ARE TWO TIER AFFILIATE PROGRAMS WORTH PROMOTING?

I’m frequently asked questions about two tier affiliate program models:

• Are they legit?
• Is it a sustainable affiliate model?
• Do multi-tier models track accurately?
• Do I need to disclose my two tier relationship?
• Are there any negatives about the two tier affiliate model?
• Can you make any real money just recruiting new affiliates?

WHAT ARE TWO TIER AFFILIATE PROGRAMS?

Two tier affiliate programs allow you to make commissions not only on your own front-end sales, but the sales from others (your sub-affiliates) that you bring into the program as an affiliate.

A typical two tier structure would look like this:

• First Tier = You earn 30% commissions on all direct sales generated from your referrals
• Second Tier = You earn an additional 10% commissions on your sub-affiliate referral sales

Most multi-tier programs go two levels deep but there are some that go to the third tier and beyond where you’re making commissions on your sub-affiliate referrals too. I’ve seen affiliate tiers go as deep as five levels but deeper is not always better.

In fact, I would avoid any program that goes deeper than three tiers.

The Reality Of Promoting Two Tier Affiliate Programs

When new affiliate marketers learn about two tier affiliate programs they usually get very excited.  After all, it sounds like all you have to do is find a good tiered affiliate program to promote to a small army of other affiliates and then sit back on the beach while they pad your bank account with sub-affiliate commissions every day.

Awesome right! Well… not exactly.

Here’s the problem: The fact is that 90% and probably more of your sub-affiliates will never earn a dime of commissions.

Why?

Because the majority of the second tier affiliates that you recruit will be thinking about the beach scenario I just explained and will focus only on signing up their own sub-affiliates who continue to sign up more and more people.

 Since everyone is simply recruiting instead of selling, nobody earns any money. 

There has to be product sales somewhere along the line to get everyone paid. Without sales you’re getting a percentage of nothing. Everyone in hierarchy is chasing their tail.

Reality Check:

So how do you make any money with two tier affiliate program? With the exception of snagging a rare super-affiliate to sell underneath you the very best way to make money on the 2nd tier is to simply do the work yourself:

Always Promote The Affiliate Product, Not The Program.

Spend the majority of your time and effort selling the affiliate products yourself and treat any second tier commissions as a nice bonus. Further, make sure you encourage all of your sub-affiliates to do the same. You WILL eventually start raking in some effortless 2nd tier bucks.

Another idea, one that I don’t use* but works extremely well, is to help your sub-affiliates get started and train them how to effectively promote your affiliated products. The more successful you make them the more money you in turn will make.

*Not because I don’t care but due to a simple lack of time. 

• As stated above – Rule #1 is to promote to product first, not the program.
• Choose good quality products and services that convert well. I know… duh. But it had to be said.
• Read the fine print carefully to determine if the second-tier compensation is calculated as a straight percentage (% of revenue generated by sub-affiliates, or a percentage of a percentage of earnings generated by your sub-affiliates). A lot of two-tier affiliate programs suck so make sure you know what you’re promoting and how they’re paying you. If in doubt, reach out to their affiliate manager and ask.
• Make sure you tell your potential sub-affiliates that your cut of their earnings is paid by the vendor – not by them. This is crucial. Once they understand this fact, they’ll have no reason to circumvent your two tier affiliate link to join the program.
• When sales start rolling in, track who is doing the selling for you. It’s likely just a few affiliates who are actually producing. Reach out to them and thank them for the collaboration and offer to help them along. It’s a win-win and everybody likes to feel appreciated.

WHAT ARE THE BEST TWO TIER AFFILIATE PROGRAMS & NETWORKS?

If you’ve had success with two tier affiliate programs please share your experiences below including any programs that you would recommend.

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