AI Growth Lab #18: $1M ARR in 90 Days with Affiliate Marketing

Hey AI Growth Hackers,

Welcome to another edition of our AI Growth Lab series! This week, we're diving into the explosive growth strategies of Submagic, an AI-powered platform that helps creators edit short-form videos 10x faster.

We sat down with Eli Lechanoine, CMO at Submagic, to uncover the tactics behind their impressive growth from $0 to $1M ARR in just 90 days. Here's what we learned:

📈 Submagic's #1 Growth Strategy: Affiliate Marketing Mastery

Submagic grew from $0 to $1M ARR in just 90 days through a focused affiliate strategy.

“With no initial marketing budget for paid ads or influencer sponsorships, we had to think creatively about acquiring customers without upfront costs.”

“We decided to go all-in on affiliate marketing, recruiting hundreds of affiliates to promote and sell our product on social media.”

They created content on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn, demonstrating how Submagic solves real problems for creators.

The key to making affiliate programs work is ensuring that affiliates make money.

For example, Leo, an 18-year-old student affiliate, earned over 2k monthly.

Core strategy:

• Recruited hundreds of affiliates to promote on social media platforms

• Implemented a generous 30% lifetime commission structure

• Developed comprehensive resources and tools for affiliates

• Established an active WhatsApp community for support and collaboration

Results:

• Grew from $0 to $1M ARR in 90 days

• Now has over 7k affiliates driving millions in ARR annually

Key success factors:

1. Easy-to-sell, high-converting, viral-friendly product

2. Empowering affiliates to succeed (e.g., an 18-year-old student earning $2k+ monthly)

3. A long-term partnership approach with lifetime commissions

“This approach worked exceptionally well.”

“Today, affiliate marketing remains one of our top acquisition channels, with over 7k affiliates driving millions in ARR every year.”

Key Takeaway: A well-structured affiliate program can drive explosive growth without upfront costs.

📊 Submagic's #1 'Unbeatable' Marketing Tactic: Free Tools for SEO Dominance

Submagic created over 20 free tools related to short-form videos, generating thousands of visits and sales monthly:

• Tools address specific pain points of their target audience

• High page retention time helps rank at the top of search results

• Seamless transition from free tools to main product

Example: "Video Script Generator" solves an immediate need and introduces users to Submagic's comprehensive solution.

Implementation steps:

1. Identify common pain points in your domain

2. Create valuable free tools addressing these issues

3. Optimize for relevant keywords

4. Provide a clear path from free tools to your main product

Key Takeaway: Free tools can drive organic traffic and convert visitors by providing immediate value and naturally introducing your main product.

🎁 Bonus Insight: The 10-Star Customer Experience

Eli emphasizes that happy customers are the most powerful marketing channel. Submagic focuses on delivering a 10-star customer experience:

• Treat customers like royalty

• Listen to feedback and continuously improve

• Make every interaction smooth, intuitive, and delightful

Result: Customers become advocates, driving organic word-of-mouth growth.

Key Takeaway: Prioritize customer experience to turn users into passionate advocates for your product.

🎯 Submagic’s Unbeatable Formula

Combine a powerful affiliate program, SEO-driven free tools, and an exceptional customer experience for explosive, sustainable growth.

Who should we interview next? Hit reply and let me know!

✨ Exclusive Resources

• 675+ Top AI Tools: Get It Here

• 100+ Unbeatable Prompts List: Get It Here

• 200+ Viral Hooks List: Get It Here

Until next week, keep growing and innovating!

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