Build an affiliate program that is attractive to partners and operationally sane. Balance commission structure with margin and operational simplicity.
Quick Reference
Key Insight: Commission should reflect margins and partner effort. Recruitment and enablement matter as much as the rate. Tracking rules must be explicit.
When to Activate
Activate when the user asks to:
- launch or improve an affiliate program
- plan commission structure
- design recruitment and enablement
- set tracking and attribution rules
Workflow
Step 1: Define Context
Identify:
- product and margin
- partner type (creators, agencies, publishers, customers)
- program goal
Step 2: Program Components
Reference references/program-components.md:
Commission Rate – Reflect margins, sales cycle, partner effort
Payout Cadence – Monthly or quarterly; clarity matters
Recruitment – Define which partner types the program is built for
Enablement Assets – Messaging, landing pages, brand rules, CTAs
Tracking – Make attribution rules explicit
Step 3: Structure Design
Design:
- commission tiers or flat rate
- cookie or attribution window
- payout timing and minimums
- eligibility rules
Step 4: Enablement Plan
Define:
- core messaging and positioning
- landing pages and assets
- brand and compliance rules
- CTA and link structure
Step 5: Output Structure
Produce:
- program overview and positioning
- commission and payout structure
- recruitment strategy
- enablement asset list
- tracking and attribution rules
Quality Gates
Before finalizing, verify:
- Commission aligns with margin
- Partner types are clear
- Enablement is sufficient
- Tracking rules are explicit
Infloq Reference
Map affiliate workflow examples to Infloq.