Category: Network News

Updates from Affiliate Networks

ShareASale Merchant Program Academy & Resource Center

We are thrilled that you have joined the ShareASale affiliate marketing network. Below, we will provide you with all the necessary resources to be fully prepared to drive your affiliate efforts to success. We will cover lots of important information, including the foundations to your new program, how to recruit new affiliate partners, which reports are most helpful, and even an overview of the ongoing tasks for your program.

Be sure to click through to each training subject for more information.

Let’s get started!

Familiarize yourself with your new account

Before diving into our Program Academy courses, start with this beginner level, 101 overview of your new merchant account. This introductory video provides a snapshot view of the most vital pieces to a successful program. The following course videos will cover each of these topics and more in further detail and from a more strategic approach.

Merchant Homepage Introduction
Get familiar with your merchant account interface as we highlight the critical places to regularly visit. Find the knowledge necessary for a successful program.

 

Receive weekly email reminders for each course.

 

Set the ground work for your program

Let’s start with the building blocks for a successful affiliate program. We will touch on topics like setting a competitive commission and tracking gap, program agreement, fielding affiliate applications and organizing your affiliate partners.

Course 1: Foundation
Starting with the program framework, we will cover the needed information for your account on a strategic level.

Establish strong partnerships

Writing a communication plan is necessary next step to sharing brand information so that you affiliate partners can effectively promote your products. This next video is going to go over search keywords, program bio, emails and newsletters.

Course 2: Communications
Our communication tools will make your job easier with our automation options, communication tools and best methods to share brand updates.

Promote your brand’s program effectively

Give an irresistible first impression by making sure that your brand’s messaging is clear and your program is set up to provide affiliates with the best possible resources. We will talk about creatives, coupons, product datafeeds, Storefronts, and more! 

Course 3: Program Marketing
Learn how to use your account to easily provide affiliate partners with flexible promotional options to fit their audience.

Customize your tracking

Let’s go a step further and discuss ShareASale’s technology options available. Our customization tracking and tools will help you find a solution to any affiliate marketing scenario. We will help you commission affiliate partners as you see fit.

Course 4: Technical
Maximize your affiliate program by using our customizable tracking methods to receive data-driven insights.

Track your program’s performance

Reviewing your account’s activity can give you the insights into what is working and what needs improvement – let’s talk about reporting. In this video, we will also talk about creating a growing and vital program by finding quality partnerships through our recruitment tool!

Course 5: Maintenance
Get a sense of which reports are most commonly used and which ones you should pay most attention to. Also, learn more about our recruitment tool.

Monitor your account routinely

Affiliate marketing is not a set it and forget it marketing strategy. It requires a watchful eye and daily upkeep. We are going to talk about what exactly is needed on a daily, weekly and monthly basis to grow your program.

Course 6: Ongoing Tasks
Routinely checking on your affiliate account is a crucial part for any affiliate manager, so learn what you need to watch for.

Other helpful affiliate resources

 
COVID-19 Coronavirus guidance for merchants – 10 program optimization tips
We have put together a list of 10 tips to mitigate any disruptions you might be experiencing during the current market conditions.
 
 

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Advertiser spotlight: Deluxe

Deluxe strives to provide innovative, trusted, technology-enabled solutions that champion businesses so communities thrive.

For over 100 years Deluxe has evolved to serve over 4 million small businesses while they grow their brand, deepen customer relationships, and streamline day-to-day operations.

Fill in the blank – Affiliate marketing means to me:

From our perspective, affiliate marketing is a way to extend our company’s marketing efforts. We partner with others who introduce us or share our company message and promotional offers within their sphere of influence to drive sales in exchange for agreed upon commissions.

What’s your “elevator pitch” for potential partners or those who are unfamiliar with your company?

While historically known for being a check printer, our goal at Deluxe is helping enterprises, small businesses and financial institutions deepen customer relationships through trusted, technology-enabled solutions.

What sets your company and affiliate channel practices apart from others in your niche?

We have several affiliate programs available to promote through ShareASale. Our programs offer generous commissions, and our in-house affiliate management team is responsive and eager to work with our affiliate partners to maximize their success.

What are the benefits to working with you in the affiliate channel?

The benefit of working with Deluxe is promoting an established brand with multiple vertical opportunities. B2B affiliate marketing also has the added benefit of less competition and generally higher AOVs. 

What makes a great partner in your eyes, and what kind of partners are you looking to work with?

We are looking to work with partners who have an engaged audience of any size. We are open to most promotional models, from blogs to email to social media and more. Our ideal partners are responsive, ethical and willing to actively promote our brands.

In addition to what you consider to be a great partner, how do you measure success of said great partnership?  

A great partnership is when both parties see positive results and feel empowered to share opportunities to improve when they see them.  

Do you have any advice for those who are new to affiliate marketing?

The affiliate industry continues to grow year over year, so it’s not too late! Gather information and best practices from reputable sources, such as Awin and ShareASale, and just get started. You can work on perfecting your strategy as you go. Be genuine with your audience and ethical in your business practices and you will grow. This is not a get rich quick scheme, but it can most definitely be very lucrative.

What is your favorite part about working with ShareASale? Do you have a favorite tool or feature? 

We’ve worked with ShareASale for over 15 years and the one thing that stands out about that time is the great team of people who comprise the organization. Whenever we have a question, idea or need, the ShareASale team goes out of their way to help us find the answer or devise a solution.

When did you start working with ShareASale and what was the first brand you launched with?

On December 12th we will celebrate 16 years of partnership!  Our first brand to open on the ShareASale platform was Checks Unlimited.

Interested in partnering with Deluxe? Contact their affiliate team or apply to their program here.

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