It amazes me how we work in what is considered one of the most social industries out there, and yet 95% of our day is spent sitting in front of our computers and chatting it up on instant messenger all day. The term “face-to-face” is seldom heard, yet the phrase “they’re online–ping them” is said hundreds of times a day.

Just to drive my point home, I’ll let you in on my usual morning routine: (1) log-on to AIM, (2) log-on to YahooMessenger, (3) log-on to Skype, (4) check email, (5) check the offer reporting, and lastly, but definitely most importantly, I brush my teeth…normal, right?

It is as if we over-compensate for the impersonality of the internet world by being 100% available at all time. This of course allows for multi-tasking, which in turn promotes maximal productivity, which leads to higher profitability, which–don’t get me wrong–I am a huge fan of. We all are or we wouldn’t be here.

I am definitely not here to dis the online obsessive behavior–that would just be hypocritical. Especially because for anyone who knows me, you can all vouch for me when I say that my computer is my most valuable possession…we have a special bond, ok? And yes, it’s a Mac (obviously).

All I am saying it that I have yet to be amazed at how effective a face-to-face interaction is. Putting a face to a name, instead of a buddy icon, is not only refreshing, but it really brings us to respect each other on a whole new level…don’t ya think?

This past week, Kim and I went to work with Tara in our Miami Beach office and the levels of communication and efficiency skyrocketed. This doesn’t surprise me, but it does help me to value the importance of face-to-face interaction, in a world where you can have virtual relationships with your clients for months (or even years) without ever meeting them in person.

In this fairly new year, let’s all vow to make more of an effort to meet and greet (don’t worry, we can still be on AIM-mobile status) and to personalize those impersonal relationships. After all, this is considered one of the most social industries out there–so let’s live it up!

On that note… who’s going to Vegas for Affiliate Summit this year??

I must say, for being in an industry of people who hold virtual trade shows, have personal avatars in their email signatures, and who haven’t logged off instant messenger since 2001 (wow, we really aren’t the coolest bunch, are we…), I still believe the art of the good ol’ telephone call to be the most effective means of communication. As old fashioned as that seems, it is much harder to get lost in the lingo via telephone. Plus it is always nice to match a voice to an AIM buddy icon… heh heh.

It is far too easy to get caught up in the technical terminology of Affiliate Marketing and the online industry. Everyone has their own way of saying things in a much more complicated manner, and I all too often find myself constantly asking for further clarification, rereading emails once or twice (ok maybe three times) to try and make sense of it, and getting lost in lengthy AIM conversations.

eCPMs, eCPCs, CPAs, CPLs, CPCs, CTRs…we all know the list of terminology could go on for hours. While this lingo holds definite value in the the communication efficiency department, there is also something to be said about the less-is-more philosophy.

One of my wise affiliates once said to me, after I had “pinged” him asking for numbers on an offer that had been tested, “Michelle, I can’t give you any numbers, but I can tell you that there are only three classifications in my book to describe an offer: winner, try again, or strike out.. and this one was a winner.”

I remember thinking, wow… that was the best high-tech lingo I’ve heard yet. You don’t need any fancy lingo to convey that message. It’s simple really– find the winners.. and keep them at bat.