How to write an affiliate approval letter that gets the job done

Use my affiliate approval letter template to get accepted into an affiliate program easily.

Let’s say you just started a blog or YouTube channel and are eager to sign up for an affiliate program, get your unique links, start driving traffic, and make some affiliate sales commission with affiliate marketing.

So, you sign up for affiliate networks like Awin and Rakuten, applied to a couple of affiliate programs, and hear nothing in return.

This happened to me.

How do I write an affiliate Approval letter?

Affiliate approval request letter template.

One of the biggest struggles of affiliate marketing is getting approved by affiliate programs.  If you want to join the most popular programs, then you need to be prepared for picky affiliate managers.

• Start with an affiliate program or network that’s more newbie-friendly. Once you generate some revenue and more followers on social media, go back to the original network you wanted and show them proof that you have more experience now.

What are affiliate Managers looking for?

The main thing all affiliate networks are looking for are affiliates who have realistic plans for bringing customers to the company and the right skills. And that doesn’t mean you need to have thousands of followers or years of experience in the industry. If you can prove that you are serious about joining an affiliate program then your chances of being accepted are high even if you are a beginner.

However, some affiliate networks are more demanding. They may require you to have a specific follower count or monthly traffic numbers. For example, Sephora and The Ordinary affiliate programs are like that.

So, what should you do before reaching out to affiliate networks to INCREASE your ACCEPTANCE chances?

For example, to join Amazon Associates, you’ll need an active website/blog or YouTube channel. You’ll also need to provide some key details so that Amazon can verify the validity of your website. 

BOTTOM LINE:  To increase your chances of being accepted into an affiliate program, you should apply for those programs that match your audience’s interests. 

Affiliate Acceptance Letter Example and writing tips

Below is the exact letter that I used to reach out to Etsy affiliate program managers to get accepted.  

Take the affiliate letter seriously and fill it with the right details. Explain how you will promote the products or services. Provide your full contact details and all relevant information, but be concise and brief. Nobody has time to read more than a couple of paragraphs.

Make sure that all the links are clickable.

Provide the affiliate program manager with everything they need to take the desired action.

You want to show that you are serious about joining the affiliate marketing industry and treating the affiliate program and its manager respectfully and thoughtfully.

What to Include in an Affiliate Acceptance Letter

1. Introduce yourself

Write your first and last name (in the example above I omitted the last name for privacy reasons). Your online presence.

• Blogger
• YouTuber
• Social Media Influencer

Write a website address (clickable link). Explain your brand purpose.

EXAMPLE: Hi, I am [Your Name] a Social Media Influencer! I also help other Bloggers, YouTubers & Instagrammers get started & grow their own Audience!
The main areas I focus on are Blogging and how to become a Blogger as well as Lifestyle (including Beauty, Fashion, & Product Reviews)

• Adjust according to your area and Blog focus.

2. Specific marketing strategies

Some affiliate networks have exclusive requirements. You’ll need to explain why the program should accept you and provide ideas for specific marketing strategies. You might even show evidence of your site traffic or newsletter subscribers’ numbers.

• Additionally, if you have a proven track record of successful affiliate marketing, you can showcase this data.

Read the terms and conditions of an affiliate program carefully. If it states that you can’t use affiliate links in an email or a social media post (Amazon Affiliate for example), don’t write in your affiliate approval letter that you are planning to advertise these links on your social media.

EXAMPLE: My main promotional methods include:

• Content & Niche Marketing (Blog Posts, Videos)
• Video Reviews on YouTube
• Social Media Posts
• Email Marketing for followers
• Comparisons & Reviews …

List your main affiliate links promotion channels.

3. Provide Accurate and Complete Information

You’ll want to ensure that you provide accurate data. Proofread your affiliate letter making sure that it is free from spelling and grammatical errors. These are small details, but they can tell a lot about your business’s level of professionalism.

• It might be tempting to exaggerate your visitor and follower numbers or sales to gain access to an exclusive affiliate network. However, lying can be problematic if the program fact-checks your claims.

EXAMPLE: The main areas I focus on are Makeup and Skincare for mature skin. Here are some links to my Blog and Social Media presence where overall I reach over 5,000 subscribers and followers:
https://modernfifty.tv
https://www.instagram.com/modernfiftytv/
https://www.pinterst.ca/modernfiftytv/
https://www.youtube.com/modernfiftytv/

Adjust according to your area and Blog focus.

• If you have a big following then insert the numbers for each platform.
• If you just started and don’t have a big following then write the total of all followers and page visits to the blog.

4. Professional Email Address

if you want to join an exclusive affiliate program, a custom address can make your application look more professional. For example, if your website is “examplewebsite.com”, a domain-specific address could be “contact@examplewebsite.com”.

EXAMPLE: Please do not hesitate to contact me for additional information! Thank you so much and Kind Regards
Irina
contact[@]modernfifty.tv

Brand Affiliate Follow-Up Message Template

Follow up after your application was rejected or you didn’t receive any answer for a week. Affiliate managers usually have to go through dozens, if not hundreds, of applications daily, so it takes some time. 

You can politely contact an affiliate manager/program and ask if there is a reason why they think you’re not a good fit for the affiliate program.

Adjust according to your situation.

3 reasons why affiliate programs reject some affiliate requests

After getting your application rejected a couple of times, you will probably wonder why those affiliate networks can’t just take everyone as they come. And later judge the affiliates by their results alone.

1. Risk of Fraud

One of the reasons is the growing number of fraudsters who want to earn commission no matter what. Some people make a living by scamming affiliate networks and programs. They send some fake leads, get paid, and then get caught. Then they start again at a different or the same network under another alias. 

2. Risk of Lawsuit

If an affiliate is engaging in sending SPAM,  making claims that are not true, or breaking the law in any way, the reader can sue the company and lawsuits are not cheap to get settled.

3. Limited resources

Big brands have the most popular affiliate programs and get hundreds of applications daily. But there’s a limit to how many affiliates they can help out reasonably well. That is why it’s beneficial to you to send an affiliate letter and follow up on your application.

4. Followers count

Some affiliate networks are more demanding. They may require you to have a specific follower count or monthly traffic numbers. For example, Sephora and The Ordinary affiliate programs are like that.

Frequently Asked Questions

BOTTOM LINE: You need to be prepared to wait a while to receive an answer to your application. Affiliate managers usually have to go through dozens or sometimes even hundreds of applications every day, so be patient. As long as you can show program managers that you can produce the results they want and you know HOW to do so, your chances of being accepted will increase.