In simple terms to become an affiliate marketer all you need to do is choose the products you want to promote, sign up as an affiliate and promote your link. While some companies do require a purchase to become eligible to become an affiliate, most affiliate programs are free to join.While the concept is a simple enough one, the reality is effective promotion is not as easy as just blasting out your link everywhere and anywhere.
How To Find Affiliate Products to Promote
While some companies run their own affiliate programs, there are also affiliate networks that manage affiliates for companies. Affiliate networks handle recruiting affiliates, tracking sales and commissions and paying affiliates.
If you are looking for affiliate products to promote you can;
- Join an affiliate network and select the products you want to promote
- Affiliate Program Search Site- there are sites available online that provide information on thousands of affiliate programs, products and networks. These sites are a really great source of information when searching for products to promote.
- Go to the website of a product or service you would like to promote and see if there is a link at the bottom for Affiliates or Partners. If not, do a search for 'affiliate' in their site search or send them an email asking if they have an affiliate program available and what the requirement are.
Promoting Affiliate Products
Just as there are many different products and services you can promote there are many different methods of promoting affiliate products.
Many affiliate programs have promotional resources available such as advertisements, banner advertisements and emails for affiliate to use. Many new affiliates use these tools to promote via safe-lists, banner exchange sites, traffic exchanges and free classified sites to promote products. While often free or low cost, these methods are very time consuming and results are often less effective than desired.
The best way to effectively market online is to build a relationship with people. You need to offer them real value and promote yourself as a leader or expert in your field. Once readers get to know and trust you they are far more likely to buy products and services that you recommend.
Building relationships can be done through niche marketing, email marketing and personal branding. Using a combination of all three by building a personal brand in the niche of your choice and having readers subscribe to your newsletter is the best way to promote affiliate products.
