Before you roll your eyes at the very thought of creating your own affiliate program, consider the fact that affiliates are a great way to take your sales to the next level without increasing your budget.
In fact, there are three very good reasons you should consider using affiliates.
Firstly, scalability.
As talented as you might be in areas like Facebook ads, SEO, or social media, there’s only so much you can do on your own. With affiliate partners, you can expand your reach and tap into new audiences. Our clients have seen exponential growth when they’ve used affiliates, and it’s easy to see why. Imagine having a whole army of loyal evangelists promoting your product or service at the same time!
Secondly, warm prospects.
One of the biggest advantages of using affiliates is that they bring in warm prospects. When an affiliate recommends your product or service, their audience is already primed to be interested. That’s why affiliate traffic tends to convert so well.
Finally, success leads to more success.
When you have a successful partnership with one affiliate, it often attracts more affiliates to your program. That’s because affiliates talk to each other, share their experiences, and follow each other online. So, when one affiliate is making money from your product, others will want to join in too.
In fact, you’ll most likely find that for every 100 affiliates you personally recruit to your program, another 40-100 join as a result, without any extra effort on your part.
Clearly, using affiliates is a smart and effective way to grow your business.
Ready to take the next step? Let’s look at 14 places you can find affiliates to sell for you, right now.
1. Friends & Family
Why not start your search for affiliates with the people who are closest to you: your friends! These are the folks who know, like, and trust you, and who you know, like, and trust in return. It’s the easiest way to get started and get some momentum going.
Here’s a simple email you can send to them to ask them to be an affiliate. You’ll notice that we use the word “support” instead of “promote,” and that the message is short and sweet:
Hi [GREETING],
I’m excited to let you know that I’m launching my [NAME OF COURSE OR PRODUCT] next April! I was hoping that you might be interested in supporting the launch as an affiliate partner. It would mean a lot to me if you could join in.
If you’re interested, just let me know and I’ll send you some more information. Thanks for considering it!
Best,
[YOUR NAME]
2. Facebook & LinkedIn Groups
Affiliates often hang out with other affiliates who are also interested in the same niche. That’s why Facebook and LinkedIn groups can be a goldmine for finding potential partners.
Here’s how you can find these groups and start connecting with potential affiliates:
- Do a search for your niche on both Facebook and LinkedIn.
- Join the groups that seem like a good fit for you.
- Start getting involved in the discussions. It really is that simple!
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t just join these groups to promote your affiliate program. Instead, you need to become an active and helpful member of the community.
Offer your advice freely, ask good questions, and share your expertise.
Once you’ve established yourself as a valuable contributor, you’ll have earned the right to make a request.
So don’t be shy – dive in, get involved, and start building relationships with potential affiliates today!
3. Membership Sites
If you’re a member of any paid membership sites, you’re in a great position to ask other members to support you as an affiliate. However, as with online forums and groups, you need to establish yourself as a respected and helpful member of the community first.
Take some time to get involved in the discussions and contribute value to the community. Offer your insights, answer questions, and share your expertise. As you become more active, you’ll start to build relationships with other members and establish your reputation as a trusted authority in your niche.
When you’re ready to make your request, keep it short and sweet, as always. Direct people to a page with more information about your affiliate program so that they can learn more and decide if it’s a good fit for them.
Remember, the key to success in membership sites is to be a valuable member of the community first and foremost. When you’ve earned the trust and respect of other members, they’ll be much more likely to support you as an affiliate.
4. Live Events
Live events can be one of the most effective ways to recruit affiliates, but they can also be costly. However, the truth is that there’s no better way to build strong, personal connections with potential affiliates than meeting them face-to-face.
To make the most of live events, focus on building relationships first and foremost. Take the time to get to know the people you meet and show a genuine interest in their lives and businesses. Ask them about their goals, challenges, and what they’re looking for in a partnership.
If you feel that the relationship isn’t quite solid enough yet, don’t make the ask in-person. Instead, continue to focus on building the relationship and follow up with a handwritten note or email after the event. Let them know that you appreciate their time and would love to explore the possibility of working together.
Remember, the key to success at live events is to focus on building genuine relationships first. When you approach people with an open mind and a sincere desire to help them, you’ll find that they’re much more likely to support you as an affiliate.
5. Other Launches
To find potential affiliates through other launches, you should keep an eye on the launches in your niche and take note of who promotes them.
These affiliates have already shown that they are interested in promoting products like yours and have a proven track record of success.
You can then reach out to them with a personalized email congratulating them on their successful promotion and ask if they would be interested in promoting your upcoming launch.
Be sure to highlight how your product or service would benefit their audience and provide more information about your launch.
It’s important to remember that these affiliates are likely to be receiving similar requests from other businesses, so make sure to stand out by highlighting the unique features and benefits of your product or service.
And don’t be discouraged if some affiliates decline – keep building relationships and seeking out new opportunities.
6. Facebook Ads
One advantage of using Facebook ads is the ability to narrow down your target audience to specific demographics and interests.
For example, you can target people who are already following top online marketers or influencers in your niche.
To make the most of your Facebook ads, it’s important to direct potential affiliates to a page that provides detailed information about your product or program.
Avoid requiring them to fill out lengthy application forms at this stage.
Instead, use a lead form that asks for their name, email, and phone number.
You can then follow up with them later to provide more information and encourage them to become an affiliate.
7. LinkedIn Ads
LinkedIn Ads can be an effective way to target people who are in affiliate marketing related groups or work in your niche.
Compared to Facebook, LinkedIn ads are more expensive (around 5–10 times as much), but they are also more targeted, which can result in long-term profitability.
One pro tip to keep in mind is to target specific groups as much as possible and mention the group name in your ads. If your budget allows, consider offering a special enhanced commission for members of that group.
A small increase of even 5% can generate interest and motivate potential affiliates to join your program.
Additionally, when creating your ad, ensure that you have a clear and compelling call to action, along with a landing page that provides valuable information about your product and affiliate program.
8. Trade Groups
To find potential affiliates through trade groups, you should start by identifying the groups that align with your product or service.
Reach out to them and introduce yourself, explaining how your product can benefit their members.
It’s essential to build a strong relationship with them before making any requests.
Offering to provide value to their members by hosting a free training session or offering a free video series is a great way to start.
This approach will help establish your credibility and expertise and make it easier for the trade group to recommend your product or service to their members.
Remember, many trade groups have a large and engaged audience, making it a fruitful source of potential affiliates.
So, put in the effort to build a relationship with them, and you may end up with a valuable pool of new affiliates.
9. Masterminds
Mastermind groups can be a great source of quality affiliates. Instead of just reaching out to members of the mastermind group you’re a part of, consider finding other mastermind groups related to your niche or industry.
Once you’ve identified relevant mastermind groups, reach out to them and offer to provide valuable training on how to make money promoting your product.
Your training should be generic enough to provide value to the group, but also showcase the benefits of promoting your program.
When reaching out to mastermind groups, it’s important to establish yourself as a credible and trustworthy source of information.
Be clear and transparent about your intentions, and make sure to tailor your message to the specific group you’re contacting.
Remember that mastermind groups often have strong bonds and close relationships among members.
So, it’s important to approach them with a genuine desire to help and add value to their group, rather than just looking for affiliates to promote your product.
10. Referrals
Referrals can be a powerful tool for growing your affiliate program, and it’s important to actively encourage and incentivize your current affiliates to refer others.
One way to do this is by offering a 2nd tier commission, which means your current affiliates will earn a commission not only on their own sales, but also on the sales of those they refer to your program.
To maximize your chances of getting quality referrals, it’s important to make sure your current affiliates are happy with the program and feel like they are getting enough support and value.
You can also consider offering special bonuses or rewards for affiliates who refer a certain number of new affiliates or who bring in a high volume of sales.
When reaching out to your affiliates about referrals, make sure to emphasize the benefits to them, such as the opportunity to earn more money without any extra effort on their part.
You can also provide them with some information about your ideal affiliate, such as the types of products or services they promote or the size of their audience. This will make it easier for your current affiliates to identify potential candidates and feel confident in recommending them to you.
11. Your Email List
Your email list can be a goldmine when it comes to finding new affiliates. These are people who have already shown interest in your business and have a personal connection with you.
They trust you and are familiar with your brand, making them ideal candidates for promoting your products or services.
However, it’s important to remember that not everyone on your email list may be familiar with affiliate marketing or understand how it works.
Therefore, it’s crucial to provide them with the necessary training and guidance to become successful affiliates.
One effective way to train your email list is by hosting a webinar or a live event. This will give you the opportunity to show them the ropes and provide them with tips and strategies for promoting your products or services.
You can also offer them incentives, such as a bonus or increased commission, to encourage them to promote your brand.
It’s important to keep in mind that not everyone on your email list will be interested in becoming an affiliate, and that’s okay. Respect their decision and focus on building a strong relationship with them.
Those who do decide to become affiliates can be a valuable asset to your business and help you reach a wider audience.
12. Your Customers
Your customers are a valuable source of potential affiliates that is often overlooked. They have firsthand experience with your product or service and are often passionate about it.
Here are some ways to leverage your customer base for affiliate promotion:
- Incentivize referrals: Offer a discount or a reward to customers who refer others to your product or service. This can be a powerful motivator for them to spread the word and bring in new customers.
- Highlight success stories: Share success stories of your customers who have achieved great results with your product or service. This can inspire others to try it out and potentially become affiliates themselves.
- Provide resources: Offer your customers resources and tools to help them promote your product or service. This can include pre-written social media posts or email templates that they can personalize and share with their networks.
- Ask for testimonials: Ask your satisfied customers to write a testimonial about their experience with your product or service. This can be used as a promotional tool to attract new customers and potential affiliates.
Remember, your customers already know, like, and trust you, so they are likely to be effective promoters of your product or service. Don’t overlook this valuable resource when building your affiliate program.
13. Your Competitors
When it comes to competition in business, it’s important to have a healthy mindset and not view your competitors as enemies.
In fact, your competitors can be valuable promotional partners for your business.
Here are four ways to use your competitors as affiliates:
Upsell: If you offer a lower-priced product that doesn’t provide in-depth information, consider offering a higher-priced, more detailed version from a competitor as an upsell. This can benefit both you and the competitor, and provide more value to your customers.
- Downsell: If you offer a high-priced course or product, consider offering a related course or product from a competitor at a lower price as a downsell. This can help you convert customers who might not be willing to invest in your higher-priced product, but are still interested in the topic.
- Non-buyers: If someone has been on your email list for a while but has not yet purchased your higher-priced course or product, consider offering a lower-priced complementary course from a competitor. This can help you generate revenue from those who are interested in the topic but not ready to make a larger investment.
- Niche within a niche: Offer your customers complementary courses or products as they progress through your main course. These complementary offerings can be from your competitors and can help to provide additional value to your customers, while also generating revenue for you and your competitors.
14. Google
Google is not just a search engine, it can also be a powerful tool to find potential affiliates. By using advanced search techniques and specific keywords, you can uncover a treasure trove of affiliate opportunities. Here are some additional tips to make the most of Google:
Utilize Google Alerts: Set up alerts for keywords related to your niche or product. This way, you can stay up to date with the latest news and trends, and also identify potential affiliates.
- Use advanced search operators: Use advanced search operators such as “intitle:”, “inurl:”, and “site:” to refine your search results. For example, you can use “intitle:affiliate program” to find websites that have affiliate programs.
- Find relevant blogs and forums: Look for blogs and forums related to your niche and check if they have a list of recommended resources or products. You can also participate in discussions and engage with the community to build relationships and potentially find affiliates.
- Check social media: Use social media platforms such as Twitter and LinkedIn to search for potential affiliates. Look for people who are active in your niche or industry and engage with them by commenting on their posts or sending a direct message.
Remember, finding affiliates through Google may take some time and effort, but it can be a worthwhile investment in the long run. By building relationships and partnering with the right affiliates, you can significantly grow your business and revenue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding affiliates to promote your product or service can be a highly effective way to increase your sales and grow your business.
While some methods, such as using affiliate networks, may be more widely known, there are many other effective ways to find affiliates that are often overlooked.
From leveraging social media platforms and online communities to reaching out to your email list and customers, there are many opportunities to identify and recruit potential affiliates.
And, don’t forget about the power of search engines like Google to find top affiliates in your industry.
By utilizing these various strategies and tactics, you can build a robust affiliate network that will not only boost your sales, but also help you establish valuable relationships within your niche.
So start exploring and experimenting with different methods to find the best affiliates for your business.
