Affiliate Marketing

In my last blog post we discussed content creation to sell space online. This week we will dive into a different area of content marketing where you actually create content to promote other brands and present this organically to your audience.

Step 1: Identify a Target Audience

The first step in tapping into affiliate marketing is to identify a target audience that you are similar to. Identify their interest, behaviors, demographics, the platforms they are on, and products they likely use. Create socials on those platforms that you have identified and start engaging with other influencer accounts who target the same audience. This will help you to further understand who you are marketing to, engage with these users and become friends with them online.

Step 2: Create content with what you have

Now that you have identified and understand your target audience, look at problems and pain points for your audience. For example, if I was a mom and I wanted to create content for other moms, I would list organizing, cleaning, and cooking as common problem areas. A specific pain point in each of these areas would be doing these things on a small budget. Now, I have 3 content pillars I can use to begin making content with things I may already have. I can show products that I currently use or systems to start sharing valuable content for others to see and engage with. This will help your affiliate platform to begin gaining followers.

Step 3: Apply for Affiliate programs

Now that you have an audience and a place to share your content, start applying for affiliate programs. Most major companies have programs, and even some smaller local companies have affiliate programs as well. Amazon is a common starting place as it is free to sign up, but you can also reach out and apply to other brands or local companies! These companies will give you affiliate links. When your audience clicks on these links then later makes a purchase, you will receive a portion of the sale because you generated a lead for that company.

Step 4: Create a Webpage or link tree

Now that you have links to begin your affiliate marketing journey, it is time to create a website or a link tree for consumers to click on and use your affiliate links. Having a single place where all of your links can be found is not only convent for your audience, but this website could also double as a place to run ads for other companies as discussed in my previous blog post. Talk about raking in the cash!

Step 5: Send your Traffic to Links

The final step is to create content that sends your audience to the links that you have. Send traffic to your website or blog posts which have your affiliate links posted in them. This should be done as the call to action, or CTA, in ever post. This could be simply stated in a video or in a caption, or could even be added as a button, or sent directly to them in messages. Either way, find a way to invite your audience to click on your links.