As a content creator, relying on affiliate commissions can be a viable way to earn a living. While it’s tempting to only work with well-known platforms—since your audience already trusts them and the commissions can be steady—there’s also a downside. You’re at the mercy of their decisions, which can change without notice.

One day, you might receive an impersonal email announcing that your direct partnership will be discontinued—a decision made for the brand’s convenience, not yours. After the initial shock, you might realize this could be a valuable opportunity to improve how you manage affiliate relationships.

Firstly, check if you can still promote the same brand through an affiliate platform. While payouts might be lower, this route allows you to continue offering value to your audience if your partnership was popular. It’s also a perfect time to streamline your affiliate process. If you’ve been adding links manually, consider setting up a central system or plugin to create and manage your affiliate links. This will make future transitions, such as switching from direct links to third-party platform links, much smoother and less stressful.

Secondly, if the change motivates you to look beyond the brand, research alternative products or services. Even if the former partner is a market leader, there may be competitors who better match your content’s core values or offer more flexible partnerships. This shift gives you a chance to revisit your affiliate strategy and ensure that next time a partnership ends abruptly, you won’t be caught off guard.

When it feels like your voice isn’t valued as an affiliate, it’s a strong signal to avoid relying solely on a single revenue source. Diversifying your income makes your business more resilient to sudden changes, giving you more security and freedom as a creator.