Affiliate marketing might sound like something only influencers and pro marketers do, but truth is, it’s one of the smartest, lowest-effort ways to grow your digital product sales.
And if you’re using Payhip? You already have all the tools baked in. No third-party apps. No extra subscriptions. Just a built-in system that lets other people promote your products and earn a cut. It’s like turning your happy customers into your sales team.
But here’s the catch, most creators don’t know how to set it up right. Or worse, they do it halfway and wonder why nobody’s sharing their links. Let’s fix that. Here’s the full beginner’s guide to starting affiliate marketing on Payhip without getting overwhelmed.
Step 1: Understand What Affiliate Marketing Actually Is (And Why It Works)
Affiliate marketing is pretty simple: you give someone a unique link to your product, they promote it, and if someone buys through that link—they earn a percentage. That’s it.
No inventory. No complicated setup. Just good old-fashioned word of mouth with a little tech boost.
Think of it like this: you’re turning your audience into ambassadors. Fans who love your templates, ebooks, or courses can earn money by recommending them. You only pay when they make a sale, no upfront costs. Win-win.
Why it’s perfect for Payhip creators:
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You keep control over commission rates.
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It’s all automated through Payhip’s affiliate dashboard.
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You grow your reach without running paid ads.
And honestly? It feels good when someone else is excited enough to share your stuff.
Step 2: Turn On Affiliate Marketing in Payhip
Alright, let’s get practical. Here’s how to actually activate the affiliate program in Payhip.
Go to your Marketing tab and click on Affiliate System. Hit “Enable Affiliate Marketing.” Boom—done. Now you can start adding affiliates and setting commission rates.
What to set up first:
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Default commission (usually between 20–50%)
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Per-product commissions if you want to reward more on higher-ticket items
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Customize your affiliate welcome email (make it personal!)
You don’t need to write a novel. Just something like:
“Thanks for joining the affiliate program! We’re excited to have you. Here’s your dashboard and a few tips to get started.”
One creator I know set their default commission at 30%, and their audience went wild. It gave fans a real reason to share—and they felt like insiders, not just customers.
Step 3: Invite Affiliates Who Already Know and Love Your Products
Here’s where it gets juicy. Your best affiliates? They’re already in your audience. Maybe they’ve bought your digital planner or watched your mini course. They get what you do.
So reach out directly. Send a DM, an email, or even a note in your thank-you page:
“Want to earn money sharing this with your friends? Join the affiliate program here.”
Smart ways to find your first affiliates:
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Your top buyers or subscribers
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People who tag you in their content
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Creators in similar but non-competing niches
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Your email list (add a PS: “Want to make some extra income?”)
Don’t just wait for people to discover your program, invite them. And make it feel like a VIP club, not a desperate pitch.
Step 4: Give Them the Tools to Actually Promote You
This is a huge one. You can’t expect affiliates to work magic with just a link. Make their job easy. Give them swipe copy, visuals, and angles they can use.
You don’t need a whole media kit, just a Google Doc with:
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Product descriptions they can tweak
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Images, mockups, or promo banners
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Sample social posts or emails
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Best-performing talking points (what your customers always rave about)
One affiliate I worked with said, “The only reason I actually promoted your product was because your cheat sheet made it a no-brainer.” That’s what you want.
And inside Payhip, each affiliate gets their own dashboard to track sales and commissions. So they feel in control, which makes them more likely to stick with you.
Step 5: Track, Celebrate, and Keep the Program Alive
Now that you’ve got affiliates in the system, your job isn’t done. Keep them excited. Show them you see them.
Celebrate top performers. Send monthly emails with tips, product updates, or bonuses. Even just saying “Congrats, you earned $97 this month!” can turn a casual promoter into a loyal partner.
Quick ideas to keep engagement up:
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Run mini contests (“Top affiliate this month gets a $50 bonus”)
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Offer limited-time double commissions on new products
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Share testimonials and success stories from affiliates
And always, always pay on time. Even if it’s just $5. That trust builds loyalty.
Real Talk: Don’t Overcomplicate It
The biggest mistake beginners make with affiliate marketing on Payhip? Overthinking it.
They wait until their store is perfect. They build giant manuals. They obsess over fancy funnels. Meanwhile, someone else launches with a 2-sentence invite and starts raking in affiliate sales.
Here’s the truth: People don’t need perfection. They need clear offers, solid commissions, and a creator who actually supports them.
So if you’re selling anything on Payhip—ebooks, templates, workouts, digital planners—you can start today. Flip the switch, invite your best people, give them what they need, and grow together.