If you are looking into starting an online business or want to join one that already exists but don't know where to start, then look no further. There's more money to be made by selling other people's products than there is from creating them yourself (at least when it comes to making money). This article will show you how and where to begin with finding new businesses' affiliate partners so that you can make some cash on the side.
Finding business affiliates isn't hard at all. All you need to do is look through affiliate directories and review sites like ClickBank and Commission Junction, check out their listings, and pick those that interest you most. The first step is choosing which type of affiliate you want to partner up with. You could choose a direct-to-consumer brand such as Amazon, Apple, or Nike, or you might prefer to go with a reseller who sells products under its own name. Whatever route you take, remember that you'll still need to market the product once you've signed up with the affiliate network. The following steps should help you find potential business affiliates.
Affiliate directories are great resources because they list many different types of businesses along with their affiliate offers. Some offer free access while others charge a fee, depending on whether they provide information about the brand itself or not. Affiliates also pay to advertise themselves within the directory, meaning that it pays to sign up. It doesn't matter which method you use, just keep in mind that you're going to need to submit contact details before anyone responds back to you.
When searching through an affiliate directory, you may notice that certain brands appear over and over again. These are usually well-known big names that you can expect to see in any good affiliate directory, including Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Best Buy, etc. If you scroll down each page, however, you may come across smaller brands that aren't listed anywhere else. They could be local small businesses that only operate online, or even individuals running websites promoting personal services.
The next thing you should do is visit the websites of the brands you'd like to work with. This way, you can see exactly what their target audience looks like, learn more about the industry, and discover why someone would buy their products. Take notes on everything you read and try to imagine how your customers would benefit from using the product(s) offered by this particular company. Finally, ask yourself if you think it makes sense to become an affiliate of this brand. For example, maybe you found out that this popular toy manufacturer has a huge fan base among young girls between 10 and 14 years old. Would you consider reaching out to parents of young children to promote the toys? That's something worth considering.
Next, you can search Google for keywords related to your chosen brand. Look specifically for "affiliate" or "partnership," since these terms indicate that you'll be partnering up with another person instead of directly selling the product. When you run a keyword search, you can narrow results based on location too. To do so, simply add "-US" after the city name and state abbreviation. For instance, if you were trying to find an affiliate for the New York City area, you could search for "New York - US."
Once you've done that, hit Enter and look through the results. On the left side of the screen, you'll see links to various affiliate networks. Simply click the ones that seem interesting and enter your email address. Most affiliate networks require a minimum payout threshold or a specific number of sales per month to qualify for payment. Once you complete the registration process, you'll receive an invitation code to redeem. Use it immediately!
Finally, you can browse through the affiliate lists provided by the major affiliate networks. Here you'll find thousands of different options ready to be promoted alongside your website or blog. As mentioned above, you must register with every single platform separately. Don't worry though -- you won't waste much time doing this. Just select the option that best suits your needs and follow directions. Afterward, you'll be able to log into your account and claim commissions straightaway.
Now let's move onto how to find out what companies have affiliate programs.
You can easily find out what companies are offering affiliate partnerships through several methods. First off, you can always head to their official site and see if they mention anything about becoming an affiliate. Often times, the homepage contains a link labeled "Become an Affiliate". In addition to this, you can also search online for "become an affiliate" + company name to find similar opportunities elsewhere. Another helpful resource is the company's social media accounts. Many brands post news updates on Twitter and Facebook, announcing new partnerships and promotions.
Another way to find out what kind of deals you can potentially land is to conduct a quick web search. Type in "company name + affiliate", followed by the term "promotion codes" or "discount codes". These phrases will bring up results relating to discounts and bonuses given away exclusively for affiliates. Lastly, you can check out forums dedicated to the respective industries. These are often filled with users sharing tips, tricks, and success stories.
One final tip is to subscribe to newsletters created by companies. These emails contain valuable content that can help drive traffic to your landing pages. A few reputable sources include eMarketer, HubSpot, Entrepreneur, Forbes, and Inc., amongst many others. Keep in mind that you shouldn't rely solely on email campaigns to build your subscriber list. Instead, focus on building relationships with influencers in your niche.
This question is pretty straightforward. Whenever a company posts a press release or makes an announcement regarding an upcoming promotion, it means they're officially partnered with an outside party. However, sometimes they fail to specify if they're working with an affiliate or not. One way around this is to look closely at the fine print. Pay attention to the words used in the description, especially "Partner" or "Associate Partner". If you spot either of these terms, proceed to the next section.
Also, you can try contacting the company via phone or Skype. Ask them if they're currently involved in an agreement with another entity. If they say yes, that means they're definitely affiliated with another company. Otherwise, they probably haven't joined forces yet.
Additionally, you can always refer to the company's About Us page. It includes basic information such as the company's legal status, revenue figures, and customer service hours. By reading through this, you'll gain insight into the overall health of the organization. Remember, a healthy company is likely to be more receptive towards becoming an affiliate.
Lastly, you can do a simple Google search for "company name + affiliation". The phrase "affiliated" appears throughout the result set whenever it applies. This technique works well when you're unable to locate the exact wording used in the original announcement.
There are two ways to approach this problem. The first involves approaching existing affiliate partners. While this tactic requires lots of effort upfront, it does give you full control over your campaign. The second method is to reach out to new affiliates. This is easier to do but less effective compared to the previous option. Both approaches have pros and cons, so we recommend taking a balanced approach to maximize profits.
Let's start with the former. The easiest way to get started is to send an email asking for permission to promote the product. Be sure to write a compelling pitch explaining why you believe this opportunity is beneficial for both parties. Also, if possible, attach relevant statistics showing how successful past campaigns have been. Answering questions pertaining to your expertise in the field is also a plus.
As far as getting affiliates excited about your project goes, consider giving them a sample of the product and/or providing additional material that illustrates the value proposition. For instance, you could create a video outlining the features of the product in detail. Then, share it on YouTube and embed it on your website. You can also upload it to Vimeo and host it there. Next, place banners containing the same image on other blogs or websites. Doing this creates buzz around your product and encourages visitors to purchase it without knowing precisely how it works.
On the flipside, sending an unsolicited email to dozens of unknown affiliates is ineffective. Although you can attempt to persuade them to accept your proposal by highlighting the benefits of signing up, chances are you won't succeed. Your message will sound generic and uninspiring, resulting in little to no response. Therefore, it's better to concentrate your efforts on a handful of high-quality prospects.
Affiliate marketing has become one of the most popular ways to generate revenue online. You can start a blog and make money from it by writing about topics related to your industry or market niche. But what if there was another way to get paid without having to write articles? What if you could sign up for an affiliate program that would give you commissions on products sold through your site automatically? If you are interested in joining this type of affiliate network, then read on as we take a look at some of the best options available today.
There are many different types of affiliate programs out there, so let's first talk about creating your own program. The first step is to choose which platform you want to use. There are several choices here, but all will follow similar steps when setting up your account. Most affiliate networks offer their services via software packages. They usually have specialized websites where you go to register and pay your fee. Once logged into the system, you'll be presented with various banners promoting the various affiliate partners they work with.
Once you've decided upon a service provider, log onto their website and click "Join Now". Fill out a few details - name, email address, payment information (credit card number), etc., and hit submit. That's pretty much it! Your account is now ready to accept payments.
If you're looking to sell physical goods such as books, CDs, DVDs, toys, or other items, you may also need to set up shipping and handling fees. Some companies charge extra to cover those costs, while others allow you to collect them directly from customers. It depends entirely on what kind of product you plan to sell. However, some affiliate networks even offer free shipping if you meet certain guidelines.
You don't necessarily have to open an actual storefront and sell real things. Many affiliate programs exist where you simply refer people to sites offering products and services that interest you. For example, Amazon Associates allows you to place links anywhere on its website pointing to third-party merchants who wish to offer their wares. When someone clicks through and makes a purchase, you receive a commission. This sort of affiliate marketing model works well because you only need to build one link per merchant.
After signing up for an existing affiliate program, you should begin searching for new ones. Here are our favorite methods for finding new affiliate opportunities:
1. Use Google search tools. While using Google isn't the easiest method, it does provide great results. Simply enter a keyword relating to your niche or market area along with the word "affiliates" to see the top five pages that come up. Clicking any page will show you more information including contact info.
2. Look for blogs within your niche. Blogs are excellent places to learn more about the latest trends, hot topics, and current events taking place within your market. To help you locate relevant blogs, check out the list below.
3. Check social media channels. Social media plays a huge role in the success of businesses across every industry. In fact, according to the Harvard Business Review, 70% of consumers research brands before making a purchasing decision. So why not leverage your followers' trust to spread the word about your business?
4. Search YouTube for videos discussing your market. As part of my video blogging course, I teach students how to utilize YouTube effectively. One tip I share is to regularly search for keywords related to your niche or market. Then add those terms plus the words "video", "make money," "how to", "guide", or "teach." Next, scroll down the list until you find something interesting and click play. Watch the entire video. Afterward, leave feedback if applicable and move on to the next clip. By doing this consistently over time, you'll quickly build up a library of useful content to draw potential leads back to your site.
5. Read eBooks written by experts in your field. A lot of people still prefer reading text rather than watching video clips. And since ebooks tend to cost less than print publications, they are often easier on the pocketbook. Plus, you can always buy additional copies later if you decide to keep them around permanently.
6. Join forums. Forums are essentially communities where people discuss issues, concerns, questions, and solutions to problems. Since members often post valuable tips and advice, you can easily stumble upon helpful resources just by browsing the forum boards.
7. Attend local networking meetings. These group gatherings are typically hosted by organizations like chambers of commerce. If you attend enough, you'll eventually run into someone working within your field. Chances are good that person will know about a company that sells or offers something related to what you sell. Take note of their contacts and send them a friendly introduction letter introducing yourself and asking if they might be interested in learning more about your brand or product line.
8. Ask friends and family. People love talking about themselves. So ask them what they think about your product or service. Tell them what benefits they enjoy. Be sure to include the reasons behind those benefits, too. Just remember that everyone's experience differs, so listen closely to what each individual says. Don't assume anything based solely off your friend's opinion -- instead, gather as much information as possible before reaching a conclusion.
9. Research industry associations. Although you won't likely find direct affiliate deals with large corporations unless you already belong to a trade association, you might discover smaller players that offer a variety of services. For instance, the American Marketing Association hosts conferences throughout the year where you can connect with fellow professionals.
10. Look for newsletters. Newsletters aren't limited to traditional newspapers anymore. Today, you can subscribe to emails full of news stories, expert opinions, and educational material. Look for one that relates specifically to your market or niche. Subscribe and stay informed.
11. Visit your state chamber of commerce website. Chambers of Commerce host regular meetings and networking sessions where they invite representatives from various industries to speak and answer questions. Attendance is free.
12. Consider hiring a public relations firm. Public Relations agencies handle everything from press releases to radio interviews to television appearances. Not only do PR firms often provide promotional materials like brochures and collateral to hand out during presentations, but they also arrange speaking engagements for you.
13. Contact your local government offices. Local governments frequently hold seminars and workshops covering subjects ranging from taxes to small business development. Sometimes community leaders will host special events geared toward helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Sign up early and prepare ahead of time by researching speakers and topic areas that relate to your industry.
14. Find regional directories. Directories contain listings of businesses located in specific regions. Depending on where you live, you may be able to access multiple lists that compile data on businesses operating locally.
15. Do Internet searches. Using the right keywords will lead to a wealth of information regarding companies selling or providing products or services that match your needs.
16. Keep tabs on competitors. Companies constantly release news updates and reports detailing their financial performance. Often times, executives will announce major changes to policies and procedures. Make note of these announcements and watch for signs of progress within your chosen markets.
17. Follow big names in your industry. Bigger brands tend to attract attention and gain exposure. Therefore, if you're eager to get noticed, consider contacting a prominent figurehead within your industry and asking if he or she would mind mentioning your company on his/her blog or Twitter feed.
18. Start your own blog. Blogging is a great way to expand your reach beyond simple web traffic and drive qualified prospects straight to your door. It doesn't matter whether you're an experienced blogger or completely new to the game, starting a blog is easy. All you really need is a domain, hosting, WordPress theme, and a couple of posts to launch your very own publishing empire.
19. Become a member of LinkedIn. Like Facebook, LinkedIn is a professional social network where users can interact with colleagues and clients. Unlike Facebook, however, LinkedIn boasts a larger user base consisting of mostly salespeople, recruiters, and people seeking employment. With millions of active profiles, connecting with other members is relatively straightforward.
20. Get involved with groups. Groups are basically virtual clubs where people chat, engage in discussions, and exchange ideas. Whether you're looking for support, motivation, or inspiration, groups can be extremely beneficial. Joining groups dedicated to your profession will undoubtedly expose you to new resources, strategies, and tactics.
21. Create a profile on Yelp. Yelp provides an invaluable resource for anyone trying to improve customer satisfaction levels. Users rate restaurants, shops, salons, spas, and other businesses based on ratings provided by customers. If you operate a local establishment, getting listed on Yelp can significantly increase your visibility among prospective patrons.
22. Build relationships offline. It's important to maintain strong connections with your peers and associates. Invite people to parties, luncheons, and dinners to introduce them to your brand and business. Let them know about upcoming promotions and events. Offer referrals whenever appropriate.
If you're a newbie looking to make money online as an affiliate marketer, then there are many things that can be confusing. In this article we'll look at some simple strategies and tips on how to go about finding high-quality affiliate opportunities within your niche or industry sector.
The first thing to consider is what type of product or service you want to sell. For example if you have a blog site you might like to try selling other people's products such as ebooks or courses. If you don't know where to start when trying to find suitable affiliate partners, here are some ideas to help you along.
Firstly, check out the main search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo! These sites will list thousands upon thousands of websites related to your chosen topic and allow you to see which ones contain relevant content for your target audience. Once you've identified those sites, check their back links too - they should all link back to each other so it makes sense to visit them from time to time to see whether any changes have taken place. You could also use tools like Alexa Ranking (which lists website traffic) and Quantcast Analysis (which shows social media engagement). All of these will give you more information about the popularity of the site and its owner.
Once you've found potential partner sites, contact them directly by email or through Facebook or Twitter. This will show you if they are interested in working together and let you establish initial rapport before moving into negotiations over commission rates etc.
This approach is quite effective but one drawback is that most businesses won't accept direct approaches because of the fear of spamming, however you can still follow this method to identify good prospects and build relationships with them. Another option would be using forums and bulletin boards to ask questions about specific topics related to your area of expertise.
When setting up an affiliate program for your own brand, you may decide to sign up multiple affiliates across different countries. The key is to ensure that your affiliates are promoting your company’s services or products effectively. It pays to work closely with your affiliates during the early stages of your relationship to avoid problems later down the line.
You need to understand why someone has become an affiliate for you and not another competitor. What value proposition does your offer provide that others cannot match? Is the affiliate agreement clear enough for both parties? How long did the process take between signing up and getting paid? If you have had issues with previous affiliates it will pay dividends to address them quickly.
There are several ways to attract and retain customers who are ready and willing to buy your products or services. One of the best methods is creating a free giveaway. Giveaways encourage visitors to subscribe to newsletters, join your mailing list and learn more about your offerings. Freebies can include downloadable PDF reports, videos, audios, articles, guides and even software.
One way to generate leads is simply by asking your existing clients if they know anyone else who could benefit from your services. Word-of-mouth advertising works well for many industries including health care, technology, travel and finance. When approaching friends and family members, remember to keep it professional and friendly.
Another great way to gain exposure is via press releases. A press release gives your existing followers an opportunity to hear your latest news straight away. They can share your content easily via social channels and drive targeted traffic to your offers. Press releases can also be used to announce events and launches. Be sure to create a compelling title and headline to grab readers' attention.
It goes without saying that the quickest way to connect with affiliates is by offering something valuable in return for their efforts. In addition to giving away promotional material, you should always send emails regularly containing useful updates and resources. Try sending weekly sales letters, monthly newsletters and quarterly promotions.
A quick tip is to write personalized messages for every single affiliate. Send personalised thank you notes after making payments. If you think that sounds tedious, just imagine that your current customer base consists of 100,000 subscribers. Then you would need to send 10,000 personalized emails per day...and that doesn't account for holidays. So yes, it is possible to automate the entire process once you get the hang of it.
Also, don't forget to send regular automated emails reminding them that you exist. That means sending them emails daily or weekly depending on the size of your subscriber database. This is especially important if you have signed up hundreds of affiliates. Your newsletter should highlight anything exciting happening in your niche or industry space. Also create a separate email list so that you can send exclusive deals and announcements only to your subscribers.
Finally, you must treat affiliates fairly. Make sure that you reward loyal participants by providing them with special access to premium content and discounts. There are plenty of affiliate networks available today that cater specifically to digital marketers. However, it is recommended that you choose quality over quantity when choosing the right network to represent your brand.
Setting up an affiliate program can either be very easy or extremely complicated depending on the structure and complexity of your business. Most affiliate programs require you to register with a third party provider, complete training modules and agree to certain terms and conditions.
Before deciding to run an affiliate program yourself, you should carefully consider the following points:
· Do you already have a large number of contacts who would likely buy your products/services?
· Are you confident that you could handle the associated administrative processes?
· Will having an affiliate program affect your bottom line?
· Which payment processors are compatible with your preferred bank(s)?
· Have you budgeted sufficient funds to cover operational costs?
· Can you afford to lose money due to non-payment of commissions?
· Where will your profits go? To whom will you report your earnings?
Answering ‘no’ to any of these questions is usually a red flag indicating that running an affiliate program isn’t going to add significant value to your company. It is worth considering outsourcing the task to someone else whose sole focus is generating income for your brand.
Some companies also offer pre-packaged solutions to streamline the setup process. Examples include ClickBank and Commission Junction. Both providers act as middlemen for merchants and affiliates alike and facilitate transactions between the two parties.
As mentioned above, the price tag depends largely on factors such as the amount of effort involved and the level of automation required. Affiliate networks typically charge anywhere between 1% and 5% of gross revenues generated by their publisher partners. Many affiliate networks now offer flexible pricing models based on a tiered system ranging from 0%-1%, 2%-3%, 3%-5%. Some popular brands operate on a flat fee basis while others offer volume discounts.
In summary, the success of any affiliate promotion campaign hinges on three core areas:
o Content creation
o Marketing and distribution
o Payment processing
Content Creation:
Your primary aim is to come up with unique, original and engaging content that resonates with your ideal target audience. While writing blogs and white papers is often perceived as being the easiest route to monetisation, research suggests otherwise. Writing informative books and eBooks takes significantly longer than blogging and requires additional skills beyond SEO.
Marketing & Distribution:
Having written your book, it remains vital to optimise it for maximum effectiveness. Optimising your ebook involves ensuring that keywords appear in titles, subtitles, subheadings, chapters, table of contents, footnotes and endnotes. Use keyword density calculators to determine the optimum percentage of words that should feature in your document. Ensure that images are embedded correctly and linked to the correct file types. Include hyperlinks throughout the text to increase page views.
Payment Processing:
Many companies offer tiered systems based on revenue levels. Although it is tempting to opt for the highest tier, this can lead to delays in receiving payments. Instead, select a package that suits your needs.
Affiliates play a crucial role in driving traffic to your website. Without them you wouldn't receive the visibility necessary to grow your business. As mentioned earlier, there are numerous options available to you in order to find a reputable affiliate partner. Just bear in mind that selecting the wrong affiliate can spell disaster for your business.
To sum up, affiliate marketing provides a powerful tool that allows entrepreneurs and small businesses to tap into the vast wealth of knowledge and experience shared by millions of users around the globe. Using affiliate partnerships wisely can boost your productivity, improve your reputation and ultimately contribute towards growing your business.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.