I don't rightly know what other peeps do or don't do. Working for HushMoney represents my first job in Adult, and I can only speak from my experience here.
"Affiliate Manager" is just one of the hats that I wear for the company, but, personally - in the regard of Affiliate Manager - I see myself as the guy that works the window in a restaurant's kitchen. I field queries, requests, comments from our affiliate-base, and - if I'm unable to handle the matter - pass them on at the right time to the right people in our company.
Sure I handle requests myself all the time... answer questions, give advice, do some monkey work, or figure out the solution to a problem for an affiliate... I have a diverse resume and skill-set and have spent more time in the online world than some people around here have been alive... so, I can do things, but if someone's asking for a custom header, and there's a guy in the next office whose entire job is to design graphical layouts, I'm going to work with him to get it done - both because it probably gives our affiliate a better product, and it makes more sense logistically.
In that sense, I get custom content produced from our production team. I present ideas for tools to our web development team. I address payment concerns both from our affiliate base, and from our accounting department to affiliates. I pass on custom creative requests to our Graphical Artists. I do my best to make sure that not a single email, ICQ, or phone-call to our affiliate support network goes unanswered and unaddressed.
But aside from handling matters on-demand, I also try and be the instigator in certain circumstances... if I have a bit of time to spare (keeping in mind, again, that "affiliate manager" is just one of a few different hats I wear), I do examine affiliates' networks, and if I see something worth noting, I'll be sure to hit them up and let them know my thoughts... but, honestly, unless they request it, I don't see it as my job to track down our affiliates and force my opinions on them regularly. I assume people are doing what they're doing because they know what they're doing.... and while an occasional "hey, what's up?" isn't out of the question, I figure if people want help, they'll ask for it...
And when they do, I'll try my best to give it. I might not be the uber l33t SEO-guru with all the answers on the latest tips and tricks... but I'm a pretty bright guy - I think, and help where I'm able.
Otherwise, the weekly newsletter that we just started sending out should do in keeping everyone in the loop.
There are other tasks that blend between "affiliate manager" and my other responsibilities, but I figure that's the bulk of it.
Oh. I also eat cake.
