Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular streams of income online for both affiliates and companies. You see it everywhere in social media posts, blogs, videos, emails, and even books.

Affiliate programs provide lots of benefits. Companies that offer one get to advertise their products or services through affiliates with minimal investment or risk. They only pay when there are sales. Affiliates get a relatively simple way to earn money for promoting products or services without having to spend lots of money upfront on store inventory.

So today, I talk all about affiliate marketing. I cover the common legal terms and conditions, commissions, and disclosures obligations in affiliate contracts from the perspective of those who run affiliate programs and those who serve as affiliates.

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In this episode:

[01:34] - What is affiliate marketing?

[02:34] - Danielle gives a great example of affiliate marketing in action and discusses the potential income affiliates can make.

[03:37] - A cash commission is the most common payment option but not the only one. What other incentives can affiliates receive?

[06:00] - Those who offer affiliate marketing programs should have terms and conditions. Danielle goes over each section.

[07:13] - What if you work with affiliates on a smaller scale and don’t use software for tracking purposes?

[08:08] - Danielle talks about affiliate obligations commonly included in program terms. These are the business’s basic expectations of the affiliate.

[09:50] - In affiliate agreements, companies usually outline obligations and reserved rights on their end, in addition to terms regarding the termination of the agreement.

[10:47] - How are affiliates paid? Danielle discusses common commission terms.

[12:23] - Most companies reserve the right to modify their terms and conditions without notifying affiliates and may put some program restrictions in place.

[13:32] - How does confidentiality play a part in being an affiliate?

[14:19] - Danielle focuses on the other big legal issue for affiliate marketing: disclosure.

[15:54] - Find out the next steps to take, whether you’re an affiliate or a business that offers an affiliate program.

 

Links & Resources:

Businessese Affiliate Program

Affiliate Terms and Conditions

Referral Agreement

Businessese

Liss Legal