Summary
CHALLENGE
- Shopping habits shifted, and customers turned to social media for product recommendations.
- The brand needed a new way to get closer to its target audience.
- Customers no longer relied only on Google and Amazon.
SOLUTION
- Adopted UpPromote’s MLM model to grow the affiliate network.
- Used an auto-tier commission structure tied to sales milestones.
- Ran three programs — Gold, Platinum, Diamond — at 8–10% commission.
RESULTS
- Over $1.8 million in affiliate marketing revenue.
- Around 5,000 affiliates.
- More than 30,000 referred orders in roughly 1.5 years.
LESSONS
- Use a multi-level structure to turn existing affiliates into recruiters.
- Set milestone-based commission tiers to keep affiliates motivated.
- Offer competitive margins so affiliates have a reason to promote.
- Treat product and service quality as the foundation of affiliate success.
Saledress, founded in October 2018, is an international online fashion store focused on women’s apparel and accessories in hot-sale styles at competitive prices.
The brand initially relied on Amazon’s fulfillment services, with Amazon handling storage, packing, and shipping.
But shifting shopping habits among its target audience pushed Saledress to rethink how it reached potential buyers.
What pushed Saledress to rethink how it reached customers?
As shopping habits shifted, Saledress struggled to find the right approach to reach its target audience.
Customers no longer relied only on Google and Amazon. They increasingly turned to social media for product recommendations and reviews.
The way people consumed content and interacted online had changed, and social media now carried strong influence over buying decisions.
That shift pointed Saledress toward affiliate marketing and toward finding a platform its partners could rely on.
Why did Saledress choose UpPromote over other affiliate software?
Saledress had used other affiliate marketing software before, but UpPromote delivered the best results for the brand.
A big part of that was familiarity. The brand’s affiliates already knew the platform, which made staying with it the easier call.
We’ve been using this platform for a long time, and our affiliates are familiar with this platform, and we absolutely keep using the UpPromote service.
Jon Cook, Chief Marketing Officer at Saledress
With the tool settled, Saledress could focus on the part that mattered most: how to structure the program for growth.
How did Saledress structure its affiliate program for growth?
Saledress combined two approaches in UpPromote — a multi-level structure to expand its network, and a tiered commission system to keep affiliates motivated.
A multi-level model to expand the affiliate network
Saledress employed the MLM (multi-level marketing) model, which attracted more affiliates to its program.
The brand rewarded affiliates for each new sign-up they brought in, encouraging both direct sales and the expansion of the network.
To spread the word, Saledress first posted the commission-network details on its affiliate page, then shared that information with current affiliates so they could pass it along to others.
That turned the existing affiliate base into a recruiting engine.
Auto-tier commissions across Gold, Platinum, and Diamond
On top of the network model, Saledress layered an auto-tier commission structure. As affiliates reach sales milestones, they’re automatically promoted to a higher program with increased commissions.
The brand runs three programs — Gold, Platinum, and Diamond — with commission rates ranging from 8% to 10%, plus other perks.
Saledress chose to keep margins higher for affiliates, giving them more motivation to promote the products.
Together, the two mechanisms set the stage for the numbers that followed.
What results has Saledress achieved with 5,000+ affiliates?
In 2022, Saledress reached over $1.8 million in affiliate marketing revenue.
With around 5,000 affiliates, the brand brought in more than 30,000 orders in just 1.5 years.
I think the UpPromote app is very functional and structural so we don’t have to measure the result of sales manually
Jon Cook, Chief Marketing Officer at Saledress
For Saledress, the foundation is exceptional products and services. With the right tool, the brand can enhance its program, attract high-quality affiliates with competitive commissions, and drive more sales.
