If you’re running an affiliate program, one of the most important things you need to provide your affiliates with is swipe copy. Swipe copy is pre-written content that your affiliates can use to promote your products or services.
But what makes for effective swipe copy?
That’s exactly what we’re going to discover in this article. And I won’t leave anything out, so you’ll know everything you need to know to create great swipe copy for your affiliates.
Start with a Hook
The first step in writing effective swipe copy is to create a hook that will capture your potential customer’s attention. Something with some emotion behind it!
Your hook needs to be attention-grabbing and relevant to your product or service.
It should be something that makes the reader think, “I need this!” or “This could be exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Examples:
“Discover the secret to losing weight without giving up your favorite foods!”
“Get ready to transform your skin with our revolutionary new skincare line.”
“Unlock the power of social media marketing and take your business to the next level.”
“Say goodbye to back pain and hello to a pain-free life with our innovative new product.”
“Discover the ultimate solution for staying organized and boosting productivity.”
These hooks are attention-grabbing and relevant to the product or service being promoted, and they offer a clear benefit to the potential customer.
Remember, the goal of the hook is to make the reader want to keep reading and learn more about the product or service that your affiliate is promoting for you.
Highlight the Benefits
Once you’ve hooked your potential customer, the next step is to highlight the benefits of your product or service. This is where you need to sell your product or service by showing the reader how it will benefit them. Make sure to emphasize the features that will resonate most with your audience.
Examples:
Feature: This product has a 50-inch screen.
Benefit: Immerse yourself in stunning visuals with the expansive 50-inch screen of this product.
Feature: A weight loss product that energizes metabolism.
Benefit: Our weight loss program is designed to help you shed unwanted pounds while still enjoying the foods you love. Say goodbye to restrictive diets and hello to a healthier, happier you!
Feature: Skincare products that use only natural ingredients.
Benefit: Our skincare line uses only natural, organic ingredients to nourish and rejuvenate your skin. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to a radiant, youthful complexion!
Feature: Social media marketing course for beginners.
Benefit: Our social media marketing course will teach you the strategies and tactics you need to build a powerful online presence and attract more customers than ever before. Say goodbye to ineffective marketing and hello to business success within 35 days, guaranteed.
Features: Product that helps to reduce or relieve back pain.
Benefit: Our innovative new product uses cutting-edge technology to relieve back pain and improve your quality of life. Say goodbye to discomfort and hello to pain-free living!
Feature: New productivity tool.
Benefit: Our productivity tool is the ultimate solution for busy professionals who want to stay organized and get more done in less time. Say goodbye to stress and hello to peak productivity!
These examples emphasize the benefits of the product or service being promoted, and show the affiliate’s audience how they will improve their life in some way which will convince them to take action.
Use Social Proof
Social proof is a powerful tool in marketing, and you can use it to great effect in your swipe copy.
Social proof can include things like testimonials from satisfied customers, statistics that show the effectiveness of your product or service, or endorsements from experts in your industry.
Including social proof in your swipe copy can help to build trust with potential customers and encourage them to make a purchase.
If you can get a few video testimonials to include, that’s even better!
Example:
“I never knew a cleaning product could make such a big difference until I tried this one. My house has never been cleaner!” – Name of Customer
Include a Call to Action
No swipe copy is complete without a call to action (CTA). Your CTA should be clear and compelling, and it should tell your potential customer what action they need to take next.
Whether you want them to click a link, sign up for a trial, or make a purchase, make sure your CTA is front and center in your swipe copy.
Examples:
- “Are you ready to say goodbye to restrictive diets and hello to a healthier, happier you? Click the link below to start our weight loss program now!”
- “Ready to transform your skin? Click the link below to start your journey to a radiant, youthful complexion today!”
- “Ready to take your social media marketing to the next level? Sign up for our course now and start attracting more customers than ever before!”
- “Don’t let back pain hold you back any longer. Order now and experience the life-changing benefits of our innovative new product!”
- “Sick of feeling disorganized and stressed? Try our productivity tool today and take the first step towards a more productive, stress-free life!”
These examples all use clear and compelling language to encourage the reader to act right away, whether it’s to make a purchase, sign up for a trial, or click a link.
Each call to action should be aligned with the goal of your affiliate swipe copy and should make it clear what the reader needs to do next.
Keep it Short and Sweet and Poignant
Finally, it’s important to keep your swipe copy short and sweet.
You want to make sure you’re getting your message across, but you don’t want to overwhelm your potential customers with too much information.
Keep your swipe copy focused on the most important points, and make sure it’s easy to read and understand.
Short & Impactful Examples:
- “Lose weight without giving up your favorite foods. Start our program today!”
- “Transform your skin with our natural skincare line. Order now!”
- “Master social media marketing and grow your business. Sign up for our course today!”
- “Say goodbye to back pain with our cutting-edge product. Order now!”
- “Boost your productivity with our innovative new tool. Try it now!”
These examples keep the swipe copy short and focused on the most important benefit of the product or service being promoted. The language is clear and easy to understand, and there’s a clear call to action to encourage the reader to take action.
Now, you may be thinking that those examples are actually too short, and for many affiliates and their audiences they will be, but it’s important that you offer options.
Here are examples using the same products but a bit longer, you’ll notice they still hold their original impact even though the text is noticeably longer.
Longer & Impactful Examples
“Lose weight without giving up your favorite foods. Our weight loss program is designed to help you shed unwanted pounds while still enjoying the foods you love. With personalized meal plans, nutritional coaching, and a supportive community of like-minded individuals, our program is the perfect way to kickstart your weight loss journey. Start today and see the results for yourself!”
“Transform your skin with our natural skincare line. Our line of organic, plant-based products is carefully formulated to nourish and rejuvenate your skin, leaving you with a radiant, youthful complexion. With ingredients like aloe vera, rosehip oil, and shea butter, our skincare line is the perfect addition to your daily routine. Order now and experience the difference for yourself!”
“Master social media marketing and grow your business. Our course is designed to teach you the strategies and tactics you need to build a powerful online presence and attract more customers than ever before. With modules on content creation, audience targeting, and paid advertising, our course is the ultimate resource for anyone looking to succeed in the world of social media marketing. Sign up today and start seeing real results!”
“Say goodbye to back pain with our cutting-edge product. Our product uses state-of-the-art technology to relieve pain and improve your quality of life. With features like adjustable heat, massage nodes, and ergonomic design, our product is the ultimate solution for anyone suffering from back pain. Order now and experience the life-changing benefits for yourself!”
“Boost your productivity with our innovative new tool. Our tool is designed to help busy professionals like you stay organized and get more done in less time. With features like task management, calendar integration, and project tracking, our tool is the ultimate solution for anyone looking to achieve peak productivity. Try it now and take the first step towards a more productive, stress-free life!”
In these longer versions, the swipe copy expands on the key benefits of the product or service being promoted, while keeping the language clear and easy to understand. The call to action remains prominent, encouraging the reader to take action and try the product or service for themselves.
Remember, short and sweet swipe copy is often more effective than lengthy copy that overwhelms the reader with too much information. In these examples, either form will work, it’s entirely dependent on your affiliate’s own audience and following. What do they expect or how does your affiliate regularly communicate with them?
5 Affiliate Swipe Copy Mistakes
Are you making these swipe copy mistakes that could be costing you sales? If you’re not careful, you could be turning off potential customers before they even have a chance to learn about your product.
Let’s take a closer look at some common missteps to avoid:
Don’t Write Swipe Copy Yourself
It may be tempting to write your own swipe copy, after all, who knows your product better than you? But the truth is, as the product owner, you’re too close to the subject. Your copy may be too technical or too emotionally invested, making it difficult for affiliates to effectively promote your product.
Don’t Forget About Images
While some people prefer plain text emails, others respond better to visually appealing content. Don’t be afraid to include images or graphics in your swipe copy to help catch your reader’s eye and make your message more memorable.
Don’t Write Only One Version
Not all affiliates have the same audience, so it’s important to provide multiple versions of your swipe copy to appeal to different demographics. Take the time to create different versions that speak to different avatars or stages of life.
Don’t Only Write Long or Short Emails
Like the previous point, different affiliates prefer different lengths of swipe copy. Some prefer long-form, in-depth explanations, while others want a quick, to-the-point message. Be sure to provide options for both.
Don’t Encourage Copy/Pasting
Copying and pasting swipe copy is lazy and ineffective. Instead, encourage your affiliates to personalize their messaging and make it their own. This will help them connect with their audience and build trust, leading to better results for both of you.
By avoiding these common mistakes and following best practices for creating effective swipe copy, you can ensure that your affiliates have the tools they need to successfully promote your product and drive sales.
6 Things Your Affiliate Swipe Copy Must Have
Are you struggling to create swipe copy that actually converts?
It isn’t easy for an entrepreneur to create high-converting ad copy to be used by others when promoting their product. It almost seems defeatist, but keep in mind that your affiliates are not competitors. They’re your sales organization, and you only have to pay them when they make you money!
Here are the top six expert-level tips from a successful affiliate program manager to help you create killer swipe copy that your affiliates will love:
1. Leave It To The Pros
Let’s face it, you may be too close to your product to write compelling swipe copy.
Save yourself the headache and hire a professional copywriter to create your swipe copy.
If you’re a professional copywriter yourself, consider hiring an outsider to gain a fresh perspective.
2. Spice it Up with Images
Images can be incredibly effective in emails, but don’t overdo it. Include a few high-quality images that your affiliates can choose from.
Images increase engagement, sometimes by a huge percentage.
While images in general tend to increase engagement, there are four types you should always include if possible:
Countdown Timers: FOMO is real! And any marketer will tell you that including a countdown timer on your sales page will increase sales. So, if you have a countdown timer, give your affiliates the code to use it in their emails. This way all your affiliate’s countdown timers are the same, and you’re in control of it, which will prevent disappointment and complaints later on.
Sale Graphics: Obviously, only use this if you’re running a sale or discount.
Statistics Screenshots: If you include any mentions of stats or data in your swipe copy, include a screenshot to back it up. This will increase your authority and validity. And this is quite easy, just snag a screenshot of the related analytics whether that’s your Google Analytics, PayPal or Stripe balance, Facebook Group member numbers, etc.
Video Screen Captures: Any photo with a play button works, but try to choose a photo that doesn’t look too staged as you’re using this image to invoke emotions of relatability and trust.
3. Tailor Your Swipe Copy to Different Audiences
Not all affiliates have the same audience, so why would you provide them all with the same swipe copy? Identify different core audiences and create swipe copy that resonates with each one.
Let’s say you’re promoting a fitness product that can help people lose weight and build muscle. You have two main groups of affiliates: fitness bloggers and social media influencers.
For the fitness bloggers, you might create swipe copy that highlights the science behind the product, the proven results, and the specific exercises that users can do to achieve their goals.
You might also provide images of people doing those exercises and before-and-after photos of satisfied customers.
For the social media influencers, you might create swipe copy that focuses more on the convenience and accessibility of the product, as well as the benefits of using it for people with busy lifestyles.
You might provide images of people using the product at home or on-the-go and highlight the ease of incorporating it into their daily routines.
By tailoring your swipe copy to these two different audiences, you increase the likelihood that they will resonate with the messaging and feel inspired to promote the product.
This ultimately leads to more conversions and greater success for your affiliate program.
4. Mix Up Your Swipe Copy Lengths
Different situations call for different lengths of swipe copy.
Provide your affiliates with different lengths of copy for different occasions, but most importantly, include the following:
- Pre-launch content
- Day before cart opens
- Cart opening
- Day before cart closes like a FAQs
- Cart closing
5. Remind Affiliates That Your Swipe Copy is a Guide
Encourage your affiliates to personalize their emails and use your swipe copy as a guide for inspiration.
Make sure they understand that copy-pasting is a no-no and that they should always tailor the copy to their specific audience.
6. Don't Forget Social Swipes
Social media is a crucial component of any launch, so don’t overlook it. Create versions of your swipe copy specifically for Twitter and Facebook, and provide images sized for those platforms.
You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it can make.
How about a few examples?
Twitter Swipe Copy:
Hey #entrepreneurs, have you heard about [Product Name]? It’s a game-changer for anyone looking to [insert benefit]. Get in on the action now! #launch #affiliate
Facebook Swipe Copy:
Are you a stay-at-home parent looking for an easy way to [insert benefit]? Check out [Product Name]! Our affiliates are raving about it. #launch #affiliate
Social Media Images:
Create an eye-catching image with a quote or a product image that’s sized specifically for Twitter or Facebook. You could also create a short video that showcases the product and includes a call-to-action to join the launch.
Try to include multiple video formats as well, especially TikTok (if you have affiliates who use the platform) and Instagram Reels.
By tailoring your swipe copy and images to specific social media platforms, you can increase engagement, clicks, and ultimately, sales for yourself and your affiliates.
What’s more is that your affiliates will use these suggestions as a starting point to build out their own campaign for your product, specifically created for their own unique audience.
Congrats! You Made It To The End!
Congratulations, you made it to the end of the article and with attention getting shorter by the week, that’s no small feat! By now, you should have a better understanding of what affiliate swipe copy is, why it’s important, and how to make the most of it.
Remember, the key to successful affiliate marketing is providing value to your audience, and swipe copy is a powerful tool to help you do just that. By tailoring your swipe copy to different audiences, including images, providing different lengths, and encouraging affiliates to personalize their messages, you can increase engagement, click-through rates, and ultimately, sales.
Don’t forget about social swipe either – social media is a critical component of any launch, and by creating versions of your swipe copy specifically for Twitter and Facebook, you can tap into a whole new audience and reach even more potential customers.
So, go forth and create killer swipe copy that your affiliates will love to use, and watch your sales soar!
