Resource sites typically embed a merchant partner’s website in an affiliate link or banner advertisement within how-to articles and posts. This business model requires frequent updates and fresh content to ensure that customers return to the marketer’s website on a regular basis. [2] X Research source Review sites feature reviews of products/services that the marketer has tried and can attest for. Each product/service review includes a link or banner ad that will take customers to the merchant partner’s website. The advantage of review sites is that they require less frequent updates. Marketers simply have to make minor tweaks to their websites to ensure that search engines continue to list the website in their search results. [3] X Research source
The advantage of a blog, such as Blogger, is that it’s free to operate, whereas some websites require a fee to operate. However, sites like GoDaddy. com and Hostgator offer website services that are relatively inexpensive to operate, and may look more professional than a personal blog. [4] X Research source Consider joining up with an affiliated marketing company. One easy way to enter the field of affiliate marketing is to join a company that specializes in online marketing. Though you’ll ultimately work independently, companies like MoreNiche allow aspiring affiliate marketers to join for free to have a platform for advertising products/services. [5] X Research source Some websites allow you to engage in pay-per-click affiliate marketing without running your own website or blog. Direct links through outside merchant websites allow you to create and make money off of ads without having to post them to your own website. For instance, you might make an ad for a dating website and advertise on Facebook; when someone clicks on your ad, they go straight to the dating site, instead of a website or landing page you have created. Some affiliate networks that specialize in direct linking include Associate Programs, Affiliates Directory, E-commerce Guide, and Link Share. [6] X Research source
Your niche doesn’t necessarily need to be an area you’re already an expert in. You can also choose a specialized area which you’re enthusiastic or interested in learning more about. Think of Oprah, she doesn’t market herself as an expert, but she frequently brings other experts on her show. You can do the same in your niche, by giving other experts a platform to promote themselves in exchange for content creation. [8] X Research source The initial startup work can be very intensive, so it’s important to choose a niche in which you won’t mind working for prolonged periods. This can help set you up for success as you get your new career off the ground. [9] X Research source
Emailing or otherwise contacting other bloggers and online marketers who share a common niche and asking them to either promote your product, or engaging in a mutually-beneficial cross-promotion wherein both you and the other blogger promote one another’s products[15] X Research source Finding successful affiliates online, either through forums, mutual contacts, or affiliate networks (such as Clickbank or Commission Junction) that you can join online[16] X Research source
Giving away free content to other websites (which may drive traffic to your links)[18] X Research source Using viral marketing, like a link at the end of newsletters that allows readers to pass the newsletter on to other readers quickly and easily[19] X Research source Securing free links on websites that already drive a lot of traffic[20] X Research source
Digital Point, aBestWeb, and Warrior Forum are excellent and free resources for affiliate marketers. In addition to advice from more experienced marketers, these forums also offer networking opportunities to connect with other marketers. [22] X Research source
Learn how your affiliate partners prefer to communicate. Every partner will have a different work schedule and communication preferences, and it falls on you to respect those preferences. [24] X Research source Know what your affiliates need and expect from you. [25] X Research source Brainstorm new ideas to pitch to your affiliates. You should do a substantial amount of research on your affiliates’ websites, and know how they can improve their websites and services. [26] X Research source Seek feedback from your affiliates on how you can improve your own platform. [27] X Research source
Paid advertising — this method requires an effective combination of ad copy, graphics, and a highly-clickable link. [29] X Research source Unlike more traditional affiliate marketing strategies, paid advertising (through pay-per-click ads) earn you money regardless of whether a reader buys the product or not. Services like Google’s AdSense make this quick and easy for you, and can even supply you with an advertising code. Free advertising — this method involves placing links and advertisements on free websites, like Craigslist or US Free Ads. Whenever someone clicks on your ad, both you and the website (for example, Craigslist) earn money from the clicks. [30] X Research source Article marketing — this method seeks to gain a higher ranking in search engine results by establishing the marketer as a credible source that won’t use spam software. [31] X Research source Many marketers use websites like Ezine Articles to publish articles that contain a unique “resource box,” and as other bloggers and website managers republish the article (with the resource box intact), the marketer who published the original article gradually earns higher search engine rankings. [32] X Research source Email marketing — in this method, marketers embed an email subscription option for website visitors. This allows the marketer to acquire a site visitor’s name and email address, which can help build a lasting relationship and expose the visitor to the marketer’s newsletter. [33] X Research source
Address a specific problem that consumers might be facing, and call attention to a solution or benefit that the product offers[34] X Research source Use a strong and specific keyword that will help drive traffic (for help choosing appropriate keywords, use Google’s free AdWords Keyword Tool)[35] X Research source Reflect the keywords used on the primary “landing” (linked-to) page[36] X Research source Work in an imperative or call to action to gently urge consumers to click through your link[37] X Research source
Keep in mind the field is very competitive and many marketing companies are run by professional marketers or large companies cable of spending large sums to attract traffic.
