Affiliate programs play a crucial role in driving revenue for businesses, and managing affiliates effectively is essential for a successful program. In this article, we’ll explore how to set up an automated onboarding process using workflows to seamlessly manage new affiliates. By leveraging workflow automation, you can simplify tasks such as enrollment, communication, and engagement, ensuring a smooth experience for your affiliates from the start.
Key Features and Benefits
- Automated Affiliate Enrollment: The process is initiated automatically when a new affiliate joins, allowing for quick and consistent onboarding.
- Custom Segmentation with Tags: Affiliates can be segmented by tags, making it easier to send personalized communications based on their campaign or performance.
- Real-Time Notifications: Internal notifications alert your team whenever a new affiliate joins, ensuring no one is left unnoticed.
- Custom Affiliate Portal Access: Affiliates receive their login link to their portal, where they can track referrals, commissions, and performance.
- Automated Welcome Messages: Affiliates are welcomed through email or SMS, complete with important links and instructions to get started.
- Enhanced Affiliate Engagement: With segmentation and targeted communication, affiliates stay informed and motivated, leading to improved performance.
How to Set Up an Affiliate Onboarding Workflow
Follow these steps to create a seamless onboarding experience for your affiliates:
Step 1: Access the Workflow Automation
- Go to the Automation section in your Referins account.
- Click on Workflows and either create a new workflow from scratch or select an existing workflow to modify.
Step 2: Set Up the Affiliate Enrollment Trigger
- Click on Add New Trigger within the workflow.
- In the search bar, type “Affiliate Enrolled In Campaign.”
- Select the Affiliate Enrolled In Campaign trigger. This will activate the workflow whenever a new affiliate is enrolled in a campaign.
Step 3: Customize the Trigger
- You can rename the trigger to something that reflects its function, like “New Affiliate Added.”
- Apply filters to track specific affiliate campaigns by selecting the relevant campaign from the filter options.
Step 4: Add Affiliate Tags
- Add a Tag to each affiliate based on the campaign they are part of. For example, if an affiliate joins your "Luggage Store Campaign," tag them accordingly.
- Tags make it easy to segment and send targeted communications based on the campaign they are associated with.
Step 5: Internal Notifications
- Set up an Internal Notification to notify your team whenever a new affiliate joins. Include the affiliate’s name, email, phone number, and campaign details.
- Use Custom Values to automatically populate these details from the affiliate’s enrollment data.
Step 6: Send a Welcome SMS and Email to the Affiliate
- Create an SMS and Email to be sent automatically to the affiliate.
- In the message, welcome the affiliate to the program and provide them with key information, such as their Magic Login Link or Portal Access Link.
- Ensure the message includes details on how to track referrals, commissions, and payout details via the portal.
Step 7: Ensure Smooth Onboarding with Relevant Information
- Provide a clear overview of the affiliate program in the email. Include a link to the Terms of Service or program guidelines to set expectations.
- Share useful tips on how affiliates can succeed in promoting your products and maximizing their commissions.
Step 8: Track and Engage Affiliates Continuously
- Use the tags added earlier to segment your affiliates based on their campaigns or performance.
- Send relevant updates, newsletters, and exclusive offers to keep affiliates engaged and motivated.
Pro Tip: Optimize Communication with Custom Values
Using custom values in your messages ensures personalized communication for each affiliate. Including details like their Affiliate Portal Link, Commission Earned, and Referral Count helps affiliates stay informed and connected with their performance. This also reduces the need for manual data entry, saving time for your team.
FAQ
Q: How do I ensure that affiliates receive all necessary onboarding information automatically?
A: Set up an automated workflow that includes SMS and email notifications. This workflow should contain custom values such as portal access links, commission details, and terms of service, ensuring that affiliates receive all relevant information.
Q: How can I track which campaign each affiliate belongs to?
A: Use tags within the workflow to label each affiliate based on the campaign they are associated with. This allows for segmentation and easy reference when sending targeted communications.
Q: What happens if I need to notify my team about a new affiliate joining?
A: You can set up an internal notification within the workflow to notify your team whenever a new affiliate joins. The notification can include the affiliate’s contact details and campaign information for quick access.
Q: How do affiliates log into their portal?
A: Affiliates can receive a Magic Login Link or Affiliate Portal Link in their welcome email or SMS, allowing them direct access to their portal where they can track their referrals, commissions, and payouts.
Q: Can I send customized content to different affiliate segments?
A: Yes, you can use tags to segment affiliates based on their campaigns or performance levels. This allows you to send tailored content that is relevant to each group, keeping them engaged and motivated.