Discover 16 Winning B2B Affiliate Marketing Examples

The SaaS industry is booming, and affiliate marketing is one of the most effective ways to generate revenue for companies and their partners.

However, it can be challenging for content creators and affiliate partners to identify optimal locations for their affiliate links beyond the few obvious spots everyone already knows.

In this comprehensive blog, we will dive into 16 B2B affiliate marketing examples, from the well-known to the hidden gems, to ignite new ideas for placing and optimizing your affiliate links.

These ideas are not just random suggestions but carefully curated strategies that have proven successful for experienced affiliate marketers in the industry.

Whether you are a seasoned software affiliate marketer or just starting out, these ideas will help you optimize your strategy and succeed in the ever-evolving landscape of B2B affiliate marketing work.

Additionally, this blog will also serve as a valuable resource for any partnership manager who wants to run a successful affiliate program at a SaaS company by offering them insights into where affiliate partners can promote their software.

It is time to grab some new ideas and supercharge your affiliate marketing efforts!

16 noteworthy affiliate marketing examples for B2B software promotion

Below, we have compiled a list of 16 successful affiliate marketing examples that cover both common and unconventional places where you can place your affiliate links for software promotion. These ideas are meant to inspire you and help you think outside the box regarding your affiliate marketing strategy.

1. Blog posts

Incorporating affiliate links into blog posts is a fundamental strategy for affiliate marketers.

A well-crafted blog post can attract organic traffic, establish authority, and generate affiliate sales over time. The effectiveness of this approach lies in its ability to target readers already interested in the topic, which, in turn, enhances SEO and builds trust.

Here are some tips for including affiliate links inside blog content:

• Maintain context: Links should be contextually relevant to the topic discussed in the blog post.
• Disclose links: It is ethical and often required to disclose that the post contains affiliate links.
• Use anchor text wisely: Use descriptive anchor text that gives readers a clear idea of what to expect if they click the link.
• Optimize link placement: Place the links where they will likely get the most engagement. For instance, placing a link within the first few paragraphs can often yield better results.

2. Email newsletters

Email newsletters are a powerful tool for affiliate marketers to directly communicate with their audience, share valuable content, and promote affiliate products. A well-structured email newsletter can help build a strong relationship with the audience, establish trust, and consequently increase sales from the affiliate network.

Here are some tips for including affiliate links inside email newsletters:

• Personalize content for every reader: It is advisable to personalize the email by addressing the recipient by their name and tailoring the content to their interests. This increases engagement and the recipient's likelihood of clicking on the affiliate links.
• Provide valuable and relevant content: It is recommended to provide valuable and relevant content in the newsletter and then naturally incorporate affiliate links where they make sense. For instance, if sharing tips on staying productive while working from home, one could include an affiliate link to a productivity app that is personally used and loved.
• Craft a clear and compelling Call to Action: It is important to ensure that the call to action (CTA) is clear and compelling. A well-crafted CTA can greatly increase the click-through rate on your affiliate links.

If you don't have an audience yet, see here a list of email list-building platforms.

3. B2B communities

B2B communities, like industry-specific forums, LinkedIn groups, Slack channels or professional networks, are excellent for affiliate marketers targeting businesses. These communities consist of professionals seeking advice, recommendations, and networking. Providing valuable insights and recommendations, including affiliate links, can establish credibility, trust, and generate sales.

Tips for including affiliate links in B2B communities:

• Offer genuine insights: Provide genuine insights and recommendations to solve community members' problems. Include affiliate links naturally within the content.
• Build relationships first: Focus on building relationships and trust before sharing affiliate links. Engage in conversations, provide value, and then share genuinely helpful links.
• Be transparent: Be upfront about your affiliation with the recommended software. Communities appreciate honesty and are more likely to engage with your links if you are transparent.

4. YouTube videos

YouTube is a powerful platform for affiliate marketing as it allows you to create content that can be both informative and entertaining. It can effectively demonstrate software in action, feature walkthroughs, and product demos.

Tips for including affiliate links in YouTube videos:

• Include affiliate links in the video description: It is common practice and highly recommended to include the affiliate links in the video description. This allows viewers to easily find and access the products or services you are promoting.
• Utilize on-screen elements and verbal cues: Incorporate on-screen elements like text or graphics to highlight the affiliate links of the products or services being discussed, and use verbal cues to inform viewers that the affiliate links are available in the description. Encourage them to check out the links for more information.
• Streaming platforms: If streaming on platforms like YouTube, include the affiliate links in the video description. This is an additional space that viewers often check for more information and resources during a webinar session.

5. Guest posts

Guest posting is a valuable strategy for affiliate marketing because it allows you to leverage the audience of another blog or website. It involves writing an article or blog post to be published on someone else's website, and it is an excellent opportunity to tap into a new audience, build your brand, and potentially generate affiliate sales.

Tips for including affiliate links in guest posts:

• Obtain permission: Always obtain permission from the host website before including affiliate links in your guest post. Some websites may have strict policies against this, so respecting and adhering to their guidelines is important.
• Add value: Ensure your guest post is valuable to the host's audience by providing helpful tips, insights, or solutions. Naturally, incorporate affiliate links that are directly related to your content.

6. Social media posts

Social media platforms are also valuable for B2B software affiliate marketing because they provide direct access to professionals and businesses actively seeking solutions in your niche. Social media offers a dynamic approach to sharing insights and promoting affiliate links by leveraging features like targeted posts and real-time responses to trends.

Tips for including affiliate links in social media posts:

• Disclosure is key: Most social media platforms require users to disclose affiliate relationships, and it's ethically important to maintain transparency and trust with your audience. Clearly indicate when your post contains affiliate links.

7. Social media bio

Your social media bio is a concise yet powerful space to showcase your affiliation with B2B software products and attract potential customers. By strategically placing affiliate links in your bio, you can drive traffic to product landing pages and increase the chances of conversions.

Tips for including affiliate links in your social media bio:

• Use link shorteners: Social media bios often have limited character space. Utilize link-shortening tools to make your affiliate links more compact and visually appealing.
• Call to action (CTA): Include a clear and compelling call to action in your bio that encourages users to click on your unique affiliate link. This could be a statement that highlights the benefits of the product or service.
• Regularly update: Keep your affiliate links up-to-date and relevant. If a promoted product changes or becomes outdated, make sure to update the affiliate link accordingly.

8. PDF resources

PDF resources present a strategic opportunity for B2B software affiliate marketing, enabling valuable content delivery alongside the subtle promotion of affiliate software products. eBooks, whitepapers, guides, and checklists are shareable assets that enhance lead generation and affiliate sales potential.

Tips for including affiliate links in PDF resources:

• Add clickable Table of Contents: If your PDF contains multiple sections or chapters, consider creating a clickable Table of Contents with affiliate links. This makes navigation easier for readers and increases the likelihood of link engagement.
• Write comparative reviews: Create comparative reviews of different software products, highlighting their pros and cons. Place affiliate links to each product for readers to explore further.
• Use interactive elements: Make the PDF interactive with clickable elements. Include call-to-action buttons or links that guide readers to explore affiliate software products.
• Focus on solving the problem: Address common challenges businesses face and present software solutions as remedies. Use affiliate links to direct readers to those solutions.

9. LinkedIn comments

While LinkedIn prefers not to direct people away from its platform by including affiliate links within post content, you can strategically place affiliate links in the comments. You can gain visibility and position yourself as an industry expert by providing insightful comments on relevant posts.

Tips for including affiliate links in LinkedIn comments:

• Strategically contribute: Engage with posts that are relevant to your niche. Craft thoughtful and value-added comments that demonstrate your expertise and insights. This approach encourages genuine interactions and establishes your credibility.
• Place subtly: Integrate the affiliate link naturally within your comment. Avoid sounding salesy; instead, focus on offering solutions or insights and casually introduce the link as a supplementary resource.

10. Email signatures

Leverage the potential of your email signature as a strategic spot to showcase your affiliate links discreetly. With every email you send, you have a chance to drive traffic and boost affiliate sales, especially when communicating with potential leads, clients, and business partners.

Tips for incorporating affiliate links in email signatures:

• Limit the number of links: It is recommended to limit the number of affiliate links in your email signature to one or two. This keeps the signature clean and focused.
• Use descriptive anchor text: Instead of pasting the full affiliate link in your email signature, use anchor text that describes the product. This makes the link appear cleaner and more professional.
• Ensure links are secure: Double-check that your affiliate links are secure and start with HTTPS. This not only protects your recipient's information but also boosts your email deliverability rates.

11. Webinars

Webinars are an excellent opportunity for real-time engagement with an audience interested in B2B software products. This platform allows for demonstrating software tools and addressing queries and objections on the spot. Utilizing affiliate links strategically during webinars can help generate sales and ensure the audience derives value from the content.

Tips for incorporating affiliate links during webinar sessions:

• Dedicated landing page: Instead of placing the affiliate link in the chat or presentation slides, direct the audience to a dedicated landing page. This page can have detailed information about the offer, and the affiliate link can be placed there.
• Follow-up emails: Send a follow-up email with a webinar recording, additional resources, and a reminder of the affiliate offer. This provides additional value and another opportunity for conversion.

12. Online courses

Online courses have become a mainstay for professionals seeking to advance their knowledge in specialized areas. For those in the B2B software niche, crafting online courses is a strategic avenue for embedding affiliate links. This tactic not only enriches the course content with valuable resources but also fosters affiliate sales.

Tips for incorporating affiliate links in online courses:

• Resource section: Include affiliate links in each module or lesson's dedicated 'Resource' or 'Additional Materials' section. This is a non-intrusive way to share relevant resources, as students who are interested in further learning will naturally visit this section.
• Demonstration videos: If your course includes video content where you are demonstrating how to use a particular software or tool, include your affiliate link in the video description or directly in the video content as a clickable overlay.
• Value proposition: Clearly articulate the benefits of the product you are promoting. Explain why you recommend it and how it can help your students achieve the desired outcome.

13. Podcasts

Podcasts have grown in popularity and are an influential medium for sharing insights, stories, and expert knowledge. For those operating in the B2B software space, podcasts provide a golden opportunity to incorporate affiliate links naturally in the content, enriching the conversation while promoting affiliate sales.

Tips for incorporating affiliate links in podcast content:

• Embed in show notes: A standard practice is to include affiliate links in the show notes of the podcast episode. These notes often contain a summary of the episode, links to resources mentioned, and any other pertinent information. By including affiliate links here, listeners can easily access them while or after listening to the episode.
• Mention during the episode: If a product or service is mentioned naturally during the episode, state that you have an affiliate link for it and that it will be available in the show notes. Make sure this is done seamlessly without disrupting the flow of the conversation.
• Use a dedicated landing page: Create a dedicated one for your podcast listeners. This page can include a summary of the episode, additional resources, and all the affiliate links mentioned in the episode. Direct your listeners to this page at the episode's beginning, middle, or end.

14. Case studies

Case studies are in-depth examinations of specific events, topics, or scenarios, often involving a particular company or individual. In the realm of B2B software, case studies are employed to convey how a software solution addresses a specific problem or achieves a particular outcome. Including affiliate links within case studies can subtly drive affiliate sales while delivering valuable insights to the reader.

Tips for incorporating affiliate links in case studies:

• Include in the ‘Tools Used’ section: Most case studies include a section detailing the tools, software, or services used to achieve the results discussed. This is a natural and non-intrusive place to include your affiliate links.
• Use visuals: Incorporate visuals like screenshots, infographics, or flowcharts in your case study and include affiliate links within the captions or descriptions.

15. Interactive quizzes and surveys

Interactive quizzes and surveys are not only excellent tools for audience engagement but also provide valuable insights into customer needs and preferences. In the B2B software domain, quizzes and surveys can be used to ascertain a company's software needs, knowledge gaps, or satisfaction with current tools. Strategically incorporating affiliate links within quizzes and surveys can lead to affiliate sales by recommending software solutions based on the participant's responses.

Tips for incorporating affiliate links in quizzes and surveys:

• Recommendations based on responses: Tailor the recommendations and affiliate links provided based on the participant's responses. For instance, if a participant indicates that they are struggling with project management, recommend a project management software with your affiliate link.
• Embed in follow-up emails: Send a follow-up email to the participant after they have completed the quiz or survey, summarizing their results and including your affiliate links with personalized recommendations.

16. Direct messaging

Direct messaging involves sending private messages directly to an individual or a group of individuals. In the B2B software context, direct messaging can be used for personalized communication with potential clients or existing customers, addressing their specific needs or concerns. Embedding affiliate links in direct messages can strategically recommend software solutions that address the recipient's needs while generating affiliate sales.

Tips for incorporating affiliate links in direct messaging:

• Personalize the message: Personalization is paramount in direct messaging. Craft a message addressing the recipient's specific needs or concerns and recommend software solutions to help address those needs.
• Be concise: Keep the message concise and to the point. Clearly articulate the value of the recommended software and how it can address the recipient's needs.
• Provide additional value: Incorporate additional value in your message, such as a helpful article, a how-to guide, or an exclusive discount. This provides value to the recipient and increases their likelihood of using your affiliate link.

Wrapping up: Time to share your software recommendations across new surfaces

In this comprehensive guide, we dove deep into some of the best B2B affiliate marketing examples for integrating affiliate links into various content types, from blog posts and email signatures to webinars and online courses.

Understanding the nuances of each platform, the audience, and the best practices is pivotal for maximizing the effectiveness of your B2B affiliate marketing strategy while providing genuine value to your audience.

Now, as a content creator, are you ready to turn this knowledge into action and boost your earnings by referring many more SaaS companies?

Your next step is simple.

Join Reditus, a platform specially designed for affiliates like you, focused on B2B SaaS companies.

Meet the author

Joran Hofman

Back in 2020 I was an affiliate for 80+ SaaS tools and I was generating an average of 30k in organic visits each month with my site. Due to the issues I experienced with the current affiliate management software tools, it never resulted in the passive income I was hoping for. Many clunky affiliate management tools lost me probably more than $20,000+ in affiliate revenue. So I decided to build my own software with a high focus on the affiliates, as in the end, they generate more money for SaaS companies.