Affiliate Programs

  • Affiliate Programs, Marketing

    What to do when sales feel slow or inconsistent…

    • Comments Off on What to do when sales feel slow or inconsistent…

    How have sales been for you this week?

    My guess is you are super happy if you had a lot of product sales this week..

    But what if you didn’t have quite as many as you had hoped for?

    When sales feel slow or inconsistent, it’s very easy to start spiraling.

    One slow day turns into:

    • “Is my product even good?”
    • “Is the IG algorithm even showing my posts?”
    • “Should I scrap everything and start over?”

    Multiple slow days?  Complete spiral.

    If that’s you right now, you are not alone… and I want you to know that this is a very normal part of running a product-based business, especially if you are in the early stages.

    Sales dips don’t mean your business is not worth continuing or that you need to close up shop. They usually mean you’re building something that hasn’t stabilized yet.

    So let’s talk about what I would do to start getting more consistent sales.

    First, if you aren’t making as many sales as you want to be, you most likely have a traffic problem.
    If you don’t have enough people seeing your products and clicking through to check out your shop, of course sales are going to dip.

    Here’s something simple you can do this week to calm the spiral and support future sales:

    Add (or strengthen) one way your business can sell without you showing up daily.

    That could look like:

    • Setting up (or activating) an affiliate or referral program {I can help you with this – read this.)
    • Adding an email opt-in to your homepage so that you are capturing people who come to your site, and you can target them with email campaigns promoting your products {You should always be growing your email list}
    • Reaching out to 3 past customers and ask for reviews so that you can use them on your social media to build more trust with your audience {and then when you share them, tag them in your socials to help your posts reach more people}.
    • Emailing your list every single week {I promise you aren’t emailing too much if you send four emails a month. Old Navy emails me like every day and I still stay on their list.}
    • Book one of the final spots in the Product Seller Spotlight if you want super easy visibility {you can do that here.}

    You don’t need a full overhaul of your existing marketing strategy.  You just need one small system that keeps working even on quiet days.

    If sales feel inconsistent right now, you’re not behind in your business and please don’t give up.  You are still building, and the businesses that survive this phase are the ones that stop relying on pressure, panic, and posting… and start leaning into systems that create steadier momentum over time.

    So take a sip of your coffee, then get to work. You’re doing better than you think!! ☕️


  • Affiliate Programs

    Product Seller Spotlight 🌟 [Only 20 spots available]

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    The 2026 Product Seller Summit is happening again this April, and I can’t wait to invite you to sign up next month (more details coming soon!)

    As I’m prepping for the 2026 Summit, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to make Summit week more than just learning.  I want it to be a week where product sellers are actively discovered and supported.

    So during Summit week, I’ll be sending two emails featuring our 🌟Product Seller Spotlight.🌟 

    These spotlights will go out while the Summit is happening, putting your products directly in front of 2,000+ engaged Summit attendees at the exact moment they’re paying attention.

    Here’s how it works:

    I’ll be featuring 20 product sellers total, split across two spotlight emails (10 sellers per email) sent during Summit week.

    What your Product Seller Spotlight includes:

     A feature in one of two Summit-week spotlight emails

    • Visibility to 2,000+ Product Seller Summit attendees
    • A Facebook group post
    • A social media feature

    Plus… a little bonus! 🥳

    Everyone who signs up for a Product Seller Spotlight will receive a FREE VIP Ticket to the 2026 Product Seller Summit (value $27) when doors open at the end of March.

    If you want your products in front of your fellow product sellers during Summit week, this is a really fun, aligned way to do it.

    There are only 20 spots available, and once they’re filled, that’s it for this round.

    Claim your Product Seller Spotlight here. 

    Important: This Spotlight is only for physical product sellers only.

    Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email with a short intake form to fill out that is due by March 15, 2026.  Easy-peasy!

    I’m so excited to highlight some amazing shops during Summit week… More details on the Summit and our amazing speaker line-up coming soon!

  • Affiliate Programs, Business, Marketing, Social Media

    Three Ways to Get Your Products in Front of New Potential Customers this February

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    February can feel like a weird month for product basd businesses, because that holiday rush is over and January was super quiet and you might have no idea what February is going to be like.  You might also find yourself wondering how you can get more people seeing your products so that they will actually buy.  

    To support you, in this blog post I’m sharing three easy ways to get more eyeballs on your products in February and beyond.

    Even just implementing just one of these strategies will help you keep your products in front of the right people and build steady awareness that supports sales now and later.

    1. Create one piece of content that you can repurpose multiple ways!

    Instead of chasing algorithm trends, make something your customers or affiliates want to repost.

    Examples:

    • “Things people don’t realize they need until they have this”
    • “My go-to product this month (and why)”
    • A simple photo + one honest sentence about the product

    Then:

    • Send that piece of content to your affiliates and ask them to share it with their audiences (and remind them to share it with their affiliate link to earn a little extra cash)
    • Share it in your stories so more of your IG followers see it and also share it as a post in your feed
    • Send it as an email to your community – February is when people start paying attention again after January’s reset energy, so now is a great time to get back in a regular rhythm of sending a weekly email. 

    One good piece of content → shared multiple ways = more visibility and reach without adding tons more to your plate.  {And if you need help with this, you might find this helpful.}

    2. Partner With Affiliates for Valentine’s Week

    February is a relationship-driven buying month, which makes it perfect for affiliate partnerships. 

    Instead of trying to post more yourself, let other people talk about your products for you.

    Ideas:

    • If you already have an affiliate program set up, ask 5–10 affiliates to share your product in their IG Stories or email list during Valentine’s week
    • Give them a simple angle: “A gift I’d actually want” or “Something I’m loving this month” 
    • Pair it with a small incentive: bump up their commission for that week only or offer a limited-time bonus or freebie if they agree to promote during the week.

    If you have 10 affiliates who share your products to their IG stories, and they each get 100 views, that’s 1000 new eyeballs checking out products.  

    Haven’t started your affiliate program yet? Use February to get your affiliate program set up – I’d love to help you with this!

    3. Book a spot inside the Product Seller Spotlight 

    As I’m prepping for the 2026 Product Seller Summit, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to make Summit week more than just learning.  I want it to be a week where product sellers are actively discovered and supported.

    So during Summit week, I’ll be sending two emails featuring our Product Seller Spotlight. 🌟

    I’ll be featuring 20 product sellers total, split across two spotlight emails (10 sellers per email) sent during Summit week to our 2000+ attendees.

    What your Product Seller Spotlight includes:

    – A feature in one of two Summit-week spotlight emails

    – Visibility to 2,000+ Product Seller Summit attendees

    – A Facebook group post

    – A social media feature

    Plus… there’s a bonus!   Everyone who signs up for a Product Seller Spotlight will receive a FREE VIP Ticket to the 2026 Product Seller Summit (value $27) when doors open at the end of March.

    There are only 20 spots available, and once they’re filled, that’s it for this round.

    Claim your Product Seller Spotlight here.

    Important: This Spotlight is only for physical product sellers only.

    Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email with a short intake form to fill out that is due by March 15, 2026.  Easy-peasy!


    If you’re tired of wondering “what should I post or email this week?”, I’ve got you. Inside The Product Seller Community, you’ll get weekly marketing ideas made specifically for product sellers.

    Come join us: theproductsellercommunity.com

  • Affiliate Programs

    Why Your Affiliate Program Isn’t Making You Money (And How to Fix It)

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    If you’ve ever looked at your affiliate program and thought,  “Why isn’t this thing actually making any sales for me?” you are so not alone.

    Most product sellers with an affiliate program that’s not bringing in sales assume the problem is their affiliates:

    “They’re not posting.”
    “They don’t share enough.”
    “They’re not sending traffic.”

    The biggest reason affiliate programs don’t produce sales… isn’t the affiliates.

    The problem is… you.

    {Please know I say this with so much love.} 

    But truthfully, chances are you aren’t putting in enough effort with your affiliate program, and the issues that are keeping your program from generating sales can be fixed with a little attention from you {or from me!}

    Let’s break down the most common reasons your affiliate program has stalled, and what you can do to turn it around quickly.

    1. Broken or inconsistent tracking

    If your tracking link isn’t firing correctly, or if you have multiple systems layered on top of each other, your affiliates will not earn commissions consistently.

    Even one missed sale can destroy trust.

    Here’s the fix:
    Audit your tracking setup and check for:

    • Duplicate code
    • Outdated pixels
    • Conflicting apps
    • Links that redirect too many times
    • Coupon codes not mapped to the right partner

    Affiliates perform better when they trust your system. Without working tracking, nothing else matters.

    2. No onboarding experience (aka your affiliates don’t know what to do)

    If your onboarding email says nothing more than “Here’s your link – share any time!”… they won’t.

    New affiliates need direction, clarity, and confidence.

    Here’s the fix:
    A solid onboarding includes:

    • A welcome email that gets them excited
    • A quick-start guide
    • A plug-and-play promo plan
    • Social graphics or templates
    • A short explanation of how they earn

    Affiliates promote more when you make the first step easy.

    3. No promotional strategy (you’re hoping they “just share”)

    If the only marketing plan for your affiliates is “post whenever you want”, your program will inevitably go silent.

    Affiliates need:

    • Themes
    • Campaign dates
    • Product focuses
    • New arrivals
    • Seasonal angles
    • Conversion-driving content

    Here’s the fix:
    Build simple monthly prompts and campaigns that give affiliates a clear direction on what to promote right now.

    4. No communication = no momentum

    If the last email your affiliates got was the day they joined… they’ve forgotten about you.

    Affiliates follow energy, direction, and connection.

    Here’s the fix:

    You don’t need to email them constantly (although, at a minimum, you do need to send a monthly newsletter). Here’s what else I’d include:

    • A “campaign of the month”
    • Fresh graphics
    • Reminders around launches + promos

    If you don’t stay top-of-mind, your product won’t either.

    5. No motivation, prizes, or celebrations

    People love incentives.  Even tiny ones.  If your program feels quiet, transactional, or uninspired, your affiliates will show up the same way.

    Here’s the fix:

    Add in:

    • Monthly spotlights
    • Small giveaways
    • “Top affiliate of the month”
    • Bonus commission opportunities
    • Shareable wins

    Celebration creates momentum, and that momentum creates sales.

    So… how do you fix all this without spending months rebuilding everything?

    This is exactly why I created my Affiliate Program Makeover Sessions, a fast, hands-on way to fix what’s not working and activate the affiliates you already have.

    During your Makeover Session, we will:

    ✨ Audit your tech + tracking
    ✨ Clean up your setup inside Awin, GoAffPro, Refersion, or whatever system you use
    ✨ Create a simple onboarding flow your affiliates will actually follow
    ✨ Build your next 30–90 days of affiliate campaigns
    ✨ Re-energize your program with easy-to-implement motivation strategies

    By the end, you’ll walk away with a fully refreshed affiliate program designed to actually bring in sales – without needing to recruit more partners.

    If your program has gone quiet (or never got off the ground because you may or may not have ghosted it), I’d love to help you fix it.

    Click here to book your Affiliate Program Makeover Session.

  • Affiliate Programs

    10 Last-Minute Ways to Get Affiliates Involved in Your Black Friday Sale

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    1. Send a 2-line “Want to share this?” DM to past customers
      Something simple like: “Hey! I’m running a Black Friday sale next week… want a quick link/code so you can earn on any sales you send my way?”
      (Past customers make the BEST affiliates last minute.)

    2. Create a fast VIP affiliate code
      Offer affiliates an extra 5–10% off code for their audience during the sale window. It feels exclusive and makes them more willing to share, because their audience is more likely to buy with a larger discount.

    3. Give affiliates a ready-to-copy caption
      Always keep things super simple for your affiliates… Send them one caption and one image they can use instantly to promote your Black Friday Sale. Make it easy and they’ll actually post it.

    4. Record a 15-second product demo video
      Upload it to Google Drive or Canva and tell affiliates they can use it in Reels/TikToks to promote the sale.  Again, the key here is to make things super easy for your affiliates.

    5. Make a “Best Sellers to Promote” list
      Recommend 2–3 items that convert best so affiliates know where to focus for maximum commissions.

    6. Offer a fast “sell 1 thing, get a free gift” challenge
      They don’t need weeks of prep, and everyone loves a fun incentive to jump in quickly.  Offering them a free gift if they make a sale incentivizes them to promote asap!

    7. Create 3 story slides they can screenshot
      A simple “Swipe up and shop the Black Friday sale!” graphic is perfect for last-minute promo.  Give your affiliates a few story slides they can easily use.

    8. Send a voice note to top customers who are on social
      Personal invites convert like crazy:  “Hey! I’d love to give you a link to earn a little fun money during my Black Friday sale… want me to set it up?”

    9. Run a 48-hour micro “Affiliate Flash Push”
      Let affiliates know that any sales they generate during the biggest sale window go into a fun drawing (gift card, free product, huge discount, etc.).

    10. Highlight one affiliate on your stories to inspire others
      “Shoutout to Jess for sharing the sale today! Her link already brought in 3 sales!”  Social proof = instant motivation for more affiliates to jump in.  And then include a link for people to sign up for your affiliate program!

    🤓 If you don’t have an affiliate program yet, I can help you with that ASAP.  Book your Tech Setup Session here.

    🖤 Already have an affiliate program? Use the above strategies to get your affiliates promoting your Black Friday Sale this coming week!  And if you want to really knock your Black Friday Sale out of the park. I’ve created these Partner Your Way to Profits templates to help you save time, reduce stress, and get results this Black Friday with your affiliate partners!

    ✨ Looking for other ways to promote your product-based business?  Come join us inside The Product Seller Community!

    Feel free to DM me on Insta with any questions you might have about working with affiliate partners this Black Friday!

  • Affiliate Programs

    3 Simple Ways to Make More Product Sales in May (Even if your audience feels a little distracted right now)

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    I don’t know about you, but May is BUSY.  I know my mom and dad friends are prepping for all the end of the school year chaos, I’ve got a niece that’s graduating, Mother’s Day is next weekend, and summer vacays will be starting soon.

    What this means for us as business owners is that our audiences might not be glued to their phones and online shopping quite like they were in Q1.

    But that doesn’t mean your product sales have to take a dip.

    Here are 3 simple, strategic ways to boost your sales in May, without launching something new, having to post on Instagram 24/7, or reinventing your entire business.

    1. Team Up With Affiliates to Sell for You 🤝

    I will never not encourage you to work with affiliates.  Why?  Because one of the fastest ways to get more eyes on your products is to let other people share them for you.

    Affiliate partners – like customers, creators, or brand friends – can promote your products to their audience and earn a small commission for every sale.

    The best part? You only pay them when a sale happens.


    Pro Tip: If you’ve been meaning to start an affiliate program but the tech has you stuck… I offer done-for-you affiliate tech setups so you can get started stress-free. All the details are here.

    2. Run a Limited-Time Promotion ⏰

    You don’t need a big, blowout sale. A little urgency goes a long way.

    Try:

    • A 2-day free shipping window if you’re selling physical products.
    • A “May Mystery Deal” bundle
    • A bonus gift with orders over $40

    These offers work especially well when tied to a date (like Mother’s Day or Memorial Day weekend).

    Just give your audience a reason to buy now instead of “maybe later.”

    3. Re-Engage Your Existing Customers 👯‍♀️

    Your current and past customers are your best sales opportunity – and they’re often just waiting for a little nudge.

    This month, try one of these:

    • Send a “We Miss You” email with a small discount
    • Offer early access to a new product
    • Reward repeat buyers with a small thank-you gift or points boost if you use a loyalty app like Smile.io

    You don’t always need more people. You just need to warm up the ones who already love what you do.

    May doesn’t have to be a slow month for your business. 🤓

    Even if your audience is distracted by sunshine and school schedules, there are ways to meet them where they are, and still make meaningful sales.

    Whether you bring on a few affiliates, try a flash promo, or reconnect with past customers, small actions can lead to big results.

    Need help setting up the backend of your affiliate program or planning your May affiliate strategy?

    Let’s chat – I’ve got tech setup sessions open this month.  Reach out with any questions you might have!

  • Affiliate Programs

    Palm Springs, Inspiration, and Instagram Tips: My Alt Summit Recap

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    I went to Alt Summit a few weeks ago in Palm Springs.  It was my first time attending, but it won’t be my last.  While it’s primarily a conference for creatives, and I am not a creative, I got so many good ideas for my business, met so many awesome people, and learned so much from the conference, that I plan to attend again in the future.

    Below I’m sharing some of my top highlights from the main conference days, which were Saturday and Sunday.

    🌴 Saturday Highlights

    Lisa Congdon was the keynote speaker who opened up Saturday’s session, and she was so inspiring.  One of my favorite things she said during her keynote was that whenever she wanted to do something, instead of thinking she was too old or too late or too – whatever – she would ask herself:

    “Why not me?”

    This made it easier for her to say yes to things she wanted to do/try/be!

    Another favorite session from Saturday for me was Amelia McCall’s session, “The Reel Deal: Unlocking Instagram Growth with Short-Form Content”.  It was a really funny and engaging session, and I was excited to learn more about how to grow on Instagram without ads.  

    (more…)
  • Affiliate Programs

    Favorite Business & Personal Things for Product Sellers [February 2025 Edition]

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    I just wrapped up enrollment for the March round of my Affiliate Program Intensive yesterday, and I’m excited for the four amazing women who said YES to this round! 🥳

    Today I’m excited to share my monthly “Favorite Things” post with you as we head towards the end of February!

    If you’re new around here, first off, WELCOME! And secondly, know that this post is a monthly glimpse into what I’m doing and buying for my own business, plus other fun resources you might be interested in.

    I hope you’ll enjoy reading through this post, and will take time to check out all the resources available to you! 

    Business & Marketing Favorites

    • Affiliate Tip of the Month – Send a newsletter to your affiliates!  I sent one out for my new affiliate management client last week, the first time one has been sent in over a year, and it resulted in 3 new sales for her in just one week!  (Use code FEBRUARY to save $20 off by February 28th.)
    • Tool I’m Loving – I use this finance tracker from The Organized CEO in my business weekly.  Use my code CYAP25 to save 25% off!
    • Best Business Read – I’ve really been enjoying the emails that HerPaperRoute sends, with a personal favorite post of theirs being 10 Things to Do Before You Hit Publish On Your Next Article.

    Personal Favorites

    • Something I Bought & Loved – Loving picking out outfits in my Nuuly subscription for my upcoming trip to Palm Springs.  I’m going to place my order today, and hope that the outfits all work. 
    • Current Drink Obsession – I’m legit obsessed with a King Cake Latte from my local coffee shop.  It’s Mardi Gras season here in Louisiana, and I’m going to be so sad when this drink goes away after Fat Tuesday.
    • Self-Care Must-Have – I’m hitting add to cart on this soap… My poor little spotty face is not surviving the winter very well.   Use my code CYAP to save 15% off!

    Community & Inspiration

    • Shoutout to a Business I Love – So grateful to have Jen of How She Scales as our Platinum Sponsor for the upcoming The Product Seller Summit!
    • A Quote That Stuck With Me – In last week’s email from The Organized CEO, Becky shared this quote “”The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” – Hans Hofmann”.  I loved it so much because it just really reiterates that by saying NO to more, we can say YES to what truly matters.
    • A Question for You – What’s the best product you’ve ever discovered because of a recommendation from a friend? Reply and let me know—I love hearing about hidden gems

    Just for Fun

    • What I’m Watching – Have you watched The Night Agent on Netflix?  We finished it in just 5 nights… It was SO GOOD.
    • Upcoming Trip – I’m headed to Alt Summit in Palm Springs next month!  If you are going, hit reply so we can make plans to meet in person!  If you have any recommendations on what to see and do in Palm Springs, let me know that, too.
    • Behind the Scenes – I’ve been busy working on The Product Seller Summit, my 5-day Summit for physical product sellers, which is happening April 7th – 11th. I’ve got sponsors and speakers and secured (can’t wait to share them with you!) and am deep into putting together all of the website pages for the Summit.  It’s a lot of work, but I’m LOVING it and can’t wait for everything to come together!  Will be sharing more details soon.

    ** Please note – this post contains affiliate links, but I only recommend products and resources I use and love myself!

  • Affiliate Programs

    Favorite Business Resources for Product Sellers [January 2025 Edition]

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    I’m excited to share my monthly “Favorite Things” post with you.  If you’re new around here, first off, WELCOME! And secondly, know that this post is a monthly glimpse into what I’m doing and buying for my own business, plus other fun resources you might be interested in. I hope you’ll enjoy reading through this post , and will take time to check out all the resources available to you! 🥰

    PS: One of my favorite parts of January so far?  All the snow we got this past Tuesday…  Our yard was a true winter wonderland, and I loved it on Tuesday.  On Wednesday, I was cold and over it… 😆

    Favorite Business + Personal Resources

    ❄️ GET ORGANIZED

    Want to get organized with your finances this year?  Grab this Business Finance Tracker to make tracking expenses and income super easy in your biz.

    Is the cabinet under your kitchen sink a mess like mine?  Add this to your Amazon cart ASAP.

    Organize your desktop while you are at it!


    ❄️ GROW YOUR BIZ

    I joined Melody’s Grow. Profit. Scale Membership last month and I love it so much!  It’s super affordable, and has me getting into action each week.  See all the details for yourself here.

    Need to set a budget? This template will help.

    This $9 strategy made me over $1500 in 2024.



    ❄️ PRODUCTS YOU’LL LOVE

    I’m obsessed with fun earrings, and a lot of my favorites come from here.

    Use code CYAP to save 15% off the best organic self-care products!

    Want to refresh your home or office?  Check out the cutest floral art!


    ❄️ AFFILIATE PROGRAM BLOG + RESOURCES

    NEW on the Blog: Affiliates vs. Influencers – What’s the difference?

    I’m running another round of the Make More Together: 4-Week Affiliate Program Intensive for Product Sellers in March.  Everyone on the waiting list gets super early bird pricing, so be sure to sign up here for the waitlist to be notified when doors open.

    Want to know how to pitch potential affiliate partners? You need this template.

    Already have affiliate partners?  You need to be emailing them a newsletter every month.  Grab these templates to make this easy-peasy.  

    ** Please note – this post contains affiliate links, but I only recommend products and resources I use and love myself!

  • Affiliate Programs

    Affiliates vs. Influencers – What’s the difference?

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    Last week I received a reply to my newsletter asking what the difference is between Affiliates and Influencers.

    This is actually a question I get fairly often, so I thought I would write a quick blog post sharing the difference between the two.

    With affiliates, you are giving them a link to promote your products and in return, they receive a commission for anything they sell.  You are only paying them if they refer a sale, and you aren’t giving them free products in order for them to promote.  

    With influencers, you are giving them free product and paying them a fee to promote your products – regardless of if they make a sale or not through their affiliate links or promo code.  

    What I like about working with influencers is that even if they don’t refer sales to you, they can provide you with user generated content and help get your business name out there further.  And sometimes if you work with influencers who have a following of 5k to 25k (this is a sweet spot, in my experience), they won’t require a huge fee, and are sometimes happy to work in exchange for free product.  They will also still generate sales because their audience is more engaged than people who have massive audiences and are posting all sorts of products all the time.

    If you are a small product based businesses wanting more sales, I recommend starting your affiliate program first and inviting your existing customers to become your affiliates (there’s a way to incentivize them to join your program and give them affiliate perks without giving them free products) and then once you have that going, start layering in influencer marketing.  

    Having your current/past customers become your affiliates is the “easiest” path to more sales because they already are loving your products and if they can earn a little extra moolah for sharing it with their friends and family, that’s just the icing on the cake!

    If you are wanting more user generated content regardless of if any sales are made, working with influencers might be the route to go first instead of working with affiliates.

    If you’d like some support setting up your affiliate program, I’d love to have you join me in the next round of the Make More Together ~ 4- Week Affiliate Program Intensive for Product Sellers in March.  Registration will open in February, and there will a bonus call all about working with influencers.