What to expect when reaching out to potential affiliates?

[draeded]

I own a website that sells branded CPG products in the food niche (retail, restaurants too outside of eCommerce).

Never really explored affiliate, but have been reaching out to blogs, etc. on a smaller scale. Feel like we have a compelling offer - 15% commissions, high conversion rates on website (4.75%-6.5% per product) as well as decent AOVs in the food/grocery niche ($76). Have both Google Analytics and ShareASale.

Should I treat this like sales? Multiple follow ups, low conversions on emails, etc.? Basically play a numbers game until we start gaining traction?

 

[nohupt]

it's definitely harder to find affiliates when you aren't a known brand or ad network. i usually only reach out to people who have years of experience, but getting their attention is worth buying some ad space for it first. then you can weed through the signups to find the guys who are already experienced and give them a call (and yess you should definitely insist on getting their phone number in the signup form to weed out the noobs and shady folks).

 

[draeded]

it's definitely harder to find affiliates when you aren't a known brand or ad network. i usually only reach out to people who have years of experience, but getting their attention is worth buying some ad space for it first. then you can weed through the signups to find the guys who are already experienced and give them a call (and yess you should definitely insist on getting their phone number in the signup form to weed out the noobs and shady folks).

Thanks for the advice! Are you saying you recommend buying ads to drive users to a landing page where they can sign up for our affiliate program? Like Facebook/Instagram ads or Google ads?

 

[Deleted member 15724]

Should I treat this like sales? Multiple follow ups, low conversions on emails, etc.? Basically play a numbers game until we start gaining traction?

That's with anything sales/acquisition really. I would go for youtubers and micro-influencers in your niche. Most will want upfront cash, but some will be more than happy to get an affiliate cut, just to say they've been "sponsored". They usually have ~10k followers and subs.

I'd automate this as much as possible. You'll get tons of interested people if you target it right, but only a small percent will actually push it. An even smaller number will net you sales.

 

[draeded]

That's with anything sales/acquisition really. I would go for youtubers and micro-influencers in your niche. Most will want upfront cash, but some will be more than happy to get an affiliate cut, just to say they've been "sponsored". They usually have ~10k followers and subs.

I'd automate this as much as possible. You'll get tons of interested people if you target it right, but only a small percent will actually push it. An even smaller number will net you sales.

Thanks for this. You mention automating this: are you referring to creating an email sequence to contacting these smaller youtubers? Automating how to find them?

 

[nohupt]

Thanks for the advice! Are you saying you recommend buying ads to drive users to a landing page where they can sign up for our affiliate program? Like Facebook/Instagram ads or Google ads?

yes. just treat it like any other ppc campaign, accept the conversion is building your afffiliate list. anyone who signs up is a lead. evaluate the data they give in the sign up form and then have a phone call interview with them.

 

[Deleted member 15724]

Thanks for this. You mention automating this: are you referring to creating an email sequence to contacting these smaller youtubers? Automating how to find them?

If possible, both. Start off doing it manually, just to get an understanding of what you'll need to automate.

From there you'll know what scraper to use, and criteria you need to scrape. And the email sequence to mail out.