<b>Q: How do I change commission rates without losing my partners?</b>

<b>Q: How do I change commission rates without losing my partners?</b>

Never cut rates silently or overnight. A surprise rate drop is the single fastest way to lose your best affiliates to a competitor, and they'll tell others why they left.

Do it like this:

— Give notice (2-4 weeks minimum) before any cut takes effect
— Explain the why honestly (margin pressure, channel rebalancing) rather than hiding it
— Grandfather your top performers, or soften the cut for them specifically
— Pair a cut with something you're adding: better creative, faster payouts, a new bonus, so it's not pure loss

For increases, do the opposite of quiet: announce them loudly, they're your best reactivation and recruiting tool.

Caveat: read your own terms before changing anything. If your agreement promises a rate for a period, breaking it mid-term is both a trust and a potential legal problem. Build a 'we may adjust with notice' clause in from the start so you have room to maneuver fairly.

Got a question? Send it in.