ClickBank has long been a staple in the affiliate marketing world, known for its potential to help affiliates make substantial income, with some earning up to $400 per day. But as the digital landscape evolves, is ClickBank still the best option out there? In this Clickbank review, we’ll dive into the platform’s features, benefits, and drawbacks. Plus, we’ll introduce you to an exciting alternative that can boost your earnings even further: Afluencer

What Is ClickBank?

ClickBank remains a leading affiliate marketing platform, connecting digital content creators with affiliates. Known for its wide range of products and generous commission rates, ClickBank has helped many affiliates achieve financial success. With a marketplace full of diverse products, affiliates can find and promote items that align with their niche and audience. 

It is an eCommerce platform that allows vendors to get in touch with influencers who help them sell products for a share in the sale. The brand is a subsidiary of Keynetics Inc., with about 50,000 products available in more than 200 countries.

ClickBank doesn’t make or promote its own products. It gives sellers an opportunity to do so with the help of influencers or affiliate marketers who have a good understanding of the market.

Since its inception, ClickBank has built a reputation for being a user-friendly and lucrative platform. Affiliates can easily sign up, browse through thousands of digital products, and start promoting them immediately. The platform’s simplicity and efficiency make it an attractive choice for both new and experienced marketers.

ClickBank Review: Easy Sign-Up Process and Fees

How to Sign Up for ClickBank

ClickBank’s sign-up process is pretty straightforward. The ClickBank login and sign-up page is user-friendly and free to join. The sign-up form is short and simple, requiring just a few minutes to complete. There’s no screening process, so you can get started quickly.

Whether you are a seller or an affiliate marketer, the basic ClickBank sign-up method is the same. Once you’re inside, you will need to complete your account by entering payment details and other necessary information.

Are There ClickBank Fees?

In our Clickbank review, it’s important to note the costs involved. Affiliates can join for free, but vendors will have to pay a one-time activation fee of $49.95. Additionally, there’s a pay period processing charge of $2.50.

Affiliates can enjoy earning commissions through the ClickBank affiliate program without worrying about sign-up fees, making it a great option for those looking to start affiliate marketing. 

Making Money with ClickBank

Many affiliates have thrived on ClickBank, leveraging various strategies to maximize their earnings. From selecting high-converting products to utilizing effective marketing techniques, ClickBank offers numerous opportunities for affiliates to succeed. For instance, targeting niche markets and using email marketing campaigns have proven successful for many.

A key strategy for success on ClickBank involves choosing the right products to promote. Affiliates should focus on products with high gravity scores, indicating their popularity and potential for high conversions. Additionally, creating compelling content and utilizing SEO best practices can drive more traffic to affiliate links, increasing the likelihood of sales.

Moreover, ClickBank provides valuable resources such as analytics and reporting tools. These tools allow affiliates to track their performance, understand their audience better, and refine their marketing strategies accordingly.

How do I Earn ClickBank Commissions?

No ClickBank review is complete without discussing how much money you can make. Based on experience, you can make between $100 to $400 depending on a number of factors.

Here’s an overview of how ClickBank works:

1. Become an affiliate – you have to create a user profile, whereby you sign up as an official ClickBank affiliate. The sign-up process is quick and easy. The website has advanced information security protocols, so your information will remain safe. 
2. Find a product to promote – the best approach would be to visit the affiliate marketplace section. There, you will find products and get to interact with vendors. 
3. Create a HopLink – once you have chosen a product, and interacted with ClickBank vendors, then you can start promoting. You will need a customized HopLink. A referral tracking URL that contains info about your profile and referrals on each sale.
4. Promote the product – there are various ways to promote products. For instance, content development and email marketing. Ensure that you include the HopLink in your content. Furthermore, the products and preferred advertising strategies should relate to your market niche. 
5. Drive sales – if your promotions are successful, then customers will purchase your products. You will earn money on every successful sale. 
6. Earn commissions – the commission is calculated based on a specific percentage level set by the vendor. Vendors often offer between 1% to 75%. If the sale has a recurring component, then the commission assigned may be different from the first purchase. That said, the max you can earn at a given time is $150.
7. Get paid – once you reach the stipulated threshold, payments shall be disbursed. You will receive payment as a direct deposit. These are useful links if you want to change payment methods and edit the payment threshold level.

As a seller, you will make a profit whenever you sell a product. How much depends on how many products are sold and what portion of it you pay in commission.

ClickBank Review: Features

ClickBank has several powerful features that affiliates and vendors can take advantage of to increase their profits. The company upgraded the system and added many new features that have a proven capacity to increase your sales.

Here are some of the best ClickBank features:

Exciting New Updates for Affiliates

As of June 4, 2024, ClickBank has rolled out a series of new features that are sure to excite affiliates. These include advanced affiliate tracking parameters, enhanced reporting insights, and seamless integration updates. These enhancements aim to give affiliates more control and deeper insights into their campaigns, boosting overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Affiliate Tracking Parameters

ClickBank’s new affiliate tracking parameters go beyond the existing Tracking ID (TID) functionality. If you’ve ever struggled with tracking within the TID parameter, these new updates will be a game-changer. Affiliates can now track additional data points, ensuring they have a comprehensive view of their performance.

Enhanced Reporting Insights

ClickBank has also added new insights to its reporting capabilities. Affiliates and sellers alike can now view detailed data points such as device type, browser, and operating system within ClickBank analytics. This level of detail allows for more precise targeting and optimization of marketing efforts.

Seamless Integration Updates

Integration with third-party services has become even smoother with ClickBank’s latest updates. Whether you’re syncing data with other platforms or using additional marketing tools, these updates ensure a seamless experience, enhancing your overall workflow.

For those who have faced challenges with ClickBank’s tracking and analytics in the past, these updates mark a significant improvement, making ClickBank an even more powerful tool for affiliates and sellers.

TID & VTID Tracking

Short for Tracking I.D, TID includes a set of up to 24 characters in length, which are integrated into each HopLink. 

Using the TID makes it easy to track the HopLink in relation to the specific product assigned to it. Besides that, there is no restriction on the number of TIDs you can use when marketing your products or services. 

The TIDs are also available for vendors. Also, the VTID, which refers to Variable Tracking ID, is integrated with the payment link, rather than the HopLink. 

The TID makes a useful insight into how you can improve performance. Accessing useful information on your sales campaign will give you a competitive edge and improve your commissions. 

For instance, if you want to track how your Facebook campaign is performing, you can attach the TID of “Facebook” to the HopLink. Then, visit your ClickBank profile in the reporting section, and you will gain access to lots of information. These include sales, refunds, and more. 

Pitchplus

This functionality allows digital marketers to introduce new products for sale to customers after they complete a purchase. Once a customer provides payment information and completes the purchase, they are then directed to another page. The page does not contain any spammy content, but useful products and suggestions for the customer to consider.

As a vendor, you create products or services that you want to be listed on the given page. Using this approach is highly convenient because it eliminates the process of having to input credit card information again. Thus, the customer can purchase or access information about other products.

Joint Venture

The ClickBank Joint venture feature allows digital markets to advertise products as upsells, share earnings, and allows vendors to provide second-tier commissions. A joint venture is also suitable for affiliates, whereby one can partner and split commissions that they earn through their websites. Users of this feature can draft contracts, which stipulate the legal bindings between the business partners.

Being able to leverage partnerships can be an excellent way to earn money through the ClickBank platform. 

There are various ways through which the joint venture perspective is applicable in business. You can contact someone to write product reviews, collaborate with other vendors, and even promote other sellers’ products. 

Marketplace Search

MarketPlace Search is a tool that lets users search for various products based on specific criteria. You will come across multiple attributes and filters that you can use to search on the left side of the ClickBank Marketplace. Even more, you can use the “advanced search” function on the left side of your profile. 

Being able to find suitable products to promote on the platform will increase your sales and profit levels. More so, the Marketplace Search will also allow you to come across various vendors that provide exceptional payout levels. 

It also provides you with a way to leverage rebills, affiliate tools, and much more. You will even be able to access vendors that provide affordable 14 trials. Using this information lets you find products that relate to your niche. 

ClickBank Review: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I find affiliates?

Affiliates are always searching for profitable products and vendors. If you want to attract affiliates, you can come up with good competitive rates for your products, and produce excellent marketplace listings. Furthermore, you can avail tools such as ads, logos, and more, for your clients. When you want to start the process, consider using the Affiliate Finder tool. 

Q. How do I track sales?

There are various ways through which you can track sales on the ClickBank platform. For instance, you can use Transactions Reporting to gain access to detailed information on the transactions. Even more, you can use analytics reporting, which offers information and graphs on your sales. 

Q. How do I provide customer support?

You can provide various avenues through which customers can get in touch with your brand. These include email and phone numbers. Furthermore, you should also be ready to respond to customer support queries, which often include refunds, customer support requests, and more.

Q. What happens when my account gets suspended?

ClickBank has specific terms and regulations that guide how you can use its resources. If your account gets suspended, you might not be able to sell products to consumers. If you have any issues, get in touch with ClickBank for information. 

Q. Is ClickBank legitimate?

Yes, ClickBank is a legitimate affiliate marketing program – the company ranks among the top internet marketing companies, and it has millions of members worldwide. It’s registered and legal.

Q. What is ClickBank University?

Clickbank University refers to an optional training course that caters to both sellers and marketers. It provides useful information on how to leverage the tools and resources available on the platform to make sales. You can file a support ticket if you need help with the University. 

ClickBank Review: Pros and Cons

No ClickBank review can be complete without discussing both advantages and disadvantages. Let’s have a look:

ClickBank Pros

• Wide range of products: ClickBank offers a vast selection of digital products across various niches, giving affiliates plenty of options to choose from.
• High commission rates: Affiliates can earn generous commissions, often ranging from 50% to 75% per sale.
• User-friendly interface: The platform is easy to navigate, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced marketers.
• Comprehensive resources: ClickBank provides extensive resources, including tutorials, webinars, and support, to help affiliates succeed.
• Reliable customer support – the ClickBank customer support team is reliable and provides fast responses to your queries
• High-quality marketing resources – you will be able to access tools such as the Marketplace search, joint ventures, Pitchplus, and more for marketing purposes
• Simple sign-up process – the sign-up process on the website is simple, and you have to provide some basic personal details

ClickBank Cons

• Saturation in popular niches: Some niches on ClickBank are highly competitive, making it challenging for new affiliates to stand out.
• Requires marketing skills to succeed: Affiliates need to have or develop strong marketing skills to drive traffic and generate sales.
• Product quality variability: The quality of products on ClickBank can vary, so affiliates need to carefully select reputable products to promote.
• Not available in some countries – there are a few countries where people might not be able to join the ClickBank platform
• Dependency – your store will be on the ClickBank network, hence you will have to largely depend on it

ClickBank Review: ClickBank vs. Competitors

While ClickBank is a powerful platform, it’s essential to consider how it stacks up against competitors. Compared to networks like Amazon Associates or CJ Affiliate, ClickBank offers higher commissions but may face stiffer competition in certain niches. Evaluating these differences can help affiliates decide which platform best suits their needs.

Amazon Associates, for example, offers a lower commission rate but boasts a massive product catalog, including physical goods. This can be advantageous for affiliates who want to diversify their offerings. On the other hand, CJ Affiliate provides a wide range of both digital and physical products, along with robust reporting tools, making it another strong contender. You certainly need to do your homework, here.

Is ClickBank the Best Option?

ClickBank offers a robust platform for earning income, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. Factors such as ease of use, commission rates, and product variety play a significant role in determining its suitability. While ClickBank excels in many areas, it’s worth exploring other options to diversify your income streams.

Affiliates should consider their specific goals, skills, and target audience when choosing an affiliate network. For those who prefer promoting digital products with high commission rates, ClickBank remains a top choice. However, exploring other platforms like Afluencer can provide additional opportunities and mitigate the risks associated with relying on a single platform.

Introducing Afluencer: A Superior Alternative to ClickBank

Why Consider Afluencer?

While ClickBank has been a significant player in affiliate marketing, Afluencer offers unique advantages that make it a compelling alternative. Here’s why Afluencer stands out:

Afluencer Features and Benefits

Free to Join Unlike ClickBank, which charges vendors a one-time activation fee, Afluencer is entirely free to join for both influencers and brands. This makes it an accessible option for anyone looking to dive into influencer marketing without upfront costs.

User-Friendly Interface Afluencer’s intuitive and easy-to-navigate platform ensures a smooth user experience. Whether you’re new to influencer marketing or an experienced professional, you’ll find it simple to connect with the right partners.

Diverse Range of Influencers and Brands Afluencer offers a diverse selection of influencers across various niches. This diversity allows brands to find influencers who align perfectly with their target audience, leading to more effective and authentic marketing campaigns.

Advanced Search and Filtering Options With Afluencer’s advanced search and filtering options which allow for precise targeting, finding the ideal influencer or brand is quick and efficient. 

24/7 Customer Support Afluencer provides round-the-clock customer support, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed. This level of support can be crucial for maintaining smooth and effective marketing operations.

Access to Micro-Influencers Afluencer excels in connecting brands with micro-influencers. These influencers often have highly engaged audiences and can be more affordable than larger influencers, offering a cost-effective way to reach targeted demographics.

Collaborative Opportunities Brands can post their influencer programs on Afluencer, and influencers can apply directly. This streamlined process facilitates quick and efficient collaborations, maximizing productivity and results.

Engagement and Authenticity Afluencer focuses on genuine collaborations between brands and influencers. This approach often leads to higher engagement rates and more authentic interactions compared to some ClickBank promotions, which can sometimes feel more transactional.

ClickBank Review: How Is ClickBank Different from Afluencer?

ClickBank is a marketplace that bridges the gap between sellers and marketers. Here, sellers use the ClickBank platform to sell. When it comes to ClickBank, as a seller you may not have control over who sells your products and how since there are millions of marketers. Plus, commissions can be high as well.

On the other hand, Afluencer helps sellers or businesses find people who can truly help sell their products. Businesses have full control over who they work with and how much they pay. Afluencer allows businesses to come up with unique marketing techniques while leveraging the potential of an influencer.

When you work with an influencer, it isn’t only about selling. It is about building connections, improving goodwill, and making an impression. Whereas, on ClickBank all markets care about is commission.

Influencer marketing might sound like an expensive deal, but after this ClickBank review, we can say that it turns out to be more expensive in the long run. 

When you work with Afluencer, you will need your products on your own site or social media handle. Whereas, ClickBank doesn’t have such requirements, which can be troublesome since the company may remove your account without warnings and you will suddenly be left without a store.

Whereas, when you work with Afluencer, you will help your product sell itself. Even if you do not continue to work with an influencer, your product will continue to sell based on the market image it enjoys.
Here are some Afluencer reviews for you to check out!

ClickBank Review: Conclusion

There is no room for poor improvisation if you want to make sales with an affiliate program. Rated among one of the top 100 businesses in the world, ClickBank is perhaps one of the best affiliate programs worldwide. The platform is legitimate, and it provides users with various resources for making sales. Millions of users are already members of the platform and are continuing to rake in the profits.

That said, before making the best of a ClickBank profile, you will have to develop a good marketing campaign. Also, you will have to create a user profile and provide proper payment details, where your commissions will be deposited. There are over 500,000 digital marketers including some with a lot of experience. But it can be quite difficult to use, for example, the steps involved in creating your own product can be quite complicated.

It’s best to work on building your own store and using Afluencer to reach affiliates who can help you reach a wider audience. As an influencer, you will get to work with different brands through Afluencer. Get started and boost your brand today!

So are you ready to bring more flavor to your followers?

Blood of Tyrants – Fruity Flavors to Tease Your Palate

Are you worthy enough to taste the Blood of Tyrants? This next Food & Beverage Brand has crafted a Merlot that teases your palate with the fruity flavors of black cherries, plums, and figs.

“Enjoy the Taste of Freedom” as you indulge in a glass (or bottle) of red wine made from grapes selected only from the very best vineyards.

They sell exclusively online with each bottle of Blood of Tyrant fetching a mere $35. The more bottles you buy in a single purchase, the less you pay! So hey, go ahead and stock up for all those special occasions you have planned!

Collabs

Blood of Tyrants is looking for US-based Influencers for a Collab to promote their wine. They currently only ship within the US and that’s why they’d prefer to work with Influencers located in the US. However, if you’re International but with a large American audience, then we suggest you try your luck and reach out to them.

Influencers will get the opportunity to taste-test their wine. In return, they expect you to create unboxing, uncorking, and tasting content. But you don’t just get free wine, they are also offering to pay up to $149 per post.

Blood of Tyrants also has an affiliate program with a generous commission payout of 20% for each sale.

Sweet tasting arrangement, right? Hit them up today and start sharing this delicious find with your followers.

APPLY

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Calm Moment – Flavorful CBD Beverages

It has been a long and stressful day. You just need a cold, tasty, refreshing beverage to help you unwind.

Close your eyes. Imagine opening the refrigerator door and being greeted by shelves stacked with refreshing hemp-infused, all-natural sparkling drinks. Pearl Lime, Strawberry Rose, Pink Grapefruit, and Black Currant are colorful, flavorful cans of CBD drinks that are about to quench your thirst and relax every inch of your body.

Now open your eyes. The fridge is empty.

But you can bring your imagination to life. For only $5 per can, you can start stacking your refrigerator. Sure, compared to other sparkling waters, that may sound a bit pricey for a 12oz can of flavored sparkling water.

But are those other sparkling drinks infused with CBD and able to give you that Calm Moment?

Collabs

Calm Moment is quite specific about the age group that they are looking to partner with. So if you’re an Influencer between 21 to 50 years old and happy to promote CBD-related products, then these guys want to hear from you.

They are looking to strike up a Collab with a fun and creative Influencer and are happy to pay per post. You can expect to earn up to $100 per post. The criteria of each post and the terms of the partnership will have to be discussed with the Brand.

APPLY

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Floral Beverages – CBD Sparkling Water

Herewith a sparkling flavorful buzz is Floral Beverages.  Sip on sparkling flavored water infused with CBD and THC—and the best part is that its zero-calories with a zero-hangover effect.  Just a sparkling buzz in flavors you’ll love.  From Key Lime, Pineapple Mint, Blackberry Lemonade, and Nectarine—Floral Beverages is about to be your new fav.

Ready to sip and share with your followers?

Influencer Program

Calling all fitness, wellness, and nutrition influencers.  Floral Beverages would love to collaborate.

Influencer perks include:

• 15% commission on sales

APPLY

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Typica London – Designer Bottle Opener

Craft beer lovers, opening your beer will never be the same again thanks to The HALO Bottle Opener by Typica London.  Straight out of a studio in London and designed by Noam Bar Yohai, The HALO Bottle Opener is the ultimate sophisticated tool for that beer-opening plosive moment.

This stylish bottle opener comes in a timeless simplistic design that makes it an eye-pleasing accessory that fits perfectly around the bottleneck.

Available in Golden PVD, Black Oxide, and Polished Stainless Steel.

The HALO Bottle Opener will pop your social media—craft beer lovers will love it!

Influencer Program

Lifestyle and beverage influencers, Typica London would love to collaborate.

Influencer perks include:

• 15% commission on sales

APPLY

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Princess – Kitchen Appliances

Do you crave any chance to cook up a storm in the kitchen?  From weekend barbecues to cozy dinners with your favorite people in the world – your cooking experience is about to get an awesome upgrade with Princess.  Get yourself lost in their collection of kitchen appliances that will turn ordinary cooking into fun experiences.  From crepe makers, aerofryers, and table grills to barbecues, bread makers, and more.

Influencer Application

Your culinary passion with wonderful kitchen appliances from Princess would make a tasty collaboration opportunity – don’t you think?

If you love food and cooking and you have an online presence, then the Princess brand is looking to collab with influencers like you.

Influencers will participate in product reviews, and events and you’ll also be engaging with the product development team to help build new products that people love.

What’s an awesome collab without free products?  Yup, Princess influencers are also privileged with the opportunity to receive some of their amazing merchandise.

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Station 16 – Seafood Restaurant & Bar

Hmmm.  Fancy some mouth-watering seafood?  Voted the best seafood restaurant in Sacramento, Station 16 is where you need to take your seafood cravings to.  Salmon, calamari, or maybe you should try their special King Crab Linguine – for an appetizing brunch, lunch, or dinner.  From enjoyable Taco Tuesdays to easy-going Wine Down Wednesdays, Station 16 is a must-experience if you’re feeling fishy.

Influencer Application

If you have a passion for sharing your love for food with your audience, this brand is looking for influencers like you.

If you’re an influencer who never misses a chance to snap your meal for the ‘gram, then I’m pretty sure your followers will be drooling over your Station 16 content.

You’ll be required to share photos, videos, and also articles on your online platforms.  Influencers will be involved in exclusive brand campaigns as well as events and will also get early access to promotions.

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Spiceology – Chef-Operated Spice & Seasoning Company

Influencers, nothing beats having an easy product to promote.  If your cooking skills are influential, then Spiceology could be your next spicy collab.  Owned and operated by a chef, Spiceology has all the spices and seasonings that your flavor desires.  Spices, blends, chiles, herbs, salts, and BBQ rubs.

From Adobo Latin Blend, Cajun Blackening Blend, and Korean BBQ Blend to Italian Crushed Seasoning – your food and followers will never lack flavor again.

Influencer Application

Chefs, BBQ enthusiasts, food and lifestyle influencers – if you’re looking to collab with a great food brand, then Spiceology would love to hear from you.  Apply with your website, Facebook, and Instagram details. You’ll also be required to detail some of your follower metrics.

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Three Brothers Wineries & Estates

Three Brothers Wineries & Estates is where the love of wine and beautiful exploration meet.  Voted the number one thing to do in Geneva on Tripadvisor, Three Brothers Wineries & Estates boasts 3 unique wineries, a microbrewery, and a cafe – all on one estate.  Visitors can purchase a tasting passport and wander through the vineyards and also experience the charming stony wine cellars.

Influencer Application

If you’re a wine-loving influencer, then Three Brothers Wineries & Estates would love to collaborate with you.  Applicants will be required to provide their social media links as well as followership and engagement metrics.  When looking for influencers, they assess each applicant’s food & beverage content theme to make sure it fits in line with their brand. Then if it does, you’re well on your way to becoming one of their brand influencers.

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iHerb – Natural Food Supplies

Yes, there’s nothing that beats cooking your favorite meal.  Maybe it’s the classic pasta alfredo on a winter night. But what if you could improve the nutritional quality of almost every meal you made?  With natural food supplies from iHerb, you’ll be able to cook what you love while keeping it healthy.  From natural baking mixes, beans, lentils, almond butter, granola breakfasts, rice, and grains.  They also have a surprising range of appetizing sauces.

Cooking enthusiasts, iHerb will find a place in anything you make – with over 30,000 products to choose from.

Influencer Application

Influencers, this is an opportunity to earn a commission of 10% on sales by doing what you love while sharing your cooking passion with your followers.  iHerb is a big brand worth collaborating with – boasting over a massive $2 million paid in influencer rewards in the month of June 2019.

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True Elements – Natural Whole Grain Foods

No matter how much we try, most of us just can’t do without convenience foods.  But thanks to True Elements, we can have the best of healthy foods and still enjoy the convenience.  From breakfast cereals to roasted snacks like the antioxidant mix, protein mix, pumpkin and honey clusters, and more.  100% natural and 100% whole grains.

Influencer Application

Do you have a social presence?  If yes, then True Elements would love to collaborate with you.  In your application, you’ll be required to provide your social links, engagement metrics as well as links to your most recent collab.

True Elements offer influencers barter or paid rewards.

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DRNXMYTH – Fresh Bottled Cocktails

Every food and beverage influencer needs to look for a fun brand to work with.  With DRNXMYTH, you can make it as fun as your creativity takes you.  A mix of fresh bottled cocktails infused with ingredients from the world’s best bartenders is all you need to refresh your weekends with your favorite people – and of course, refresh your followers too.  Simply twist to infuse the fresh ingredients, shake it all up, and pour. From Bourbon Sour, Rum Punch, and Perfect Margarita to Gin Fresh and Gin Drop – there’s a fresh cocktail for everyone.

Influencer Application

What’s a fun beverage without a fun collaboration?  Think recipe development. Your very own custom packaging.  If you’re a bartender, mixologist, sommelier, professional, or influencer in the food and beverage industry, then you can’t miss out on this brand collaboration opportunity.

DRNXMYTH is looking for influencers in the spirits industry or with at least a relevant audience to support its brand.

The post 11 Top Food & Beverage Brands Looking for Influencers appeared first on AFLUENCER.

]]> https://afluencer.com/entice-influencers-into-your-affiliate-program/ Tue, 05 Jan 2021 16:09:00 +0000 https://afluencer.com/?p=10164 Influencers are the best #amIright! We all know the power influencers can bring to the table. They help generate more engaged leads, which make great customers with long lifetime value. But does your affiliate program hold the same power for your product? People put trust in influencers they know and resonate with, which is why influencer […]

The post 8 Tips to Entice Influencers into Your Affiliate Program appeared first on AFLUENCER.

]]> Influencers are the best #amIright!

We all know the power influencers can bring to the table. They help generate more engaged leads, which make great customers with long lifetime value. But does your affiliate program hold the same power for your product?

People put trust in influencers they know and resonate with, which is why influencer marketing has become increasingly popular over the last decade.  But here is a little-known secret: affiliate marketing is the old-school version of influencer marketing and it once ruled the internet.

The times of influencer marketing have evolved from pay per performance. No longer will influencers just join your affiliate program and hope they earn money from sales. It seems like a majority of influencers today are looking for upfront sponsorship payments, making it hard for brands to find an influencer within their budget.

But have no fear! I’ve been an affiliate manager for 10+ years and have compiled a list of my best tactics to convince influencers to work with brands on a performance basis. Let’s jump in.

1. Getting their attention

Usually, the first method of connection is email. The email subject line must POP to get their attention so they at least open it. I find adding the influencer’s name to the subject will increase open rates.

The first line must get to the point: “I want to help you make money” or some kind of variation.

If they don’t respond to you, send two follow-up emails. Still no response? Try DM on one of their social media accounts. Do whatever it takes to get influencers in your affiliate program or give you a hard no.

2. Keep it short and simple

Everyone is busy. Long emails will not get read, so condense your thoughts into less than 125 words. According to HubSpot, the ideal word count should be 50-125 (try using a word counter to get an exact count) which produced 50 % response rates.  You want your email to be a conversation between you and the recipient, so avoid long-winded paragraphs describing every aspect of your topic.  When in doubt refer to the thought of “less is more”.

Explain the benefit of your product or service, but also describe the advantages influencers will reap from your affiliate program. Get in, get to the point, get out.

3. Always close your emails with a question

Your #1 goal is to get a reply. The best way to do that is to ask them questions. But not just any old question…make it one big question.

Start out by presenting your best pitch; you know the benefit of your product or service, so make it compelling. Then when you are closing, ask one big question they will be compelled to answer.

Example: Is this a product you would be interested in partnering with?

4. Ask them what they are looking for

You must resonate with the influencer’s values. So before you blindly reach out, visit their social media page and gather some information you can use to help ensure this is a project they would be willing to participate in.

It isn’t about what you want; it is about what will work for them. The influencer is in the driver’s seat, so find out what their ideal situation is and negotiate from there.

Good influencers have standards; it’s not all about the monetary value. Make sure your product is something these influencers want to stand behind and your affiliate program must be trustworthy for tracking purposes.

5. Offering free products

Bend over backward to provide them with the best customer experience to make them believe in the product. Free products are an industry standard.

Before you give away a product to an influencer though, set your own standards. For example, set the bar at 10,000+ followers on one platform before considering giving them a free sample, gift, subscription, etc.

6. Sponsorship money

If your initial email asks what they are looking for in a partnership, you will most likely get a response, they are looking for compensation for their time upfront. You can absolutely entertain that option to get your foot in the door, but also redirect the conversation to working on a commission basis.

Set aside a budget you are comfortable with to get your foot in the door with micro-influencers. Small sponsorships with good tracking metrics will be a good test to see if influencer marketing is a good fit for your brand. Always focus on the ROI as this is the main reason for partnering with your influencer.

7. Hybrid affiliate program deals

Hybrid deals combine upfront sponsorship money with commissions. This is my favorite negotiating tactic. I have found influencer marketing works best when the partner is motivated to bring you sales.

Instead of just a one-time sponsorship payment, offer a lower upfront payment AND an enticing amount of money for every sale they produce. For example, when you ask the influencer what their rate is, they may reply “I require a free subscription and $500 upfront.” Here is how I would reply:

“Thanks for your reply. I was unable to get $500 approved, but I’ve put something together that works for both of us. I can offer $200 upfront and $50 for every sale they refer. If you produce just 7 sales, you will make even more money with no cap on your earning potential. What do you think?”

They have to have skin in the game to be motivated to promote your product the right way. But the upfront sponsorship will get your foot in the door.

8. Dangle the carrot of more content

Set the expectations of success early on. Let the influencer know that even though you aren’t able to pay them the upfront fee they were looking for if this campaign is a success, you can absolutely do bigger deals in the future. If things go really well, you can offer an exclusive discount code and co-branded landing pages. Keep that door open for a new campaign next month.

The future of influencer marketing is bright. Integrating it with your affiliate program will take both to the next level.