I don't cold call affiliates, but do get the chance now and again to talk to some on the phone and I find it much better than ICQ or Email to exchange ideas, discuss trends, opportunities and etc...
It's almost as good, as flying them here or me flying to their location and talking face to face. Or both flying us both to nice resort for a weekend.
This is business and having good communication with my "partners" is key. So I enjoy the chance to talk with a affiliates, find out what they need or want and how we can better work together, so we both can make more money!
