You can bring affiliates in two ways: invite them by email, or share a public signup link they apply through.

## Invite by email

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Open the affiliates page

    Go to **Affiliates** and click **Invite an Affiliate**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Fill in the affiliate's details

    Enter an **email** and **first name** (both required). Last name and a personal message are optional. Leave **Send an email notification** checked so the affiliate gets a link to accept or decline.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Send

    Click **Send invitation**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The invitation attaches to your first active campaign. If you don't have one yet, RefCampaign creates a default "Partner program" campaign.

### Invitation statuses

| Status   | Meaning                                     |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Invited  | Sent, waiting for the affiliate to respond. |
| Accepted | The affiliate joined.                       |
| Declined | The affiliate turned it down.               |
| Revoked  | You cancelled the invitation.               |
| Expired  | The invitation lapsed.                      |

While an invitation is **Invited**, you can **Resend** or **Revoke** it.

## Share a public signup link

The **Affiliate signup link** widget gives you a public campaign page to hand out. Use **Copy** or **Share via email**. The link works once you have a confirmed active campaign; until then the widget points you to your campaigns first.

Affiliates who apply through the link land in [applications to approve](/docs/merchant/approving-applications).