Are you a freelancer, digital agency, marketing agency, SEO expert, or consulting firm looking to generate more leads? If so, then you may have considered the idea of launching an affiliate program for your agency!
But, maybe you are still on the fence? Or, maybe you are not 100% sure and you think that an affiliate program is not that practical for marketing agencies? Are you second-guessing the viability of an affiliate program for your agency?
If you can relate, then you should read this blog post! We are about to discuss 5 compelling and alluring reasons why your marketing agency should consider launching an affiliate program! Let us begin.
5 Reasons Why Your Marketing Agency Should Create An Affiliate Program Or A Referral Program!
- # 1 – Marketing Agency Affiliate Programs Are Rare! An Affiliate Program Could Possibly Help Your Agency Stand Out, Big Time.
- # 2 – Launching An Affiliate Program For Your Marketing Agency Is Probably Much Easier Than You Think.
- # 3 – Some Of Your Existing Clients Might Love To Promote Your Marketing Agency Affiliate Program Without Much Arm-Twisting Or Convincing.
- # 4 – Affiliate Marketing Can Be A Genius And Potentially Hands-Free Lead Generation Method For Your Marketing Agency.
- # 5 – Launching An Affiliate Program Can Theoretically Put Your Marketing Agency In Contact With Leads That Are Difficult – Or Impossible To Find Otherwise.
Here Is Why Creating An Affiliate Program For Your Marketing Agency Might Be A Stroke Of Genius!
As someone who has hustled hard as a ghostwriter or a freelance writer – I know better than most how laboriously you work as a marketing agency, freelancer, side hustler, or digital worker!
I also realize how challenging it is to get new clients. Especially if the economy is lagging. I think these days, small business owners (and even large business owners) are feeling an economic contraction!
For those reasons, I honestly contend that launching an affiliate program can be one of the coolest ways for you to help spread the word about your amazing digital services!
Whether you offer SEO, blog ghostwriting, freelance writing, graphic design, sales funnel building, freelance copywriting – or any service – launching a referral program or an affiliate program might be one of the smartest (and coolest) promotional methods you ever deploy.
That is also why I am excited to brainstorm 5 more reasons that you might benefit from launching an affiliate program for your agency. Let us proceed with vigor!
PS: Please note that this article talks strictly about why your marketing agency might wish to create an affiliate program! If you are looking for existing affiliate programs to promote, then check out this epic guide I wrote about affiliate programs for marketing agencies.
# 1 – Marketing Agency Affiliate Programs Are Rare! An Affiliate Program Could Possibly Help Your Agency Stand Out, Big Time.
One of the most prominent reasons that I think marketing agencies could potentially benefit by launching an affiliate program – is because (in my opinion) generous marketing agency affiliate programs are ludicrously rare.
When it comes to affiliate programs, everyone thinks of the massive brands like Walmart, Target, ClickBank, and Amazon. However, I rarely think about marketing agency affiliate programs!
For that reason, I think by launching an affiliate program, you can potentially help your agency to stand out and also offer a unique perk to affiliates who do not have many other affiliate marketing options in your agency’s area of expertise. Food for thought!
Here is another tip. You can also hustle hard to promote your affiliate program to other agencies who may not offer the services that you specialize in and offer. For example, if you are an excellent freelance writer, then you could offer your services to other marketing agencies who DO NOT offer freelance writing or ghostwriting. Let them know about your affiliate program – so that they can refer their clients to you when they require an excellent writer. More food for thought!
# 2 – Launching An Affiliate Program For Your Marketing Agency Is Probably Much Easier Than You Think.
You might be thinking, “But dude, Mike, this sounds great – but I do not have years of my life and tens of thousands of dollars to hire an army of programmers to build an affiliate program for my agency!”
And if that is your initial thought process – then I can relate. However, I am delighted to report that launching an affiliate program for your marketing agency is (probably) much easier than you think.
In the past, I have used services like ClickBank, Udemy, and JVZoo to attract affiliates. However, these days you have endless options to consider! One of my top recommendations, of course, is ClickFunnels.
You can use services like ClickFunnels or Kartra to not only build beautiful marketing pages, but you can also sell your services and refer others to help promote your services as well.
As someone who has been experimenting with different marketing software tools for a while – I am happy to report that these days, you do not need to be a Ph.D. of computer science or marketing to get your affiliate program up and operational without stress.
I recommend ClickFunnels because they are straightforward to use; you can easily track, manage, and support your affiliates without any undue stress or technical hurdles. The best part is that ClickFunnels and Kartra both offer nifty marketing features to help promote, list and sell your marketing services online.
# 3 – Some Of Your Existing Clients Might Love To Promote Your Marketing Agency Affiliate Program Without Much Arm-Twisting Or Convincing.
I have a confession to make. First, I am one of the laziest bloggers around! That is why I encourage all marketing agencies to consider letting their top clients know about their affiliate programs.
Why do I say that? Because asking your existing clients to help spread the word is arguably one of the lowest hanging fruits to help attract new affiliates! – Doubly so if you have many successful clients and if they genuinely appreciate your services.
If your marketing agency clients love your services, and if they have a wide network of influence to speak of, then why not check to see if they might love your affiliate program just as much as your services?
Of course, I do not want to imply that getting affiliates to promote your affiliate program is easy or automatic. Make no mistake. Attracting affiliates is difficult, and requires an abundance of footwork, effort, grit, and hustle! That said, it might be an excellent idea to ask your existing clients if they would be interested in helping spread the word for a cut of commissions for any new clients they refer to your agency.
Imagine this scenario. Imagine if one of your heavy-hitting marketing agency clients asks you if you have a referral program. Pretend that your client has a massive email list – and that they adore your services. They want to help spread the love, and also send you some free traffic. This sounds like a dream scenario in my book!
# 4 – Affiliate Marketing Can Be A Genius And Potentially Hands-Free Lead Generation Method For Your Marketing Agency.
Lead generation is also difficult, challenging, and requires nonstop attention to detail, effort, testing, experimentation, and grinding!
However, if you have read much of my blog content over the years, then you probably realize that I am always ranting and raving about the importance of lead generation – especially if you are in a competitive niche!
In other words, lead generation is tough! Much tougher than many email marketing experts and lead generation gurus announce! Doubly so if your marketing budget is not the most consequential in the world.
For that reason, I challenge you to think outside the box regarding how your marketing agency can generate leads. I propose that combining an efficient lead generation funnel with affiliate marketing might be a sound strategy for your marketing agency.
Here is what I mean. Have you ever thought about launching a lead generation funnel to help promote your marketing agency?
For example – maybe your marketing agency could launch an automated webinar funnel, a lead magnet funnel, a free book funnel, a membership funnel, or even a survey funnel. There are tons of lead generation funnels to consider, and you are only limited by your imagination.
You could then integrate that funnel into your affiliate program so that your affiliates can use these funnels to promote your marketing agency.
This is a strategy that I see a handful of the top ClickBank product vendors using at the moment. Want a fun exercise? Look to see how many lead magnet funnels you see in the ClickBank marketplace among the top-gravity products. You might be surprised!
PS: An email course is one of my favorite lead generation funnels! If you want to brainstorm more on this topic, then I invite you to read an epic guide I wrote about how to launch an email course from scratch. Please enjoy the read!
# 5 – Launching An Affiliate Program Can Theoretically Put Your Marketing Agency In Contact With Leads That Are Difficult – Or Impossible To Find Otherwise.
Affiliate marketing is one of my favorite forms of influencer marketing. What do I mean by that? Well, if you (or anyone) refers a product to a student who cherishes your content, then there is at least a halfway decent chance that they will acknowledge your recommendation – right?
That is the virtue of influencer marketing. I could argue, that sometimes, influencer marketing beats everything.
You might be surprised to learn that some of your clients may have extraordinary reach – and influence. Sometimes, your dream client is hidden away in the ether – seemingly tucked away in their little corner of cyberspace and beyond the reach of Facebook ads or Google ads.
Sound farfetched? Consider that many people use ad-blockers, so they are impervious to your pay per click (or display) advertising! Also, consider that many humans avoid using Facebook (and other social media platforms) like the plague – lol.
The point is that some of your dream clients may simply hide beyond your advertising reach. That is another compelling reason that your marketing agency might benefit by using an affiliate program.
That is because your potential affiliates may have unique contacts that are difficult to find otherwise. It does not matter if they use email marketing, blogging, Podcasting, or content marketing to help spread the word! In other words – resulting (prospective) clients may never have found your marketing agency if not for your affiliate’s distinctive reach.
In summary, an affiliate program theoretically allows you to reach prospects that you may never have a chance to do so otherwise – so never underestimate the influence of your existing clients!
Also, always be sure to thank your affiliates a thousand times over for their invaluable service! I cannot stress this enough – treat your affiliates like gold, and show them the red carpet treatment!
Affiliate Program For Marketing Agencies FAQs And Freelancing Affiliate Program FAQs
As a nerdy marketing blogger, I am constantly brainstorming about marketing agencies, digital agencies, affiliate marketing, lead generation, et cetera. For that reason, I am honored to share some of my honest two cents regarding common FAQs that you might encounter.
# 1 – How Can I Entice My Marketing Agency Clients To Promote My Marketing Agency’s Affiliate Program?
One of the easiest and most natural methods to spread the word about your affiliate program is to let your existing marketing agency clients know that it exists! Tell any of your colleagues, friends, or peers that you think may appreciate your efforts.
Advertise your affiliate program on your website, in your email followups, in your welcome pages, and your email campaigns.
I realize that you do not want to seem pushy, spammy, or annoying to your beloved clients. For that reason, you can be as nonchalant as you like.
For example, if you know that your clients love your stuff, then you could send them a quick email to let them know about your affiliate program. Or, if you want to go way above and beyond – imagine sending a customized social media message or customized invitation to each of your agency clients – individually.
Another big tip is to have plenty of supporting content for your affiliate program. Offer email swipes, banner ads, sales copy, review ideas, audio inserts, webinars, and other content that your affiliates can use to help spread the word. The more marketing and promotional material you offer – the more comfortable it becomes for you to entice and support your affiliates.
# 2 – Should I Host An Evergreen Affiliate Program For My Marketing Agency Or Host Special Product Launches And Events?
After brainstorming about this question for a while – in my opinion, the short answer is that a marketing agency will probably gravitate more toward an evergreen affiliate program as opposed to product launches.
However, do not let my opinion sway you! I am a contrarian by nature, so always try to think of alternating viewpoints that are way outside of the box, lol.
For example, hypothetically, your marketing agency could create occasional deals and product launches to help generate buzz. That way, you could always have something to advertise on social media, within the popular Facebook groups, and also on the big product launch marketplaces.
On the other hand, an evergreen affiliate program, in my opinion, seems to be a natural fit for a conventional marketing agency. Especially if you do not want to create regular product launches. That is just my humble two cents!
By the way – if you want to brainstorm more about incredible lead generation ideas, then I invite you to read this epic blog post I wrote about genius lead magnet ideas for affiliate marketers. I hope you enjoy the content!
# 3 – Should I Give Bonuses To My Top Digital Agency And Marketing Agency Affiliates?
Oh heck yes! I already mentioned in this article that you should treat your top marketing agency affiliates (and all of your affiliates) like gold.
Never take your affiliates for granted! They are bending over backward to share your wondrous content and marketing agency services with the world! Neglecting them, or failing to share your appreciation would be an epic blunder.
Instead, shower your affiliates with appreciation, and even bonus surprises! Consider sending them personal thank you notes, gift cards, free access to your products (or discounts), and at the very least, let them know that you care!
If your affiliate is smashing your sales records, then, of course, I think you might owe them a little more than a thank you note! Consider sending your affiliates gourmet snacks, chocolates, video game consoles, gift bags, grab bags or anything else that would “wow” them while also letting them know that you appreciate their efforts.
If your marketing budget is not the greatest in the world – then do not panic! I think that a kind gesture and a show of appreciation goes a far way, and beats doing nothing.
# 4 – How Can I Hire A Decent Email Copywriter To Write Adequate Joint Venture Email Marketing Swipes Without Breaking The Bank?
If you want to offer amazing sales copy samples and email marketing swipes that your affiliates can use, then count your lucky stars if you are also an excellent copywriter! If you have a diligent email copywriter on your team – all the better.
However, what happens if you do not have much (if any) experience writing effective sales copy, creating email campaigns, or doing any marketing tasks? What if you are a tiny one-person marketing agency or a creative team without much help?
If that is the case, then you might want to consider hiring an experienced writer who can render their services. Perhaps consider checking out freelance marketplaces like Fiverr to find a decent copywriter who can help you without breaking the bank.
One final tip – Fiverr is ludicrously affordable, so do not panic if you are operating on a paltry budget. Look closely at the reviews of any potential freelancer, and do not hire anybody unless they have a detailed track record of success!
PS: If you want to learn about the art and science of email marketing, then I have plenty of free guides to help! Read this epic guide on the topic of email marketing tips for coaches and consultants as a start. I think you will enjoy the content!
# 5 – How Much Should I Pay My Digital Agency Affiliates? Should I Pay Recurring Or One Time Bounties?
In my opinion – one of the best ways to entice your affiliates to promote your digital marketing agency is to offer remarkable services and a generous commission!
That said, your commission structure is entirely up to you, and a personal choice.
I also think that offering a recurring commission is one of the greatest gestures and incentives that you can offer to your affiliates. Imagine if you offered your affiliates a solidly generous 10% commission for all of the referrals that they bring to your marketing agency – for life.
That 10% recurring commission might give your marketing agency affiliates adequate motivation to push hard when promoting your agency. So, yes, I challenge you to be generous to your digital marketing agency affiliates!
Conclusion
As a small business owner, a digital agency owner, or a marketing agency owner – you realize the real difficulty of launching a business.
I know that launching or starting a business is a daunting task these days. The economy is not as good as the gurus say, and it sometimes seems like small business owners and bloggers like us are struggling to thrive!
That is why I love affiliate marketing – in all forms. That is also why I wrote this content – with passion – for you. I tried my best to help brainstorm some compelling reasons to start an affiliate program for your digital agency, and I hope that you had fun reading.
As always, I thank you warmly for reading, and I hope that you enjoy a phenomenal day.
Cordially and humbly yours…
Mike “The Agency Affiliate” DeVincent
MrComputerScience.com