Special Report: Affiliate Marketing

For those affiliates who aren’t producing as well, offer special promotions. A contest that gives the affiliate a prize, whether that’s a higher commission rate or a product from your catalog, is surprisingly effective at driving more sales, Cholawsky says.

Stay Flexible

The commission paid to an affiliate ultimately depends on your margins, or what you can afford to pay the affiliate and still make a profit on that sale. While it’s important to establish a default commission when you first set up a program, Henger says it’s crucial to remain flexible regarding that commission.