Elinkages

The Partnership Growth Ladder

A 4-stage framework for scaling partnership channels. Start with what's easiest, then expand as you grow.

Start with AffiliatesHow It Works

The Growth Ladder

Each stage builds on the previous. Start simple and scale to every channel.

1

Affiliates

Foundation Channel

The easiest partnership channel to launch. Performance-based, scalable from day one, and requires minimal upfront investment. Set up tracking links, define commission rules, and start generating partner-driven revenue.

2

Referrals

Customer-Led Growth

Your existing customers are your best advocates. Referral programs have the highest conversion rates because trust is already built in. Enable customers to share with unique links, automate rewards, and create a viral loop.

3

Creators

Audience-Led Growth

Reach new audiences through trusted voices. Creator partnerships let you tap into established communities — newsletters, YouTube channels, LinkedIn influencers — who can authentically promote your product to their followers.

4

Co-Marketing

Strategic Partnerships

The most valuable partnership channel. Joint campaigns, shared content, co-branded assets, and mutual lead generation with complementary SaaS products. Requires the most coordination but delivers the highest long-term value.

Stage Details

What each partnership channel delivers and when to use it

1

Affiliates

Foundation Channel

The easiest partnership channel to launch. Performance-based, scalable from day one, and requires minimal upfront investment. Set up tracking links, define commission rules, and start generating partner-driven revenue.

Key Metrics: Click-through rate, conversion rate, revenue per affiliate, payout ratio
When to Use: You have a product with clear value and want to scale acquisition through partners without upfront costs.
Explore Affiliates Channel
2

Referrals

Customer-Led Growth

Your existing customers are your best advocates. Referral programs have the highest conversion rates because trust is already built in. Enable customers to share with unique links, automate rewards, and create a viral loop.

Key Metrics: Referral rate, referred customer LTV, cost per acquisition, program participation rate
When to Use: You have happy customers (NPS > 40) and want to turn word-of-mouth into a measurable, scalable channel.
Explore Referrals Channel
3

Creators

Audience-Led Growth

Reach new audiences through trusted voices. Creator partnerships let you tap into established communities — newsletters, YouTube channels, LinkedIn influencers — who can authentically promote your product to their followers.

Key Metrics: Content impressions, engagement rate, attributed signups, creator ROI
When to Use: You want to reach niche audiences that trust specific creators more than brand advertising.
Explore Creators Channel
4

Co-Marketing

Strategic Partnerships

The most valuable partnership channel. Joint campaigns, shared content, co-branded assets, and mutual lead generation with complementary SaaS products. Requires the most coordination but delivers the highest long-term value.

Key Metrics: Joint pipeline generated, co-marketing influenced revenue, shared lead volume, campaign ROI
When to Use: You have established product-market fit and want to accelerate growth through strategic alliances with complementary products.
Explore Co-Marketing Channel

Ready to Climb the Growth Ladder?

Start with affiliates and scale to every partnership channel. Elinkages helps you at every stage.

Launch Your First ChannelGet a Partnership Blueprint

Related Resources

Explore related content to learn more

Affiliate Programs

Launch your affiliate channel in minutes

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Customer Referrals

Turn customers into your growth engine

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Toolkit

Partnership playbooks and templates for every channel

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Blueprint

Get a complete partnership strategy designed and activated

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How It Works

Learn about our Strategy, System, Execution approach

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Platform

The engine behind every partnership channel

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