Affiliate marketing, like any other business, has been honed down to a science. And any science has rules. If you play by the rules, even with other things not remaining constant, you are likely to be successful and stay successful.
Here are 8 proven rules that significantly increase your chances of success as an affiliate marketer. (This article assumes that you are already set up as an affiliate marketer, but just struggling to differentiate yourself.)
Affiliate Marketing Rule # 1: Know Your Target Market.
The oldest marketing adage “put yourself in your clients’ shoes” comes into play here.
It’s all about the client. What do they want? Why do they want it? What other complimentary services can you offer them? A good affiliate is in the mind of his clients all the time.
The first thing you need to do is find out as much as possible about your niche. The next best thing is to talk to potential clients about what they would like to see in relation to the product. Talk to those who have used the product to know what can be improved, what is not necessary, or what is not clear – get any kind of feedback that you can get about the product you’re promoting.
Remember, as you do this, you are building trust. The more trust you build, the more referrals you are likely to get, and the more repeat sales you will generate as well.
Communicate any information you think is useful back to the merchant – it’s in their (and your) interest to have the best product that you can offer out there.
Affiliate Marketing Rule # 2: Be Supportive To Your Clients.
You may have come across products where once you purchased, getting through to the seller is a huge problem. Once a sale has been made, as a part of the package, give out your contact details so that they can email or call if they need to.
The worst thing that can happen is to spend money on a product online and then discover that it does not come with any support at all. The first thing you’ll get asked for is a refund – no one wants that.
Although the merchant may have their own helpdesk, consider creating your own customer support. Queries should be answered in the least turn-around time possible. And they may not even be queries directly related to the product you’re promoting, but maybe about something relevant. Go ahead and answer them. Remember, you are building relationships.
If your support doesn’t have the capacity to answer, or you feel that the merchant can assist the customer better, then forward the customer’s concern to the vendor immediately.
Affiliate Marketing Rule # 3: Write Helpful Product Reviews.
There are too many ads out there that compel you to buy, buy, buy! How about some useful information about the product? Or information on related topics? Give the reader a reason to click. Buy, buy, buy is not a reason.
A reason is what the product will do for the reader – and that comes in a good product review. Write product reviews that give helpful information, that are interesting and compelling.
Affiliate Marketing Rule # 4: Provide Disclosure.
Transparency is important, especially with the new FTC rules in place. It’s becoming more and more apparent now – you’ll see many affiliate marketers that either mention directly who their merchant is or that they will earn a certain commission if you buy from them.
Affiliate Marketing Rule # 5: Change Your Sales Strategy If Needed.
There is nothing as bad as sales content that is not updated despite the changing times. For example, if it’s discussing trends representative of the 80’s or 90’s, then you could lose some potential customers because people want the latest and most updated information to keep up with the changes.
Change the copy if needed and keep adding value as you go. Added value is achieved through better copywriting, usage of videos or other modern technology, added bonuses, and any other benefits you may offer the client on purchase.
Another reason why someone will want to buy from you is because of the way you talk about your product; so you must have a deep enough conviction about it to convince others.
Affiliate Marketing Rule # 6: Create Timeless And Relevant Content.
Content is king for affiliate marketing. Make sure that your content is superbly crafted. Pay for it if you have to. Create a checklist of what your content must have and make sure that your content meets each point on the checklist.
Like the sales copy, make sure that your content doesn’t appear out of date. Keep updating with new content that has new information and tips. It doesn’t mean that you throw out old content. Craft it into your new content by adding links in the new content that leads back to the old ones if readers are interested.
Remember never to date your content. If a reader comes across an article that says it was written in 2005, they will quickly start to look for more up-to-date information.
Affiliate Marketing Rule # 7: Stay Up to Date.
Know all there is to know about your affiliate product and any developments it undergoes. Oftentimes, this can be done easily by joining the merchant’s affiliate newsletter. But in case they don’t have one, just keep in touch with the vendor and ask them to inform you of any changes or updates to their products.
Pass on any relevant information to your clients; they need to see that you have their best interests at heart.
Affiliate Marketing Rule # 8: Keep Tabs on Progress.
The only way to know if you’re growing is to monitor your progress. You can do this in the form of how much you’re making, but a close eye on the number of new clients you’re getting on a monthly basis is also a good indicator. They need to always grow.
If the numbers are not going up, it could mean that your business is founded purely on repeat sales – a good but dangerous model.
There could be other rules on affiliate marketing that could accelerate your success. The important thing is to keep on learning and take action on what you’ve learned to get an edge in your field.
Warm Regards,
Jeremy Gislason
MemberSpeed Inc
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