I am going to simplify the affiliate marketing process as much as I can for you because there is so much wrong, outdated, and confusing information online as to how affiliate marketing works, and what is involved to get started affiliate marketing.
It isn’t complicated or confusing at all and you are just as capable as I of creating an affiliate marketing business if you have fingers and a drive to succeed.
So if you have a few minutes, I am going to show you how I have built a successful affiliate marketing business, and how thousands of other people do the same through the WealthyAffiliate.com platform that was founded in 2005 by Kyle, and Carson who can both be contacted on the Wealthy Affiliate platform.
So let’s have a look at the process of affiliate marketing, and how that works… then I am going to be jumping directly into the process of what and how to start an affiliate marketing business looks like and how you can get started TODAY (no joke), with your own business online.
How Affiliate Marketing Works Online
There is endless information online about affiliate marketing, but the problem is with so much information there is going to be good information, bad or wrong information, confusing information, and information that lies somewhere in between.
This is the main reason I recommend a training course like Wealthy Affiliate.
To be honest, over the past few years the same “simple formula” that worked back then, continues to work to this day. You have a product, and you have a customer. Your job as an affiliate marketer is to align these four things. That’s it!
Here is a diagram outlining how affiliate marketing works:
I’m simplifying this a bit, but for a good reason, I want to demystify “affiliate marketing.” There’s no need to be intimidated because, just like me, you’re fully capable of building a successful full-time affiliate marketing business.
All it takes is the right training, guidance, and the essential tools to pave your way. At its core, affiliate marketing is straightforward.
Familiarizing yourself with a few key terms is crucial:
- Affiliate (YOU): You, as the affiliate, can partner with companies such as Etsy, eBay, Walmart, Amazon, and many others—over 10,000 in total. By joining their Affiliate Programs, you receive a unique “affiliate link” exclusive to you. This link tracks all the sales you generate.
- Affiliate Program (e.g., Amazon): Virtually every company has an affiliate program. In fact, 99% of global brands can be promoted online. Amazon, one of the world’s largest affiliate programs, allows you to promote hundreds of millions of products with a single account.
- Earning Affiliate Commissions: Affiliate programs will give you a kick back if you can send people to their website, and they end up buying something. Say you send someone to Amazon through your affiliate link, and they end up buying a fridge, Amazon will pay you a % of the total sale. Amazon offers around 3-6% commissions, so a transaction like this may yield you $50-100 (depending on the price of the fridge). Depending on the company and affiliate program, they will typically pay between 2% and 75% in commissions.
- Unlimited Potential. As an affiliate marketer online, your earnings potential has no limits. The more people you can get buying through your affiliate links, the more money you make.
Many affiliate marketers make several million dollars per year, and this can be a reality for anyone willing to put forth the effort to build an affiliate marketing business. But HOW do you build an affiliate marketing business? I am going to cover that in the next section.
Get Started Affiliate Marketing In 4 Steps
So, I’m not just going to lay out the precise steps for you; I’m here to empower you with a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate and execute these steps successfully.
Here are the four steps to get started affiliate marketing:
Step 1. Choose an Idea: Before embarking on the establishment of any business, you need to conceive an idea. This marks the “niche” phase, where you define both your audience and business category.
The possibilities are vast, ranging from puppy training and basketball sports betting to video games and beyond. It’s an exhilarating phase with limitless potential.
I often recommend selecting a passion or interest as your niche. This ensures a genuine love for your business, making every endeavor feel like a labor of love.
Thanks to the Internet and the affiliate marketing industry, we all have the opportunity to turn our passions into successful ventures.
With nearly 5 BILLION people online, even the most obscure niches have substantial audiences. Wealthy Affiliate provides direct video classes guiding you through the niche selection process, coupled with valuable feedback from the community, including myself.
Step 2. Build a Website: Consider your website as the foundation of your business, much like a physical shop in the offline world.
Without a “storefront,” you lack the means to attract and assist customers or sell anything. Your website functions as the digital storefront, allowing you to engage, assist, and promote products/services to your audience.
Without a website, running an online business is virtually impossible. It is a fundamental necessity for establishing a long-term business.
How to Accomplish: Build high-performing, profit-ready websites effortlessly with Wealthy Affiliate. You can even kickstart your journey with a free Starter account. What sets Wealthy Affiliate apart is its high-speed hosting, offering a competitive edge and more opportunities as you expand your website.
Step 3. Get an Audience: In the online realm, your website is not only your digital storefront but also the hub where your “traffic” converges. Without people visiting your website, there’s no pathway to profitability. Understanding how to attract traffic is pivotal.
Traffic comes in various forms, but a sustainable and enduring method involves search engine optimization (SEO). This entails securing high rankings on search engines like Google, resulting in a steady flow of FREE traffic to your website.
Once you have traffic, you have opportunities. After setting up your website, the next focus is crafting it to attract traffic effectively.
How to Accomplish: Acquiring proper “traffic” training is essential, along with a well-optimized website for search engines.
Wealthy Affiliate provides both, offering elite SEO training, classes, and access to experts who personally assist you with your traffic campaigns. Additionally, the training covers diverse methods like social media, YouTube, video blogging, podcasts, and paid traffic channels.
Step 4. Make Money: The pinnacle of your business involves earning through affiliate programs. There are over 550 MILLION products/services you can promote as an affiliate marketer in exchange for a commission.
By adding special links on your website from companies like Amazon, Etsy, Nike, Apple, eBay, etc., you earn a “kickback” when visitors make a purchase.
The affiliate marketing industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with affiliates projected to earn $12 BILLION online this year, a figure expected to rise even further next year. It’s time to secure your slice of this expanding pie.
How To Get Started Affiliate Marketing
This is my number 1 affiliate marketing training recommendation. The Wealthy Affiliate University!
If you want to learn affiliate marketing this is the place to go so if you are looking at starting an affiliate marketing business, check out the Wealthy Affiliate free starter membership plan for a free test drive of the system.
The Wealthy Affiliate University Overview
Founders: Wealthy Affiliate University was founded by Kyle Loudoun and Carson Lim in 2005 and has been running successfully ever since.
Membership Plans: The platform has 3 membership plans all with their benefits.
Wealthy Affiliate Free Starter Membership: 100% free, and is a great way to get inside the platform and test drive the system before upgrading.
Premium Membership: This is where most people head to after the free starter membership account. Unlock all the training videos, host more than one website, advanced features on tools and AI.
Premium Plus Membership: This is for the go-getters. Maxed out tools, lessons, and more live classes with experts.
Platform Features
Included in Both Paid Memberships:
Training Modules:
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- Wealthy Affiliate provides a comprehensive training program covering various aspects of affiliate marketing, online business, and website development.
Website Hosting:
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- Members have access to powerful website hosting services, allowing them to host their websites securely on Wealthy Affiliate’s platform.
Keyword Research Tool – Jaaxy:
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- Jaaxy is an integrated keyword research tool, assists users in finding profitable keywords to optimize their content and drive organic traffic.
Community Support:
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- The Wealthy Affiliate community is known for its active and supportive members. Users can engage in discussions, seek advice, and share their experiences.
Success Stories and Following:
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- Wealthy Affiliate has amassed a large following of aspiring and experienced online entrepreneurs seeking to enhance their skills and achieve success. Over 2.4 million Wealthy Affiliate accounts made worldwide.
Countless Success Stories:
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- The platform boasts numerous success stories from members who have achieved significant milestones in their online businesses, showcasing the effectiveness of the training and resources provided.
Conclusion
Wealthy Affiliate University stands out as the leading training platform for individuals looking to build successful online businesses.
With its success stories, membership plans, diverse set of features, and thriving community, it continues to be a go-to resource for those venturing into the world of affiliate marketing and online entrepreneurship.
Take action and get started with affiliate marketing!
Click the banner below, make a free account, and start your training!
