How do you deal with underperforming affiliates?
1. Identify Performance Gaps with Data
- Use your affiliate platform to track key metrics: clicks, conversions, CTR, and revenue
- Compare performance against benchmarks or top-performing affiliates
- Identify patterns such as low traffic, poor-quality leads, or inactive promotion
- Segment underperformers based on potential: new vs. long-term, niche vs. broad audience
- Review the type and frequency of content being produced
2. Reach Out with Personalized Support
- Send a direct message or email to check in and offer help
- Ask about their challenges, audience fit, or content strategy issues
- Share specific feedback or insights based on their performance data
- Reassure them of your interest in their success, not just their sales
- Offer to schedule a call or send optimization suggestions
3. Provide Targeted Resources and Training
- Share updated guides, banners, email templates, and video assets
- Recommend top-converting content formats and affiliate strategies
- Offer tutorials on SEO, content creation, or audience engagement
- Introduce product updates or promotions they can leverage
- Encourage them to join webinars or affiliate community chats
4. Create Low-Risk Incentives to Boost Activity
- Launch bonus challenges (e.g., “Earn a ₹1,000 bonus for your next 3 leads”)
- Provide time-limited coupons or trial extensions for their audience
- Run contests for inactive or mid-tier affiliates to re-engage them
- Offer performance tiers that unlock higher commission rates
- Motivate them to restart with small, achievable targets
5. Remove or Reassign if Necessary
- If there’s no improvement over time, consider deactivating their account respectfully
- Offer an exit option or transfer them to a low-maintenance tier
- Ensure your terms clearly state inactivity or performance thresholds
- Keep communication professional and leave the door open for future collaboration
- Maintain program integrity by focusing on committed and capable partners
