The Real Truth about Success in Niche Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is HOT! I mean, it's a great way for a blogger to earn some cash by simply raving about a product or service he/she already adores.
Affiliate marketing is a win/win situation for both parties involved. The affiliate gets a percentage of the sale as a commission while not having to deal with any of the customer service headaches which come with doing business online.
Meanwhile, the business running the affiliate program gets to create channels within the target niche.. possibly hundreds of affiliate blogs and web sites promoting a product or service.
However, the truth about being a successful affiliate has a lot to do with not only Niche Marketing, but also building trust.
In order for your readers to trust you, you're going to have to make contact with them on a regular basis. (A blog is a great way to do that. Another option is a newsletter.) You're going to have to give them a reason to believe you.
That means not endorsing every affiliate marketing program on the market.
I once read a newsletter by just such an affiliate "whore". One week, the guy's newsletter was extolling the virtues of Web Product A and then two weeks later, he was completely contradicting his previous views as he extolled the virtues of Web Product B (a competitor of Web Product A).
The reason I was on the list was I had a client who kept referring to the affiliate marketing whore's advice on marketing tactics to the point where I felt I needed to subscribe to the newsletter. When I pointed out the two separate newsletters and their incongruity... he just shrugged. "I hadn't noticed that before," was his only reply.
I know I unsubscribed from the list soon thereafter, his credibility was gone.
I'm sure his newsletter contained SEVERAL hundred less scrutinizing readers who continue to follow his affiliate recommendations.... but counting on your reader's inattention is a horrible business model.
Another client of mine operates from a position of integrity. When she makes an affiliate recommendation, her lists moves and moves quickly. Now admittedly, affiliate marketing is NOT her main source of revenue... but it does provide a nice side stream for her. But only because she is excruciatingly careful in what products she stands behind.
Affiliate marketing is a win/win situation for both parties involved. The affiliate gets a percentage of the sale as a commission while not having to deal with any of the customer service headaches which come with doing business online.
Meanwhile, the business running the affiliate program gets to create channels within the target niche.. possibly hundreds of affiliate blogs and web sites promoting a product or service.
However, the truth about being a successful affiliate has a lot to do with not only Niche Marketing, but also building trust.
In order for your readers to trust you, you're going to have to make contact with them on a regular basis. (A blog is a great way to do that. Another option is a newsletter.) You're going to have to give them a reason to believe you.
That means not endorsing every affiliate marketing program on the market.
I once read a newsletter by just such an affiliate "whore". One week, the guy's newsletter was extolling the virtues of Web Product A and then two weeks later, he was completely contradicting his previous views as he extolled the virtues of Web Product B (a competitor of Web Product A).
The reason I was on the list was I had a client who kept referring to the affiliate marketing whore's advice on marketing tactics to the point where I felt I needed to subscribe to the newsletter. When I pointed out the two separate newsletters and their incongruity... he just shrugged. "I hadn't noticed that before," was his only reply.
I know I unsubscribed from the list soon thereafter, his credibility was gone.
I'm sure his newsletter contained SEVERAL hundred less scrutinizing readers who continue to follow his affiliate recommendations.... but counting on your reader's inattention is a horrible business model.
Another client of mine operates from a position of integrity. When she makes an affiliate recommendation, her lists moves and moves quickly. Now admittedly, affiliate marketing is NOT her main source of revenue... but it does provide a nice side stream for her. But only because she is excruciatingly careful in what products she stands behind.
Labels: affiliate marketing, niche affiliate marketing, the role of trust in affiliate marketing, trust
posted by Kathy at 11:09 AM
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