Table of Contents
How does affiliate marketing work?
Affiliate marketing generally follows four stages, regardless of where you promote your links and which program you join. You first join an affiliate program and then get links and widgets to promote a product or service. When someone purchases via your link, a commission is triggered based on your rate. Payment dates vary.
- Joining an affiliate program: Choose affiliate programs within your niche (GetYourGuide if you’re a travel blogger, for example). Some affiliate programs have minimum monthly traffic thresholds, but you can join others without an audience. Check each program’s requirements before applying to join.
- Getting promotional materials: Affiliate programs normally have links with an ID that you can share with your audience. Some programs have banners and widgets, but this varies. For example, booking.com’s affiliate program has banners that you can place on your website.
- Product promotion: Common ways to promote products include when writing blog posts and YouTube video descriptions, but there are other options. Some programs let you share links on social media and newsletters, though you should check their rules beforehand to confirm.
- Earning a commission: You get paid when someone makes a purchase via your link, but you may have to reach a certain profit threshold (e.g. $50) before receiving a payout.
Can beginners do affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is an ideal entrepreneurial starting point, although you often have to wait a long time before making substantial profits. Reasons that beginners should consider affiliate marketing include:
- Someone else handles product creation, customer service, and inventory management.
- Starting a blog, podcast, etc. requires less monetary investment – but you will need to spend a lot of time.
How to pick a niche for affiliate marketing?
Conventional advice tells you to focus on a profitable niche, but while there needs to be enough demand for products or services, you will quit if you choose a niche you don’t like. Verify that profit opportunities exist, but choose a topic that you’re interested in and knowledgeable about.
Look at other websites in your niche and think about original content that you can create; never plagiarize or write generic posts.
Check for affiliate programs: Look for affiliate programs in your chosen niche; if there aren’t, you’ll need to think about alternative monetization methods.
What are the benefits of affiliate marketing?
Things to consider when you research affiliate marketing include:
- Barrier to Entry: You don’t need to create your own product and startup costs are low, but you should put the right infrastructure in place.
- Flexibility: Work from anywhere with a good internet connection; make sure that you have a daily schedule.
- Passive Income (Sort Of): You can technically “earn money while you sleep” with affiliate marketing, but you need to put in the legwork to create content.
- Products and Services: Promote products and services that you’re passionate about, such as the camera you use in photography (but never promote products that you don’t use).
How do I find affiliate programs to join?
If you’re convinced that you want to try affiliate marketing, you’ll need to find some affiliate programs to join. How you do this will depend on your niche; here are some pointers.
- Affiliate Networks: Amazon Associates, CJ Affiliate, and AWIN are examples of affiliate networks.
- Company Websites: Check if the brands that you use have affiliate programs. Some brands with affiliate programs include Skyscanner, Hocoos, Fathom Analytics, Microsoft, and Semrush.
- Niche Directories: Look for niche directories listing affiliate programs. For example, if you’re a travel blogger, look at TravelPayouts.
How can I promote affiliate products?
You can promote affiliate products in several ways, but you should pick a platform (or platforms) that you actually like. Here are some channels to consider:
- Blogging: Write reviews or tutorials featuring the product. Alternatively, write about topics in your niche and organically link to the product or service.
- Social Media: Share links in your Instagram, X, or Facebook bio. You can also write posts featuring the link, but make sure you add a disclaimer.
- Email Marketing: Send emails including links to affiliate products; these should be part of a broader email (e.g. newsletter update).
- YouTube Videos: Make videos using your product (e.g. a photography vlog featuring your camera). Consider also making reviews, but don’t make these biased; discuss the product/service’s pros and cons.
What are some common mistakes to avoid in affiliate marketing?
To increase your chances of making profits with affiliate marketing, you need to consider the most common mistakes. These include:
- Promoting Too Many Products: Don’t stuff your content with links; instead, focus on a few high-quality products that you really like.
- Ignoring Your Audience: Don’t promote products that aren’t relevant to your niche; users will appreciate you more if you stay on-brand.
- Misleading and Deceptive Marketing: Always be transparent and give honest reviews; it’s also a good idea to refrain from reviewing products/services you don’t use.
You can consider dropshipping for more control over products and branding, but you must also think about the fact that you have to deal with customer service and whatnot.
Conclusion
If you don’t want to create products or deal with customer service, consider looking at affiliate marketing. Choose a niche that you’re passionate about and focus on value first; if you focus on money before everything else, it will elude you. Look for programs in your field, and consider potential traffic requirements; start by picking one promotion avenue, such as blogging.
