Have you been wondering how you can earn money with affiliate marketing?
Are you interested in learning how you can really make money online without any start up costs or monthly fees?
What many people don’t realize is that if you want to be successful online (whatever you choose to do), you need a platform. I recommend you start a blog for a few reasons. Mainly because it’s a platform you own, where you can build your brand, and engage with people.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media networks are also platforms you can use to grow your affiliate earnings. The key is knowing how to build an audience, and engage that audience, so you can sell to that audience.
Am I saying to post your affiliate links all over your social media pages? Absolutely NOT. I’m saying, you have to have a space, where you attract the people you wish to promote and sell to.
In my opinion, individuals who find success with affiliate marketing are those who…
- Have money to pay for advertising
- Are skilled internet marketers
- Already have an audience to sell to
If you are reading this post, and don’t have a budget for advertising, you can still be successful when you learn how to start an online business and build an audience.
What Exactly is Affiliate Marketing?
Basically, affiliate marketing is how you can earn commissions by promoting other people’s products. If you are someone who wants to make money online, but don’t have your own product, service, or a lot of money to invest in a home based business…affiliate marketing is a good option to explore.
The first thing you will want to do is figure out what type of product or service you want to promote. With a little bit of thought, and Google research, you can find out if there is a market for what you want to promote.
Choosing the Best Products and Services
*TIP* I can almost guarantee some of your favorite online stores and service providers have an affiliate program! Promoting products you have first hand experience with makes referring them to your audience much easier and more effective.
As a consultant who helps entrepreneurs get setup and started online, I’m able to recommend the same services I love and use in my own business.
This website is hosted with Skystra, and I use GetResponse to capture leads, grow my list and stay in touch with my subscribers through email marketing. (Yes, these are my affiliate links so I earn a commission if you choose to sign up using them.)
So, you see how easy it can be to promote other people’s products and services when you use them yourself, and you have a platform to share them on!
Do you have to use the products you wish to promote?
Not necessarily.
I promote a few products I haven’t purchased personally, however, I usually have a relationship with the product’s creator, or have personal experience using the product or service through working with clients.
If I see the value, trust it enough to share with my audience, and can confidently vouch for what they offer…I will.
In my opinion, promoting a product just to make money is not a good idea. It’s best to have your own experience, and testimony. Promote things that your audience needs, and will benefit from using, so you improve your earning potential.
Finding Products and Services to Promote
The first place I suggest you look to find products, is at the online stores and services you currently frequent and use. Normally, if you scroll down to the bottom of the site, you will see a link that says ‘Affiliate Program’, ‘Partner Program’ or something similar. There you will find more information on what they offer and how to sign up.
Some programs do require you to have your own blog or website. That’s why I encourage those who intend to build any business online, to start a blog.
A few places to find affiliate products are:
It is FREE to join and offers thousands of products for you to choose from. You’ll have access to all the tools and resources you need to promote, and earn money.
Another very popular site is of course, Amazon.
My personal favorite is, My Daily Choice. It’s known as the “House of Brands” because they offer a multitude of product brands and a Marketplace you can profit from in the most lucrative industries. It’s easy to become an affiliate and get full access to a powerful marketing system, your own website, lead capture pages, product funnels, sales tracking and more.
If you want to make money online, and earn with affiliate marketing, you absolutely can! You have to commit to the process – use the tools provided for you (your affiliate links, banners, copy, etc.), help your audience see the benefits, as opposed to only posting links, and be consistent with your efforts.
Have a Strategy for Promoting
Think of it like this…you are a referral partner.
Use social media and share posts and images that will intrigue people. Educate them (not sell them) on the product you are promoting. Share tips, points, and ways the product can help them in some way.
Write a blog post or an article reviewing the product or a video demonstration.
Send an email to your list of subscribers and introduce them to the product and provide your affiliate link so they can learn more and buy.
Share customer testimonies or recorded interviews that will help you attract customers.
Be creative. Focus on helping your prospective customers make an informed decision.
Affiliate Marketing is still business. You have to work, if you want it to work for you. When you do, you will soon begin to reap the rewards of your labor and can celebrate when that cash starts rolling in!
Tamyka Washington
