Affiliate marketing is commonly associated with bloggers as a means of generating income, but I believe it can also be an intriguing source of additional earnings for freelancers beyond their current service offerings.
The key is to locate the most suitable affiliate programs for your audience or clients.
As affiliate marketing involves utilizing established products or services of others, you only need to focus on promoting them, thereby requiring minimal management.
What is even more advantageous? Affiliate programs that offer recurring commissions.
These programs continue to give over time by offering repeated payouts, typically on a monthly or yearly basis, throughout the customer’s lifetime.
Is there anything to dislike about that?
What is an Affiliate Program with Recurring Commissions?
An affiliate program involves a business providing you with a fixed commission for selling their products or services. If the commission is “recurring,” it implies that you receive money not only once but multiple times from the sale.
These types of programs are also commonly known as:
- Residual or lifetime
- Recurring referral programs
- Recurring passive income
Usually, you can join the programs for free, but occasionally you may have to be an existing customer to take part. The primary method of advertising the programs is by using an affiliate link – this is a special URL that monitors the individuals you direct to the affiliate, ensuring that any purchases are linked to your affiliate ID.
Why Consider Affiliate Programs with a Recurring Commission Structure
The appeal lies in the concept of receiving rewards repeatedly for the effort you put into your clients and the affiliate programs you promote by investing significant work and time.
By utilizing these programs, not only will you assist your client and increase their perception of your value, but you will also enhance your potential for generating passive income. As you convert more leads, your monthly or annual payout will consequently increase.
Furthermore, a considerable number of these programs incorporate an elevated initial monthly payment accompanied by supplementary incentives, thereby enhancing their appeal and apparent value.
Despite sounding like the ideal situation, there are some potential drawbacks to earning repeated commissions, such as:
- One-time payment programs could offer higher payouts.
- It may take longer to earn what a one-time payment provides upfront.
- Your commissions decrease as customers cancel.
- You rely on the company, the program, and the service to remain active and favorable.
Recurring commission affiliate programs, overall, should be taken into consideration due to their potential for generating passive income and their capacity to improve the experience of your clients while augmenting your value as a service provider.
The Best Recurring Affiliate Programs
Right now, we have compiled a list of the top affiliate marketing programs that we believe offer recurring payments.
AWeber
A recurring affiliate program is run by AWeber for those who can assist in increasing signups for their monthly service. AWeber is an email marketing tool that enables subscribers to establish a relationship with each customer or user by providing them with a profile.
As part of the affiliate marketing program, each plan offered by Aweber is priced according to the number of users, ranging from $19.99 to $149.99. As an Aweber Advocate, you will receive a unique link that can be shared anywhere.
If someone signs up using your affiliate links, you will earn a 30% recurring commission for the duration of their subscription.
GetResponse
GetResponse offers a comprehensive range of features for subscribers, such as email creation tools, analytics, and website builders, making it a marketing automation tool. By enrolling in their affiliate marketing program, you have the opportunity to earn both one-time and recurring commissions, with their recurring affiliate programs being among the top choices.
If you opt for one of the two recurring affiliate programs, you have the choice to receive a “bounty” which grants you $100 for every sale you refer. However, if you select this option, you will not be eligible for the lifetime option.
ConvertKit
If you have an audience consisting of musicians, streamers, or podcasters, you might be able to recommend ConvertKit to them, as it is a marketing platform meant specifically for content creators who require guidance and automation for managing their promotional activities.
You will receive a 30% commission for each individual who registers with ConvertKit using your affiliate link. The monthly recurring commissions will continue as long as the account remains active.
Leadpages
Leadpages is a user-friendly marketing tool that enables subscribers to effortlessly create and publish landing pages. In the event that you are able to attract a greater number of advertisers who register, you have the opportunity to earn considerable commissions.
If you choose to participate in the program, you will receive recurring commissions ranging from 10% to 50% on all sales that you generate. The percentage of commissions you earn will depend on the sales you generate throughout a period of time.
SEMRush
With over 7 million past and current subscribers, SEMRush is a prominent presence in the marketing software industry. Their comprehensive platform offers a range of useful utilities, including SEO and PPC tools, competitor research tools, and more.
If reputation is the only factor considered, this could be seen as one of the top recurring affiliate programs.
Businesses often use SEMRush for years in the SEO community, resulting in recurring income for longer periods due to the trust it has gained.
As an affiliate, you have the opportunity to earn $200 for each new subscription sold, $10 for each new lead generated, and $0.01 for each new sign-up that arrives at the website via your affiliate links.
SEMRush is open to receiving partnership offers from marketers who are interested in establishing a relationship, which may involve recurring payments.
Elegant Themes
Elegant Themes offers WordPress themes and website-building tools for a fee that can be paid on a subscription basis. By promoting these themes, you have the opportunity to earn a commission of up to 50%. At present, the annual plans are priced at $89/year.
The themes’ users will generate recurring income every year by paying their yearly renewal fees, as commissions are also provided on these renewals.
Shopify
By joining the recurring affiliate program of Shopify, a widely-used storefront software globally, individuals can potentially enhance their online store and increase sales, as Shopify is a subscription-based storefront service offering analytics tools for setting up and improving an online store.
As a partner, you are entitled to receive a bounty of 200% for each successful referral. If you decide to take it a step further and become part of the partner program, you can receive a lifetime commission of 20% for every shop you assist in setting up.
LiveChat
LiveChat is a subscription-based platform for customer service live chat that businesses can purchase. It offers AI and tools to enable customers to contact you (or someone similar) through chat.
The program provides a lifetime 20% commission for every sale of a live chat or chat support subscription that you assist in selling. In addition, they offer partners benefits such as personalized offers, ready-to-use promotional materials, and access to an open API.
SocialPilot
SocialPilot is an automation tool for marketing that permits its subscribers to schedule and publish updates across almost all their social media accounts at the same time, in the form of blog posts, videos, or images.
As an affiliate, you have the opportunity to receive recurring income whenever the customer renews, earning a lifetime commission of 30% for each new paid subscription.
The current range of these subscriptions is from approximately $20 to over $100. The commission is still applicable for each subsequent renewal of the subscription.
Closing Remarks
These strategic partnerships, whether you choose to refer your clients to these affiliate programs or integrate them into your services, offer a feasible way to offset business expenses and generate passive income.
With your opportunities, there are no limits in the sky. Which one will you select?
