Q: I sometimes lose touch with my affiliates, because I don’t know how to keep them motivated and how to keep our name on top. Any suggestions on how to motivate our affiliates and what we should communicate to them?
A: As far as what you should communicate to your affiliates, I think a good rule of thumb is if you have nothing to say, don’t say anything.
Communicate vital, mission critical information about your affiliate program. Spread the word if you have some new offer starting or ending, or anything else that is newsworthy and relevant to your affiliates.
New promotions, the launch of products or services, etc.
But don’t send out a communication to affiliates on a regular basis just for the sake of it. That’s annoying to affiliates.
As far as keeping them motivated, one quick and easy thing is to send out a message to ask your affiliates what they want.
And if at all possible and reasonable, give it to them.
There might be some small elements of your affiliate program, such as available creatives or commission rate, which you could tweak to improve the number of active affiliates right away.
Additionally, when you are recruiting affiliates, don’t offer them the public commission.
You’ve identified that affiliate as a qualified prospect, so treat them accordingly and take care of them more than you would any old site.