Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate Marketing is often considered one of the best ways to make money online, It’s relatively easy to get started, and there is little to no overhead. The Affiliate marketing industry changes at extremely fast rates. One thing that is working today might not work a week from now.

There is allot of hype and confusion in the industry. Beginner affiliates are overwhelmed with information and often become halted by analysis paralysis and information overload.

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate Marketing is a revenue sharing model that allows affiliates to earn commissions on sales or leads they generate for companies. Affiliates work as independent contractors directly for the company or though affiliate networks. Affiliate marketing takes time and effort to become a successful endeavor, but the results are worth the energy.

When a visitor clicks on an affiliates link, a cookie is set on the visitor’s browser that tracks and records the visitor’s action. If a sale or lead is generated, commission is paid to the affiliate.

Benefits of Affiliate Marketing

Low Startup Costs

At minimum you will need to purchase a domain name and web hosting, but you can actually get started without them. You could use a free blogging service such as blogger, or wordpress to get started immediately. There are many outlets for you to submit articles such as ezinearticles, hubpages, and squidoo.

No Inventory

Keep the overhead costs down. With an affiliate marketing business you do not have to stock or ship products. This is handled by the companies you promote.

Limitless Revenue

OK, maybe not infinitely limitless, but the possibilities of revenue levels are high, the more conversions you are able to make the more money you can make.

Mobile Business

If you have a laptop, your entire business is mobile and can travel with you. Going on a cruise? No problem! Log in and check your stats in between margaritas!

Affiliate Marketing Models

CPS (Cost Per Sale)

CPS is a way for affiliates to earn commissions based on sales generated. Around 80% of affiliate programs use cost per sale.

CPA (Cost Per Action)

CPA also known as "pay per performance" is a way for affiliates to earn commissions based on leads generated. The lead can be a simple email or a full registration. Around 19% percent of affiliate programs use cost per action.

CPC (Cost Per Click)

CPC allows affiliates to earn commissions based on how many clicks they generate for a campaign. CPC is rare, most companies use the CPS and CPA models.

How to Succeed in Affiliate Marketing

Competition is fierce, in order for you to succeed you will need to follow the models of successful affiliate marketers while thinking differently and being original. Below is a list of affiliate marketing tips.

Invest in your Education

The best investment you can make is in your knowledge and skills, accept that there is a learning curve and take it one lesson at a time.

Think Long Term

Quick money dries up quickly, plan your affiliate marketing business for the long term. Take each day step by step and realize that affiliate marketing revenue grows with a snowball effect. The inertia required in the beginning is immense, but momentum picks up and the checks grow bigger and bigger.

Track Everything

Track where your traffic is coming from and where it is going, monitor your campaign ROI.

Find and Focus on a Niche

It’s important that you find a niche to focus on so that you don’t spread yourself too thin. Concentrate on marketing to a small group or segment of consumers.

Take Action

Ready, Fire, Aim! If you haven’t gotten started yet, the best time is now. You can adjust and tweak as you learn and grow. The reason so many people fail in internet marketing is from not taking action.

Provide Value

Focus on building high quality websites that provide value. This step is crucial and often overlooked, long term high quality websites trump those made for quick money.


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