Signing up affiliates is one thing—getting them to actually promote your brand is another. If you’re tired of sending endless follow-ups and wondering why your affiliates are MIA, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t have to beg. You just need a strategy that makes it easy (and exciting) for them to promote your products. Here’s how.
1.
Make Onboarding Stupidly Simple
Your affiliates shouldn’t need a manual to figure out how to promote your brand. Give them a seamless onboarding experience with:
- A quick-start guide (think: “3 easy steps to start earning commissions”)
- Pre-made content like high-converting images, captions, and email templates
- A short (yet engaging) welcome email with clear next steps
The easier you make it, the faster they’ll start posting.
2. Give Them a Reason to Be Excited
Affiliates promote what excites them. If your product or commission structure isn’t compelling, don’t expect them to prioritize your brand. Try:
- A high-value welcome gift (free products = easy content creation)
- A competitive commission structure (is 10% cutting it, or could you offer 15%?)
- Bonus incentives (cash bonuses, exclusive deals, leaderboard rewards)
If affiliates see real earning potential, they’ll move.
3. Stay Top of Mind (Without Spamming)
The key is consistent, valuable communication, not endless “Hey, can you post?” emails. Keep affiliates engaged with:
- A weekly or bi-weekly email featuring fresh promo ideas, product spotlights, and success stories
- A private Slack or Facebook group for direct communication and motivation
- Periodic check-ins (not just “Can you post?” but “How can we help you sell more?”)
4. Make Content Creation a No-Brainer
Most affiliates aren’t professional marketers. If you leave them to figure out their own strategy, they’ll probably do...nothing. Help them out by providing:
- Custom discount codes they can share with their audience
- Swipe files with captions, email copy, and blog templates
- High-quality images and videos that fit their content style
The less effort required, the more likely they are to post.
5. Showcase Your Top Performers (and Create FOMO)
Affiliates love seeing what works—and even more, they love competition. Highlight your top performers in:
- A monthly leaderboard (with prizes for the best sellers)
- An affiliate spotlight feature (on social or email)
- A case study showing how someone made $$ with your program
When affiliates see others winning, they’ll want in on the action.
6. Reward Action, Not Just Sales
Sometimes, affiliates hesitate to promote because they’re unsure if they’ll make a sale. Motivate them by rewarding activity as well as conversions. Consider offering:
- A small bonus for first-time promotions (e.g., $10 for their first post)
- Tiered commissions (higher rates for more sales)
- Bonuses for engagement milestones (e.g., most creative post, highest click-through rate)
7. Build Relationships, Not Just Transactions
Affiliates are more than commission generators—they’re partners. Treat them like VIPs by:
- Sending personalized thank-you notes or small gifts
- Offering exclusive early access to new products
- Inviting them to collaborate on campaigns
When affiliates feel valued, they’ll naturally promote your brand more.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Program Too Good to Ignore
If your affiliates aren’t promoting, chances are your program isn’t giving them enough reason to. By making it easy, exciting, and rewarding to promote your brand, you’ll turn passive affiliates into active, engaged sales drivers—no begging required.