What is Affiliate Marketing

"Affiliate" (noun) - a person or organization officially attached to a larger body.

Quite simply, businesses use affiliate marketing to increase sales and boost traffic to their website. Affiliates (you) promote websites or specific products using an affiliate link. You as the affiliate can include your links in/on your blogs, websites and social media pages. The affiliate link is specially coded for when someone clicks on your link it will track the traffic and sales for each person who has clicked on the link. As a result if purchases are made by your followers you may earn commissions.

*The rate of commission varies for each affiliate.

Check out our flow chart of the affiliate marketing process.

image affiliate marketing flow chart process

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Niche Marketing

Researching affiliate marketing? 

You'll come across the term 'niche' a lot. You may not know much about niches... Or you may already have your niche in mind.  But what if you don't? Do you have an existing website or blog?  If you were to start an online business or blog, what would your niche be?  This is often a really tough question for people to answer.  A common response is... "but I don't have a particular talent or area of expertise."  

Ask yourself these questions; 

1. What is my passion?

2. What skills do I have?

3. Who is my target audience?

4. What brands and shops are in a similar category to yours?

If you're unsure, check out these articles below.  They offer a wealth of information in the affiliate niche space.

 

Best Affiliate Marketing Profitable Niches List: How to Choose One? Written by Patrick D. December 21, 2021

The EasyAffiliate (2022) has listed "The Most Profitable Niches... in 2021.

  1. Lifestyle and Wellness
  2. Technology
  3. Personal Finance
  4. Pet Care

Read the full article here.

Your niche may not be in the above category.  That is perfectly fine!  Other niches include photography, jewellery making, educational resources, travel, weddings... the list goes on.  There are endless opportunities for your existing business to branch out into the affiliate space.  I've sourced a large list of retailers offering affiliate marketing programs.  For ease of search, they've been categories into into industry groups.

Is a niche important?

The short answer is, yes.  If you sell makeup on your website, it's going to look out of place if you have a link to a golf affiliate website.  Unless of course you're commenting on the makeup of a golfer!  

What are the benefits of niche marketing?

Deskera has all the answers in their blog; 

"What is Niche Marketing? Examples & Strategies"

 

My number #1 tip to you is = Research, research, research research!  Look up your competitors, check out their marketing strategies, read customer reviews.  Knowledge is power.  

 

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