PROMOTE YOUR AFFILIATE PROGRAM

An affiliate program is only useful when it has affiliates. After all, affiliates are the driving force behind any affiliate program. But how do you attract these important affiliates? You let them know you exist.

DRAWING ATTENTION TO YOUR AFFILIATE PROGRAM

There are quite a few ways to get the word out about your affiliate program. Some techniques may work better than others. There's no one right or wrong way to promote an affiliate program, so you can try as many techniques as you like. Once you find what works best for you, stick with it.

Your affiliate program will be one among many. It's your duty to try and set your affiliate program apart from all the others. Here are some suggestions:

1. Network your affiliate program online. A great way to promote your program is to join online websites and forums that focus on affiliate marketing. By being an active contributor and helpful member, you can possibly attract new affiliates. If it's permissible, you can even include a link to your website in your signature line that appears each time you post a message.
2. Network your affiliate program offline. While you're out networking in the real world, you can also let people know about your program. Casually mention it during business conversations. You never know who may be interested.
3. Announce your affiliate program to the press. There are online press release sites to which you can submit press releases about practically any business matter. You never know who may carry your release in their publication or on their website. Find some interesting aspect of your affiliate program and talk about it in your press release.
   
   Press for your program isn't limited to press releases. You can write articles for newsletters and websites that mention your affiliate program. Be sure to include your bio information at the end of the article, and mention your affiliate program.
4. Make sure your affiliate program benefits your affiliates. You will be competing with hundreds of other programs. If yours is exactly like hundreds of others, you'll have a difficult time making it work. But how can you make your program standout? Offer great benefits to your affiliates.
   
   If you were joining an affiliate program, what would convince you to join? What can you offer that isn't offered by every other program out there? To answer these questions, you will have to research your competition. See if you can determine, based on other programs, what works and what doesn't.
5. Leave the work to an affiliate program service. There are services that specialize in creating affiliate programs such as affiliate networks like CX Digital Media. If you use one of these services, they will do all or most of the guesswork for you. This may be the best option, based on how much money you want to spend and how much control you want over the project.

An affiliate program may be just what you need to increase your sales.