As an affiliate manager or merchant, a partner program is a great way to expand into an untapped market and boost your earnings. But in today’s oversaturated market, it is no longer enough to simply manage a partner program. You must be constantly looking to expand and recruit on a recurring basis. If you are unfamiliar with the process of expanding your partner program, however, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Continue reading to familiarise yourself with a 5-step guide to smooth expansion in your partner program.
Research the market
When it comes to the smooth expansion of your partner program, or partner programs, researching the market should be one of the first tasks on your to-do list. By doing so, you can build a layer of trust between you and your partners and establish a strong foundation for future growth and development. During this process, it may also benefit you to find out whether or not there are any high-quality partners within this geographical location as well as whether or not there is adequate demand for the good or service you intend to promote. In order to expand your partner program on a global basis, research is key.
Plan accordingly
As an affiliate manager or merchant, you may be familiar with how much the process of affiliate marketing can differ from country to country. As a result, identifying suitable partners to work with largely depends on knowledge of local markets. To do so, it may benefit you to focus on the short-term goals of your business and ensure these are met in each region beforehand. In addition, brands should also ensure team members are physically present before they get started. This can lead to greater communication and prevent any problems from arising ahead of time.
Expect to make mistakes
When it comes to establishing a partner program or expanding an existing partner program, there is no instruction manual. As with any global venture, you must expect to make mistakes and learn from any slip-ups or errors of judgment you make along the way. For example, if a partner program is experiencing rapid growth in a particular geographical region, it may be time to shift your focus and invest more time and money into expanding your presence there. You must also be aware of different time zones and the fact that the length of time it can take to establish a relationship with a partner can vary dramatically based on a number of external factors.
Prioritise collaboration
During the process of expanding your partner program, it may benefit you to prioritise collaboration from the very onset and throughout. By sharing and discussing any current challenges you are facing that may be impacting your performance in the long run, you can source a solution in record time and track and measure your success in a particular geographical region. Alternatively, collaboration can also reassure you that you are on the right track and on the path to long-term success. If you don’t know where to start, scheduling virtual conferences or meetings on a weekly basis can be a great way to allow team members to keep abreast of any emerging developments and ensure they are on the same page. When it comes to managing a partner program, collaboration can be the difference between it thriving and surviving.
Seek guidance if and when necessary
If you are unfamiliar with the process of expanding your partner program, you will more than likely require help or guidance or one point or another. As tempting as it can be to swallow your pride and soldier on, it can save you a considerable amount of time and money to seek guidance at the earliest convenience. This is especially important if you benefit from high-quality or experienced partners within your partner program. By doing so, you can benefit from decades worth of insider knowledge and experience of local market fluctuations, cultural differences, and even which direction you should turn to when it comes to promotional materials. Whether you are an experienced or inexperienced affiliate manager or merchant, successfully expanding your partner program can be a difficult and time-consuming process. When it comes to breaking into an untapped geographical region, you are more likely to succeed if an affiliate manager or merchant is, or has previously been, active there.
As an affiliate manager or merchant, expanding your partner program on a global scale can seem like an insurmountable task. But by familiarising yourself with a number of tips and tricks, you can streamline the entire process from start to finish. For example, it may benefit you to research the market, plan accordingly, expect to make mistakes, prioritise collaboration, and seek guidance if and when necessary.
