Q: I only manage my top affiliates — is that smart?

Q: I only manage my top affiliates — is that smart?

It feels efficient, but it's a mistake. Pouring all your attention on the top 1% means your mid-tier — partners doing 1-3 sales a month who could do 10 — gets zero nudging. That neglected middle is usually your biggest untapped growth.

Do this instead:

— Segment the roster: VIP (white-glove), mid-tier (light-touch programs), dormant (automated re-engagement).

— For mid-tier, use scalable moves: a monthly "here's what's working" email, a tier they can see themselves climbing, occasional rate boosts.

— Identify partners one push away from a higher tier and give them a personal reason to get there.

Caveat: don't spread so thin that your top earners feel ignored — they're irreplaceable and competitors are courting them. The goal is a system that lifts the middle without taking your hands off the top.

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