The process of activating a new affiliate program, from network selection through publisher recruitment and first commission generation. A properly prepared launch requires 6-12 weeks and involves four parallel workstreams: (1) technical setup (pixel installation, tracking verification, deep-link testing, order management integration); (2) creative asset production (banners in all standard sizes, text links, product data feed, brand photography, brand guidelines); (3) program documentation (terms and conditions, publisher FAQ, onboarding email sequence, program description); (4) publisher recruitment (pre-launch target list, Tier 1 hand-recruitment, network marketplace recruitment, open enrollment configuration). Programs that rush technical and asset phases to launch in under 4 weeks face tracking issues, low publisher activation, and publisher trust problems. Benchmark: a fully prepared launch achieves 45-60% publisher activation rate within 30 days; an unprepared launch achieves 15-25%.
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