Affiliate marketing is one of the best ways to market a SaaS product, but it can be hard to find high quality affiliates to partner with. In this article, we'll describe the 3 most effective ways we've found for finding affiliates to promote your product.
Finding Affiliates on YouTube
YouTube is a massive platform with billions of users and a wide range of content creators. Finding affiliates on YouTube can be highly effective, especially if your SaaS aligns with a specific niche. Here's how to find affiliates on YouTube:
1. Identify Relevant Channels: Search for YouTube channels that cater to your target audience. Look for creators who produce content related to your SaaS niche or industry.
2. Engage with Content Creators: Start engaging with the content creators you've identified. Leave meaningful comments on their videos, share their content on social media, and build genuine relationships with them.
3. Reach Out with a Proposal: Once you've established a connection, reach out to the content creators with a proposal. You can usually find an email address in the about section of the YouTube channel. Explain how your SaaS can benefit their audience and outline the terms of your affiliate program, including commission rates and promotional materials.
4. Offer Incentives: To entice content creators to promote your SaaS, consider offering special incentives such as higher commission rates, exclusive access to new features, or personalized promo codes for their audience.
For a more detailed look into this strategy, check out Cody Schneider's podcast with the Founder of Everbee - they dive into how Everbee scaled past $1M ARR using affiliates.
Finding Relevant Podcasts
Podcasts are another excellent channel for finding affiliates for your SaaS. Many podcasts have dedicated and engaged audiences, making them ideal partners for affiliate marketing. Here's how to find affiliates through podcasts:
1. Research Podcasts in Your Niche: Look for podcasts that cater to your target audience and align with your SaaS product. Search podcast directories or use platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify to find relevant shows.
2. Listen to Episodes: Take the time to listen to a few episodes of each podcast to understand the content, tone, and audience demographics. This will help you tailor your pitch to the podcast hosts.
3. Reach Out with a Proposal: Contact the podcast hosts or producers with a personalized pitch. Explain why your SaaS would be valuable to their audience and propose collaboration options, such as promoting your product with a unique promo code or sponsorship arrangement.
4. Provide Promo Codes: Offer podcast hosts exclusive promo codes to share with their listeners. This not only incentivizes their audience to try out your SaaS but also helps track the effectiveness of the partnership. If you would like to offer unique affiliate codes to your affiliates, PromoteKit now supports promo codes.
Recruiting Your Power Users as Affiliates
Your existing customer base, especially power users who are enthusiastic about your SaaS, can be valuable affiliates. Here's how to recruit your power users as affiliates:
1. Identify Power Users: Identify customers who are particularly passionate about your SaaS and have a strong online presence or influence in your industry.
2. Reach Out Personally: Reach out to these power users personally and explain the benefits of becoming an affiliate. Highlight how their advocacy can help them earn extra income while also supporting a product they love.
3. Offer Special Incentives: Consider offering special incentives for your power users, such as higher commission rates or exclusive access to new product features, to encourage them to become affiliates.
By leveraging YouTube, podcasts, and your power users, you can effectively find affiliates for your SaaS and expand your customer base. Remember to build genuine relationships, offer incentives, and provide support to ensure a successful affiliate marketing program.