Establishing an affiliate program can help you grow your business, reach new customers, and increase your sales to levels that you’d never be able to accomplish on your own. Sounds great, right? Well, here’s the big question when starting an affiliate program: How and where do you find and recruit quality affiliates?
1. Affiliate networks. If and when you join an affiliate network your program is often promoted on their site. At a minimum your program is categorized and described so potentially interested affiliates can explore the program and what is offered. Then they make a decision for themselves. Affiliate networks can be a very powerful tool in recruiting and managing an affiliate marketing program.
2. Online forums. Forums are an excellent place to network period. They give the opportunity to help others solve their problems as well as an opportunity to have your own questions answered. A signature when joining a forum enables you to promote website’s products or services. Use it to promote your affiliate program too. Other members of the forum have similar interests so you’re a step ahead of the game.
3. Satisfied customers. Satisfied customers are excellent word of mouth and an excellent marketing tool. They already love your products or services! In regular communications with satisfied customers offer them affiliate marketing opportunities or simple referral programs.
4. Get listed in affiliate program directories. Affiliate marketers looking for products or services to sell utilize affiliate program directories. They can be a great way to reach a broad number of affiliates. People looking to become affiliate marketers often begin with these directories. New affiliate marketers can be a great source of income because they are eager and enthusiastic to make money.
5. Post your affiliate program on your website. If you have an affiliate program, why not list it on the website? Include a link to your affiliate program right on that home page. Anyone visiting your site to make a purchase or to research products or services will also be able to explore opportunities to make money.