Most self-employed people think of lead or sale when it comes to partner programs. But in addition to the one-off remuneration, there is another type of commission that is very attractive. We are talking about the Lifetime Commission.
You can find out what this is and how best to get Lifetime commissions in today’s article.
What are Lifetime Commissions?
While most partner programs receive a relatively fixed and, above all, one-off commission for a lead or sale, Lifetime partner programs are different.
In this context, Lifetime means that as long as you receive a regular commission, as long as the advertised customer is also a customer there and generates sales. A lifetime commission is almost exclusively remunerated as a percentage of the customer’s sales.
Online tools/services, e.g. from the SEO sector, offer lifetime commissions. When you advertise a customer for such a paid service, you also get a commission as long as they use the service and pay money.
For the providers of such services, the Lifetime commission is quite attractive. Because with the normal lead or sale compensation you have to pay the affiliate a quite high amount immediately, without knowing whether the advertised customer really stays longer, or cancels after one month.
However, if such services were to pay out only a small one-time commission, many affiliates would no longer promote these partner programs.
And so the Lifetime Commission is the best solution for both sides. The partner program provider knows that it only has to pay commissions if the advertised customer also spends money himself or generates sales.
The affiliate is motivated to bring good customers to the partner program, who stay there for a long time so that he can collect the lifetime commission on a regular basis.
It has to be said, however, that there are relatively few Lifetime partner programs compared to Lead and Sale partner programs.
Benefits of Lifetime Commission
I have already briefly described the advantages. Here again, summarized:
- Regular commission payments for advertised customers.
- If this customer stays with the company for a long time, the individual commissions add up to a very nice total, which is rarely achieved with pure lead and sale partner programs.
- Lifetime commissions are also available, for example, on services with which the advertised customer can then earn money himself, such as link sales services. It’s not that hard to get your own readers to sign up.
- Lifetime commissions result in a relatively stable revenue stream. A passive source of income.
Disadvantages of lifetime commission
But, of course, there are drawbacks. It’s not quite as simple as it sounds.
- Some of the Lifetime partner programs revolve around complex and expensive offerings. So you need a lot of trust and know-how if you want to win customers for one of the SEO online tools. These often start at 100 euros a month and you have to be really convincing if you want to win over customers.
- Accordingly, it takes a while to recruit enough customers to ensure that money comes in at a reasonable amount on a regular basis.
- In some cases, the Lifetime is limited to the first year of customer membership, so that you get nothing, even if the advertised customer stays there for more than a year.
- Unfortunately, the number of Lifetime programs is limited and in some areas where it would be suitable (e.g. hosting), there are virtually no Lifetime programs.
The pros and cons show very well that Lifetime programs don’t lie around every corner and are often not so easy to promote. But it can be worth it.
What is the best way to promote Lifetime Partner Programs?
As already indicated above, this can sometimes be very complex. It helps, of course, if you can credibly show that you are using the tool or the service yourself. This trust bonus is especially important when the advertised service is quite expensive.
Many examples and “evidence” that the service is worth it also help to promote such partner programs. Simply installing an affiliate banner is often not very effective.
But there are also Lifetime partner programs that are easier to apply. For example, there are link selling services that do not cost money but still bring in money. It is relatively easy to attract customers for this.
But again, an article with a test, experiences, and tips is often more effective than simply installing a banner.
Examples of Lifetime Commissions
Finally, 4 examples of Lifetime Partner Programs with which I have had good experiences:
Backleft
A link sales and purchase service, where you get 5% on all sales that the advertised customers make there. And the provisional is really paid for life, so as long as the advertised customer is active there.
SuperClix
This is one of the largest German affiliate networks and you can promote new affiliates. From the sales of the advertised affiliates, you get a 5% lifetime commission. This is also an attractive and easy-to-apply partner program because the advertised affiliates can also earn money.
Check24
At Check24you can also arrange new affiliates and then earn their sales. 1-2 Euro is received for each valid application (gas, electricity, DSL tariffs) from the advertised affiliates.
CleverReach
This newsletter service is very modern and based in Germany, which is important from a data protection point of view. Here you get a good commission, at least in the first year of membership of advertising customers, which is definitely worthwhile.
All these partner programs are more likely to belong to the simpler variety. Here, the advertised customer does not have to pay monthly membership fees (except for CleverReach) but can earn money himself. Of course, this is much easier to apply for.
Payment of Lifetime Commissions
Most Lifetime Partner Programs payout monthly. However, I only recently had a negative example. An attractive-sounding partner program for a paid online service had introduced a lifetime commission. All right so far.
Only then was I informed that the payment would only take place after 12 months. I did not really understand the reasoning, especially since all the other competitors have also made a monthly payment of the provisional. For me, this was a KO criterion not to promote this service.
Reputable partner programs payout in a timely manner.
Conclusion
Lifetime partner programs can provide a stable basis for their own affiliate revenue. But this takes time and, depending on the partner program, more and less work is needed in attracting customers.
What experiences have you had with Lifetime Partner Programs and which ones can you recommend?
