If you’ve decided that affiliate programs are so 2016, then you’re missing out.

The affiliate marketing industry is expected to surpass $15.5 BILLION (with a B) in 2025, making it one of the most economically beneficial marketing platforms for creators, businesses, and the average person.

Through this case study I’ll share how we increased net sales from affiliates by 100%+ in one year, generating a $500k+ revenue stream for the business.

Project Overview

In 2020, HarperCollins Christian & HarperCollins Focus decided to focus their efforts on growing six direct-to-consumer e-commerce stores. These stores each have a specific audience, and they offer a curated selection of resources for those audiences.

One of the major roadblocks with an online store that has many direct competitors is standing out in a sea of sameness. This roadblock was apparent for these stores, as well.

Through a major brainstorming session, our team decided to spend time optimizing and re-igniting an affiliate program that was created in 2006 and left mostly to it’s own devices.

The problem?

Optimization would take an overhaul, including reviewing the thousands of affiliates to see who was still active, who was making sales, and more. This meant time spent on something with no clue if it would pay off in the long term.

With these pieces of information in mind, we created a re-launch strategy to engage active affiliates, start building a personal relationship with them, and open a clear line of communication (so we can share about promotions and the like!)

Project Breakdown

The affiliate marketing program had been around for about 17 years, but there wasn’t much focus or strategy behind it’s creation.

Through our initial review, we found a program of 1,60+ mostly-coupon-sites that weren’t helping us build brand awareness, weren’t engaging their community with creative content, and weren’t converting at a rate on par with our own e-commerce stores.

We had a lot of work to do.

Program optimization began with a clear checklist:

  • Research & Analysis – review the past 17 years of affiliate activity and identify trends, opportunities, and friction points
  • Prep & Planning – Inform affiliates that changes are coming, then build a timeline and a list of action items to accomplish the optimization
  • Affiliate Updates – remove any inactive affiliates and properly tag those affiliates remaining in the program based on your business goals
  • Program Updates – review your program details, legal, commissions, bonus rules, commission rules, and description or profile to align with your new vision and strategy for the program
  • Creative Updates – remove any outdated creatives and upload an abundance of new creatives related to current campaigns and initiatives
  • Messaging Updates – establish a pattern of regular communication via email, SMS, or other platforms so affiliates begin to expect and engage with messages from the brand program
  • Outreach efforts – infuse the program with new high-value affiliates that will help build brand awareness and create UGC

…and after only 30 days we saw a spike in clicks, conversions, and sales from our affiliate program.

Over nine months we slowly checked off each item on the list, working out the details so that our affiliates would have a 5-star experience and litter their digital footprints with links to our stores.

Project Impact & Analysis

This optimized affiliate strategy led to:

  • an Increase in Retargeting Audiences – 159k affiliate link clicks, up 490% from previous year
  • an Increase in Transactions – 5.6K, up 155% from previous year
  • an Increase in Revenue – $500k+ in sales, up 103% from previous year

A screenshot showcase affiliate marketing performance during the 2023 year.

Conclusion

Affiliate Marketing isn’t a strategy to be written off as “not worth the effort.” With just a few items checked off a list any affiliate program can begin generating revenue for your business.

Want your own affiliate results like these?

Hey there! I’m Carlisle Russell, a seasoned marketing strategist with more than 10 years of experience in e-commerce marketing. Tap here to learn more about how we can work together to grow your health & wellness brand.

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Done in a Day: Your Wellness Brand’s Custom Marketing Blueprint

You know how overwhelming it can be to juggle daily operations while trying to craft a marketing strategy that aligns with your values and drives results.

What if you could get a fully customized plan tailored to your brand’s unique goals—all in just one day?

That’s the power of a VIP marketing day with my Done in a Day: Custom Marketing Blueprint.

In this post, I’ll walk you through what makes this service unique, why it’s perfect for marketing for wellness brands, and how it delivers a one-day marketing strategy that’s actionable, impactful, and aligned with your mission.

What Is a VIP Marketing Day?

A VIP marketing day is an intensive, collaborative session where we dive deep into your brand’s marketing needs and create a comprehensive, tailored plan—all within eight hours. This isn’t a generic template or a quick fix; it’s a strategy built specifically for your wellness brand.

Whether you’re scaling, launching a new product, or looking to refresh your approach, this one-day experience is designed to give you everything you need to move forward with confidence.

Why Your Wellness Brand Needs a Custom Marketing Blueprint

In today’s competitive wellness market, a cookie-cutter approach won’t cut it. You need a custom marketing blueprint that reflects your brand’s unique identity, connects with your audience, and drives measurable results.

Here’s why this matters:

  • Your Brand Is Unique: A tailored strategy ensures your messaging stands out.
  • Time Is Precious: A one-day intensive gets results fast, without dragging out the process.
  • Alignment Is Key: Your marketing plan will align with your brand values and resonate with your audience.

Pro Tip: After your VIP day, you’ll walk away with a clear roadmap that’s ready for immediate implementation.

What’s Included in Your One-Day Marketing Strategy?

During our Done in a Day: Custom Marketing Blueprint, we’ll focus on creating a strategy that’s comprehensive, actionable, and aligned with your goals. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Audience Insights & Positioning: Define your target audience and refine your brand’s messaging to resonate with their needs.

2. Multi-Channel Strategy: Craft a tailored plan for your most relevant platforms, whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, email, or paid ads.

3. Campaign Planning: Develop a framework for your next big campaign, complete with timelines and KPIs.

4. Content Ideas & Themes: Brainstorm content pillars and ideas that align with your brand values and drive engagement.

5. Metrics & Measurement: Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and create a plan to track progress.

Real Results in Just One Day

With the Done in a Day: Custom Marketing Blueprint, you’ll achieve in hours what might otherwise take weeks. My approach is efficient, effective, and designed to deliver results that last.

Client Success Story:

“The Custom Marketing Blueprint gave me everything I needed to launch my new product with confidence. In just one day, we created a strategy that led to a 20% increase in engagement and a 15% boost in sales within the first month.”

Who Is This Service For?

This VIP day is ideal for:

  • Wellness brands preparing to scale.
  • Entrepreneurs launching a new product or service.
  • Women-led businesses looking to refresh their strategy.

If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of your marketing, this one-day intensive is for you.

Your wellness brand deserves a marketing strategy that works as hard as you do. With my VIP marketing day, you’ll leave with a custom marketing blueprint that’s actionable, aligned, and designed to help your brand thrive.

Schedule Your Done in a Day Session Now and let’s create a strategy that transforms your vision into results.

Why Every Wellness Brand Needs a Marketing Strategy Audit

The wellness industry is thriving, but with growing competition and evolving consumer expectations, success requires more than just offering great products or services. To truly stand out, wellness brands must take a proactive approach to refining their marketing efforts. A marketing strategy audit is the perfect way to uncover hidden opportunities, address weaknesses, and chart a clear path forward.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your messaging, improve ROI, or scale sustainably, here’s why every wellness brand should prioritize a marketing strategy audit as part of their growth plan.

What Is a Marketing Strategy Audit?

A marketing strategy audit is a deep dive into your current marketing efforts. It examines key areas like social media, content, paid ads, email marketing, and more to determine what’s working, what’s not, and where you can improve.

Think of it as a health check-up for your brand—giving you the insights needed to align your marketing with your goals and audience needs.

The Benefits of a Marketing Strategy Audit

1. Gain a Clear Understanding of Your Current Efforts

Many brands invest in marketing without fully understanding how effective their efforts are. A marketing strategy audit breaks down performance metrics, helping you see exactly where your time and money are making the most impact.

2. Identify Gaps and Missed Opportunities

From underutilized channels to untapped audience segments, an audit reveals opportunities to enhance your wellness brand marketing efforts and stay ahead of competitors.

3. Improve ROI

A marketing strategy audit pinpoints inefficient spending and suggests reallocating resources for maximum return on investment.

4. Future-Proof Your Strategy

By addressing weaknesses and aligning with industry trends, an audit ensures your marketing plan evolves alongside your brand and customer expectations.

Key Areas Covered in a Marketing Strategy Audit

A comprehensive audit should address every aspect of your marketing strategy. Here’s what’s included:

  • Social Media Performance: Analyze engagement rates, content effectiveness, and channel optimization for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
  • Content Marketing Review: Assess blog posts, videos, and other assets to ensure they resonate with your audience.
  • Email and SMS Marketing: Evaluate open rates, click-through rates, and automation workflows to boost engagement.
  • Paid and Organic Search: Measure ROI from paid campaigns and improve search engine rankings.
  • Competitor Benchmarking: Understand what’s working for others in your space and where your brand can excel.
  • Community Engagement: Review your interaction with your audience to build stronger relationships.

Real-World Examples: How an Audit Drives Growth

Case Study 1: Repositioning a Wellness Brand for Better Engagement

A client’s social media engagement had plateaued. Through a marketing strategy audit, we identified inconsistent messaging and underperforming platforms. By focusing efforts on Instagram and creating a cohesive content plan, they achieved a 35% increase in engagement within three months.

Case Study 2: Boosting ROI Through Targeted Campaigns

Another brand was overspending on paid ads with minimal returns. The audit revealed poor keyword targeting and ineffective ad creative. After adjusting their campaigns, they reduced ad spend by 20% while doubling conversions.

When Should Your Wellness Brand Get a Marketing Strategy Audit?

Wondering if now is the right time to audit your marketing strategy? Consider these scenarios:

  • You’re launching a new product or service.
  • Your engagement or sales have plateaued.
  • You’re entering a new market or expanding your audience.
  • You want to optimize your budget and improve ROI.

If any of these sound familiar, a marketing strategy audit could be the key to unlocking your brand’s next level of success.

How a Marketing Strategy Audit Aligns with Wellness Brand Growth

The wellness industry is built on trust, authenticity, and connection—all elements that thrive with a strategic approach to marketing. By regularly auditing your marketing efforts, you ensure that every campaign reflects your brand values, resonates with your audience, and drives meaningful growth.

Ready to Take the First Step?

A marketing strategy audit isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s an essential tool for ensuring your wellness brand’s marketing stays effective, ethical, and aligned with your goals. If you’re ready to uncover new opportunities and optimize your marketing efforts, let’s get started: Schedule Your Marketing Strategy Audit Today

How to Scale Your Wellness Brand with Ethical Marketing Strategies

Scaling a wellness brand in today’s competitive market can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re committed to maintaining authenticity and staying true to your values. But the good news? Growth and ethics aren’t always opposites. By implementing ethical marketing strategies, you can achieve measurable results while honoring your mission. This approach not only helps with scaling wellness brands but also builds lasting trust with your audience.

Whether you’re a women-led business or a purpose-driven entrepreneur, here’s how to scale your brand with integrity and impact:


1. Define Your Purpose and Let It Drive Your Marketing

At the heart of every successful purpose-driven marketing strategy is a clear and compelling mission. Start by asking yourself:

  • What do I stand for?
  • How does my brand make a difference?

Once you’ve defined your purpose, weave it into every aspect of your marketing, from messaging to visual branding. This alignment will attract an audience that resonates with your mission and values.

Pro Tip:

Use your “About” page, social media bios, and email marketing to highlight your brand’s purpose and unique story.

2. Build Authentic Connections with Your Audience

Consumers are more likely to support brands they trust. Building authentic connections means listening to your audience, engaging with them genuinely, and offering value beyond your products or services.

How to Build Authenticity:

  • Share behind-the-scenes content to humanize your brand.
  • Encourage and respond to user-generated content.
  • Be transparent about your processes, sourcing, or ingredients.

3. Choose Channels That Align with Your Values

Not every marketing channel will be the right fit for your brand. Focus on platforms where your audience is active and where you can effectively communicate your purpose.

Recommended Channels for Wellness Brands:

  • Instagram and TikTok: For visual storytelling and connecting with health-conscious audiences.
  • Email Marketing: To build deeper, more personal relationships.
  • Blogs and SEO: To establish expertise and increase organic visibility.

Pro Tip:

Use ethical marketing strategies like clear disclaimers and honest advertising to ensure your marketing aligns with your values.

4. Leverage Data While Staying Ethical

Data is essential for optimizing your marketing efforts, but it’s important to collect and use it responsibly. Ensure your data practices comply with privacy laws like GDPR or CCPA and focus on gaining explicit consent.

Examples of Ethical Data Practices:

  • Use permission-based email marketing.
  • Be transparent about how you use customer information.
  • Offer valuable insights in exchange for data (e.g., downloadable guides).

5. Partner with Purpose-Driven Collaborators

Whether it’s influencers, affiliates, or other businesses, choose partners who share your values. Collaborations amplify your message and expose your brand to a like-minded audience.

Pro Tip:

Seek out women-led businesses to build mutually beneficial partnerships and foster a sense of community.

6. Prioritize Sustainability and Social Responsibility

For many wellness brands, growth isn’t just about profit—it’s about impact. Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly practices and supporting social causes.


Grow Your Brand with Integrity

Scaling your wellness brand doesn’t mean compromising your values. By focusing on ethical marketing strategies, fostering authentic connections, and staying true to your purpose, you can achieve sustainable, meaningful growth.

Whether you’re working toward women-led business growth or expanding a purpose-driven marketing approach, remember: growth is most impactful when it reflects who you are and what you stand for.

Ready to scale your wellness brand ethically and effectively? Learn more about how my Marketing Strategy Audit or Done in a Day: Custom Marketing Blueprint can help you create a purpose-driven marketing plan that works. Contact me today to get started!

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