What is Affiliate Marketing? In short, it’s writing about products, brands or services and earning money with it. I had no idea where to start, and that’s when I heard about Wealthy Affiliate.
Yes, part of this article IS affiliate marketing at it’s finest. The links in this article are my personal affiliate links. By telling you this up front , then it doesn’t seem like a “machine” talking to you. And that’s how you make a subject personal and also how you make a little money.
Seriously though, I’m not pushing you into anything. As a person who builds websites for a living, I want to explain the subject of affiliate marketing because there’s too much “Get Rich Quick with Online Marketing” STUFF out there! Wealthy Affiliate is not a get rich quick scheme. Think of them more a like a University. You will learn so much, all the time here, like constantly. Because in the digital world, the landscape changes all-the-time!
Signing up with Wealthy Affiliate CAN be your first step to affiliate marketing. But we’re going to skip that part in case you’re not interested in joining (me) and just want to know how to do it. So here’s how to do it;
First, find a niche.
A topic. An interest. Something very funneled. Something you LOVE and are passionate about. Pick a topic but keep it specific.
Build a Website
If you want to start on your own, it’ll be tough. Get help from the Pro’s! Trust me on this, it’s how I got started.
I learned how to build my affiliate websites from the experts at Wealthy Affiliate >>> yes, I am plugging them here. Still no obligation to join and never will be. The last thing I am is pushy even though you see their banner lol!
Find companies or products to work with
The options here are literally endless people. When you start looking, you realize that most EVERY company has an affiliate or ambassador program. Once you sign up and get accepted, you get your own personal link. When people click on your link and purchase something, you make a percentage of the sale!
Don’t worry, as overwhelming as it sounds, Wealthy Affiliate teaches you how to find those companies and brands (yup, another plug). And, if you want to explore this on your own, type up your brand and add the words affiliate program on the end, see what pops up!
Market yourself and your website(s)
You have to sell, it won’t magically happen for you. You MUST market yourself, your websites, your links. THAT my friends is how you make the big bucks. Gain a following and funnel those leads into sales!
Start with one niche
Wealthy Affiliate will teach you to start with ANYTHING. And it also teaches you that you won’t stop there.
You’ll change your websites as often as your interests change. For example, you’re so done talking about fitness and how to strengthen those knees, let’s change it up to automotive accessories (catch my drift?).
Lastly, Just start
Don’t overthink it, just start.
Navigating the affiliate marketing world isn’t easy and it isn’t a get rich quick scenario like many people lead you to believe. It takes work and dedication and in time, you will make a really good living from it.
I don’t do this full time. As I said, I am a web designer so I am busy helping small businesses get their digital voice. That is my passion!
Affiliate Marketing for me is FUN! And if ever I want to, I know doing that full time would be more than enough to make an awesome living. Working online is the dream, you can do it just give yourself time.
If you want to learn the ropes, I will suggest to you Wealthy Affiliate (yup, that’s a link).
Why?
They taught me what I know. And I wouldn’t plug them if they hadn’t taught me anything. They taught me way more than just affiliate marketing. For reals.
Reach out if you have any questions, that’s what I’m here for.
