Reaching out to potential affiliates for your program can be a challenging task. You need to create an impactful first impression while showcasing the value of your affiliate program, all in a few lines of text.
We have spoken with hundreds of affiliates over the years. All of them have provided feedback stating how they prefer to be contacted and what should be contained on the first outreach an affiliate manager sends to them in order to consider working with their brand.
We hope you find this guide helpful in creating your own perfect elevated pitch to use for your affiliate recruitment activity. Follow these simple steps to design your own professional affiliate outreach email for your affiliate program.
1. Choose Your Language Carefully
Some of you may be working across a global program dealing with partners who don’t speak the same language as you do. They say English is the universal language to communicate in for business. If English isn’t your first language, don’t worry – you can still make a great first impression with new affiliate partners.
Often affiliates may dismiss poorly written emails with poor grammar simply as spam. Here are some tips to guide you through crafting your professional affiliate or partner outreach:
- Proofread and Edit: Double-check your email for spelling and grammatical errors. You can use tools like Grammarly or ask a native English speaker for help.
- Use Simple Language: Avoid complex sentences and idiomatic expressions. Stick to clear and straightforward language to minimize misunderstandings.
- Templates: Consider using email templates for your first contact outreach – perhaps use those that your marketing team has designed for basic affiliate outreach. Customize them to fit your program’s unique selling points before you send and then draft your own correspondence later, to personalize your approach
2. Appear and Be Professional
Representing your business and yourself with a professional image is crucial for building affiliate trust and credibility as part of your first touch experience setting.
Here’s how you can ensure your outreach is always set up to look professional:
- Use a Business Email Address: Rather than a personal non-descript one, e.g. (yourname@yourcompany.com) rather than a generic email (e.g. @Gmail).
- Signature: Include a professional email signature with your full name, title, company, and contact information.
- LinkedIn Profile: Link to your LinkedIn profile in the email signature, giving affiliates the opportunity to learn more about you before they respond.
3. Engage and Build Rapport
Engaging potential affiliates and building rapport is essential for long-term partnerships:
- Personalization: Address the recipient by their name and mention something specific about their website or interests to show that you’ve done your research about them and that you know where and how you’d like to work with them and be positioned, too.
- Compliment and Praise: Compliment the affiliate’s work or achievements, demonstrating that you value their potential contribution.
- Ask Questions: Show genuine interest by asking questions about their business and personal goals and how your affiliate program can align with them.
4. Crafting the Perfect Outreach Email
Now, let’s break down the elements of a well-crafted outreach email and what you need to include in one:
An Engaging Subject Line
The subject line is the first thing your recipient sees, so make it compelling. It should be concise and relevant, sparking curiosity or interest.
Examples:
- “Unlock New Revenue Streams by Joining Our Affiliate program!”
- “A Profitable Partnership Awaits You”
Salutation
Start your email with a polite and personalized salutation or greeting, addressing the recipient by name if possible. If you don’t have a direct contact name, be open about that and ask about who they can refer you to to discuss your proposition further.
Introduction
Briefly introduce yourself and your company. Mention any common connections or affiliations if applicable. Keep it concise and to the point.
Value Proposition
Highlight the unique benefits and value your affiliate program offers and why the affiliate should take note of these points and how it impacts their business or potential opportunity to earn more revenue.
- Commission Structure: Explain your commission rates and payment schedule.
- Quality Products/Services: Emphasize the quality and relevance of the products or services they’ll promote.
- Marketing Support: Mention any marketing materials, tools, or guidance you provide to help affiliates succeed. Be clear on what these are that sets you apart from your competition. Remember everyone can give promotions, materials and support – so be specific about what you do that’s different.
Add a Personal Touch
Connect with the recipient on a personal level. Express why you believe they are an ideal fit for your program based on their niche, audience, or expertise.
Call to Action (CTA)
Clearly state what you want the recipient to do next. Whether it’s scheduling a call, requesting more information, or signing up, make it really easy for them to take action.
Add a Proper Email Signature
End the email professionally, including your full name, title, and contact details. You can also reiterate your enthusiasm for a potential partnership.
5. Don’t Forget to Follow-Up
Don’t forget to follow up if you don’t receive a response within a reasonable time frame. A gentle reminder can show your persistence and commitment. We’d suggest a three, five, and seven day reminder and then perhaps quantifying why this isn’t an opportunity and when could be a good time to chase that up again for discussion.
Your timing may not be the same as theirs, so be professional and courteous and then try again in about 30 days to solicit a response.
Conclusion
Creating a professional sales outreach email for your affiliate program is an art that combines language, personalization, and a clear value proposition.
By following these best practices, you can increase your chances of capturing the attention of potential affiliates and forging fruitful partnerships. Remember, every outreach is an opportunity to build long-term relationships, so approach it with care and enthusiasm and keep positive and professional correspondence at all times.Need help with your affiliate program?
Book a call with our sales team to find out how Cellxpert can help your affiliate program grow
Further Reading:
