Affiliate marketing works best when affiliates have the right tools to promote your brand. And one of the most effective tools here is marketing assets, such as banners, text links, videos, product feeds, and other materials that make it easier for affiliates to share your product with their audiences.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Best practices for keeping assets fresh and engaging
- What affiliate marketing assets are and why they matter
- The types of assets you should provide
- How to prepare and share assets effectively
What Are Affiliate Marketing Assets?
As we’ve already mentioned, affiliate marketing assets are ready-to-use promotional materials that brands share with their affiliates. The purpose is simple: make promotion faster, easier, and consistent across channels. These assets can be visual, text-based, or data-driven, depending on your industry, target audience, and the platforms you use for promotion.
While many affiliates and influencers prefer creating their own content, high-quality branded materials still play a big role. They save affiliates time, ensure messaging stays on-brand, and give advertisers more control over the quality of what gets shared.
Types of Affiliate Marketing Assets
Once you upload assets to your program, your affiliates will have access to these on the “Assets Wall” and be able to share them directly to their social channels or embed them on their websites.
Here’s an overview of the supported marketing assets:
1. Image Banners
This is a plain, static image file designed to display your brand.
There are three basic elements to image banners: image, text and logo.
Images should be high-quality, and the text is easy to read. If the image is busy and the text is getting lost, consider adding a background behind the text or dark overlay to the images with white text on top.
Include a strong call to action (CTA) in your image banners, such as “Get Started” or “Shop Now” text.
2. HTML5 Banner
HTML5 Banners are interactive images that use animation as part of the display.
Using animation, your ads come alive and are more likely to catch the attention of audiences. This also allows for more space to be creative and include information that you’re unable to squeeze into a static image.
Being more advanced, these banners need to be created by a developer.
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3. Text Link
Image source: Everyday Savvy
This is content that includes a promotional message and a URL of the page it links to.
While simple and easy to create, text links can be pretty powerful because they can be used almost anywhere — on websites, blogs, social media, review sites, forums, email, and messaging.
With this range of use, text links are an essential part of most affiliate programs.
In addition to general promotions, text links can be used to promote specific events, sales, categories, or products. For example, a retailer marketing the launch of their new Fall collection, and wants to promote limited-time offers or drive traffic to specific product pages.
One tip for crafting text links — aim to use a consistent voice and tone that matches your overall brand’s messaging. This will help build your brand recognition, as well as avoid any miscommunication about your products or services from affiliates.
4. YouTube & Vimeo Video
Use YouTube and Vimeo videos to promote your brand.
Video is a compelling way to reach audiences, so much so that 90% of people say that product videos are helpful in the buying process.
YouTube videos can include:
- Promotional videos
- Tutorials
- FAQ videos
- Product demonstrations
- Explainer videos
- Customer success stories
- Company events & interviews
- User-generated content like reviews and “unboxing” videos
These videos can be directly shared on Facebook or embedded on an affiliate’s website or blog.
5. Facebook Post
Image source: Remodelaholic
Create shareable Facebook posts. This will include a promotional message and URL of the page it links to.
Facebook posts can be directly shared to the affiliate’s feed with just one click. Again, you want to make it as easy as possible for affiliates to promote so this can be a very effective marketing asset for your program.
6. Tweet
Much like Facebook, create Tweets that can be directly shared to your affiliate’s feed.
Having ready-to-share tweets not only makes it easy for affiliates to promote, it also ensures ads will fit within Twitter’s 280-character limit (4000 characters for Twitter blue subscribers). Spend time crafting tweets that adequately promote your brand in the given parameters, and be sure to include related hashtags to reach further audiences.
7. XML Product Feed
A product feed is a file listing all your products and product information. Product information can include product name, product id, descriptions, pricing, etc.
This allows tech-savvy affiliates to embed your products on their website. For example, an affiliate creates a Christmas Gift Guide by using a product feed to feature related products from your store.
8. Instagram Assets (Posts, Stories, Reels)
Instagram is a visual-first platform, so ready-made assets here can save affiliates a lot of time. Depending on your campaign goals, you can provide:
- Posts: Static images or carousels sized for feeds (1080×1080 or 1080×1350). These should highlight your product in a lifestyle-driven way and include branded elements like your logo or hashtag.
- Stories: Vertical images or short clips that last 24 hours. Great for flash promos, product launches, or limited-time codes. Add CTAs like “Swipe Up” or “Tap Here” and interactive elements like polls or countdowns.
- Reels: Short-form videos (15–30 seconds) designed for discovery. Snappy product demos, unboxings, or fun transformations work well. Provide affiliates with trending audio suggestions or simple scripts so they stay on-message while riding the algorithm.
9. TikTok Video
TikTok has become one of the most powerful platforms for organic reach. Short, authentic videos make it easy for affiliates to join trends while promoting your brand.
You can supply affiliates with ready-to-edit video clips, captions, or trending audio suggestions that fit your campaign. Popular formats include tutorials, challenges, or humorous takes that align with TikTok culture. Keeping them under 30 seconds with a clear CTA works best for engagement and conversions.
How to Manage Marketing Assets with Affiliate Tracking Software
Today, there are a lot of affiliate tracking and management tools offering the asset management feature. For instance, Tapfiliate lets you upload and share various types of promo materials with your affiliates and referrals in just a few clicks. This way, your partners will be timely equipped with the curated content to promote you in the most effective way.
Image source: Tapfiliate dashboard
FAQ: Affiliate Marketing Assets
What types of affiliate marketing assets are most effective?
Text links and image banners usually perform best, but video and product feeds are becoming increasingly important.
How often should I refresh marketing assets?
At least once per quarter, and always during seasonal campaigns or new product launches.
Do affiliates prefer static banners or HTML5 banners?
It depends on their channel. Blogs and smaller sites lean on static banners, while publishers running ad placements often prefer HTML5.
How do I measure asset performance?
Use affiliate tracking software to monitor clicks, conversions, and revenue by asset type. This helps you refine what to produce next.
If you haven’t signed up for Tapfiliate, you can start with a 14-day free trial here.
If you’re already set up, be sure to visit our blog for more affiliate marketing tips. And always feel free to ask our team any questions you have!
Want to start an affiliate program? Try all the features? 👉 Get a 14-day free trial here
