If you’re running B2B partnerships and want to get more out of them, you’ve probably thought about partner tiers. Maybe you’re tired of spreadsheets, or your current system is just a mess. This guide is for you—anyone who wants to use Alignedup to create, manage, and actually benefit from partner tiers (without getting lost in the weeds).
Let’s get clear: partner tiers aren’t magic. They’re just a way to organize your partners so you can reward the best ones, nudge the stragglers, and make life easier for your team. Done right, tiers drive real growth and keep partners motivated. Done wrong, they’re just another label nobody cares about.
Here’s how to set up partner tiers in Alignedup, keep them running, and avoid the usual headaches.
1. Know Why You Want Partner Tiers (Don’t Skip This)
Before you click a single button in Alignedup, stop and ask yourself: Why tiers? Don’t just copy what you’ve seen somewhere else. Tiers only work if they’re tied to real business goals.
A good reason to create tiers: - You want to reward or invest more in top-performing partners. - You need to segment support, co-marketing, or incentives. - You want to give partners a path to move up (or down).
Bad reasons (skip these): - “Because everyone else does it.” - “It looks more official.” - “Our execs want a dashboard.” (Trust me, they’ll want something else next quarter.)
Pro tip: Write down what you want to measure or reward before you touch the software. This will save you a week of backtracking.
2. Define Your Tiers and Criteria
Now, let’s get specific. Tiers are just buckets—what goes in each one is up to you.
Pick Your Tier Names (Keep It Simple)
Stick with clear, non-fluffy names like: - Gold, Silver, Bronze - Platinum, Gold, Standard - Strategic, Preferred, Registered
Avoid “innovative” names nobody understands.
Set Clear, Measurable Criteria
This is where most programs go off the rails. If you can’t measure it, don’t use it.
Common criteria: - Revenue generated or deals closed - Number of referred leads or opportunities - Joint marketing activities - Product certifications or training completed
What not to do: Don’t use “engagement” or “alignment” unless you’ve got a clear way to track it.
Document Everything
Before you jump into Alignedup, make a simple table:
| Tier | Criteria (Yearly) | Benefits | |-----------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Gold | $500k+ revenue, 10+ deals | Top support, MDF, co-selling | | Silver | $100k+ revenue, 3+ deals | Some support, co-marketing | | Bronze | Signed agreement, 1 deal | Basic support |
You’ll use this table in the next steps.
3. Set Up Partner Tiers in Alignedup
Now that you know what you’re building, it’s time to make it real in Alignedup.
Step-by-Step: Creating Tiers
- Log in and go to the Partners module.
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Don’t see it? You might need admin rights.
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Find “Partner Tiers” or “Segments” in the settings.
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Alignedup sometimes calls these “Levels” or “Segments” depending on your version.
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Create your tier structure.
- Add your tier names from your table.
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You can usually add a description—use your criteria here for clarity.
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Set the criteria fields.
- Most versions let you tie partner properties (like revenue, deal count) to each tier.
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If it’s manual, that’s fine for now—don’t overcomplicate with automations right away.
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Assign benefits or resources.
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You can attach documents, links to marketing funds, or contact info for partner managers.
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Save and review.
- Double-check for typos (you’d be surprised).
What works: Start with manual assignment for the first month. See where things break before asking IT to automate.
What doesn’t: Don’t create more than 3-4 tiers unless you’ve got hundreds of partners. More tiers = more confusion.
4. Assign Partners to Tiers
You’ve got your tiers. Now, get your partners into them.
Bulk Assign (If You Have Many Partners)
- Export your partner list from your CRM or wherever it lives.
- Use Alignedup’s import tool (usually CSV) to match partners to tiers.
- If you can, map your criteria columns (revenue, deals) to fields in Alignedup so it’s repeatable.
Manual Assign (For Smaller Programs)
- Go through your partner list and assign each to a tier.
- This is tedious, but you’ll learn a lot about your data gaps.
Pro tip: Don’t stress if some partners don’t fit cleanly. Put them in the lowest tier for now, and mark them for follow up.
5. Communicate Tiers and Benefits
Don’t just change your partners’ status and assume they’ll notice or care.
Announce the Tiers
- Send an email to all partners explaining the new system.
- Be clear about what each tier means and how to move up.
- Focus on what’s in it for them—not just what you want.
Update Your Partner Portal
- If you use Alignedup’s partner portal, update the resources and benefits for each tier.
- Make sure partners can see their current status.
Train Your Team
- Everyone who talks to partners should know the tiers, what they mean, and where to find the info.
- Trust me, nothing kills a program like a confused sales rep.
6. Review and Adjust (Don’t “Set and Forget”)
Partner programs are living things. Tiers that work this year might be useless next year.
Set a Regular Review Cycle
- Every quarter, look at your tier assignments.
- Are the right partners in the right tiers?
- Are your criteria too easy, too hard, or just busywork?
Use Alignedup’s Reporting
- Run reports on tier performance: revenue by tier, deal flow, partner activity.
- If a “Gold” partner isn’t delivering, downgrade them. If a “Bronze” partner is going above and beyond, reward them.
Get Feedback
- Ask your partners what they think of the structure.
- You’ll get complaints—that’s normal. But if everyone’s confused, it’s on you to fix.
What to ignore: Don’t chase “engagement” metrics that don’t tie back to results. Stick to real-world outcomes.
7. Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)
A few hard-won lessons so you don’t have to learn the hard way.
- Too many tiers: More isn’t better. Three is usually enough.
- Vague criteria: If it’s not measurable, partners will challenge it—and they’ll be right.
- Over-automation: Automate only after you’ve run things manually and know the quirks.
- Ignoring data hygiene: Bad data = partners in wrong tiers = angry emails.
- Not updating: Tiers should evolve. Don’t let them get stale.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
Partner tiers in Alignedup are a tool, not the goal. Start basic, get your hands dirty, and don’t be afraid to tweak as you go. The best programs are the ones you actually use—not the ones that look best on a slide.
If you’re stuck, go back to basics: What are you trying to reward? What actually drives your business? Build around that. Everything else is noise. Good luck.