First time Affiliate? Follow these 6 steps to success…
You got your Affiliate links and now what? I’m assuming up to this point this may be your first time promoting an Affiliate Program and you understand basic HTML for installing your links. Use the guide below to help you start making Money with your new links. Or, if you’re considering Affiliate Marketing as a source for monetizing your blog the below steps let ya know what you’re getting into. Buckle your seat belts! (believe it or not, the ride can be more fun than you think!)
1.Where your links should direct.
The homepage is simple but for more targeted content and banners, you should ask your program manager to link to specific product pages or search results relevant to your site. Doing so may mean a greater chance of a conversion. $$$
2.How to promote your links.
The most popular methods are blogs, websites, and newsletters. Of course, there are other clever ways of promotion. Newer technologies allow for social media and apps.
3. Develop the content.
Depending on the link you’re promoting, you’ll want to be as relevant as possible. For example, affiliate links for pet food products typically do well on sites that talk about pets. There are different ways of developing your content depending on what you wish to promote. However, that is deserving of a post all its own. (Check out this blast from the past)
4. Get traffic to your site.
The more eyeballs on your site the greater the chance someone to click your links. There are lots of different methods but here are some of the most popular…..
Social Media – do you blog? If so tweet out your articles with a relevant account. ? Start a Facebook fan page for your website. Pinterest? Make sure your pins are relevant to your content and forward back to your website.
Comment and Engage. Get visitors by commenting in forums, commenting on others blogs, tweeting to engage your followers, etc.By being vocal you are letting others know you exist.
Ever try Google AdWords? Bidding on Keywords can be a way to ensure that when people search for your chosen keywords they are provided with a display and option to click to your site. Be careful though! Many Affiliate Programs will list restrictions on this technique in their Terms of Service. Disobeying could get your account blocked. Ruh-roh!
SEO (search engine optimization). Develop your content in a way that allows search engines to find you and rank your site depending on your relevancy. Lots of companies pay big bucks to get trained or have someone perform this service for them.
5. Check your stats.
Keep tabs on traffic you are sending to affiliate offers and your conversions. Tweak your site or link placement to try to achieve the highest click through for maximum conversion possible.
6. Receive your commissions!
This is the fun part! Make sure to always have up to date payment information for your Affiliate Program Manager to send prompt payment.
Not so scary huh?! If you’re new to the Affiliate Marketing, I suggest finding Affiliate Programs that provide opportunities for you to promote what you already love. If you dig what your web site or blog is about your more apt to keep plugging away until you receive commissions. Hang in there! It may take at least 60 days for your commissions to arrive. Celebrate that first payment! Woot!
Got an Affiliate Marketing question? Ask away in the comments below.