Affiliate marketing can be a game-changer for eCommerce brands—if you have the right affiliates promoting your products. But not all affiliates are created equal, and recruiting the wrong ones can lead to wasted time, low-quality traffic, and minimal sales. So, how do you find the affiliates who will actually move the needle for your brand? Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Define Your Ideal Affiliate Profile
Before you start recruiting, you need to know who you’re looking for. The best affiliates for your brand are those who:
- Have an audience that aligns with your target customers
- Create high-quality, engaging content
- Have an established level of trust with their followers
- Focus on niche markets that complement your product
- Are motivated by performance-based earnings
Whether it’s bloggers, YouTubers, influencers, or coupon sites, understanding the type of affiliate that fits your brand will make recruitment much more effective.
Step 2: Tap Into Affiliate Networks
Affiliate networks are a goldmine for finding ready-to-promote affiliates. Platforms like Impact, ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, and AvantLink have thousands of affiliates actively looking for partnerships. You can search by niche, performance metrics, and engagement levels to find the right match for your brand.
Step 3: Leverage Your Existing Customer Base
Some of the best affiliates are already buying from you. Your happy customers are natural advocates who can provide authentic recommendations. Consider creating a VIP affiliate program that offers them exclusive perks, such as higher commissions, early product access, or special bonuses for hitting sales targets.
Step 4: Reach Out to Content Creators and Influencers
Affiliates don’t have to be traditional marketers. Bloggers, YouTubers, and Instagram and TikTok influencers can be excellent partners—especially those who create educational content, product reviews, and tutorials. The key is to find creators who are already talking about products like yours and offer them an incentive to promote yours instead.
Step 5: Use Social Media and Online Communities
Hunting for affiliates? Check LinkedIn, Facebook Groups, and industry-specific forums. Many content creators and marketers discuss affiliate programs in these communities, making them a great place to source potential partners.
Step 6: Recruit Through Competitor Analysis
Why reinvent the wheel? Look at the affiliates promoting your competitors. Tools like SimilarWeb and SEMrush can help you analyze traffic sources and discover which websites are driving referrals for brands similar to yours. If they’re promoting a competitor, chances are they might be open to working with you, too.
Step 7: Optimize Your Recruitment Outreach
Once you’ve identified potential affiliates, you need to convince them that your program is worth their time. Here’s how:
- Personalize your outreach. Don’t send generic emails—mention why they’d be a great fit.
- Highlight your commission structure. Make sure it’s competitive.
- Showcase your product’s value. Why should they promote your brand over another?
- Offer creative assets. Make it easy for them to market your products.
Step 8: Create an Easy Application Process
Affiliates don’t want to jump through hoops to join your program. Keep your application process simple and straightforward, ensuring they can get approved and start promoting quickly.
Final Thoughts
Recruiting high-quality affiliates takes effort, but once you’ve built a strong network, the results can be game-changing. By focusing on the right affiliates and making it easy for them to promote your brand, you’ll create a sustainable revenue stream that grows over time.
Need help finding and onboarding the best affiliates for your eCommerce brand? Let’s talk.