Identifying the right affiliates and keeping them satisfied is important for the success of your affiliate marketing program. If affiliates are not happy with the service you provide they will not be interested in dedicating their time to your business.
Identify and Market to Affiliates
The most important point to consider when looking for the right affiliates is to identify those that cater to your target markets or focus on markets that may be interested in your product or service. For instance, if you sell health products you may consider affiliates that focus on health food stores, gyms, health resorts, or sports stores.
In most cases, when you outsource an affiliate marketing program you will have immediate access to an affiliate network. To gain access to other affiliates, you can list your program on an affiliate directory on the Web. Identifying potential affiliates can be done through a general online search. You can also identify your competitors’ affiliates and engage these same companies for your affiliate marketing program.
Maintain Affiliates
There are a number of tactics you can use to ensure you keep your affiliates and provide them with incentives to work hard for your business.
Identify and Market to Affiliates
The most important point to consider when looking for the right affiliates is to identify those that cater to your target markets or focus on markets that may be interested in your product or service. For instance, if you sell health products you may consider affiliates that focus on health food stores, gyms, health resorts, or sports stores.
In most cases, when you outsource an affiliate marketing program you will have immediate access to an affiliate network. To gain access to other affiliates, you can list your program on an affiliate directory on the Web. Identifying potential affiliates can be done through a general online search. You can also identify your competitors’ affiliates and engage these same companies for your affiliate marketing program.
Maintain Affiliates
There are a number of tactics you can use to ensure you keep your affiliates and provide them with incentives to work hard for your business.
Provide Solid Software - The software you use to manage your affiliate program should enable affiliates to join with ease and manage their accounts. It should offer stats in real-time, provide payment information, and provide reliable tracking methods. Affiliates need to be able to trust you. Your software will have a large impact on this level of trust.
Sign an Agreement - Provide an affiliate agreement that outlines the payment terms. The agreement provides legitimacy to your business and will build your company’s reputation as a professional organization.
Provide Support – The more support your provide your affiliates the easier it will be for them to do their job and drive your program objectives forward. Support functions may include providing a list of FAQs, offering marketing tools, sending out a newsletter with updates on products and services, and offering targeted coupons or rewards.
Build Relationships – Affiliates should be treated as any business partner. The more involved they are in the marketing process, the more likely they are to remain focused on promoting your company’s products and services. Train your affiliates, motivate them regularly and solicit their feedback. These are the people who know your customers well and can bring success to your affiliate marketing program.
