Chapter 8: Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is when you recommend something and a reader clicks on a special link you provide that takes them to where they can buy the product. When they buy the product using your link, you get a commission. That special link really is special. You get it when you sign up for an affiliate program, and the link is coded with special numbers and characters that are unique to your account. Buying a product through that link puts money in your wallet.
But first, let’s get you familiar with affiliate marketing. The first thing you will want to do is find companies that offer products that relate to your niche. There is almost always some type of affiliate marketing you can do with each niche. If you’re stumped, Google it. Take a look at other blogs in your niche and see what their affiliate links are (I know, it all comes back to research, doesn’t it?). You will be able to tell what posts have affiliate links because the blogger will disclose it first!
There are so many companies that offer affiliate marketing, you just have to find them. First, start with sites you like to use. You can scroll to the bottom of the page and look for a link that says something along the lines of “affiliates” or “work with us”. You’ll find this link by the “contact” and “FAQ”. If you don’t see that link, don’t be discouraged. Simply contact the company and ask if they offer some kind of affiliate marketing.
