The document outlines 10 ways for an affiliate program to stand out and improve marketing to and through affiliates. It recommends (1) optimizing for keywords on affiliate networks, (2) outranking competitors on search engines, (3) offering incentives for affiliates to activate, (4) providing performance incentives like bonuses, and (5) innovating to differentiate the program. It also suggests (6) supporting mobile affiliates, (7) adding pay-per-call models, (8) implementing co-branding, (9) using micro-banners, and (10) providing personalized support.

1. 10+ Ways to Make
Your Affiliate Program
Stand Out
Geno Prussakov
CEO, AM Navigator (affiliate management agency)
www.amnavigator.com
Founder, Affiliate Management Days (conference)
www.amdays.com
Founder, Influencer Marketing Days (conference)
www.influencermarketingdays.com
.

2. Too Busy

3. 
MARKETING TO
AFFILIATES

4. “In advertising, not to
be different is virtually
suicidal.”
— William Bernbach

5. Zoom In

6. ShareASale:
1. Keywords on Network
CJ Affiliate:

7. Optimize for competitors’ branded
keywords
(including the ones on other networks)
1. Keywords on Network

8. 1. Keywords on Network

9. 1. Keywords on Network

10. Beat

11. • Organic
• and Paid Search
2. Outranking on Search

12. Zero Paid Ads 

13. 2. Outranking on Search

14. Excite

15. Define “activation”
Examples:
• Putting links up
• Starting to drive traffic
• Referring first sale
3. Activation Incentives

16. How to incentivize?
• Cash for links
• Commission increase
• First sale bonus
• Cookie life increase
3. Activation Incentives

17. 3. Activation Incentives

18. Motivate

19. • Tiered commission increases
• Cash bonuses for reaching goals
• Higher payouts for new customers
• Contests
4. Performance Incentives

20. 4. Performance Incentives

21. Innovate

22. Examples:
• Co-branding a Tool
5. Being Different

23. 5. Being Different

24. Examples:
• Co-branding a Tool
• Commission Beating
5. Being Different

25. Examples:
• Co-branding a Tool
• Commission Beating
• Turning Referral into Contest
5. Being Different

26. We learn
o 10% of what we read
o 20% of what we hear
o 30% of what we see
o 50% of what we see and hear
o 70% of what we say
o 90% of what we say and do
— Dr. Vernon Magnesen
5. Being Different

27. 
MARKETING THROUGH
AFFILIATES

28. Equip

29. 6. Supporting Mobile Affiliates
47.46% of traffic, 39.59% of sales
Affiliate Window, Q4 2015

30. 6. Supporting Mobile Affiliates
By tracking and providing them with:
• Mobile-friendly/responsive LPs
• Creatives (for various devices)
• Mobile APIs (for apps, etc)

31. API access for mobile app & game developers
6. Supporting Mobile Affiliates

32. Empower

33. Pay affiliates for hot leads that call in.
Just as with other models, the advertiser
“qualifies” the call.
Bridges the gap between online & offline.
7. Adding Pay-Per-Call

35. Improve

36. 8. Offering Co-Branding
Your
Brand
Affiliate’s
Brand
Higher
Conversion
Rate

37. Three- to four-fold increase in
conversions (from 8.56% to 23.21%
for a cashback affiliate, 2.5% to 10.9%
for a coupon affiliate).
Affiliate Window
66.45% conversion increase, ~44%
revenue boost, and 132% difference in
new customers acquired.
Rakuten Affiliate Network
8. Offering Co-Branding

38. 3 Goals of Co-Branding
1. Connect
(affiliate logo, wording, color gamma)
2. Convince
(exclusive promotion, urgency, scarcity)
3. Convert (auto-apply promo, CTA)

43. Discern

44. 88x31 = overlooked opportunity!
Challenging for most designers,
but important for many affiliates.
9. Micro-Bars

45. Back Them Up

46. • Being reachable
• Being responsive
• Segmented approach
• Tailored suggestions
• Surveys
10. Support

47. TO RECAP

48. 1. Zoom In (and optimize on networks)
2. Beat (your competition on search)
3. Excite (by activation incentives)
4. Motivate (by performance bonuses)
5. Innovate (to stand out)
Marketing To Affiliates

49. 6. Equip (by supporting mobile)
7. Empower (through pay-per-call)
8. Improve (via co-branding)
9. Discern (importance of 88x31s)
10. Back Up (by personalized support)
Marketing Through Affiliates

50. A STORY

51. Your Imprint