What Are Affiliate Programs?
Affiliate programs are the Internet’s version of a retail company’s commission-based sales program. Simply put, you refer a customer through your affiliate link and get a check.
The beauty is that as an affiliate you won’t physically handle products, create marketing tools, set up the sales process or collect the money. It is all handled by the affiliate manager. You just refer a potential customer (via email, social media, website or blog promotion). Nice and simple. It is a perfect way to start developing multiple streams of income which is essential in these economic times.
Some Points to Remember
• Promote products you truly believe in and that are relevant to your target market. Ask yourself: What other products and services do my customers need?
• Pre-sell prospects with your own testimonial. It is important that you use or a very familiar with this product and truly believe in it (For example I resell my shopping cart because I use it daily and know others need this e-commerce solution too).
• Be transparent and tell prospects you are an affiliate (The FTC mandates this)
Some Excellent Affiliate Programs (there are hundreds of great products on these sites)
Your Action Steps:
1) Go to the websites above and find one that has products your target market needs
2) Sign up for their affiliate program (sometimes called associate program or resellers program)
3) Read their promotional instructions and place your affiliate link (or graphic they provide) on your website
or in your promotional emails
4) Wait for your first check in the mail
Affiliate Programs are a terrific way to generate multiple streams of income– a very smart move for anyone building a business online.
P.S. Here is a video I created on this topic as well as my affiliate programs: www.PartnerWithMitch.com