Note: This post contains affiliate links which means that if you click on them I may earn a small percentage of the sale at no cost to you. This helps keep this site up and running and I appreciate your support!
Affiliate Marketing Basics
Affiliate marketers have been around for quite some time now. The business model continues to adapt and change as the industry and consumers change. It is still quite a viable and potentially profitable way to make money.
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is an internet marketing business model where a person earns a commission based on sales or website visits they have a direct influence on. Different businesses offer different affiliate programs. Some pay a commission for each sale a person sends them while others pay for click throughs to their website. Generally, most pay based on sales.
An affiliate marketer is not a salesperson, they’re what you would call in today’s day and age an influencer. Their job is to promote products and/or services, especially products that they know and love, not to sell them.
An affiliate may promote products in a number of different ways. Generally an affiliate marketer will have a website devoted to a niche topic.
So for example, I have another site Pickles Travel blog, which focuses on travel and outdoor adventures. On there I have reviews of places I love, like … or products I use all the time when I’m foraging like my dehydrator post.
The content I write there links to websites where you can book your next adventure. As an affiliate marketer I’ve signed up for each affiliate program and each time someone reads their content, clicks on the link and stays somewhere that I have recommended, then I, as the marketer, earn a commission.
It’s a great business model because just about every product or service under the sun has an affiliate program or two available. This means you can earn money writing and talking about a niche you’re passionate about.
Love yoga? There are affiliate products you can promote. Enjoy working on cars? There are affiliate programs for you too.
How to Get Started as An Affiliate Marketer?
The first decision to make is what niche topic you’re going to focus on. Find a topic you can write or talk about every single day. Find a topic that gets you excited and out of bed and keeps you up late at night.
The second step is to then take your passion and do some research. What affiliate programs fit your niche? You can search affiliate directories and there are a few good ones to join.
I recommend checking out these top affiliate programs:
ShareASale
CJ (formerly Commission Junction)
…
You can also search for quality companies that you enjoy and would be delighted to represent. If they don’t have an affiliate program, reach out to them. Tell them you’re interested in promoting them and see what happens. Most businesses have a link at the very bottom of their website if they have any type of partner or affiliate program.
Finally, look into how you want to structure your website and ask yourself these questions.
Do you want to host a blog or a content based website?
What type of content do you want to provide, audio, video, written?
Think about your strengths and preferences.
Read up on your audience and your industry and start creating content. Social networking is a great way to promote an affiliate business because it enables you to interact with other people who are interested in your topic.
Affiliate marketing is a wonderful business model for both part time and full time entrepreneurs. It gives you the unique opportunity to make money talking about something you enjoy.
Happy selling!