How About Some Secrets to Affiliate Marketing?

affiliate-marketing

It’s likely that you already know the answer to this question…

Just what is affiliate marketing?

Let’s talk about…

Affiliate Marketing Tips for Affiliate Marketers 

This information will hopefully help you understand more about what affiliate marketing is, what affiliate marketers do, how affiliate programs usually work, and how you can become an affiliate marketer yourself right now.

Continue reading » What’s the Deal with Affiliate Link Disclosures? (and Why Do You Need Them?)

  • Affiliate link disclosures are more than a best practice; they’re a must-do according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). What it boils down to is, if you have a link on your site that could potentially earn you some cash, you need to be upfront about it with your visitors.

I think you’ll get it best by saying…

Affiliate marketing is word of mouth or referral marketing that you get paid for. You receive some money for referring new customers to another business.

The people you refer don’t have to pay anything extra -­‐ in fact, you may even be able to get them a deal. And in addition you may get a big boost in your own revenue.

For me, I go about selecting affiliate products for market research that will enhance my brand, interest my readers, or the products may be something I want to use,  blog about and review. So…

  • I sign up for the product’s affiliate information.
  • Then get their affiliate links for me to use. They use my assigned link to track the referrals I send their way,
  • This is a little known secret –  I set up an easy remember link for promotion.

I use my Pretty Link Pro WP PlugIn –for an Affiliate Link Cloaker or URL shortener —

The Pretty Link Pro Plugin also lets me know how many times it has been clicked on and keeps it organized in my WordPress dashboard. I’ve been recommending this plugin for years.

The WP Pretty Link Pro Plugin works like this…

  • First off, you won’t be using Bit.ly anymore, when you use a URL shortener to redirect users to your blog post. You’ll have complete control over your link and see the results right on your WP dashboard.
  • Any time you want some sort of promotion on your site you’ll be using a custom Pretty Link Plugin ,
  • So instead of my link looking like a bit.ly link or the real affiliate link >>> https://prettylinkpro.com?aff=dward29

I can have my own domain to use. Like say askcoachdonna.com/prettylink
Pretty Link Affiliate

 

I think you get it. I’ve had it for years.

I use Pretty Link Pro’s plugin a lot; to cloak URLs with my own domain name, or to just shorten the URL link and still be able to use my domain name.

Because I do the work for businesses and bloggers in building their online reputation, community, engaging on Social Media, and even put up their posts with copy writing for SEO.

I don’t want to take the time to make my own products. When I know and use many other experts’ products that I really like.

  • So I can, and have, done the market research and refer products of people I know, like, and trust – and I do that as an affiliate.

Because it’s impossible for me be the all one solution for all of my readers’ challenges, I’ve gone to other experts’ products to help my own readers and clients.

  • So, I’m referring products and receiving a referral gift or commission because of it, when I use their affiliate programs and links.

Of course, we’ve all noticed that bloggers of all types are benefiting from affiliate marketing.

  • Sharing affiliate information is a direct method where bloggers earn commissions directly from their blog.

That’s huge. Monetizing your blog even as you’re helping your audience get what they want. Right?

  • Many bloggers look to affiliate commissions and paid reviews for their main source of income.

Keeping that in mind, our blog reputations are increasingly important and very hard to build. It doesn’t take much to lose any trust you have built up.

What are some important affiliate marketing tactics and secrets?
  • Do your market research, or get to know enough about the product, so that you can honestly refer it to your audience. Making sure that these products are of great value to your audience.
  • Put your reader and content first.
  • Don’t let ads dominate your site.
  • Use Pretty Link Pro Plugin for WP as a great time saver and attractive URL.

So, with just a handful of cherry-picked recommendations, you can lead your readers by the hand and show the exact solution to their problem.

But, how do you find affiliate programs for your niche?

Now I’ve been using affiliate marketing for years in my niche. I’ve used products, liked them, and decided to share with my community.

Here’s a couple of tips to help:

  • Search for affiliate programs

Use Google, or your favorite search site, and type in your topic and then add “affiliate programs”

  • You’ll be surprised what will come up when you do this.
  • I like to know a lot about the product before I start referring it. So I do my market research.
  • Search Amazon to see if there are products there that might have affiliate programs for you link to and make a commission.

Again, make sure you know, like, and trust the product.

Do you use affiliate marketing? And, have you installed your Pretty Link Plugin, yet?

Please note this post includes an embedded Affiliate link. This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. For more information please visit my Disclosure Page.

What others are saying…

Donna Ward
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53 thoughts on “How About Some Secrets to Affiliate Marketing?

  • April 30, 2015 at 10:03 am
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    I don’t know affiliates and don’t really participate in that side of blogging. I should really read up I think.

    • April 30, 2015 at 10:14 am
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      It’s a great way, the research marketing, to learn more about what you want to share and sale as an affiliate – Thank you, Robin for your comment 🙂

    • April 30, 2015 at 10:14 am
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      Well, Salma – I’ve seen bloggers making thousands of dollars a month with sponsoring and reviews – it’s very similar with affiliate marketing 🙂

  • April 30, 2015 at 10:12 am
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    What an interesting prospect. You’ve opened my eyes to another possibility.

    • May 1, 2015 at 7:01 am
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      That’s wonderful to hear, Francene – thank you for your comment 🙂

  • April 30, 2015 at 12:00 pm
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    Wow, that’s so interesting. I always treated my blogging as if it were just a hobby. I never even thought about it being a paid career. I’ll have to reread this a few times because I wouldn’t mind getting paid to blog! Thank you very much.
    Alice Gerard recently posted..Z is for ZumbaMy Profile

    • May 1, 2015 at 7:04 am
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      Very cool, Alice! I look forward to hearing more about this new adventure for you 🙂

  • April 30, 2015 at 5:23 pm
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    I have a few affiliate links but i don’t really bother with them. I need to I know, but I always forget. I think affiliate links work much better in the US than they do for us in Canada. You guys get better perks and affiliate programs!

    • May 1, 2015 at 9:55 am
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      Hey Jeanine, that is interesting! But, there are a lot of affiliate links and things going out there! Thank you for your comment 🙂

    • May 1, 2015 at 7:03 am
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      So glad that this was a great reminder for you, Crystal – thank you so much for your comment 🙂

    • May 1, 2015 at 7:02 am
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      Well, Thank you so much Jessica – glad you found this helpful! 🙂

  • May 1, 2015 at 11:17 am
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    I like how you emphasize only doing affiliate work for products you really use. Being genuine matters a LOT. People can see if you are pushing everything under the sun and will soon disregard what you say because of it.
    Gabriel recently posted..Peach Jar Cakes and Creative Blog HopMy Profile

  • May 1, 2015 at 11:45 am
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    Great post! I want to create an affiliate program for my new product, but am not sure what percentage to give to my affiliates? Also I want to ensure posts are authentic. What are your thoughts on pricing and finding the right affiliates for your products?

    • May 3, 2015 at 8:27 am
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      Thank you – Angelica – and when you create an affiliate program, think of it this way – The key to affiliate payouts is to treat your affiliates the same way you would want to be treated. And check out what your competition is doing – I know a lot of big time marketers pay 50% and some pay 37% – I know that if the affiliate wasn’t selling for us, well…would we have made the sale to begin with and have a new customer to continue to sale to? Looking forward to hearing about what you decide 🙂

    • May 2, 2015 at 8:47 am
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      That’s great to hear, Iris – and thank you!

  • May 1, 2015 at 7:31 pm
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    Hi Donna!

    I love Pretty Link Pro! It’s a great branding tool and it also protects you from anyone trying to steal your links…

    Dr. Lisa

    • May 2, 2015 at 8:47 am
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      Thank you, Valerie 🙂

  • May 1, 2015 at 11:02 pm
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    That plugin looks really helpful. I am just now dipping my toes in the affiliate marketing pool. Thank you!

    • May 2, 2015 at 8:47 am
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      Thank you, Angie – the pretty link pro plug in is very useful – I am loving it!

  • May 2, 2015 at 1:43 am
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    Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this. I actually don’t partake in any affiliate opportunities because they just don’t seem to be beneficial to me at all.

  • May 2, 2015 at 4:58 pm
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    I’m currently in the middle of bringing my blog to the next level this is such great information. I always appreciate all the help i can get especially concerning my blog.
    Thanks for the post!

  • May 3, 2015 at 12:56 am
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    I haven’t even thought about integrating affiliate links into my blog as of yet. I am always afraid that I won’t find very many that cater to my exact niche, but I suppose I need to do more research to make sure.
    Roselynn recently posted..Nail Art Tutorial – Geometric Negative SpaceMy Profile

  • May 3, 2015 at 6:55 pm
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    I love participating in affiliate marketing! It’s such a great way to introduce your readers to new products that you enjoy plus, helps inspire some new blog content when you want to review.
    Amby Felix recently posted..TONYMOLY Cats Wink Shiny Skin Base ReviewMy Profile

  • May 4, 2015 at 4:37 am
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    I have been considering affiliate marketing for a long time. I do Amazon now and am going to use this information for more. Thanks for the great post.

  • May 28, 2015 at 5:21 am
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    Howdy I am so glad I found your webpage, I really found you by error,
    while I was searching on Aol for something else, Regardless I
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    Pura Bella Serum recently posted..Pura Bella SerumMy Profile

    • May 28, 2015 at 9:04 am
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      Well, thank you so much, Michell – I am so happy to hear that – and hoping to hear more from you soon 🙂

  • May 31, 2015 at 12:31 am
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    Thanks for the marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you could be
    a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and definitely will come back someday.
    I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great
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    bella lift skincare recently posted..bella lift skincareMy Profile

    • May 31, 2015 at 8:00 am
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      Thank you so much, Jessie – so glad you found this and thought it helpful – I appreciate that and hope to see you and hear from you soon 🙂

  • June 5, 2015 at 2:06 pm
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    This is a great article Donna. It’s the first time I am learning about the Pretty Links Plugin and it sounds like it could help me to sell more affiliate products. I will definitely look into it further!

  • June 13, 2015 at 9:44 pm
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    Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you,
    However I am encountering difficulties with your RSS.
    I don’t understand why I cannot join it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS issues?
    Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
    Thanx!!
    customizable shirts recently posted..customizable shirtsMy Profile

    • June 14, 2015 at 7:52 am
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      I am so sorry that you are having RSS issues – I’ll check into that – I’ve not heard of any issues – I’ll let you know soon!
      Thank you so much for your note – and I hope to send you a note quickly 🙂

  • August 30, 2015 at 2:32 am
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    I like pretty link a lot for shortening or masking links. I haven’t used the paid version but I from what I’m told it makes it even easier.

    I think affiliate marketing is great for introverts. It is kind of ‘behind-the-scenes’ selling. ^_^
    Sara recently posted..Image Monthly ReviewMy Profile

    • May 16, 2016 at 8:24 pm
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      Thank you, Domki 🙂

    • November 28, 2016 at 12:04 pm
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      Thanks, Salvador – just message me on Facebook – click on my Facebook.com/askcoachdonna

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