How To Launch An Effective Affiliate Marketing Programme In 7 Easy Steps

If you’re looking to increase revenue and scale your business online, launching an affiliate marketing programme will hopefully be at the top of your priority list. Affiliate marketing is a unique, performance-based strategy where, unlike traditional marketing methods, it’s partners who do the hard work in promoting your offerings in exchange for a commission. 

Done right, affiliate marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to grow your brand sustainably. In fact, affiliate marketing was responsible for 10% of all e-commerce sales in the UK last year. You have to be in it to win it, but if you’re new to the affiliate space you’re probably asking, “How do I start affiliate marketing?”. The good news is that it’s easier and quicker than you might think, and we’re here to guide you through how to launch an affiliate marketing campaign. 

1. Define Your Goals & Audience

Before you conduct any kind of affiliate outreach, take a step back and consider exactly why it is you want to work with affiliates. A strong affiliate marketing programme starts with well-defined goals and a solid understanding of your target audience. After all, a programme designed to boost brand awareness among a specific user group should operate differently from one focused solely on sales, sales, and more sales. Knowing who you’re trying to reach will help you to identify the right affiliates from the get-go.

2. Choose The Right Networks

Effective affiliate marketing relies on strong relationships with both networks and affiliates. Choosing the right network platform is particularly crucial, as it effectively acts as the middleman between you and your affiliates and gives you access to the right partners and tracking tools. There are loads out there to choose from, including Tradedoubler, Awin and Adtraction, and each has its own pros and cons. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a few at the start to get a better idea of how they work – taking time over this decision will pay dividends in the long run. At Fuel, our affiliate team can help you through this process, listening to your needs and advising on the best network based on what fits your goals best. 

3. Keep Your Affiliates Diverse But Relevant

When it comes to choosing which affiliates you’d like to work with, many businesses fall into the same trap of relying on one single type. While we’d advise against diversifying your partner list too quickly at the launch stage, the most successful programmes will eventually work with a range of partners. From influencers to cashback and discount code platforms, a diverse affiliate base protects your brand from being too dependent on one channel and gives you a greater chance of reaching new customers.

4. Work Out How Much You’d Like To Spend

One of the most common questions we face about setting up an affiliate marketing programme is a very valid one: how do I start affiliate marketing without breaking the bank? The beauty of the affiliate space is that it’s typically very low risk and you should only really pay for performance. That said, you’ll still need to set commission rates or appropriate discount percentages when putting your strategy in place and these need to be competitive to attract the best affiliates. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the right level of commission – know your industry and how much you are prepared to spend and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need some advice. 

5. Create Great Content

With the right commission, your affiliate partners will always be incentivized to work hard on your behalf. However, you can still affect how effective their efforts are by providing them with the right content. The easier you make it for your partners to market your products, the more likely they are to generate sales. Whether this is through up-to-date images, seasonal assets or exclusive offers, always give your affiliates the tools they need for success at the very launch of your programme. 

6. Set Up Tracking Properly

Tracking is the backbone of any performance marketing initiative, yet it is often overlooked in the setup of an affiliate marketing programme. Before you go live, you must have accurate and detailed tracking in place as this data will tell you where your sales are coming from and which affiliates may need a little more attention. This is also something to bear in mind when you’re deciding which network to work with. The best ones will be able to seamlessly monitor clicks, conversions, and commissions so ask these questions to make sure you can launch a campaign powered by data-driven decisions.

7. Get Help From The Experts

While there are a number of steps you will need to complete to launch an effective affiliate marketing programme, nobody is saying you need to tackle them all alone. Whether you’re unsure how to select the right affiliate network or need guidance when it comes to implementing affiliate tracking, seeking expert advice will ensure that your affiliate marketing efforts get off to the best start. 

At Fuel, our specialist affiliate team is on hand to guide you through the creation and management of your affiliate programme. With a risk-free model and extensive links with a wide range of affiliate partners, we have all of the tools and expertise needed to get your business off the ground in the affiliate space. Simply get in touch with me by emailing seve@fuel-growth or filling out our online form and we can discuss your next steps.