Affiliate Program Building Blocks

Competitor AnalysisAffiliate NeedsAffiliate CompensationAffiliate PaymentsProgram Terms and ConditionsAffiliate Marketing MaterialsAffiliate Program Launch

Starting Off Right

Your affiliate program is one part of your marketing strategyYour site must be able to convert visitors into customersA successful affiliate program is all about relationshipsRelationships require communication If you set up your affiliate program and leave it – it will not workYou need to work with your marketing channelAffiliate programs are a long term marketing option.Expect to give the program at least 4 to 6 months before you see results

Competitor Analysis

Analyze your competitorsSite - branding, navigation and content

Brand Credibility = Conversions

Product – packaging, price and value proposition

Affiliate program – commission, terms and conditions and payment terms

Affiliate Needs

What are they looking for: Conversions – What is a new customer costing me? Commissions – What am I being paid for my efforts? Promotions (for customers and affiliates) - How am I and my customers being rewarded? Retention – What is the site doing to get my customer back? How long are they staying? How much will I be making with this program in the long term? Payments – Am I consistently receiving my payments on time?Communication (Affiliate Management) – Are my inquiries responded to? Does the program take my needs into consideration? Am I provided information that I need to successfully promote?

Affiliate Compensation

What options do you have?One time sale vs Lifetime customer spendingRevenue share – percentage of saleCost per Acquisition or Cost per Lead (CPA)Combination of revenue share and CPASpecial bonus – extra payment for achieved activitySliding scales – more sales higher commission rate

Affiliate Payments

Payment considerations:Thresholds Options Timing

Should not be later than 15th of next month

Terms & Conditions

Legal document outlining affiliate program - the “final word” for affiliates to refer to

Should involve items such as:affiliate compensation, payments, cookie duration, lifetime of customers fine print,Pay per click policy

Marketing Materials

What do you need to give to your affiliates:Text linksReviewsData feedsLanding pagesBanners size example

Launch

Considerations for your launch:Launch promotions – customers and affiliatesRecruitment of affiliates – initial and on going

Avenues for affiliate recruitment:Press releasesDirectoriesForumsAdvertising

Communication pointsSign up to systemFirst saleFirst commission paymentOthers – newsletters and surveys