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Writer's pictureLaurence - FractalMax

Affiliate Marketing For Newbies: How To Handle Program Rejections

Updated: Sep 20

Dealing with program rejections can be discouraging for beginners in affiliate marketing, but it’s a common part of the process. In this guide, you’ll learn how to handle rejections, improve your chances for acceptance, and keep moving forward toward success.


What matters is understanding why you were rejected and knowing how to fix it.


Let’s explore how to turn rejections into learning opportunities in your affiliate marketing journey.


Woman working on a laptop

Table of Contents


Key Takeaways

  • Rejections are common in affiliate marketing, especially for new sites with low traffic.

  • Building a strong website with quality content and good traffic is essential for acceptance.

  • Choose affiliate programs that align with your niche and meet their requirements.

  • Improve your applications by highlighting strengths and providing accurate information.

  • Learn from rejections, stay positive, and reapply strategically.



Affiliate Marketing For Newbies: Understanding Affiliate Program Rejections

Common Reasons for Rejection

Your application can be rejected for many different causes. Sometimes, your site is just too new or doesn't generate enough traffic.


Other times, this may happen because your content doesn't align with what the brand's. Knowing these reasons will help you improve your chances next time.

Major reasons for affiliate program rejection

The Importance of Traffic

One big deal with affiliate programs is traffic. Companies want to see you're capable of bringing visitors to your site.


If your site doesn't have enough traffic, they might not approve you. Focus on building your audience to really improve your chances.


Companies often prioritize affiliates who can showcase a robust and engaged audience.


Aligning with Brand Values

Brands look for affiliates who match their values and image. If your content doesn't fit with what the brand stands for, they might reject your application.


Make sure your site aligns with the brands you want to work with.


Don't get discouraged by rejections. Use them as a learning experience to improve your site and applications.

Stop sign


Building a Strong Foundation for Your Site

Creating a solid base for your Hub (or website) is crucial for affiliate marketing success. Quality content is the backbone of your site.


Make sure your articles are helpful, engaging, and relevant to your audience. This will keep visitors coming back for more.


Driving traffic to your site is another key element. It's like breathing for a human being!


Learn how to generate traffic to any website or offers with the Mass Traffic Blueprint course. You can access this course for free in the private VIP community (free to join).


Mass Traffic Blueprint course

You can use social media, SEO, and backlinks from high-authority sites to increase your visibility. The more people visit your site, the better your chances of making sales.


This requires work, it can't be done overnight.


Establishing credibility is also very important for your affiliate marketing business. Show your audience that you are trustworthy and knowledgeable.


This can be done by sharing your expertise, getting testimonials, and being transparent about your affiliate relationships.





Important: Fort those of you who are using AI for content generation, don't just copy and paste your content. Edit the text, add your own experience, stories.


Only use AI to generate content about a topic you know about. If you have no expertise in the topic, it's not a good idea because you won't spot AI mistakes and wrong information.

Avoid non-sense and low quality content. AI or not it has to be valuable for the reader.


It's important that your personal touch is in the content, this way you comply with Google E-E-A-T: Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness.


Affiliate marketer working on a laptop

Choosing the Right Affiliate Programs

Researching Potential Programs

When starting out, it's essential to research potential programs thoroughly. Look for programs that align with your niche and have a good reputation.


Some platforms offer access to thousands of companies, while others might have fewer options but are partnered with big names.


Don't overlook smaller networks; they can sometimes offer unique opportunities.


Matching Programs to Your Niche

Choosing the right affiliate network for your niche is not always easy. Each platform has its own merchants and partnerships.


Make sure the programs you choose are relevant to your audience. If your content fits their product like a glove, it will be easier to get accepted.


If you're interested to partner with tech companies, Partnerstack is a great network you can join.


Understanding Program Requirements

Before applying, understand the program requirements.


Some programs may not be actively promoting their affiliate program, but they can invite you to join if they see potential.


Meeting their criteria will increase your chances of being accepted.


Bringing the right audience to your site who really wants to try out the service or product you recommend is key to affiliate marketing success. Attract the right audience by ranking your site for keywords that people use when researching.

Improving Your Application

Highlighting Your Strengths

When applying to affiliate programs, it's crucial to highlight your strengths. Showcase your unique skills and what sets you apart from others.


You'll see that there is often a section dedicated for this.


This could be:

  • Your expertise in a specific niche.

  • Your ability to create engaging content.

  • Your strong social media presence.

5 Tips to get accepted by affiliate programs infographic

Providing Accurate Information

Always provide accurate and truthful information in your application.


Instead show your motivation in growing a strong online community.


Double-check your details to avoid any mistakes.


This includes your Hub or website URL, traffic statistics, and any other required information.

Inaccurate information can lead to immediate rejection, so don't say you have 100k followers on social media if it's not true.


Be real!


Following Up Professionally

After submitting your application, it's a good idea to follow up professionally.


Send a polite email to the affiliate manager to express your interest and ask if they need any additional information.


This shows your dedication and can help you stand out.


Keeping track of your applications in a spreadsheet can help you stay organized and ensure you don't miss any follow-ups.

Today, I share with you the same template I use to organize my partners! It will save you precious time!


I crafted it a few years ago to keep track of everything when I started to have many partners — The Affiliate Marketer's Organizer Template!


I'm using this template constantly.


✅ This downloadable file will help you easily manage your partners and affiliate links effectively.



The Affiliate Marketer's organizer template

Handling Rejections Gracefully

Learning from Feedback

When you get rejected, it's important to understand why.


Feedback can be a goldmine of information.


Take note of any reasons given for the rejection and use them to improve your site or application. This way, you can make better applications in the future.


Staying Positive

Rejection can be tough, but don't let it get you down. Keep a positive attitude and remember that every rejection is a step closer to acceptance.


Negativity attracts negativity! So, tay motivated, positive and keep working on your site.


Woman walking in nature

Reapplying Strategically

If your application gets rejected, don't give up. Wait a little while, make the necessary improvements, and then apply again.


Sometimes, a bit of patience and persistence is all you need to get accepted.


Remember, even the best marketers face rejection. It's how you handle it that sets you apart.

Joining communities like the FractalMax private VIP community can also provide support and advice from others who have been in your shoes.


Reaching Out to Affiliate Managers

Crafting a Persuasive Email

When reaching out to affiliate managers, it's important to show that you have chosen their products for a reason.


Explain why you picked their products and how you plan to promote them. This shows that you have put thought into your application and have a clear plan.


Building Relationships

Building a good relationship with affiliate managers can help you in the long run. Be polite and professional in your communications.


Think long-term.


Over time, this can lead to better opportunities and support from the managers.


Seeking Constructive Criticism

Don't be afraid to ask for feedback if your application is rejected. This will help you understand what you need to do to improve.


Use this feedback to make your next application stronger.


Leveraging Smaller Affiliate Programs

Starting with Lesser-Known Programs

When you're new to affiliate marketing, it can be tough to get accepted into big programs. Smaller affiliate programs are a great place to start.


They often have fewer requirements and are more willing to work with beginners. This gives you a chance to learn the ropes and build your skills.


Building a Track Record

Once you start making sales with smaller programs, you can use this success to show bigger programs that you're a good partner.


Keep track of your sales and any positive feedback you get. It's helpful to do better next time and build a strong application for future programs.


Using Success as Leverage

Your success with smaller programs can be a powerful tool. When you apply to bigger programs, you can highlight your achievements.


Show them how you've driven traffic and made sales. This can make a big difference in getting accepted.


Starting small doesn't mean staying small. Use your early successes to climb the ladder in affiliate marketing.

By focusing on smaller programs first, you can gain valuable experiences and build a solid foundation for your affiliate marketing journey.


Handshaking

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Avoiding Spammy Practices

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is using spammy practices. This includes:


Unsolicited Emails

Don’t send emails to people who haven’t opted in. Always build your email list through legitimate means.


Irrelevant Forum Comments

Avoid dropping links in unrelated discussions. Engage meaningfully and only post links when relevant.


Overloading with Affiliate Links

Too many affiliate links can overwhelm your audience. Be very selective and strategic about where you place them.


I love to place affiliate links in my Hub and I very rarely share them on social media or other platform. I always channel people to my Hub, it's the central place of activity of my affiliate business.


Misleading Clickbait

Don’t use deceptive headlines or promises to trick people into clicking your links. Be honest and clear about the value you're offering.


Ask yourself the good questions;

  • Is my headline accurately representing the content?

  • Am I delivering on the promise made in the headline?

  • Will this link add genuine value to my audience?

  • How would I feel if I clicked this link and didn’t get what I expected?


Spamming Social Media

Avoid posting the same promotional content repeatedly on social media. Focus on offering valuable content and engaging with your audience.


Spammy behavior can damage your reputation and make it hard to build trust with your audience.


Maintaining Transparency

Always be honest with your audience. If you are promoting a product, make sure to disclose that you are an affiliate.


Transparency helps build trust and keeps you in line with legal requirements.


Adhering to Program Guidelines

Each affiliate program has its own set of rules. Make sure you read and follow these guidelines carefully.


Read the terms carefully and take notes if needed.


Not adhering to program guidelines can result in termination of your partnership.


When doing affiliate marketing, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. Avoiding common mistakes can help you succeed faster.

Staying Persistent in Affiliate Marketing

Setting Realistic Goals

Setting achievable goals is key to staying motivated. Break down your big goals into smaller, manageable tasks.


This way, you can celebrate small wins and keep moving forward.


Your positive mindset will make all the difference.

Setting SMART goals infographic

Tracking Your Progress

Keep an eye on your progress by regularly reviewing your performance. Use tools like Google Analytics to see what's working and what needs improvement.


This helps you stay on track and make necessary adjustments.


Continuously Learning and Adapting

Affiliate marketing is always changing. Stay updated with the latest trends and strategies.


Here are a few things you can do:


  • Join online forums

  • Read blogs

  • Listen to podcasts

  • Take courses to keep your skills sharp.


Talking about online course I'll give you access to the Mass Traffic Blueprint Courses for Free (it's premium video course) when you join the FractalMax VIP Community.


You'll learn how to generate traffic to your site or affiliate offers, how to increase sales and much more.


Also, you'll find many other free courses, resources and live events, so don't miss out.


Traffic generation course

Persistence is your best friend in affiliate marketing. Keep learning, adapting, and pushing forward, even when things get tough.

The power of persistence can make a big difference in your affiliate marketing journey.


Stay focused and keep going no matter what!


Utilizing Affiliate Marketing Communities

Joining Forums and Groups

One of the best ways to learn about affiliate marketing for newbies is by joining forums and groups.


These communities are full of experienced marketers who share their tips and tricks. You can ask questions, get advice, and learn from others' experiences.


Some popular forums include Warrior Forum and AffiliateFix.


Warrior Forum

Sharing Experiences

When you join these communities, don't just be a passive member. Share your own experiences and challenges.

This helps you build relationships and gain insights from others who might have faced similar issues.


Plus, sharing your journey can inspire and help other newbies.


We were all beginners when we started.


Learning from Peers

In these communities, you can learn a lot from your peers. This collective knowledge is invaluable.


They might share strategies that worked for them, tools they use, or even mistakes they've made, saving you precious time.


These groups offer valuable tips, events, support, and networking opportunities that can help you succeed.


The FractalMax private VIP community is a great place to connect with other affiliate marketers and creators.


I would be very happy to welcome you there.


Being part of a community can make your affiliate marketing journey less lonely and more rewarding. You get to celebrate wins together and find support during tough times.

Joining affiliate marketing communities is a game-changer for your online business. Ready to take your affiliate marketing to the next level?