Are affiliate programs really worth it?
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay
In the last few years, the concept of affiliate marketing has become quite the internet sensation. From rags to riches success stories of how industry newbies made thousands of dollars in a matter of days, to how-to articles promising hints and tips that can propel you to the forefront of your niche, the amount of virtual column inches devoted to affiliate marketing programs is quite staggering.
So, how can you cut through the noise and get to the crux of the matter? Is it all hype, or can you really make a respectable living from affiliate programs? The truth of the matter is that yes, affiliate marketing and the retailers which participate in it via their own programs are certainly worth your time and investment – but only if you’re serious about making it work. Everyone can become a successful affiliate marketer, but that does not mean that everyone will. Having said that, here are a handful of reasons why it’s definitely worth it for those willing to commit.
Exposure by association
For those just starting out on their affiliate marketing career, the lack of an online presence can seem like an almost insurmountable barrier to success. Fortunately, you can take the shortcut of dropping names of brands, eCommerce stores and other retailers with which people are already familiar. By signing up to the best affiliate programs out there and tailoring your marketing approach to them, you can leverage their reputation to elevate your own, thus lending more credibility to your site in the process.
Passive income
Unlike the daily grind of a 9-to-5 job, affiliate marketing doesn’t pay by the hour. While that can be bad news for those who struggle to succeed in their niche, it should be positively music to the ears of anyone with the right approach. High-quality content will be the cornerstone of your business, but once you’ve created it, it will remain out there attracting traffic and churning conversions in perpetuum. That kind of passive income is simply impossible in most professions.
Remote working
Sick and tired of office life? Do you dread being chained to your desk? With affiliate marketing, you can work anywhere you like, at any time you like. Night owls can burn the midnight oil and create content through the small hours of the night, while globetrotters can take their laptop with them to the remotest corners of the Earth and still support themselves. As long as you have an internet connection and an online following which heeds your recommendations, you’re set.
The pot at the end of the rainbow
Finally, we come onto the big one: the seemingly impossible success stories. Are there any aspiring affiliate marketers who aren’t familiar with the story of Jason Stone, who amassed a small fortune of $7 million in just 18 months – all via selling products which aren’t his own? Of course, these miraculous tales are very much the exception rather than the rule, but examples like the one set by Monsieur Stone prove that making a highly successful career from affiliate programs is possible for those with the right mindset and skillset.
Making your way in the world of affiliate marketing won’t be a walk in the park, but the perks and potential rewards of sticking with the right programs speak for themselves.