7 Tips for a Running a Successful Affiliate Program

Running an affiliate marketing company can be one of the most best ways to boost your sales, if you know how to do it right. Here are 7 helpful tips the best affiliate marketing companies apply to their programs. 

1.  Align the program strategy with your internal goals and objectives

Affiliate marketing can be valuable, but don’t let it change the way you do business. You should first consider if an affiliate program is a viable revenue opportunity, and also consider how it can help you reach your growth objectives.  Develop a program that aligns with the business goals you already have laid out.

2.  Select the right affiliate network to launch with

There are many affiliate networks to choose from, so make sure you vet each and pick the one that aligns most with your own goals and efforts. Some are generalized while others specialize by industry, and all of them will have their own distinct advantages and some have drawbacks.

3.  Develop the right affiliate commission structure

You can create custom terms for your individual affiliates, but you also need a default rate for all your standard affiliates. This will include a cut for your affiliate and the affiliate network. Will you have a flat commision structure or will it vary by product category? Is it worthwhile to pay for leads or offer sales incentives? Your affiliate manager can help answer these questions.

4.  Put in place the right program policies restrictions

To some extent, your affiliates are representative of you, so it’s important to have clear restrictions, such as banning offensive websites. Develop other guidelines for working with your company, such as limitations on paid search and coupon usage.

5.  Develop high performing media

Different content types speak to different audiences, so it's important to develop a wide variety of high performing media to reach the most potential leads. Banner ads are the most common option, but you should also develop text links, email creative copy, and product data feeds to gain the most reach.

6.  Develop an affiliate recruiting strategy

Depending on your industry, there are certain types of affiliates who will bring more value to your business. You should work to target these specific affiliate types, and develop outreach messaging to draw in the most valuable recruits.

7.  Align the necessary resources, expertise and experience to properly launch and grow your affiliate program

Many businesses have begun affiliate marketing, though few have the knowledge and expertise to gain exponential returns on their own. Working with experienced outsourced affiliate program management is the perfect way to ensure you make all the right choices for success from the beginning.

Versa Marketing Incis an expert affiliate marketing consultant with years of experience launching and managing existing affiliate programs.

 We leverage our experience affiliate relationships to develop the most effective performance based marketing strategy for your business