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How to Get Started With Affiliate Marketing: Guide Decoded

Fabiola Bautista
How To Get Started Affiliate Marketing
How To Get Started Affiliate Marketing

Picture this: you’ve found an awesome goodie you can’t wait to tell your friends about. Maybe it’s the best exercise fit for the gym or the ultimate suitcase all travelers should have. In any case, the excitement inspires you to take an Insta-worthy picture and share it with everyone. What if you could get paid every time someone purchased that item because of your recommendation? This is possible when you learn how to get started with affiliate marketing and boost the power of your social media platforms. Let’s dive right in!

Being a skilled content creator or a savvy entrepreneur opens up a world of possibilities for generating smart passive income. Are you exploring new options to make money online? We’ve got you covered! In this affiliate marketing guide, we’ll go through all the basics every newbie should know when discovering how to get started with affiliate marketing.

Instant Access Guide: Get There in a Click! 🔍

Discover the step-by-step plan on how to get started with affiliate marketing. AKA, how to set up your strategy, where to promote your affiliate links, and how to choose the best niche for you. Plus, get all the key insights to make the most out of your (already fantastic!) online presence. Read on!

Our First Stop: What Is Affiliate Marketing? 🤔

Affiliate marketing is a business model where a third-party advertiser promotes another company’s products or services in exchange for a commission. Through this framework, there’s no need for the affiliate marketer (that’ll be you!) to sell any merchandise directly. Instead, your compensation is performance-based, as you’ll usually receive a percentage of the total revenue generated from your referrals.

Thanks to this, affiliate marketing is a low-risk and cost-effective opportunity to make money online. But wait, we’re not done! There are even more perks to explore in the next section.

Work Smart, Earn Hard: Why Affiliate Marketing Is a Game Changer 💸

  1. No inventory is needed. Unlike other business models, affiliate marketing doesn’t require you to design, create, or patent any product. Instead, you’ll be the intermediary between all the awesome goodies and brands looking for new users! ️
  2. Diverse income streams. You can partner with different brands and promote as many products as possible as an affiliate. Once you’ve set up your content and links, you’ll be able to earn commissions even when you’re not actively promoting, making it an incredible form of passive income.
  3. Fitted for your lifestyle. Are you looking for that work-life balance? Well, as long as you have an Internet connection, you can promote your links anywhere in the world, whether that’s your home, a nice coffee shop, or your next grand trip. In addition, there are no fixed hours. So, affiliate marketing is a great side hustle you can do alongside other activities.

💰Wondering how much do affiliate marketers make? The beginners’ average monthly income can range from $100 to $500. Of course, keep in mind this can vary depending on your partnerships, audience, and the number of products you promote.

➡️ Feel like giving it a try after learning all about its benefits? Great! Then, let’s get the full scoop on how this business model works through affiliate programs. 🤓

How Affiliate Programs Work: The Inside Scoop 🔦

As an affiliate marketer, you’ll act as the link between a brand and potential customers, with your recommendations resulting in sales. But how to get started with affiliate marketing? Well, businesses draw in new associates through affiliate programs. Essentially, these are partnerships between them (the retailer) and you (the advertiser). You’ll usually find this type of opportunity being advertised via:

  1. The company’s website
  2. Affiliate networks
  3. Social media platforms
  4. Affiliate program directories
  5. Email marketing
  6. Online events

📌 Quick note: Affiliate programs are often called “associate programs.”

Later, we’ll lay out some pointers to ensure a brand fits you (so stay tuned! ). For now, remember that whichever program you choose to join, you’ll first need to check out some specific criteria regarding the terms and conditions. In other words, carefully read key aspects such as the commission structure, payment methods, and minimum payout threshold.

➡️ Once you’ve signed in to a program or agreed upon a partnership with a business, you’ll receive an affiliate link. More on this in the next section!

Up to this point, we’ve discussed how affiliate marketing focuses on a beneficial arrangement where you can share all the fantastic goodies and services you’ve discovered. But how do companies know and register when someone buys a product thanks to your referral? Enter affiliate links!

Long story short, affiliate links are unique and trackable URLs that record the traffic sent to a specific website, which in this case would be the retailer’s or company’s page. At first glance, it might not look different from any other URL you click on when browsing the Internet. However, affiliate links include important information such as:

  1. Brand’s domain name
  2. Seller’s ID number
  3. Affiliate’s ID number

Remember how we talked about your performance-based compensation when joining this program? That’s why your affiliate’s ID is important! Tracking your sales will assess how many purchases came from your specific link, therefore ensuring your commission is accurately calculated.

🍪 Don’t skip the cookies! Review the cookie lifespan or duration when looking for affiliate programs. This establishes how long sales made through your affiliate link qualify for a commission.

➡️ Now that we’ve covered some basics, let’s take a peek at how the affiliate marketing process would usually go. 💻

How to Get Started With Affiliate Marketing: Example Time! ⭐️

Say you’re a beauty vlogger with a YouTube makeup channel that’s just fabulous and chic. Recently, you’ve tried on a lipstick that’s a 10/10 in glamour. The cosmetic brand that sells this lipstick line has an affiliate program. Here’s the breakdown of what comes next:

  1. Review the program’s terms and conditions. As discussed, carefully read all the commissions, payments, incentives, and reporting information.
  2. Join the program as an affiliate associate. You’ll now receive an affiliate link for the product you’ll promote: the stunning lipstick!
  3. Recommend the intended product. Time to get your inspo on! For example, as a vlogger, you may want to share a makeup tutorial or recreate an awesome look with that specific lipstick.
  4. Promote your link on social media. Certainly, your vlog wouldn’t be complete without adding your affiliate’s link. Thanks to your referral and creative strategy, your viewers click on it.

Once your audience starts purchasing the product, you’ll earn a commission based on the sales. Voila! You’re now an affiliate marketer doing business by recommending products you love and trust. 

 There’s more to it than meets the eye! That’s why, in the following section, we’ll cover a step-by-step process on how to make money online for beginners with affiliate marketing.

How to Get Started With Affiliate Marketing: Your Roadmap to Success 🤩

1. Define Your Niche

Finding the right niche can set you apart as an affiliate marketer. In a few words, it allows you to create unique content that aligns with your interests and truly resonates with your audience. Moreover, by choosing a market to specialize in, you’ll also be able to assess which affiliate program best suits your strategy and tap into profitable opportunities.

Helpful Hints

There’s a sea of options regarding affiliate marketing niches. For instance, the travel industry, real estate, gaming, music, fashion, fitness, wellness, and so on. And that’s just for starters! Thus, to effectively weigh your options, consider the following aspects:

  1. Interests and expertise. Doing what you’re passionate about boosts your creativity, drives your motivation, and lets your authenticity truly connect with a community. Firstly, start by enlisting which activities or hobbies you’re dedicated to that could turn into high-quality content. 
  2. Market trends and opportunities. Have you set your mind on a specific market? Time to get your detective glasses on and do some research! SEO tools and workflows like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Google Trends can help you identify your niche’s popular search queries, keywords, and traffic insights. 
  3. Spotted gaps in the market. Did you think it was time to take the detective glasses off? Not yet! After you’ve enlisted possible niches, investigate what content your competitor might have overlooked. Once again, use SEO tools and resources to complement your research and survey potential ideas that haven’t been thoroughly explored.

🔎 Important reminder: if you’re curious to learn more, check out these key insights on how to find a profitable niche!

2. Choose an Affiliate Program

At first sight, this step may seem pretty self-explanatory as we’re talking about how to get started with affiliate marketing. However, there’s more to it than just joining any program. Think of it this way: the type of products and companies you’ll promote to your audience reflects who you are as a content creator. 

Golden Advice

Affiliate marketing isn’t about pushing sales. Instead, it’s about engaging with a brand you truly align with. Most importantly, this means you’re genuinely helping your online community by recommending valuable items and services. After all, it’s your credibility and authenticity that’s in line. So, when asking yourself if an affiliate program is the right partnership for you, check the following criteria for the perfect match:

Brand’s reputation 

Program’s terms and conditions

Relevance to your niche

Product quality

Aligned target audience

Program’s scalability and long-term potential

Ethical business practices

💬 “You want to partner with a brand that has a positive and consistent reputation, that aligns with your brand’s mission and vision, and that delivers high-quality products or services.” 

– LinkedIn Brand Management

3. Select Your Products

Yes, it’s time for the goodies! Of course, it goes without saying that, as an advertiser, you should try the product yourself before recommending it. This will give you an authentic, firsthand encounter with its quality and usage. Furthermore, you can use these insights later and share them through reviews and tutorials with your online community.

Besides, you’ll also get the full scoop on the product and overall customer experience. To clarify, we’re talking about important aspects such as the available payment methods, shipping time, and packaging quality. Remember, to be a good affiliate, you’ll also need to build credibility. So, it’s about keeping things real!

Useful Pointers

Above all, the question that stands out the most is whether that item is relevant and valuable to your audience’s needs. As a result, consider the following affiliate marketing tips when reviewing a product:

First Impressions ⭐️
Does the product match my expectations? | Is the product well-packaged? | Are there any initial concerns?
Quality ✅
What are its pros and cons? | Would you really use it yourself? | What makes it stand out from other alternatives?
Durability ⏰️
What material is it made of? | Is it prone to damage? | Does it have a warranty?
Functionality 😀
Does it work as intended? | Does it truly align with my niche? | Would users find it helpful?
Pricing 💵
Is it affordable to your audience? | Does it include shipping, or are there any additional costs? | Is it worth the investment?
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4. Determine Your Promotion Platforms

By now, you’ve already chosen your niche, a top-notch associate program, and the awesome products you’ll recommend. So, what to do next? Well, you may wonder if it’s possible to succeed in affiliate marketing without a website. And the answer is (drumroll, please! ): you definitely can! Let’s venture into the world of social media. 

Did you know that, just last year, over 4.59 billion people were using social media worldwide? Moreover, this figure is expected to rise to 6 billion users by 2027. Wow, talk about numbers! To sum up, this opens a window of opportunities for engaging with a rapidly growing audience by boosting your online presence.

Key Insights

How do you choose the right social media platform for you? There’s no one-size-fits-all formula. In hindsight, it’ll depend on several details. For instance, your niche, target audience, and the type of content you want to create. 

Don’t worry! We’ve got your back. Once you’ve learned how to get started with affiliate marketing, assess each platform with these pointers:

  1. Know your target audience. Yes, it’s time to put the detective gear on again and do some research! Keep in mind that different age and gender groups will most likely use distinct social media. Acknowledging where your users are will give you a better insight into which platform you’ll find your ideal customer. 
  2. Understand each platform’s features. Alongside its diverse demographics, social media offers various content formats and styles. Think about which functions and attributes align best with the content you want to showcase. P.S. More on this on the next pointer!
  3. Brainstorm your content strategy. Just like a kaleidoscope, each social media platform highlights content from a different angle. For instance, let’s say you want to do clothing hauls through visually appealing and trendy videos. Then, TikTok or YouTube would be the best route as opposed to other platforms like Facebook.

5. Craft Your Content

Part of being an affiliate is connecting with your viewers through valuable content that resonates with them. Therefore, simply sharing referral links and expecting viewers to click on them won’t cut it, especially if you want to stand out in a competitive market. 

Instead, aim to go that extra mile by creating high-quality, engaging, compelling assets. In other words, it’s fun time! Your creativity, expertise, and skills will shine through here.

Hold on, we’re not finished yet! We couldn’t just talk about affiliate marketing for beginners without sharing the best tips and tricks to steer your success on social media. Join the creative fun as we review all the amazing content you can craft with Placeit by Envato!

Social Media Savvy: Where to Share and Shine Online 🌟

To post or not to post? That is the question. Just kidding! After you grasp how to get started with affiliate marketing, the point at issue is which type of content can help you make the most of your social media. Well, we’re glad to help! Below, you’ll find all the cool ideas we’ve picked out for you to boost your online presence on different platforms. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

Pinterest — Picture-Perfect Magic 🪄

Have you heard the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words”? Well, if at some point you’ve been on the lookout for an extra dash of inspiration, you’ll know that Pinterest is the go-to platform for dazzling pictures, graphics, and illustrations. Users can browse perfectly curated boards for fresh ideas, new trends, and lovely aesthetics.

“People don’t always have the words to describe what they’re looking for. But, they’ll know it when they see it.”

– Pinterest Business

So, even if the audience is looking for a homemade recipe, suggestions on home decor, or a cool outfit, they’ll find a Pin for it! Of course, that’s where you dive into affiliate marketing on Pinterest with stunning visuals. Ready to try? Take a look at these exciting content ideas to engage with viewers:

  1. How-to guides 
  2. Tips
  3. DIY projects
  4. Tutorials
  5. Seasonal pins

Instagram — Scroll, Link, Repeat 📸

Say cheese for the picture; it is time for an Insta-worthy moment! With its highly visual nature, Instagram draws an audience of over 1.21 billion active users monthly. Whether through informative reels, engaging stories, or creative profiles, this platform allows content creators to connect with viewers through different (and exciting!) formats. 

Noted, you may want to set up a creator or business account to make the most out of IG affiliate marketing. On one hand, this will help you gain credibility in your online community. Moreover, it will also help you view real-time data on your account’s performance. Use all this info to gain insights on what content works best for your niche and audience.

💡 Curious to learn more? Find the best ideas on how to make money off Instagram and up your branding game!

Do you want to give it a shot? Then, it’s time for you to put these affiliate marketing strategies into action: 

  1. Use the power of storytelling to showcase your product’s recommendations in a way that’s relatable to your audience. Share your insights, pro tips, and comments! 
  2. Share high-quality images to present the item’s features, content, and info that’s relevant to your niche.
  3. Include compelling CTAs that match your profile’s unique voice and prompt the audience to click on your affiliate links.
  4. Search for the best hashtags that boost your post’s visibility and draw attention to new viewers.

🔥 P.S. Don’t miss out on the hottest Instagram marketing guide!

YouTube — Lights, Camera, Action! 🎥

As a video-sharing platform, YouTube allows content creators to engage with viewers through powerful visual branding. Think of it as a more “show, don’t tell” premise. As a result, this format allows a more immersive experience that keeps audiences interested. 

Moreover, it caters to a wide range of niches, topics, and genres, so there are many options to explore when it comes to YouTube affiliate marketing. As an advertiser, you’ll want to showcase why certain products stand out from the rest and why your viewers will find them helpful. So, here are some content ideas to inspire your next video! 

  1. Unboxings
  2. Product reviews
  3. Tutorials
  4. Vlogs
  5. Product updates
  6. Hauls
  7. Product roundups / Comparisons

📹 Looking to kick your inspiration up a notch? Discover how to make money on YouTube with these spot-on strategies.

Twitter — #Affiliate Success 📱

In a fast-paced world, staying up to date with the latest news and trends can be tricky. However, this isn’t much of an issue for Twitter users. That is to say one of this platform’s strengths relies on real-time info and to-the-point instant tweets. On top of that, its versatility allows users to complement posts with eye-catching images, cool GIFs, funny videos, interactive polls, and links! 

Where to begin? For starters, keep in mind its character limit (280 for all Twitter users and 4,000 characters for Twitter Blue subscribers) and use it to your advantage. As an affiliate, this is your opportunity to share reader-friendly content that’s informative and easy to engage with. In addition, here are our pointers on navigating Twitter, doing affiliate marketing, and getting those clicks going!

Pro Tips

Polish Your Twitter Profile ✨
Credibility is essential when you’re promoting affiliate links or products. Above all, you don’t want any Twitter users thinking your account is fake or spammy. Remember, first impressions matter! So, make sure your profile picture, header, and tweets showcase what your branding is all about.
Be Concise ✏️
Twitter’s character limit shares an important lesson: every word counts! If anything, unnecessary information and nonessential data can feel confusing, making your audiences disengaged when overexplaining something that… see what I mean? Avoid this. Instead, aim for clear, unique, and shareable content (use threads when needed!).
Master Your Hashtag Use 📲
Hashtags can improve your social media engagement by making it easier for viewers to find important tags related to your niche. And that’s not the end of it! Don’t forget to check out the #Explore tab to find popular topics and jump on the trends.
Boost Your Interactions 💬
Time to get the conversation rolling! Use the poll feature to interact with fellow Twitter users and increase engagement. Besides building a stronger brand connection, you’ll also gain insights into what interests them.
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TikTok — That’s the Tea! ☕️

From testing viral hacks to jumping on dance trends, TikTok has taken the world by storm, one short video at a time! Its popularity lies in a series of factors that have to do with this platform’s sense of authenticity. Add the idea of engaging with a community and its unique form of advertising through relatable and shareable content. 

So, how do you thrive on TikTok and affiliate marketing? Certainly, one of the great things about this app is its variety. So, whether users are into fitness, traveling, fashion, sports, arts, or cooking, there’s something for everyone! Depending on your niche, some video content you can share to promote your affiliate links include:

Fashion & Makeup

  1. GRWM (Get Ready With Me)
  2. OOTD (Outfit Of the Day)
  3. Styling tips
  4. Hauls

Traveling

  1. Travel vlogs
  2. Destination guides
  3. Local spots
  4. Travel hacks

Sports & Fitness

  1. Workout tutorials
  2. Transformation journeys
  3. Healthy recipes
  4. Challenges

Home Decor

  1. DIY projects
  2. Room makeovers
  3. Organization tips
  4. Best seasonal items

Ready to go viral? Take this as inspo and cater it to your desired niche. Of course, you can always head to TikTok’s Creative Center to discover what hashtags, songs, and creators are trending to get your creative mojo on!

🤑 We still have plenty to share besides how to get started with affiliate marketing! Find out the best-proven ways to make money on TikTok and get your numbers rising.

How to Get Started With Affiliate Marketing: A Takeaway ⭐️️

Congratulations! We’ve reached the final section on how to get started with affiliate marketing. By this point, we’re thrilled by the possibilities this opportunity holds for you. Of course, we hope you’re too! 

But wait! We still have some advice on starting as an affiliate. While you may feel this business model doesn’t take off at first (AKA big numbers don’t hit off overnight), you’d want to stay consistent, learn what works best for your platform, and base your strategy on those insights. 

Moreover, always prioritize building a genuine connection with your audience. Authenticity certainly shines through no matter what social media app you decide to join. After all, your unique content, branding, and top-notch advice can make all the difference as an affiliate. 

P.S. Don’t click away just yet! We’d love to hear from you. What niche are you most interested in exploring with affiliate marketing? Drop a comment below and join the conversation. Or, let us know if you’d want a second part blog on how to get started with affiliate marketing. We’re eager to help. Till next time! 😉

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