Some people blog because it’s a hobby. Others take it as a way to earn income. Yet some do it for both reasons.
If you want to monetize your blog, you’ve found the right place. Although monetizing a blog and building credibility among your readers isn’t an impossible feat, it does require some honest effort on your part.
Before we get in to, let’s take care of some key points.
What exactly is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a marketing model where an online store uses outsourced marketers called affiliates—in this case, bloggers, to promote their products or services.
This system works on commission basis—if the affiliate marketer’s promotional efforts do not bring in customers, the client doesn’t pay a dime.
Does it Actually Make You Money?
Approximately 15% of the digital media industry’s revenue now comes from affiliate marketing. More than ever, there are bloggers who may have started out small but today are earning in millions—all thanks to their affiliate marketing efforts.
Take the case of Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, the blogger who raked in $1 million by affiliate marketing—a ‘side gig’ at first.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here’s a list of things every blogger should know about affiliate marketing.
Be a Problem-Solver For Your Readers
As a frequent internet user, you must’ve noticed that more often than not, you go to your favorite search engine to pose a question. For example, ‘What are top 10 American TV shows to watch?’ or ‘What are the best gluten-free recipes?’
If you hang on to this idea and find out the most searched things on the internet, you’re good to go!
You’ll be writing blogs that talk about relevant useful things your readers are looking for. With a high ranking, your blog will get increased traffic this way.
Avoid Irrelevant Affiliate Links
Think about this. If a reader comes across your blog on how to effectively clean makeup brushes but sees affiliate links for the best quality headphones, they would naturally be put off.
On the other hand, if you had linked your favorite brushes, readers will be likely to give that link a click.
Irrelevant affiliate links or links that have nothing whatsoever to do with what you are talking about on your blog, will do you no favors.
It’s better to simply promote products that match your theme and ideas. This will make you look professional instead of all over the place. Your recommendations will gain credibility among your reader-base.
Create an Email List
A blog can only thrive when people keep coming back to it. Is has become easier than ever to ‘hook’ people to your blogs. With the help of plug-ins and RSS Feeds your readers can easily follow your social media updates.
The one method that is beats them all, however, is building an email marketing list. There’s a reason why you see almost immediate requests to subscribe to an email list on every blog you encounter.
Building and maintaining an email list will get your readers coming back for more.
Know the Affiliate Product Inside and Out
This cannot be emphasized enough. If you have donned the hat of an affiliate marketer, it is your duty to be honest about the things you are promoting. This includes understanding the product or service to the best of your ability.
It won’t destroy chances of sales if you admit to a product having some problems. By doing this, you are actually doing yourself a favor. These kinds of practices help your readers gain trust and confidence in you. In the long haul, you will have the most credibility as a blogger.
Don’t Hide Your Affiliate Links
Disclose the affiliate links you’re using at the start of your blog—not at the side or the end. Those tricks are detected by readers and only make them lose trust in you.
You can personalize the disclosure. Say something about why you’re promoting someone’s product on your blog. It could be to make ends meet or simply to grow your awesome home library—as long as your readers see that you are not duping them into buying products they talk about.
Affiliate Marketing Made Easy
If you are unsure about how to effectively monetize your blog or want more information about how to go about it, LeadDyno is here to help!
We offer affiliate marketing software live demos in just 15 minutes. All those first timers looking to successfully launch and manager their affiliate programs, our affiliate management system will get the job done!
With the best affiliate software out there, you can expect results that matter. Explore our website to learn all about affiliate marketing programs to successfully monetize your blog.
