Affiliate Marketing: How to Achieve Financial Freedom

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Earning money online has become a popular way for many people to make a living. But, with so many options available, it can take time to figure out where to start. Enter the world of affiliate marketing! Affiliate marketing is an easy way to make money online, potentially creating a substantial income stream.

This guide will give you the tools and knowledge necessary to become a successful affiliate marketer. From understanding the basics to exploring the different affiliate programs, this guide will give you the tools to create your own profitable business.

With the proper knowledge and dedication, affiliate marketing can be a profitable venture that could help you achieve financial freedom. So, if you’re ready to start making money online, let’s get started!

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Source: Unsplash

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is the practice of partnering with another company, termed an affiliate, and enlisting customers to complete transactions for the affiliate company in exchange for compensation. 

This compensation can be either a percentage of the revenue generated from the sales or a flat fee per click, referred to as a CPA (Cost-Per-Action). 

To explain further, this marketing type is also called “sponsor marketing” or “ performance marketing.” 

The process enables an affiliate marketer to connect with their potential customers early. Once the potential customers become familiar with the products and services offered, they’re more likely to convert into customers. But before diving in, consider the pros and cons of entering the affiliate marketing world.

Pros Affiliate Marketing

Entrepreneurs choose the route of affiliate marketing for several reasons

  • Cost Effective
    Businesses pay affiliates only when they generate a desired action (such as a sale or lead), making it a cost-effective marketing strategy.
  • Low Risk
    Affiliates are motivated to drive quality traffic and conversions, aligning their interests with those of the business.
  • Diverse Audience Reach
    Affiliates bring their unique audience, allowing businesses to tap into markets they might not reach through traditional marketing channels.
  • Increased Credibility
    Positive reviews or endorsements from reputable affiliates act as third-party validation, building trust among potential customers.
  • Passive Income Potential
    As affiliates continue promoting, businesses can earn income without actively engaging in day-to-day marketing efforts.

Cons Affiliate Marketing

Before jumping into the affiliate marketing, let’s take a look to the disadvantage of affiliate marketing you will face in your journey.

  • Dependency on Affiliates
    The success of the program heavily relies on the motivation, effectiveness, and ethical conduct of affiliates.
  • Fraudulent Activity
    Vigilance is required to detect and prevent fraudulent activities, ensuring accurate tracking and fair compensation.
  • Commission Costs
    While cost-effective, businesses need to carefully manage commission structures to maintain profitability.
  • Quality Control
    Ensuring brand consistency and messaging alignment can be challenging when affiliates have autonomy in their promotional methods.
  • Short-Term Focus
    Balancing short-term gains with long-term brand-building efforts requires strategic planning and communication with affiliates.

How to Get into Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a straightforward process. You just need to share a product’s link, and if someone purchases the item via that link, you will receive a commission or compensation.

Person handing in an affiliate marketing application form to another person

Source: Pexels

Apply for an Affiliate Marketing Program

To become an affiliate, the initial step is to sign up for the affiliate marketing program. Registering for a program can be done through the website of each company. 

All you have to do is input the phrase “affiliate marketing [brand or company]” into a search engine, and then a link will show up that will take you to the page where you can register.

Once registered with the affiliate program, you will receive an affiliate link. It contains an affiliate ID that tracks all transactions from that ID. This way, the commission will go directly to your affiliate account.

After receiving the affiliate link; you can share it on your website, blog, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, or other social media accounts. You can also tell your closest contacts about the link.

Generally, TikTok users present exciting content and then provide product links that redirect to an online store or the TikTok shop itself. 

It is also possible to share affiliate links in the comments section. To give you a better idea, another example would be when a popular TikTok account posts engaging content. Some commenters often write, “Hey, that bag’s super cute. Let me spill where it’s from”, and then add a link to purchase the product.

Black piggy bank with coins lined up above it

Source: Pexels

People Click the Link and Buy the Product

Once the link has been posted on multiple websites, people can click on it, and they will be automatically sent to the item’s page, where they can buy the product. 

Whenever a customer clicks on the link and buys something, the affiliate network tracks the transaction using the affiliate link that you have provided.

Once the sale is completed, the seller will verify the transaction and arrange for the item to be sent to the buyer.

Get a Commission

After completing all the necessary steps, and you will be given a commission from the sale. The sum of the commission varies depending on the cost of the item sold and the commission rate. The commission rate can range from 5% to 20%, depending on the affiliate program you are participating in.

Generally, the payout of this commission can be cashed out to your account. But, some firms/brands have a minimum total that must be achieved before the commission is sent to your account. Let’s say, a commission will be transferred when you have accumulated a sum of IDR 20,000 or more; if this amount is not attained, then the disbursement will be delayed and added to the next commission until it reaches IDR 20,000.

Man smilling with a cup of coffee in his hand

Source: Pixabay

Final Words

Affiliate marketing is extremely effective, and it can be incredibly lucrative. However, there are many different types of affiliate programs. 

So, you need to choose the right program to promote your products. The right affiliate marketing program could be the key to your success as an affiliate marketer.

You also need to choose the right products to promote. 

The most successful affiliate marketers use products related to their niche audience (such as people who are interested in a particular type of product). 

If you choose the right products and promote them in the right ways, your business will grow quickly.

P.S. Need help with digitally marketing your business? Pixie Digital would love to talk to you! We are a digital marketing agency based in Bali that’s ready to help your business rise above the rest.