Affiliate marketing is best if you do it in association with another business or hobby and is primarily an advertising approach. [2] X Research source For example, if you write a popular blog about parenting, you may want to look into affiliate marketing for baby- or child-related products. [3] X Research source Direct sales is best if you have the confidence and experience to be successful in sales. This requires a particular type of personality that not everyone has. [4] X Research source Affiliate marketing usually involves getting a smaller percentage of the sales profit than direct sales (MLM), but may require less work on your part; it is best to research the details of each before deciding which business model to choose. [5] X Research source
Search for reviews of the company online and be sure to read the specific comments that people have made. Find out the company’s quality control, customer service, and affiliate payment policies before you select a company.
If something says it will help you “get rich quick,” it probably won’t. Many such companies can actually cause you to lose money.
Be sure to try a product yourself before you try to sell it. Many companies may offer you a sample, or you can find another person who is doing the type of marketing or sales that you are planning to do and buy a product from her.
Reputable affiliate marketing companies do not usually charge you startup fees. [9] X Research source Be sure that you are aware of your sales quotas and any penalties associated with failing to meet your quotas. [10] X Research source
You may even want to ask your friends and family to give you feedback on how to improve your sales strategy when you expand it to a broader audience. Use caution when approaching close friends and family; you do not want them to feel like every time they see you, you are trying to get their money.
Use social media websites to expand your social network and find a larger customer base.
Be sure you are not violating any non-solicitation regulations. Dress well and act professionally so that people are not suspicious of you. Having a product that people have heard of may also help build trust among potential clients.
There are advantages and disadvantages to using these marketplaces; they greatly increase your potential customer base, but be aware that you may have far more competition. Affiliate marketplaces may be best for very niche products without much competition.
With affiliate marketing, you may not have any responsibility for payments or orders, but you should be familiar with the systems in place with the product you are marketing in order to know what you are giving your “stamp of approval” to; if a customer has a bad experience with a vendor you plug, he may no longer trust your recommendations.
For example, you may want to notify customers of the following status changes: “payment processed,” “order placed,” “order shipped,” and “order ready for pickup. ” If there is ever a problem with a product or order, it is usually best to offer an immediate refund or replacement. Keeping customers happy, keeping your seller ratings high, and encouraging repeat business should be your biggest concern as a seller.
Try to make personalized suggestions to customers based on their past purchases. Find out their interests and preferences and make specific product suggestions tailored to their needs. Try to be sensitive to any budget constraints and be consistent when offering products. If a customer feels that you are trying to “up sell” them to make more money, she may stop using you altogether.
