As an affiliate manager, your primary goal is to grow and optimize your affiliate program to drive traffic and sales for your business. But with so many different affiliates and strategies to choose from, it can be challenging to know where to start. In this post, we will explore seven proven strategies that affiliate managers can use to grow their affiliate programs in 2023. From leveraging major affiliate networks to optimizing your program terms and utilizing software tools and OPM agencies, these strategies can help you find and recruit the right affiliates, foster strong relationships, and drive more traffic and sales for your business.

As an affiliate manager, it is important to continually look for ways to grow and optimize your affiliate program. Here are seven strategies you can use to help grow your affiliate program in 2023:

1. Utilize major affiliate networks: Joining a major affiliate network is an effective way to find and recruit affiliates. These networks bring together affiliates and merchants in a single platform, making it easy for businesses to find affiliates who are interested in promoting their products or services. Some of the most popular affiliate networks include CJ Affiliate, Impact.com, Awin.com, and ShareASale.
2. Use software tools to find super affiliates: Software tools like PublisherFinders.com can be a valuable resource for finding and recruiting super affiliates, who are affiliates with a proven track record of driving significant sales and revenue. By using these tools, you can search for affiliates based on their niche, traffic, and other criteria, making it easier to find the right affiliates for your business.
3. Analyze the backlinks of your competitors: By identifying websites that are linking to your competitors, you can potentially find affiliates that are interested in promoting products or services in your niche. Once you have identified these affiliates, you can reach out to them and offer them the opportunity to join your affiliate program.
4. Offer incentives and rewards: One way to encourage affiliates to promote your products or services is to offer incentives and rewards. This could include higher commission rates, bonuses for meeting certain performance targets, or exclusive access to new products or services. By offering incentives, you can motivate affiliates to put in more effort and drive more sales for your business.
5. Foster strong relationships with affiliates: Building strong, positive relationships with affiliates is key to growing your affiliate program. Make sure to communicate regularly with affiliates, provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed, and listen to their feedback and suggestions. By treating affiliates as partners and not just vendors, you can foster a sense of loyalty and commitment to your program.
6. Optimize your affiliate program terms: Reviewing and optimizing your affiliate program terms can help you attract and retain top affiliates. Consider offering higher commission rates, longer cookie durations, and other benefits that will appeal to affiliates. You should also make sure your terms are clearly stated and easy to understand, so affiliates know exactly what they can expect when promoting your products or services.
7. Utilize an OPM agency: If you don’t have the resources or expertise to manage your affiliate program in-house, you may want to consider working with an OPM (outsourced program management) agency like Experience Advertising. These agencies have relationships with the biggest publishers and affiliates in the industry, which can help you grow your affiliate program faster. They can also provide a range of services to help you manage and optimize your program, including tracking and reporting, payment processing, and more.

By using these strategies, affiliate managers can effectively grow and optimize your affiliate programs in 2023 and beyond.