"The secret to true wealth in affiliate marketing isn’t selling more—it’s selling smarter. High-ticket and recurring commissions turn one sale into a lifetime of income." 

-Steven Cornelius

The Path to Scaling Big in Affiliate Marketing

So, you’ve mastered the basics, you’ve refined your niche, and you’re consistently making commissions. But let’s be real—low-ticket commissions won’t build an empire. If you want to hit $10K, $50K, or even $100K per month in affiliate marketing, you need to shift your focus to high-ticket and recurring commissions.

This is where the real money is made. Not chasing $5 commissions but closing deals that bring in $500, $1,000, or even $5,000 per sale—or better yet, stacking recurring commissions that pay you every single month.

This guide will take you through why high-ticket and recurring commissions are crucial, the best programs and networks, how to build relationships for exclusive deals, and how to craft high-value offers that convert at premium levels.

Let’s get to it. 🚀

Why High-Ticket & Recurring Commissions Are the Key to Scaling

1️⃣ The Math of Scaling: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Most beginner affiliate marketers get caught in the trap of selling low-ticket products and burning themselves out. Here’s the problem:

• Selling 100 products at $20 commission each = $2,000

• Selling 5 products at $500 commission each = $2,500

• Selling 1 product at $5,000 commission = $5,000

Same effort. 10x the payout.

2️⃣ The Power of Recurring Commissions

High-ticket sales are great, but recurring commissions are the real wealth builders. Instead of constantly chasing new sales, you build a system where your past sales keep paying you month after month.

Some of the best recurring commission models include:

• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscriptions – e.g., ClickFunnels Affiliate Program, SEMrush, and Shopify Partner Program

• Membership programs – Kajabi Partner Program & Teachable Affiliate Program

• Software as a Service (SaaS) that require ongoing subscriptions

The goal? Build an army of passive income streams, so your old work keeps paying you new money every month.

Best High-Ticket & Recurring Affiliate Programs & Private Networks

Not all affiliate programs are created equal. Here are the best high-ticket and recurring commission programs:

Best High-Ticket Affiliate Programs

🔥 ClickFunnels

• Commissions: Up to $1,200 per sale

• Recurring?: Yes (30-40% recurring revenue)

• Why It’s Great: Huge payouts, strong brand loyalty, and a well-established name in digital marketing.

🔥 Bluehost Affiliate Program

• Commissions: $65-$130 per signup

• Recurring?: No, but high payouts per sale

• Why It’s Great: One of the best web hosting affiliate programs for bloggers & entrepreneurs.

🔥 SEMrush Affiliate Program

• Commissions: Up to $200 per subscription + recurring commissions

• Recurring?: Yes (40% recurring revenue)

• Why It’s Great: One of the top SEO tools, and most marketers need it long-term.

🔥 Kinsta Affiliate Program

• Commissions: Up to $500 per sale + recurring commissions

• Why It’s Great: High retention rates & recurring revenue make it a solid passive income stream.

How to Build Relationships With Brands for Exclusive Deals

If you want VIP treatment, higher commissions, and exclusive bonuses, you need to build strong relationships with brands. Here’s how:

Step 1: Be Their #1 Affiliate Before Asking for More

The fastest way to negotiate better commissions is to prove you can sell. Most brands are happy to increase your commission once you’ve brought them results.

Step-by-Step Strategy for Building Relationships:

1️⃣ Find Your Dream Brands

Look for high-ticket products that align with your audience. Ask yourself:

• Does my audience actually need this?

• Is this product high quality with great reviews?

• Does it offer high commissions & long-term earning potential?

2️⃣ Make Sales & Stand Out

Before asking for higher commissions or exclusives, focus on driving real results. Some pro tips:

• Niche down your content to match the product (e.g., "Best **AI writing software for content marketers" instead of just "best writing tools").

• Send high-quality leads (brands will notice if you send buyers instead of tire kickers).

• Become their top affiliate (this gives you leverage to negotiate better deals).

3️⃣ Negotiate Exclusive Deals

Once you’ve proven your value, it’s time to ask for more.

• Higher commission rates – Negotiate to get 50%+ commissions.

• Custom landing pages – Brands will create exclusive pages just for your audience.

• First dibs on special offers – Being an insider means more chances to cash in.

4️⃣ Offer to Co-Create Content

Brands love affiliates who go beyond basic product promotions. Show initiative by:

• Co-creating an exclusive webinar or training for your audience

• Offering to do case studies with their product

• Proposing collaborative content like whitepapers or email sequences

The more value you bring to the brand, the more they’ll reward you.

Crafting High-Value Offers That Convert at Premium Levels

Selling high-ticket products requires more than just dropping an affiliate link in a blog post. Your audience needs to see the value and trust you.

How to Create High-Value Offers That Justify a Premium Price:

1️⃣ Master the Art of Storytelling

People buy based on emotion, then justify it with logic. Your content should:

• Highlight pain points and emotional triggers.

• Tell a story of someone’s transformation using the product.

• Use phrases like “imagine if you…” to paint a picture of success.

2️⃣ Offer a High-Value Bonus Stack

A killer bonus package can be the difference between a yes and a no.

🔥 Bonus Ideas That Increase Conversions: 

✅ Exclusive 1-on-1 coaching call 

✅ Custom templates, checklists, or swipe files 

✅ Private community access (VIP mastermind) 

✅ Special training (a course, ebook, or case study)

Make your offer so good that your audience would feel stupid saying no.

3️⃣ Implement High-Impact Sales Funnels

Don’t just drop a raw affiliate link. Create a funnel that nurtures the sale.

Best funnel strategies for high-ticket sales:

• Webinar Funnels – Educate, showcase, and close with an exclusive offer (WebinarJam is a great tool for this).

• Email Sequences – Drip-feed content and use urgency/scarcity tactics to push conversions.

• Case Study Funnels – Show real-world proof and get buyers to see themselves in the success story.

Final Thoughts: Ready to Scale to 6 or 7 Figures?

If you’re still playing in the low-ticket game, it’s time to level up. The best affiliates make their money with:

💰 High-ticket products that pay $500+ per sale 

💰 Recurring commission programs that stack up every month 

💰 Exclusive partnerships that give them an edge 

💰 Custom, high-value bonus offers that make buying a no-brainer

This is expert-level affiliate marketing—and if you’re serious about scaling to six or seven figures, this is the path forward.

🚀 Your Next Steps: 

1️⃣ Choose 3-5 high-ticket & recurring programs to focus on (ClickFunnels, Kinsta, SEMrush). 

2️⃣ Map out a buyer journey funnel to create high-value content that leads to conversions. 

3️⃣ Start building relationships with brand managers to negotiate exclusive deals & higher commissions. 

4️⃣ Create high-value bonus offers that make your recommendation the best choice. 

5️⃣ Scale with paid ads and automation to turn your high-ticket program into a 7-figure machine.

Now, the ball is in your court. Will you take action and dominate? Or will you keep spinning your wheels in the low-ticket rat race?

Have questions? Send me an email to connect! [email protected] and let’s crush it! 🚀