Ever noticed how some brands seem to explode out of nowhere while others stay stuck in the shadows? A huge part of that comes down to how to recruit affiliates who already have the trust of your audience. When you partner with affiliates, you’re tapping into their reach, credibility, and influence—and that shortcut can make all the difference.
Here’s a stat to ground this: companies with strong affiliate programs grow 30–40% faster than those relying solely on organic or paid traffic. That’s not luck—that’s smart recruiting, smart incentives, and real relationships. Over the rest of this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to find, attract, and keep affiliates who move the needle for your brand.
1. Understand Who Makes a Great Affiliate
Here’s the thing: not every affiliate is a good fit for your brand. If you want recruiting to actually work, you need to be clear on who you’re looking for. Think of it like hiring—get the wrong person in the wrong role, and it drags everything down.
A great affiliate isn’t just someone with a big following; it’s someone whose audience trusts them. For example, if you sell eco-friendly skincare, teaming up with a lifestyle blogger who already talks about clean living is gold. On the flip side, a random tech influencer with millions of followers might bring traffic—but not sales.
Strong affiliates usually fall into a few buckets:
- Content creators (bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters) who educate and recommend.
- Social media influencers with niche audiences who buy based on their word.
- Existing customers who love your product enough to promote it authentically.
- Micro-influencers who may be small but often drive higher engagement and trust.
The goal? Find people whose values, audience, and communication style align with your brand. Quality beats quantity every single time.
2. Prepare Your Program Before Recruiting
Here’s a mistake a lot of brands make: they start reaching out to affiliates before their program is even ready. Imagine inviting guests to a party and realizing you don’t have food, music, or a clean space—it doesn’t leave the best impression. Recruiting affiliates works the same way.
Before you even send your first pitch, make sure your program has three things locked in:
- Clear Terms and Commission Structure
Affiliates want to know exactly how much they’ll earn, how payments work, and when they’ll get paid. A vague or complicated system is a red flag. Keep it simple and fair. - Affiliate Resources
Don’t expect affiliates to figure it all out themselves. Provide ready-to-use assets—like banners, product photos, sample copy, or even swipe emails—so they can promote without friction. - A Strong Value Proposition
Ask yourself: why should an affiliate choose your program over the dozens of others out there? Maybe it’s a generous commission, maybe it’s a unique product that’s easy to sell, or maybe it’s personalized support. Whatever it is, make that clear upfront.
When your program looks polished and professional, affiliates are much more likely to say “yes” when you reach out.
3. Where & How to Find Potential Affiliates
So your program is ready—great. Now the big question: where do you actually find affiliates? The truth is, they’re everywhere. But the trick is knowing where to look so you’re not wasting time on the wrong people.
Here are some of the best hunting grounds:
- Your Existing Customers
The easiest place to start? People who already love your product. They know it, use it, and can promote it authentically. Offering them an affiliate link feels natural. - Content Creators
Bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, and niche review sites are goldmines. They’re already creating content your audience consumes—why not give them a reason to feature your brand? - Social Media Influencers
You don’t always need mega-influencers. Micro-influencers (1K–50K followers) often drive stronger engagement because their followers trust them more. - Affiliate Networks & Marketplaces
Platforms like ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, or Impact make it easy to connect with affiliates actively looking for partnerships. - Attend Industry Events & Online Communities
Networking in person can lead to valuable connections.
- Affiliate Marketing Conferences: (e.g., Affiliate Summit, Affiliate World) are ideal for meeting seasoned affiliates.
- Industry-Specific Trade Shows: If your product is in a specific niche (e.g., health, tech), attend events where potential affiliates might also be present. Webinars, and even LinkedIn or Facebook groups can be great spots to connect with potential affiliates who are serious about your niche.
The point is: don’t just chase big numbers. Focus on people who can connect you with the right audience. Ten high-quality affiliates will outperform a hundred random ones every time.
4. Outreach & Onboarding Strategy
Finding affiliates is only half the battle—getting them to say “yes” is where most brands drop the ball. The truth? Affiliates get pitched all the time. If your outreach feels copy-pasted or pushy, it’ll land in the trash.
How to Nail Outreach
- Personalize, don’t spam. Reference their content, mention why their audience is a good fit, and show you actually know who they are.
- Lead with value. Instead of “Hey, promote my product,” try “I noticed you review tools for small businesses—our software saves business owners 10 hours a week. Your readers might love that.”
- Keep it short. No one wants to read an essay. A few genuine sentences go further than a wall of text.
Onboarding Made Simple
Once they say yes, make joining your program effortless. A smooth onboarding process should include:
- Easy sign-up link (don’t bury them in forms).
- Welcome kit with affiliate links, banners, swipe copy, and a quick start guide.
- Clear expectations around how tracking, payments, and promotions work.
- Direct support contact (so they know you’ve got their back).
Look, affiliates don’t just want a commission—they want a partnership. Treat them like part of your team from day one, and they’ll be far more invested in your success.
Here’s a simple outreach email template you (or your readers) could adapt when recruiting affiliates:
Subject: Love your content—let’s partner up?
Hi [First Name],
I’ve been following your work on [platform/blog/channel] and really enjoyed your piece on [specific article/video/post]. Your audience clearly trusts you when it comes to [topic].
I run [Your Brand], and we help [your audience type] with [main benefit/problem solved]. I think your community would find real value in what we offer. That’s why I’d love to invite you to join our affiliate program.
Here’s the quick version:
- You earn [X% commission] for every referral.
- We pay out [monthly/bi-weekly/instant payouts].
- We’ll send you creative assets, copy, and support to make promoting easy.
If this sounds interesting, you can check it out here: [affiliate sign-up link].
Either way, keep up the great work—I’m a fan.
Cheers,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Contact Info]
Most affiliates won’t reply on the first try, so a follow-up is key. Here’s a friendly, non-pushy template:
Subject: Just circling back 🙂
Hi [First Name],
I wanted to follow up on my last note about partnering through our affiliate program. I know inboxes get busy, so no worries if you missed it.
Quick recap:
- You’d earn [X% commission] on every referral.
- We handle all tracking, payouts, and provide creative assets.
- It’s free and simple to join: [affiliate sign-up link].
I think your audience would genuinely benefit from [Your Brand], and I’d love to have you on board.
Would you be open to a quick chat about it?
Best,
[Your Name]
5. Motivation, Support & Retention
Getting affiliates is one thing. Keeping them excited and active is another. Many brands sign up affiliates, only to see them go silent after a few weeks. The fix? Motivation and ongoing support.
Keep Affiliates Motivated
Money matters, but it’s not the only driver. Affiliates love feeling valued and part of something bigger. Try offering:
- Tiered rewards (higher commission rates once they hit certain sales numbers).
- Performance bonuses for milestones like “first 10 sales” or “biggest seller of the month.”
- Exclusive perks like early access to new products or sneak peeks.
Support Them Like Partners
Affiliates promote better when they have what they need. That means:
- Regularly sharing new creatives, content ideas, or seasonal promotions.
- Sending performance reports so they know what’s working.
- Offering a direct line of communication (a Slack group, monthly call, or even a dedicated email).
Retention is About Relationship
The strongest affiliate programs feel less like “transactions” and more like real partnerships. Check in often, celebrate wins, and show appreciation. When affiliates feel seen and supported, they’ll stick around—and sell more for you.
6. Tools & Platforms That Help With Affiliate Recruitment
Here’s the good news, you don’t have to manage affiliate recruiting and tracking with messy spreadsheets. There are platforms that make recruiting, tracking, and paying affiliates way easier. Some even come with built-in networks where affiliates can discover your program.
Here are some top options:
- Trackdesk – Ideal for startups and growing businesses. Simple setup, flexible payouts, and strong tracking without overwhelming features.
- PartnerStack – A favorite for SaaS brands. Beyond management, it helps you recruit affiliates through its partner ecosystem.
- Impact – Built for scale. Offers advanced tracking, automation, and access to a massive affiliate network—great for established companies.
- Rewardful – Perfect for subscription and SaaS businesses. Handles recurring commissions with ease.
- Tapfiliate – Beginner-friendly and quick to set up. Integrates smoothly with Shopify, WooCommerce, and other e-commerce platforms.
- Awin – One of the largest global affiliate networks. Gives you immediate access to thousands of affiliates across many industries.
- CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction) – Another giant in the space. Offers access to a wide affiliate marketplace plus robust reporting and recruitment tools.
If you’re just starting out, a lean tool like Rewardful, Trackdesk or Tapfiliate might be enough. But if you want scale and access to a ready-made pool of affiliates, Awin, CJ Affiliate, ParnerStack or Impact will give you reach right out of the gate.
Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of the most popular options:
| Tool | Best For | Key Features | Pros | Potential Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrackDesk | Startups & growing businesses | Great tracking, flexible payouts, unlimited affiliates | Easy setup, affordable, scalable | Newer player—smaller ecosystem |
| PartnerStack | SaaS & B2B brands | Partner ecosystem, recurring commission support | Helps recruit affiliates, strong SaaS integrations | Pricing is higher, geared mainly toward SaaS |
| Impact | Enterprise & large brands | Advanced tracking, automation, global network | Access to huge pool of affiliates, powerful reporting | Can be complex and pricey for small teams |
| Rewardful | SaaS & subscription businesses | Recurring commission tracking, Stripe integration | Easy for SaaS founders, simple setup | Limited affiliate discovery—best if you already have prospects |
| Tapfiliate | E-commerce & beginners | Shopify/WooCommerce integrations, fast setup | User-friendly, good starter option | Fewer built-in recruitment tools |
| Awin | Global brands & e-commerce | Large affiliate marketplace, industry-wide reach | Instant access to thousands of affiliates, worldwide presence | Approval process can be strict, fees apply |
| CJ Affiliate | Big e-commerce & established companies | Marketplace + recruitment, deep reporting | Huge network of affiliates, trusted reputation | More complex onboarding, best for bigger budgets |
Which Tool Should You Choose?
Here’s a simple way to pick without overthinking:
- If you’re brand new to affiliate marketing…
Start with Tapfiliate. It’s easy, integrates with e-commerce platforms, and won’t overwhelm you. - If you’re a SaaS or subscription business…
Go with Rewardful for recurring commissions. If you want help recruiting affiliates too, PartnerStack is the stronger pick. - If you’re aiming for fast scale and a big network…
Awin or CJ Affiliate will instantly connect you to thousands of affiliates. They’re perfect if you want reach across multiple industries. - If you’re an established company or enterprise…
Choose Impact. It’s robust, customizable, and built for managing large affiliate programs at scale. - If you’re a growing startup but want room to expand…
Trackdesk gives you unlimited affiliates, flexible payouts, and a simple setup—without enterprise pricing.
👉 Think of it like this: start simple, scale up when ready. Pick the tool that fits where your business is today, not where you might be in five years.
Get Started with Trackdesk’s free trial
7. Measure Success & Optimize
Here’s the truth: recruiting affiliates is just the beginning. If you don’t track performance and tweak along the way, you’ll never know what’s actually working. The best affiliate programs run on numbers, not guesswork.
Key Metrics to Track
- Number of affiliates recruited – Are you growing your network steadily?
- Active vs. inactive affiliates – Not everyone who signs up will promote. Focus on the ones who do.
- Conversion rates – How many clicks actually turn into sales?
- Average revenue per affiliate – Who are your top performers? Who needs support?
- ROI of recruitment efforts – Are the time and money you’re spending on recruiting affiliates paying off?
How to Optimize Over Time
- Test different recruitment channels – Maybe LinkedIn messages outperform cold emails, or affiliate directories bring higher-quality signups.
- Refine your pitch – Track which outreach messages get the best response rates.
- Give affiliates feedback – Share performance insights so they can improve their promotion tactics.
- Double down on top performers – Provide special incentives or VIP support to your best affiliates—they’ll drive the most growth.
Think of it like a flywheel: recruit, measure, optimize, repeat. Every cycle makes your affiliate program stronger and more profitable.
8. Potential Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Recruiting affiliates can be a game-changer—but only if you sidestep the traps that trip up so many businesses. Here are the most common mistakes (and how to dodge them):
1. Chasing Quantity Over Quality
It’s tempting to sign up as many affiliates as possible. But if their audience doesn’t align with your brand, you’ll get clicks without conversions. Fix: Focus on affiliates who actually reach your target buyers.
2. Weak Tracking & Attribution
Nothing kills trust faster than affiliates not getting credited for their sales. Fix: Use reliable affiliate software (like Trackdesk, Impact, or Tapfiliate) to ensure tracking is airtight.
3. Radio Silence After Onboarding
A big reason affiliates go inactive? Zero communication. Fix: Send regular updates, share new creatives, and check in personally. Affiliates are more engaged when they feel connected.
4. Overpromising, Under-delivering
If you hype your program with high commissions or fast payouts but don’t deliver, affiliates will bail fast—and word will spread. Fix: Set realistic expectations from day one.
5. Treating Affiliates Like Contractors, Not Partners
Affiliates aren’t just sales reps—they’re brand advocates. Fix: Build relationships, celebrate wins, and make them feel like part of the team.
Avoid these pitfalls, and your affiliate program won’t just grow—it’ll last.
Quick Checklist: Do’s & Don’ts of Recruiting Affiliates
Do:
✔ Focus on quality affiliates with the right audience
✔ Use reliable tracking software to avoid disputes
✔ Communicate regularly with updates and support
✔ Be transparent about commissions, payments, and expectations
✔ Treat affiliates as partners, not just sales machines
Don’t:
✘ Sign up anyone and everyone just to boost numbers
✘ Rely on manual tracking or messy spreadsheets
✘ Go silent after onboarding new affiliates
✘ Promise high rewards you can’t deliver
✘ Ignore relationship-building—it’s what keeps affiliates loyal
9. Conclusion on How to Recruit Affiliates
Recruiting affiliates isn’t about chasing numbers—it’s about building the right partnerships. When you prepare your program, know who you’re looking for, and treat affiliates like valued teammates, you create a system that grows on its own.
Here’s your action plan to get started today:
- Define your ideal affiliate (who can truly sell your product).
- Set up your program with clear terms, commissions, and resources.
- Pick one tool (Tapfiliate, Rewardful, Trackdesk, etc.) to manage tracking and payouts.
- Reach out to 5–10 potential affiliates this week with a personalized pitch.
- Support and motivate your early affiliates so they stick around and sell more.
Remember: strong affiliate programs don’t happen overnight. They’re built step by step, with consistency, trust, and the right partners.
So—what’s your next move? Start small, reach out today, and watch how the right affiliates can put your brand in front of thousands of new customers.
10. How to Recruit Affiliates FAQs
1. What’s a good commission rate for affiliates?
Most programs offer between 10–40% depending on the product and profit margins. Digital products and SaaS often go higher since costs are lower, while physical goods stay on the lower end.
2. How many affiliates do I need to see results?
Quality matters more than quantity. Even 5–10 active affiliates with the right audience can drive more sales than 100 who never promote.
3. How often should affiliates be paid?
Monthly payouts are the standard, but offering bi-weekly or instant payouts can attract more affiliates—especially smaller creators who value cash flow.
4. Should I work with micro-influencers or big influencers?
Micro-influencers often deliver higher engagement and conversions because their audience trusts them more. Big influencers provide reach, but not always results.
5. Can I recruit affiliates without using a platform?
Yes—you can run a program manually. But once you scale beyond a handful of affiliates, using a tool like Trackdesk, PartnerStack, or Tapfiliate saves you time and avoids tracking headaches.