The Art of the Cold Pitch
Recruiting affiliates is sales. You are selling them on the idea that partnering with you will make them money and delight their audience. Yet, most program managers send generic, "spray and pray" emails that go straight to the trash.
To succeed, your outreach needs to be personalized, concise, and benefit-focused. This Affiliate Recruitment Email Generator provides proven templates for different scenarios—from reaching out to a YouTuber to poaching a competitor's partner.
Personalization
Mentioning a specific piece of their content (e.g., "Loved your video on SEO tools") increases response rates by up to 200%.
The "WIIFM" Factor
"What's In It For Me?" Don't just talk about your product features. Talk about their commissions and their audience's exclusive discount.
Clear CTA
Don't ask them to "sign up here" in the first email. Ask for a micro-commitment: "Are you open to testing a free account?"
3 Recruitment Strategies That Work
- The "Fanboy" Approach:
Lead with genuine flattery. If you actually consume their content, tell them. Creators have egos; stroking them (authentically) opens doors. - The Competitor Switch:
Find lists of "Best [Competitor] Alternatives" where you aren't listed. Email the author and offer them a higher commission than your competitor to be added to the list. - The "Exclusive Code" Hook:
Instead of a generic link, offer to create a custom coupon code (e.g.,JANE20) for their audience. It makes them look like a VIP to their followers.