bonus-stack-builder

What this skill does

# Bonus Stack Builder

Design exclusive bonus packages that make YOUR affiliate link the only rational choice. The product is the same through every affiliate's link — your bonuses are what differentiate you. Creates specific, deliverable bonuses matched to your skills and audience needs.

## Stage

S4: Landing — Bonuses live on the landing page. They are the conversion differentiator between your link and every other affiliate promoting the same product.

## When to Use

- User promotes an affiliate product and wants to stand out from other affiliates
- User asks "why would someone buy through MY link?"
- User wants to increase conversion rates on existing promotions
- User says "bonus", "bonus stack", "exclusive offer", "differentiate"
- After running `grand-slam-offer` to flesh out the bonus suggestions

## Input Schema

```yaml
product:                    # REQUIRED — the affiliate product
  name: string              # Product name
  description: string       # What it does
  pricing: string           # Product price
  url: string               # Affiliate link
  tags: string[]            # e.g., ["ai", "video", "saas"]

your_skills: string[]       # OPTIONAL — what you can create/offer
                            # e.g., ["writing", "design", "coding", "consulting"]
                            # Default: inferred from context

audience_pain_points: string[] # OPTIONAL — biggest struggles of your audience
                               # Default: inferred from product category

existing_bonuses: string[]  # OPTIONAL — bonuses you already offer
                            # Default: none
```

**Chaining from S4 grand-slam-offer**: If `grand-slam-offer` was run, use `offer_stack.bonuses` as starting point and flesh them out.

## Workflow

### Step 1: Gather Context

1. If product data available from chain, use directly. Otherwise `web_search` for product details.
2. Identify the product's top 3 pain points it solves
3. Identify the product's top 3 gaps (things users struggle with after buying)
4. Research: `"[product] complaints" OR "[product] struggles" OR "[product] learning curve"` to find bonus opportunities

### Step 2: Design Bonus Stack

Read `shared/references/offer-frameworks.md` for bonus types and rules.

For each bonus, define:
1. **What it is** — specific deliverable, not vague
2. **What problem it solves** — maps to a pain point or product gap
3. **Format** — PDF, video, template, spreadsheet, community access, call
4. **Perceived value** — what you'd charge if sold separately
5. **Effort to create** — low/medium/high (helps user prioritize)
6. **Exclusivity** — why this is ONLY available through your link

Design 5-7 bonuses across these tiers:
- **Tier 1: Quick wins** (low effort to create, high perceived value) — templates, checklists, swipe files
- **Tier 2: Deep value** (medium effort, high impact) — mini-course, workshop recording, tool
- **Tier 3: Premium** (high effort, ultimate differentiator) — personal support, community, coaching

### Step 3: Calculate Stack Value

- Sum perceived values of all bonuses
- Compare to product price — bonus value should be 3-10x product price
- Identify the "hero bonus" — the one that does the most persuasive heavy lifting

### Step 4: Write Bonus Copy

For each bonus, write:
- **Name** — specific and benefit-driven (not "Bonus #1")
- **One-liner** — what it is + what it does for them
- **Value statement** — "$XX value — FREE with your purchase"
- **Delivery method** — how they get it after purchasing

### Step 5: Self-Validation

- [ ] Each bonus is specific and deliverable (not vague promises)
- [ ] At least one bonus addresses the product's biggest gap
- [ ] Total bonus value exceeds product price
- [ ] At least one "exclusive" bonus (only through your link)
- [ ] All bonuses are within your skills to actually create
- [ ] No income claims or unrealistic promises

## Output Schema

```yaml
output_schema_version: "1.0.0"
bonus_stack:
  product_name: string
  total_value: string          # Total perceived value of all bonuses
  product_price: string        # For comparison
  hero_bonus: string           # The most compelling bonus name
  bonuses:
    - name: string
      description: string
      problem_solved: string
      format: string           # "pdf" | "video" | "template" | "community" | "call" | "tool"
      perceived_value: string
      effort_to_create: string # "low" | "medium" | "high"
      exclusivity: string
      delivery: string         # How they receive it

chain_metadata:
  skill_slug: "bonus-stack-builder"
  stage: "landing"
  timestamp: string
  suggested_next:
    - "landing-page-creator"
    - "guarantee-generator"
    - "email-drip-sequence"
```

## Output Format

```
## Bonus Stack: [Product Name]

### Stack Overview
- **Product price:** $XX/mo
- **Total bonus value:** $XXX
- **Hero bonus:** [name]
- **Message:** "Get $XXX in exclusive bonuses FREE when you start [product] through my link"

### Bonus 1: [Name] ($XX value)
**What:** [specific deliverable]
**Solves:** [pain point]
**Format:** [format]
**Delivery:** [how they get it]
**Why exclusive:** [only through your link because...]

[Repeat for each bonus]

### Bonus Copy (ready to paste)

✅ [Bonus 1 name] — [one-liner] ($XX value)
✅ [Bonus 2 name] — [one-liner] ($XX value)
...
**Total value: $XXX — yours FREE through my link**

### Creation Priority
1. [Easiest bonus to create first — get live fast]
2. [Next priority]
3. [Can create later — still mention on page]
```

## Error Handling

- **No product provided**: "I need a product to design bonuses for. Run `affiliate-program-search` first, or tell me the product."
- **No skills specified**: Suggest universal bonuses anyone can create: curated resource lists, setup checklists, comparison spreadsheets, email templates.
- **Product is free tier**: Focus bonuses on accelerating results (templates, guides) rather than adding financial value.
- **User can't deliver high-effort bonuses**: Prioritize Tier 1 (templates, checklists) — they have high perceived value with low creation effort.

## Examples

**Example 1:** "Design bonuses for HeyGen affiliate link"
→ Research HeyGen pain points (avatar creation, script writing, video editing), design bonuses: AI avatar setup guide, 50 video script templates, brand voice cheatsheet, private community access, 1-on-1 setup call.

**Example 2:** "What bonuses can I offer for Semrush? I'm a content writer."
→ Match writer skills to Semrush gaps: keyword research template, content calendar spreadsheet, SEO audit checklist, writing prompts for each content type, monthly strategy call.

**Example 3:** "Create bonuses for this product" (after grand-slam-offer)
→ Take bonus suggestions from grand-slam-offer output, flesh each out with specific deliverables, formats, perceived values, and creation timeline.

## Revenue & Action Plan

### Expected Outcomes
- **Revenue potential**: Bonus stacks increase affiliate conversion rates by 2-5x. If your current conversion rate is 1% with 500 monthly clicks = 5 sales × $50 commission = $250/month. With a bonus stack at 3% conversion = 15 sales = $750/month — a $500/month increase from the SAME traffic
- **Benchmark**: Affiliates with bonus stacks report 200-400% higher conversion rates vs naked affiliate links. The hero bonus alone can double conversions
- **Key metric to track**: Conversion rate (sales / clicks) with vs without bonus stack. A/B test by running traffic to both versions for 2 weeks

### Do This Right Now (15 min)
1. Create the **easiest Tier 1 bonus first** — a checklist, template, or swipe file takes 15-30 minutes to make
2. Add the bonus stack copy to your landing page (or create one with `landing-page-creator`)
3. Don't wait until ALL bonuses are ready — launch with 2-3 and add more over time
4. Send an email to your list announcing the exclusive bonuses

### Track Your Results
After 2 weeks: compare conversion rates with and without the bonus stack. If conversion didn't im