Brand Guidelines for Affiliates Template

Overview

Clear brand guidelines help affiliates promote your products effectively while protecting your brand integrity. This template covers logo usage, messaging, and promotional do's and don'ts.

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Brand Guidelines Document

[COMPANY_NAME] Affiliate Brand Guidelines

Version: [VERSION_NUMBER] Last Updated: [LAST_UPDATED_DATE]

Welcome to the [COMPANY_NAME] affiliate brand guidelines. These guidelines ensure consistent, professional representation of our brand across all affiliate promotions.

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1. Brand Overview

Our Mission

[COMPANY_MISSION_STATEMENT]

Brand Voice

Our brand voice is:

• [VOICE_ATTRIBUTE_1] — [Brief explanation]
• [VOICE_ATTRIBUTE_2] — [Brief explanation]
• [VOICE_ATTRIBUTE_3] — [Brief explanation]

Example Good Copy:

"[EXAMPLE_GOOD_COPY]"

Example Bad Copy:

"[EXAMPLE_BAD_COPY]"

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2. Logo Usage

Approved Logos

Download approved logos from: [LOGO_DOWNLOAD_LINK]

Logo Type	Use Case	File Formats
Primary Logo	General use, light backgrounds	PNG, SVG
Dark Mode Logo	Dark backgrounds	PNG, SVG
Icon Only	Small spaces, favicons	PNG, SVG
Badge	"Partner" or "Affiliate" badges	PNG, SVG

Logo Rules

DO:

• ✅ Use logos from official download link only
• ✅ Maintain minimum clear space around logo
• ✅ Use appropriate logo for background color
• ✅ Keep logo proportions intact

DON'T:

• ❌ Stretch, distort, or rotate the logo
• ❌ Change logo colors
• ❌ Add effects (shadows, gradients, outlines)
• ❌ Place logo on busy backgrounds
• ❌ Recreate or modify the logo
• ❌ Use outdated logos

Minimum Size

Format	Minimum Width
Digital	100px
Print	1 inch

Clear Space

Maintain clear space equal to the height of the "[LETTER]" in our logo on all sides.

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3. Color Palette

Primary Colors

Color	Hex	Use
[PRIMARY_COLOR_NAME]	[PRIMARY_HEX]	Primary brand color
[SECONDARY_COLOR_NAME]	[SECONDARY_HEX]	Accents, CTAs

Approved Color Combinations

• Primary on white background
• White on primary background
• [Other approved combinations]

DO NOT use unapproved color combinations or alter brand colors.

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4. Messaging Guidelines

Approved Claims

You MAY say:

• ✅ "[APPROVED_CLAIM_1]"
• ✅ "[APPROVED_CLAIM_2]"
• ✅ "[APPROVED_CLAIM_3]"

Prohibited Claims

You may NOT say:

• ❌ "[PROHIBITED_CLAIM_1]"
• ❌ "[PROHIBITED_CLAIM_2]"
• ❌ Any claims about specific results without documentation
• ❌ Guarantees we don't officially make
• ❌ Comparisons to competitors without approval

Pricing References

• Always link to our pricing page for current prices
• Don't guarantee prices (they may change)
• Clearly mark if a discount is time-limited

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5. Content Guidelines

Blog Posts & Articles

Required:

• Accurate product descriptions
• Clear affiliate disclosure
• Current screenshots (update every [UPDATE_FREQUENCY])
• Links to official pages for claims

Recommended:

• Personal experience and honest opinions
• Use cases relevant to your audience
• Comparison context (be fair to competitors)

Social Media

Approved Platforms:

• [PLATFORM_1]
• [PLATFORM_2]
• [PLATFORM_3]

Social Guidelines:

• Use official product images or your own screenshots
• Include affiliate disclosure (#ad, #affiliate, #sponsored)
• Don't create fake urgency or misleading claims

Video Content

• Verbal affiliate disclosure within first 30 seconds
• On-screen disclosure recommended
• Use current product interface (no outdated demos)
• Don't make claims we haven't authorized

Email Marketing

• Only email your own opted-in subscribers
• Clear affiliate disclosure in body
• Accurate subject lines (no misleading clickbait)
• Unsubscribe option required

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6. Prohibited Activities

Never Do These:

Brand Misrepresentation:

• ❌ Claim to be an employee or official representative
• ❌ Create websites that mimic our official site
• ❌ Use our name in your domain (e.g., [company]reviews.com)
• ❌ Imply official endorsement or partnership beyond affiliate status

Advertising Restrictions:

• ❌ Bid on our brand name in paid search
• ❌ Use our brand in social media ad copy without approval
• ❌ Display ads that look like official company ads

Content Restrictions:

• ❌ Promote on adult, violent, or illegal content sites
• ❌ Use spam or unsolicited messaging
• ❌ Create fake reviews or testimonials
• ❌ Misrepresent product features or pricing

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7. Promotional Assets

Available Assets

Access approved assets at: [ASSETS_LINK]

Asset Type	Sizes	Format
Banner Ads	728x90, 300x250, 160x600	PNG, GIF
Social Images	1200x630, 1080x1080	PNG, JPG
Product Screenshots	Various	PNG
Email Graphics	600px wide	PNG

Custom Assets

Need custom assets? Contact: [DESIGN_CONTACT_EMAIL]

Turnaround time: [TURNAROUND_TIME]

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8. Affiliate Disclosure Requirements

FTC Compliance

All affiliate promotions must include clear disclosure:

Acceptable Disclosures:

• "This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you purchase."
• "Affiliate link" or "#affiliate" near links
• "I'm a [COMPANY_NAME] affiliate partner"

Disclosure Placement:

• Near affiliate links (not just in footer)
• At beginning of video content
• In social media posts with links

Platform-Specific

Platform	Disclosure Format
Blog	Written disclosure near first link
YouTube	Verbal + on-screen
Instagram	#ad or #affiliate in caption
TikTok	Verbal + caption
Email	In body, near links

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9. Review & Approval

What Needs Pre-Approval

• ❗ Paid advertising using our brand
• ❗ Custom promotional materials
• ❗ Press releases mentioning us
• ❗ Claims beyond this document

Approval Process

1. Email [APPROVAL_EMAIL] with your request
2. Include draft content/assets
3. Allow [APPROVAL_TIME] business days
4. Receive approval or revision requests

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10. Updates & Contact

Guidelines Updates

These guidelines may be updated. Check [GUIDELINES_URL] for the latest version.

Questions?

Affiliate Support: [SUPPORT_EMAIL] Brand Questions: [BRAND_EMAIL]

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Quick Reference Card

DO ✅

• Use official logos and assets
• Disclose affiliate relationships
• Be honest in recommendations
• Keep content current
• Follow FTC guidelines

DON'T ❌

• Modify brand assets
• Make unauthorized claims
• Spam or mislead
• Bid on brand keywords
• Impersonate officials

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How to Use This Template

Customization Steps

1. Fill in all [BRACKETED] variables with your brand specifics
2. Add your actual assets (logos, colors, images)
3. Include real examples of good/bad copy
4. Review with legal for any industry-specific requirements
5. Make it accessible — host on a public URL affiliates can bookmark

Key Variables

Variable	Description	Example
[COMPANY_NAME]	Your brand name	Acme Software
[PRIMARY_HEX]	Brand color	#2563eb
[LOGO_DOWNLOAD_LINK]	Asset download URL	brand.yoursite.com
[ASSETS_LINK]	Full asset library	affiliates.yoursite.com/assets

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FAQ

How often should I update these guidelines?

Review quarterly and update when you rebrand, launch new products, or see common misuse.

What if affiliates ignore the guidelines?

Address violations promptly. Minor issues: friendly reminder. Major issues: warning then termination.

Should I require affiliates to agree to this?

Yes — include in your affiliate agreement or require acknowledgment during signup.