a digital marketing strategy where your business recruits partners, known as affiliates, to place links to your business on their website, blog, or social media page. 2
might pay only 5% when using your own tracking solution. Better understanding of company products and customer needs. Running it in-house gives you the benefit of relying on your own account managers’ knowledge of your products or services. Fast Market Your in-house manager would be able to contact key affiliates instantly and arrange promotions right away. 6
the finance team that takes care of invoicing and payment. Reporting You will have to be responsible for creating weekly report templates and measuring performance if you want to get insight into a number of variables. Policing the Program You are solely responsible for monitoring and ensuring that affiliates are promoting your brand ethically while abiding by your standards. 9
promote and distribute their affiliate links? Which marketing channels can they use? • How long are affiliates entitled to earn a commission after someone clicks on their affiliate link? • What are the policies and terms and conditions your affiliate program should include? • How will you make your affiliate program stand out, compared to competitor programs? • Will you designate or hire a dedicated affiliate manager for your program? 11
5 6 4 2 Set the goals and objectives of your program. Decide on the right affiliates commission. Train your team of affiliates. Set up your strategy based on goals and objectives. Recruit your affiliates. Keep track of how your affiliate program is doing.
and objectives. This clarity allows you to select the right affiliates and define your commission. 1. You’ll need to establish what types of audience you would like to reach before asking what types of affiliates you should target to help you reach those types of audience. 2. Set some quantifiable goals for your program. This will help you determine from the beginning the program’s feasibility and success indicators. 1. Set the goals for your program 14
up the strategy that will help to reach them. This strategy may be apportioned into four parts: terms and conditions, setting Pay per Click (PPC) rules, approach to certifying sales, and recruiting the right affiliates. The highlight of the terms and conditions of your program should focus on how affiliates can promote your business. It therefore plays a big role in online representation and how successful you will be at achieving your objectives. 2. Set a strategy based on goals and objectives 15
design process is the commission structure or the way you’ll pay your affiliates. First, decide whether you’ll pay a set amount for each sale, or a percentage of each sale affiliates make. A golden rule, you should only compensate an affiliate if a sale is made via their affiliate link. 3. Decide on the right affiliates commission 16
base of representatives quickly, especially if they already have relationships with top affiliates in your niche. However, they charge their own commission, or a finder’s fee in addition to the commission you pay affiliates directly. You also won’t have direct control of your valuable affiliate data. Forming your own personal network of affiliates, on the other hand, will cost much less per year than the fee you’d pay to engage with an existing affiliate network. Plus, this software grants you full control over the data you need – and all other aspects of running a program. 4. Recruiting the right affiliates 17
a list of all reputable and significant websites, bloggers, and social media influencers that fit in the niche your business occupies. Then, make a list of people behind those accounts you’d like to be part of your affiliates. • You may also promote an open affiliate application on your website and let potential affiliates come to you. Of course, you will have to screen them carefully, and see how well their niche and audience match yours. A LinkedIn group is another great way for affiliate networking. 4. Recruiting the right affiliates 18
and conditions, and have them sign an agreement to abide by these rules. Then, train affiliates on brand and program fundamentals, give them their unique affiliate links, and supply them with promotional resources. 5. Train your team of affiliates 19
track its success through your affiliate program software or the affiliate network you’ve signed up for. Keep track of which affiliates are bringing in the most sales. Also, check how well your affiliate program is meeting the measurable goals you set during planning, including the amount of revenue, conversion rates, unique sales, and AOV. If your program isn’t meeting these goals, it may be time to tweak your commission structure or rethink your affiliate lineup. 6. evaluate 20