. Thank you so much for including me in your list 🙂 I definitely consider you a great one on my list and am so happy that we have had the chance to meet. Plus dance together 😉
    .-= Shannon´s last blog ..My Sabbatical =-.

  37. Thanks for including me in this list of awesome women, Tricia. And as everyone else has pointed out, you’re on top of the list.

    Glass ceiling? Not in this industry. If one puts effort into it, the affiliate marketing industry is “gender neutral.” And I’ll give props to the men in this industry, too. They have consistently proven to be a group of creative, non-misogynistic team players and I think we’re all lucky to call each other “friends” as well as peers.

    PS: Thanks for the positive post today. The drama in our industry lately has been amusing but I’ve got enough drama at home with a teenager and a 20-something. LOL

  40. I second what Greg said. You are amazing yourself and have every reason to be included in any such list amongst all the rest of the amazing women or people in this biz. 🙂

    • Isn’t it amazing what networking with the right people can do for your business? I love that every woman on this list is willing to help others with their sites!

  42. Awesome list Tricia. You for sure would be included on any list like this that I would make up.

    I know nearly all the women you mentioned and I have a great respect for so many of them. They have done great things in both their personal life as well as the affiliate industry.
    .-= Joe Sousa´s last blog ..Cheap-Ass Guide to Online Content =-.

    • Thanks, Joe! And you are right–it’s not just about the “work” that they have done but about their incredible lives as well.

    • It’s taken me years, but I feel like I am finally on a peer level with most of them. Still a few that I am too in awe of to approach. Conversely a few that clearly don’t want to be approached. But that’s okay. They don’t know what they are missing. 🙂

      • Tricia, YOU used to be one of the amazing women that I was inspired by and hesitant to approach. One thing that I’ve definitely learned in this industry is to just go for it. I’m glad that we’ve had a chance to get to know each other because I definitely feel as though you are one to learn from and should, as everyone has said, be included in the list of Amazing Women in Affiliate Marketing too!

      • “Conversely a few that clearly don’t want to be approached. But that’s okay. They don’t know what they are missing”

        Awww .. You feel that!. Yeah, there are definitely a few in the list that clearly don’t want to be approached. I have seen that myself. That’s okay .. If they cannot talk to a proven super super affiliate in several top networks over years, they’re not worth my time too. LOL!

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  4. […] tells you something about this industry. When I see a list like Tricia Meyer put together about the Amazing Women in Affiliate Marketing I am just blown away as I look through that list of awesome ladies, many of whom I am happy to call […]