If you’ve read our recent articles, you’ll now have a good idea of how to set up and run your affiliate business. You’ll also have noticed that we’ve placed a strong emphasis on partnerships, and for a good reason – the relationships you develop will ultimately determine how much success you enjoy.
When your website is up and running, you need to join an affiliate marketing program or programs. In fact, you should already have this in mind when you start developing your brand and website.
But what’s the process for joining affiliate programs? Keep reading, and we’ll reveal everything you need to know.
Agreeing to the Deal
During the early phases of the affiliate marketing sign-up stage, your primary goal is to ensure that you get a good commercial deal. Your partnership should be mutually beneficial, and you must make sure that the partnership meets your basic needs before you sign the contract.
Some verticals, such as online casino gaming, can be tricky to navigate. You might get a revenue share number at face value, but when you dig deeper, you might notice several hidden T&Cs that are deducted from your share of the revenue generated.
Every good relationship gets off to an ideal early footing, and you should look at your partnership as an opportunity to do this. If you’re unsure about anything, ask the affiliate manager for clarity – and remember, you don’t have to sign the deal if you’re not happy.
Signing the Contract
Once you’ve successfully negotiated the terms and conditions of your deal, you’re ready to sign on the dotted line and get going. After everything is finalized, your partner should come back in a few days with a contract that’s ready for you to sign. Once you do, the deal is legally binding.
Before you put pen to paper, make sure that you thoroughly read through each page and confirm that everything is as you originally discussed. If you notice anything that looks strange, seek assistance from the affiliate manager.
Some affiliate programs might not require you to sign a contract. However, we recommend that you enforce one; if you find yourself in a legal dispute, you’ll thank yourself later down the line.
Getting Signed Onto the Affiliate Platform
Once you’ve signed the contract, you’re ready to send it back to the affiliate partner. Congratulations – you’re now officially a part of the program! Next, you will go through the onboarding process with your new operator partner.
During the onboarding phase, you’ll receive a walkthrough of how to use the various tools and materials available to help you promote the brand and monitor player activity. The operator will give you banner materials and tracking links, and you’ll also find out how to use any software used to track players.
The onboarding stage is also a good time to talk to your affiliate manager about any possible concerns you may have – or simply to gain clarity on questions that have arisen since you signed the contract.
The Alternative: Use a Third Party
While you can join affiliate programs on your own, you must remember that the entire process is time-consuming. As an entrepreneur, you’ll need to learn one of the main lessons that most do early on – your time is crucial, and minimizing your workload is a good idea.
If you’re not sure where to start with finding prospective partners for your business, a much better idea is to join our affiliate program listings portal. On Casino Affiliate Programs, you’ll find the best places to sign up – regardless of whether you’re a sports betting affiliate, in the online casino space, or focused on other niches such as lottery, bingo, and DFS.
Using a third party is also an excellent way to find additional services that you might need for your website, such as SEO and copywriting. By delegating these areas, you can focus on the parts that you a) enjoy and b) are better at.
Now You Know How to Join Affiliate Marketing Programs
Having reached the end of this guide, you now have all the knowledge you need to sign up for an affiliate program. Finding the right partners is a time-consuming process, but you can enjoy a fulfilling business relationship if you look in the right places.
You can go alone, but using a third party will help you finalize deals much faster. As such, you can focus on attracting players and ultimately building your revenue over time.
Casino Affiliate Programs lists the iGaming industry’s best affiliate programs in several verticals. Join us today to find the best partner for your future venture.