Downsell Sequence for Affiliate Marketers Email Guide
Why Downsell Sequence Emails Fail for Affiliate Marketers (And How to Fix Them)
You've nurtured a lead, built trust, and presented your best offer. Then, they said 'no'.
Many affiliate marketers watch promising leads walk away, assuming a 'no' means 'never'. But often, it simply means 'not yet' or 'not that one'.
The initial rejection isn't the end of the conversation; it's an invitation to understand their current needs and offer a better fit. A downsell sequence isn't about being pushy.
It's about empathy and strategic problem-solving. It acknowledges their decision while presenting a perfectly tailored, lower-commitment solution that still delivers significant value.
The templates below are designed to turn initial hesitation into profitable conversions, keeping your affiliate pipeline flowing and your commissions growing.
The Complete 3-Email Downsell Sequence for Affiliate Marketers
As an affiliate marketer, your clients trust your recommendations. This 3-email sequence helps you introduce valuable tools without sounding like a salesperson.
The Understanding
Acknowledge their decision and show empathy
Hi [First Name],
It's tough when a promising lead decides your primary recommendation isn't the right fit for them right now. I understand that sometimes the full solution can feel like a big step, whether it's the investment, the time commitment, or simply not aligning with their immediate priorities.
My goal as an affiliate is always to connect you with solutions that genuinely help you achieve your goals. If my initial suggestion wasn't quite it, I want to make sure I'm still providing value.
I've been thinking about what might be a better starting point for someone in your position, something that delivers immediate impact without the full commitment. Keep an eye out for a follow-up from me soon.
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email uses empathy and validates the lead's decision, reducing any potential buyer's remorse or defensiveness. It subtly positions you as a helpful resource rather than just a salesperson, setting the stage for a lower-priced alternative without sounding desperate. This builds trust and keeps the communication channel open.
The Alternative
Present the downsell as a perfect starting point
Hi [First Name],
Sometimes, the fastest way to get started isn't the biggest leap, but a smart first step. Perhaps the full scope of my previous recommendation felt like too much for where you are right now.
That's perfectly fine. Many successful affiliate marketers began with foundational tools or smaller investments to test the waters and build momentum.
That's why I wanted to share an alternative: [PRODUCT NAME]. It's a focused solution designed to help you [SPECIFIC, SMALLER BENEFIT RELATED TO DOWNSELL, e.g., 'simplify your lead capture' or 'improve your campaign tracking'] without the larger investment.
Think of it as a crucial building block. It offers a clear path to getting immediate results, and you can always expand later when you're ready.
It’s a powerful way to start seeing progress without overwhelming your current resources. [CTA: Explore [PRODUCT NAME] here →]
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email uses the 'foot-in-the-door' technique, presenting a smaller, more manageable offer after a larger one was declined. It reframes the downsell not as a lesser option, but as a strategic 'first step' or 'building block,' appealing to the desire for progress without high commitment. It validates their potential concerns while offering a clear, practical alternative.
The Last Chance
Create final urgency for the downsell offer
Hi [First Name],
You've considered a different approach to reaching your affiliate goals, and I genuinely believe [PRODUCT NAME] offers incredible value as a starting point. It's a focused solution for [REITERATE KEY BENEFIT, e.g., 'getting your campaigns organized quickly'] and has already helped many affiliate marketers take that crucial first step without feeling overwhelmed.
However, this specific offer for [PRODUCT NAME] at this price will be closing its doors on [DATE/TIME, e.g., 'in the next 24 hours']. This isn't a tactic; it's simply the nature of these special introductory offers.
If you've been considering taking that initial step, now is the time to act before this opportunity passes. Don't miss out on getting started with a solution that can truly move the needle for you. [CTA: Secure your spot before it's gone →]
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email creates urgency and scarcity, motivating immediate action. By clearly stating a deadline, it triggers the psychological principle of loss aversion, the fear of missing out on a beneficial opportunity. It avoids sounding pushy by framing the deadline as an external factor, while reiterating the specific value proposition of the downsell.
4 Downsell Sequence Mistakes Affiliate Marketers Make
| Don't Do This | Do This Instead |
|---|---|
✕ Giving up after the first 'no' on a high-ticket offer. | Always have a relevant downsell offer ready to present as an alternative solution. |
✕ Not understanding why a lead declined the initial offer. | Send an empathetic follow-up, acknowledging their decision and subtly probing for their current needs or budget constraints. |
✕ Presenting the downsell as a 'lesser' option. | Frame the downsell as a strategic 'first step' or a focused solution for immediate, specific needs. |
✕ Sending generic downsell offers to all declined leads. | Segment your audience based on their engagement or stated reasons for declining, then tailor downsell offers to their specific challenges. |
Downsell Sequence Timing Guide for Affiliate Marketers
When you send matters as much as what you send.
The Understanding
Acknowledge their decision and show empathy
The Alternative
Present the downsell as a perfect starting point
The Last Chance
Create final urgency for the downsell offer
Send within 24-48 hours after the main offer closes.
Customize Downsell Sequence for Your Affiliate Marketer Specialty
Adapt these templates for your specific industry.
Beginners
- Focus downsell offers on essential tools or high-value, foundational training programs that simplify initial steps.
- Emphasize ease of use and quick wins to build confidence.
- Suggest downsell products that require minimal upfront investment, like a powerful keyword research tool or a basic email autoresponder.
Intermediate Practitioners
- Offer downsell products that improve existing workflows or add a specialized skill, such as an advanced analytics platform or a niche-specific ad creative library.
- Highlight how the downsell can refine their current strategies and increase efficiency without a complete overhaul.
- Suggest tools that solve a specific bottleneck they might encounter, like A/B testing software for landing pages.
Advanced Professionals
- Propose downsell solutions that provide data-driven insights, competitive intelligence, or automation for complex tasks, like a high-end competitor analysis tool or an advanced CRM integration.
- Focus on time-saving aspects and marginal gains that can scale their already successful operations.
- Recommend downsell offers that offer unique advantages or exclusive data not widely available.
Industry Specialists
- Tailor downsell offers to specific industry regulations, trends, or unique audience behaviors, such as a compliance-focused tracking solution or a content library for a particular niche.
- Showcase how the downsell addresses very specific, nuanced pain points within their chosen industry.
- Suggest products that offer highly specialized integrations or data sources relevant only to their particular market.
Ready to Save Hours?
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