We broke down 2022 affiliate marketing trends in a recent blog. Now we’re sharing some of the strategies to respond. From recruiting affiliates to leveraging valuable publishers, here are just five affiliate strategies to adopt in 2022. So if you’re ready for affiliate success, read on!
Affiliate Marketing Strategies
Quality over quantity, always
The saying goes, the more, the merrier. And while that is often the case, the same doesn’t apply to affiliate marketing. While thousands of affiliate publishers are at your fingertips, you don’t want to use them all. So, make brand protection a priority rather than getting click-happy and accepting every request. By doing so, you’ll develop better relationships and enjoy more control.
Top tip: many low-quality sites like coupon affiliates that use unauthorised PPC will track through a subnetwork. To avoid this, ensure that you specify the types of publishers authorised on your program via subnetworks and exclude those you don’t.
Diversification of affiliate partners
As the affiliate space continues to expand, brands can utilise many types of publishers. From incentive and cashback affiliates to premium editorial sites and influencers, diversification is vital. While affiliate marketing was traditionally a popular bottom-of-the-funnel tactic, diversification allows you to convert customers at the top.
For top and middle-of-the-funnel conversions, consider leveraging influencers, editorial sites, google shopping and PPC partners. For bottom-of-the-funnel, technology and incentive affiliates are an excellent place to stat.
Leverage the power of influencers
While it may get a bad rep, the power of influencer marketing is undeniable. Using your affiliate program to guide an influencer strategy can minimise risk and create trackable campaigns. As social media becomes increasingly popular YoY, the need to use influencers increases. A recent study found that 14% of older Gen Z’s has bought a product in the previous six months based on influencer recommendation; social media is your friend.
Top tip: don’t get caught up with the numbers. Nano and micro-influencers with an engaged following in your niche can drive more interest and sales than a poorly selected influencer with 1m+ followers. Where possible, start by working on a commission-only basis and investing in a paid partnership once the social proof is established.
Conversion rate optimisation is a priority
If you’ve worked hard on an affiliate strategy but do not see conversions, the problem may lie with your site. When high-quality affiliates are sending primed-to-buy consumers your way, and they’re not converting, there’s work to be done. To deliver a good customer experience, ensure that:
- Your site loads quickly
- Your copy is informative and to the point
- You use high-quality product imagery
- Your product descriptions are engaging and solution-driven
- You clearly feature customer reviews
- You’re not using invasive pop-ups
Brand collaborations
Affiliate marketing centres around relationships. So, why not leverage a relationship with another brand that shares a similar audience? In 2017, 34% of marketers credited co-branding as the most effective way to grow email subscribers. So, if there’s an opportunity to partner with a brand that aligns with your values and targets, affiliate marketing may be the solution.
From the Shopify and Starbucks co-branding campaign to the Super Bowl campaign by Mountain Dew and Doritos, brand collaborations can be a huge hit when done well.
A final word of advice; a successful affiliate program requires management. While you can launch and leave it to do its thing, optimisation is the key to success. So, if you’re searching for an expert agency with a proven track record of creating and implementing bespoke affiliate marketing strategies, you’re in good hands with us. Get in touch to find out more.