When I was starting out, I very stupidly thought you already had to be driving volume in order to ask for more commission.  Upon reflection, that’s patently ridiculous and I was a bloody idiot.

Waiting until you’re already driving thousands or tens of thousands of pounds in sales a month is the wrong way round.  That leaves you in a position where you’ve most likely exhausted a lot of avenues to ramp up volume.

Lets face it, most merchants / affiliate managers / agencies don’t tend to pay extra for sales volume they’re already getting, the rotters.

So If You’re Going To Work Hard On A Site….

Drop your local friendly affiliate manager a line.  Here’s what I usually say (now that I remember to ask BEFORE I spend hundreds of hours promoting someone!)

Hi Insert Managers Name Here,

My name’s Kirsty McCubbin and I run, Insert Site Name Here.  As we’re about to invest significant time and marketing resources into the site I thought it might be worth asking if you guys ever offer higher commission teirs for more volume?

I’ve always responded very well to targets so I thought it was worth querying this with you now in case there is something we can set up for me to aim at with the site, and a goal to keep me motivated through all the hard work that lies ahead!

Big up love and affiliate hugs and kisses,

Kirsty

There, that wasn’t so hard now was it?? (OK maybe I don’t sign off like that – but I’d like to!)

When To Ask

As soon as possible really, although doing it before you’ve even built a site may be jumping the gun ever so slightly. Also, if a merchant already has some commission tiers in place I tend to wait until I’m climbing up them a little, and then hit them up before I make that final push to generate even more sales.

But I’m Only A Small Affiliate?

That doesn’t matter – if you don’t ask you don’t get. Inferiority complexes get you nowhere. A special deal between you and a merchant is great motivation to keep pushing for those pennies.

If You’re Already Driving Good Sales and Don’t Have a Way Of Ramping Up

It’s worth testing some of your traffic with another merchant. Don’t be put off by lower commission rates, some merchants will convert better and earn you more money.

You can then use the data you’ve gathered to either ask the new merchant you’ve identified for more money by letting them know how much volume you think you can drive to them (you’ll be able to work this out from the EPCs of the test you’ve done) or go to your existing merchant and ask if they can offer an enhanced rate to keep you. No, it won’t always work – but you’ll be amazed at how often it does… and not just for people driving huge volumes.

It’s Never A Rude Question…

The worst that’ll happen is that someone will say no, or ignore you completely. The last time I checked my affiliate medical dictionary it wasn’t a terminal wound. Should you get a rebuffal, just use it as motivation to drive those sales to beautifully high levels… and then send them all to their competitors

• Ask Kirsty – When & How To Negotiate More Commission?
• In time for Christmas – 10 Ways Affiliates and Merchants Could Work Better
• Ask Kirsty – Why Aren’t My Affiliate Sites Converting?